Under crystal clear skies, three years to the day after the first of a series of landslides cut off access to the full Big Sur coast, the California’s iconic Highway 1 finally fully reopened on Wednesday.

The day after the reopening of Highway 1 was announced, more than a dozen dedicated drivers pooled at the farthest northbound point of the road, waiting to be the first to drive through the Big Sur coast when the barricades were removed at noon.

First to pass through the reopened stretch of the highway were “Krazy Club” founder Benjamin “Head Krazy” Harkema and chief financial officer Gabriel “DJ Gizmo” Coda, who were passing through the area to pick up Harkema’s dog in Southern California.

The pair, who described their group as “like Burning Man, but local and online for free,” arrived at the road closure at 4:30 a.m. to secure the first spot in line, Harkema said.

“I just wanted us to come here and use the opportunity, since we’re traveling, to recreate here in God’s glorious countryside,” Harkema said. “This is so beautiful, and when we got wind from the locals that this was opening, we said, ‘Wow, do we ever have perfect timing or what?’ So we got here this morning, and I said, ‘I want us to be one of the first, if not the first.’”

The reopening — celebrated across the region and state — heralds the restart of uninterrupted travel between San Luis Obispo County’s North Coast and destinations to the north, including Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey.

The mid-winter opening at the site 27 miles north of the SLO County line came several weeks ahead of Caltrans’ March prediction, to the delight of impatient business owners, employees, residents and hopeful visitors, after crews stabilized the hillside and rebuilt the road.

As always, any optimism about the road staying open for through traffic will depend on weather and site conditions, according to Kevin Drabinski, Caltrans District 5 spokesman. Any significant rain can cause new highway-closing landslides.

About two dozen Caltrans officials attending the reopening festivities, which culminated at 11:55 a.m. with the removal of the barricades blocking the road.

The line of cars gathered in the northbound lane then proceeded through repaired slide zone, as a similar contingent headed south from the other side.

Caltrans District 5 Director Scott Eades, who oversaw much of the reconstruction efforts, said construction crews spent every hour of rain-free sunlight possible chipping away at the slide, allowing for its early opening.

“It’s exciting to be at this point where we did everything that needed to be done to get the roadway back open,” Eades told The Tribune. “This is a big event for us, to have the traffic flowing all the way through the Big Sur coast, have visitors back through here.”

Officials salute effort to reopen Highway 1

News of the opening drew celebration from fair and wide, including from state representatives for the area.

“The closure began with Paul’s Slide in January 2023 and was compounded by Regent’s Slide in February 2024, severing through-traffic and creating severe economic and logistical hardships for residents and businesses,” Sen. John Laird said in a news release.

“This reopening is welcome news for the Big Sur community, workers and small businesses that have endured extraordinary challenges for far too long,” he said. “Highway 1 is more than a road; it is a lifeline for families, small businesses, and the visitors who sustain this coast.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom saluted the work to reopen the road and what it means to the region.

“This reopening will bring much-needed relief to small businesses and families in Big Sur and the surrounding communities who have shown remarkable resilience and strength,” Newsom said in another release. “This vital corridor is the gateway to California’s coast and the lifeblood of the Big Sur economy — and today it’s restored.”

Assemblymember Dawn Addis from Morro Bay echoed those sentiments.

“The reopening of Regent marks an important step forward for the hundreds of families and workers in Big Sur and the millions of people who visit California every year,” Addis said. “This turning point will help revive critical revenue, restore access to our state parks, support jobs, public safety, and economic stability for many of our residents.”

Businesses celebrate from Cambria to Big Sur

In Cambria, the reopening “will be like getting back the oxygen we’ve been deprived of for so long,” Pratik Vyas, general manager for The Morgan at San Simeon Hotel and the Motel 6 there, said of the nearly three-year closure of the popular route. (The latter lodging is closed for complete remodeling until about May, he said, and will reopen then as a Hampton Inn.)

“Having Highway 1 open will breathe life back into this area,” Vyas said.

Business at The Morgan has been down about 40% during the closure, he said, and “trying to keep all our full-time employees made it harder than it could have been.”

Cathy Cartier, president and CEO of Visit SLO CAL, hailed the work of crews who spent three years repairing the popular route.

“Caltrans worked with exceptional focus and resilience to restore this legendary stretch of highway,” Cartier said. “Highway 1 is an emotional experience for so many people, and its early reopening reconnects the full wonder of Ragged Point, San Simeon and Cambria with our neighbors to the north in Monterey. ”

Cartier said the reopening means road trippers can once again “enjoy one of the most breathtaking drives on earth uninterrupted.”

“Travelers worldwide are encouraged to take in sweeping ocean vistas, support coastal businesses and plan scenic road trips between the two counties, with stops throughout the southern and northern Big Sur area and its surrounding communities,” Cartier said. “As always, travelers are encouraged to check current road conditions before heading out by visiting the Caltrans website for the latest updates and travel advisories.”

After so much time without the through traffic that’s critical to the region, business owners were especially thrilled at Wednesday’s reopening.

“The closure disrupted supply chains, mail delivery, trash service, jobs, and schools, and resulted in a 30 to 35% loss in business,” said John Handy, owner of Treebones Resort. “For our family and 32 employees, welcoming back guests from the north and receiving supplies regularly will feel like a miracle.”

“Oh my gosh! It’s such a big deal!” said Christina Galloway, who serves as a director on the Cambria Chamber of Commerce board and also chairs the North Coast Advisory Council.

“It’s absolutely an important moment for our business community and for residents,” Galloway said. “Highway 1 is a lifeline for Cambria’s tourism-based economy, driven almost entirely by small, locally owned businesses. For many, this reopening will be the difference between staying open and shutting their doors. Visitors keep our local businesses viable, and those businesses are what allow Cambria to function as a real, year-round community.”

Ben Perlmutter, managing partner of Big Sur River Inn in Big Sur, noted how difficult it’s been just staying in business throughout the closure.

“For the last few years, running the River Inn without reliable Highway 1 access meant making constant hard decisions just to stay open,” Perlmutter said. “Our business dropped overnight, and we worked tirelessly to support our staff and stay connected despite the isolation. Reopening Highway 1 gives us a real path to recovery and feels like turning a long-awaited corner for Big Sur.”

On the other end of the coastline, Diane Ramey, co-owner of the family-owned Ragged Point Inn and Resort, was delighted that travelers could once again complete the entire drive.

“At Ragged Point Inn, we are thrilled by this long-awaited reopening of Highway 1,” Ramey said. “Visitors from the north and south can once again experience one of the world’s most spectacular scenic drives.

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