Highway 1 through Big Sur reopened Wednesday, restoring the 71-mile coastal route between Carmel and Cambria nearly 10 weeks ahead of the projected March 30 completion date and marking the first uninterrupted access along this iconic corridor in almost three years.
For campground operators, RV park owners, and glamping resort managers along California’s Central Coast, the milestone signals an immediate shift in the tourism landscape, with pent-up traveler demand now free to flow toward destinations that have weathered prolonged isolation since closures began in January 2023.
Traffic returned almost immediately after the reopening, with motorists passing through during the first two hours honking, waving, and shouting thanks to the crews who completed repairs at both Regent’s Slide and Paul’s Slide. The celebratory scene underscored the emotional weight of the moment for a region whose businesses and residents had been cut off from a vital economic artery linking Southern California to Big Sur’s campgrounds, surf breaks, trailheads, and small businesses. For outdoor hospitality operators who have navigated three years of diminished visitor access, the restored connectivity represents both validation and opportunity.
“These were really challenging conditions. But we left behind a stable slope — and reopened a highway that means a great deal to a lot of people,” said Kevin Drabinski, public and legislative affairs representative for Caltrans District 5, reflecting on the completed $82.6 million project.
With Highway 1 now open, outdoor hospitality operators along the Big Sur corridor should anticipate significant demand spikes in the coming weeks and months.
Properties that prepare in advance for this specific influx of travelers will capture more revenue and deliver better guest experiences than those caught off guard by the reopening. For campground operators expecting increased bookings along this restored route, beginning recruitment now allows four to six weeks of lead time before peak season, with cross-training of existing staff helping maintain service quality during busy periods. Conducting thorough inspections of sites, hookups, amenities, and rental equipment ensures properties can accommodate full capacity, and deferred maintenance during the closure period should be addressed before Highway 1 traffic returns. Dynamic pricing based on demand is widely accepted in outdoor hospitality, and properties using revenue management strategies during this high-demand period will likely see improved profitability.
Understanding why the highway was closed for so long helps explain the scale of opportunity now available to Big Sur-area operators. The engineering challenge Caltrans faced was extraordinary. Paul’s Slide severed the highway in January 2023, and Regent’s Slide caused another closure in February 2024. Regent’s Slide sits on a steep, unstable slope that experienced near-continuous movement during construction, and another significant slide occurred in August 2024, forcing crews to retreat higher up the mountain. Caltrans deployed remotely controlled bulldozers and excavators to protect workers, removing approximately 6,000 cubic yards of debris while reinforcing the slope with thousands of steel bars drilled up to 60 feet deep. The project, estimated at $82.6 million, was completed with no major worker injuries reported, aided by favorable weather windows and rapid progress following the last major storm events.
“You can’t work in front of a slide or below a slide. You always have to be above it,” Drabinski explained regarding the safety protocol that governed the treacherous work at Regent’s Slide.
The reopening restores access that saves approximately two hours of drive time from Santa Barbara to destinations like Pfeiffer Campground and Carmel, a significant convenience that should translate to increased bookings for RV travelers and campers. Maya Kaye, a second-year staff member with the UCSB Excursion Club, captured the enthusiasm among outdoor recreation communities. “As an Excursion Club staffer, I am beyond stoked about the Big Sur highway reopening,” Kaye said. “These 71 miles are some of the most stunning coastline that California has to offer, and now we can freely travel up and down them.”
Kaye added practical context for the travel benefits: “The reopening also makes Central California outdoor adventure much more accessible, saving the drive time to iconic spots like Pfeiffer Campground and the town of Carmel by almost 2 hours from S.B.”
To capture the wave of guests eager to experience the restored coastal route, properties should ensure online booking platforms can handle increased traffic and consider implementing minimum-stay requirements during peak weekends to maximize occupancy and reduce administrative burden. Restocking camp stores, propane supplies, firewood, and other consumables in advance prevents shortages when visitor numbers climb, and operators along the Highway 1 corridor who address these supply chain considerations now will be best positioned to serve travelers who have waited years for this access to return.
The geological realities of the Santa Lucia Mountains remain an ongoing consideration for the region. The geological survey has mapped about 1,500 slides in the Big Sur area, and landslides are an inherent geologic feature of this dramatic coastline. Caltrans focuses on prevention, including clearing culverts, scaling rock faces, and proactively removing loose material. “We live with slides on the Big Sur coast. They’re an inherent geologic feature. The geological survey has mapped about 1,500 slides in the area,” Drabinski acknowledged when asked whether repairs will withstand future natural forces.
Given this ongoing geological uncertainty, properties located along routes prone to natural disruptions benefit from establishing clear, proactive communication channels with guests. Sending route condition updates via automated email or text messages before arrival helps guests plan accordingly, and many modern campground management software platforms include built-in messaging features. Maintaining a dedicated website page or pinned social media post with current road conditions and alternative route options provides a self-service resource, while offering clear, reasonable rebooking or cancellation terms when access is genuinely compromised typically improves guest loyalty and review ratings. Preparing a list of backup activities, attractions, or scenic routes that remain accessible during partial closures helps guests salvage their trips and positions operators as trusted local resources rather than simply lodging providers.
“We have this ribbon of highway that runs right on the edge of the continent. And we do our part to keep that highway open because it’s so vital to residents and businesses on the coast,” Drabinski said of Caltrans’ commitment to maintaining Highway 1 through Big Sur.
The reopening represents both an opportunity and a reminder for outdoor hospitality operators. The restored access to one of America’s most scenic coastal routes brings renewed economic potential after years of diminished traffic, while the region’s geological realities underscore the importance of operational preparedness and guest communication. Campground owners, RV park managers, and glamping resort operators who act strategically in the coming weeks will be best positioned to benefit from pent-up traveler demand along this iconic 71-mile corridor, turning a long-awaited infrastructure milestone into measurable business results.