…Or when Highway One became two lanes headed south.

This was the day after Christmas, or yesterday. Bumper-to-bumper so some people took matters into their own hands:

I am certainly glad I chose to stay home.

Photos provided by a friend and used with permission.

And here is another shot taken today, Friday Dec. 27:

NB Traffic takes a gamble, photo by Martha Diehl
bigsurkate

Appointed appellate counsel for indigent defendants (retired.) I have lived in Big Sur since 1984, first on the north coast, and on the South Coast since 1989.

View Comments

  • According to the MCSO FB page, they were there later in the day restoring order. See https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCountySheriffsOffice.

    On Xmas Day itself, I went through there mid afternoon and cars were completely parked in the highway (southbound lane) next to that dirt berm that's supposed to stop such things. That forced southbound traffic into the northbound lane and northbound traffic into the bus stop.

    There had to be 5 or 6 cars parked totally in the southbound lane, not waiting for spots to open up or anything, but totally parked, with no-one in them. I saw a lot of dumb driving down there on Xmas Day, but this was the pinnacle of it. That place needs enforcement any time there is a holiday or busy weekend.

  • We were driving north to Monterey from Cambria yesterday and ran into that mess. I took a photo of a car just stopped in the southbound lane! Southbound cars were coming into our lane to get around it. I’ve never seen anything like it. Dangerous chaos.

  • There was a repeat of this Thursday afternoon when I went north @ around 3:00 PM. Again like 5 or 6 vehicles parked 3/4's into the southbound lane (monkey see, monkey do) with no one in them. Traffic was already backed up to Westmere, only probably to get worst as the minutes ticked. And it wasn't due to "Overtourism" folks, as there was not that much traffic on the hwy., it was due to inconsiderate asinine drivers that shouldn't be driving our roadways to begin with!!

  • And the California and Monterey Film Commission are still issuing permits to film movies, Netflix series and commercials highlighting Bixby Bridge. At least four or five permits this month alone! These agencies and our County representatives who allow this to happen are making a bad situation worse.

  • CHP incident at 3:17 PM yesterday “ at least 10 cars 1125” ( traffic hazard) @SR-1 and Bixby Bridge. I used to think we could rally forces and effect change, increasingly feels like, “ not that much.” Next Spring when Cal Trans tears up the highway while NOT putting the utility lines underground nor putting a sewer main in the ditch, and smogs us all to death with their or contractors old diesel trucks and stalled traffic—- this will look like nothing. All the pain of that roadwork would be tolerable if it were meaningful, as in utilities going in the ground.

  • Similar congestion and thoughtless drivers stopping traffic on Sycamore Cyn Rd.--preventing residents from getting to their homes and also posing a severe safety risk to anyone requiring emergency services. This level of over-tourism must be dealt with by the county.

  • Tourists are not interested in the signs that state "Flood" and drive through the creek to Pfeiffer Beach which then causes flooded cars in Sycamore Canyon! Or they park in front of my property blocking my driveway to wade to the beach. Idiots!!!

  • I drove into town from Big Sur around 11:15am. Again, cars were stopped in the middle of the road at Bixby.....accidents in the making....not to mention delays in getting into 'town!'

Share
Published by
bigsurkate

Recent Posts

Special Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council Meeting on Monday, 9/28

Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council Meeting SPECIAL MEETING Monday, September 28, 2026 10:00 a.m. Big…

1 hour ago

Fall Equinox

2 days ago

Plaskett Fire/Forest Closure continues, 9/18

Los Padres National Forest Fire Information: 805-257-9891Email: 2026.Plaskett@firenet.govClosure Info: Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure OrderAdditional Information: Plaskett Fire Linktree /Plaskett…

6 days ago

Los Padres National Forest Remains Closed

One can access the order and the attachments here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r05/lospadres/publication/alerts/Order%2005%2007%2051%2026%2010%20Monterey%20Ranger%20District%20Emergency%20Closure%20except%20Pfeiffer%20Beach%20and%20Sycamore%20Canyon%20Road.pdf LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST MONTEREY…

1 week ago

Rocky Point Project to be heard by Big Sur LUAC 9/22

There is a site visit meeting at 8am for the public and the LUAC to review the…

1 week ago

This website uses cookies.