Dirt Road Adventures©
Separating the Pacific Ocean from California's Salinas Valley is the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. Much of this range is comprised of the Los Padres National Forest, both of which can be enjoyed in part by traveling the Coast Ridge Road.
Undulating gracefully at elevations up to 1000 feet, the Coast Ridge Road, as its name indicates, follows a path along some of the highest ridges of the Santa Lucia Range offering breathtaking vistas of both the valleys to the east and the ocean to the west. Note: sadly, from an off-road enthusiast's point of view, only the southern section of the Coast Ridge Road is available to motorized travel. Due to its popularity, the northern section leading to the Ventana Wilderness Area has been locked down by the National Forest Service. This section is for hikers only; bicyclists are excluded as well. Nevertheless, the southern section offers nearly thirty miles of off-road fun. This trip was taken in mid June, 2004.
The best way to approach the Coast Ridge Road is from Highway 1, the Cabrillo Highway. Approximately halfway between Big Sur Station and the town of San Simeon is Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (below, right).
We suggest approaching this way for the simple virtue that Highway 1 is such a beautiful drive. However, Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, traversing as it does the entire Santa Lucia Range, can also be used to 
approach from the east. For those choosing to use Highway 101, this perhaps could be faster, though certainly not as beautiful. However, approaching from this direction requires entering and crossing the Fort Hunter-Liggett Army facility. As it turns out, this presents little problem; fort guards seem quite accustomed to the matter. Nacimiento-Fergusson is a paved road.
From Hwy 1 Nacimiento-Fergusson winds approximately six miles through dottings of evergreen trees as it climbs to the Coast Ridge. There, one can choose to turn either north or south - north leading to the trailhead into the Ventana Wilderness, south leading to our adventure. Note: temperature variation between Hwy 1 and the Coast Ridge can be as much as 30° depending on the time of year. Travelers are high above California's famous summer fog should it happen to be present. This charting trip offered perfect sleeping temperatures and a night graced with a full moon shimmering on the fog layer.
California's winter rains having long since receded, this year we found the road surface in June to be completely dry, encountering only one small vestige spring puddling the road. The Coast Ridge Road is well maintained - with few exceptions Category #2 and #3 at its worst. For this reason, strict road difficulty charting, found in most of our adventures, was unnecessary. However, it is a winding affair with just enough climbs and steering work to test your skills and add a little fun; top speeds generally restricted to 20 mph. Four-wheel drive is unnecessary.
Note: Dirt Road Adventures charts mileage. Notate or set trip odometer where indicated.
Setting our mileage chart, we turned right onto Coast Ridge Road (left). At mile 1 we encountered our first campsite off a short left fork, an entirely shaded primitive site with a gorgeous eastern view. This is a comfortable site with plentiful pine needles for tent bedding. For those setting out and arriving late this could make an opportune spot.
At mile 2 we encountered the remnants of a forest fire. The Los Padres is exceedingly dry much of the year. Great care should be taken with any flame. Moreover, a permit is required if you plan to build a campfire or burn charcoal (one may be required even for a gas stove - consult the forest service).
At mile 2 we also enjoyed our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. These views are very simply breathtaking! There is no better word. Our Nikon 2200 digital camera bearly did them justice. It simply couldn't capture the immensity and perch your eyes will enjoy. And there are more to come, plenty more, some even more dramatic.
Mile 4 brought us to our second campsite (right). This site is well protected from any winds, offering no views, but is well shaded and provides an inviting picnic table. Note: the Coast Ridge Road is little 
known and very sparsely traveled. Chances are you will have your choice of sites and perhaps will encounter no one throughout your trip.
At mile 6 we came to Alm's Ridge and the Prewitt Ridge camp. These are not to be missed. Alm's Ridge offers a panoramic view of the ocean (probably 160°). Again, the word breathtaking comes to mind. You will want to linger on this ridge, perhaps stay the night, the chance made possible by the adjacent Prewitt Ridge camp (below). The camp has its own glorious view, but is entirely unprotected and fairly hardscrabble; tents will be less comfortable. But what a night! Try to schedule for a full moon when your evening will be amply rewarded.
All along your drive you will experience numerous eastern views, but mile 8 brought us to the widest (slideshow). If viewed in the morning you will see the sun glistening atop the separate valley microclimates. This view extends across the Salinas Valley to the Diablo Range and the Chalome Hills, and overlooks the army base (though you would never know it).
At mile 9 we decided to pull off for the day at an easy camp adjacent the road by a large fallen tree. A handmade rock fire ring was present with a large chopping stump and abundant kindling scattered about. This site offers views both east and west. By the time we'd settled in the ocean fog had begun to gather again, offering the perspective typically seen only from an airplane (above the clouds). The evening was as pleasent as it could be, warm with a gentle westerly breeze. A few rabbits gave us the eye. Though the Los Padres is very dry at this time of year we still encountered mosquitoes.
The next morning back on the road at mile 13 we encountered our first challenging climb, again, just enough to provide some fun. Mile 16 brought us more ocean views and quickly to the turn-off to return to Hwy 1 (This is a right fork). Note: the Forest Service sign has been removed (probably vandalized), but this right fork is obvious to the traveler. This is Willow Creek Road and is the suggested return route. But, friends, there is more road ahead, another 13 miles, in fact.
Past the Willow Creek turn-off the road surface falls to a Road Category #4 with some sporatic untrimmed lateral vegetation (for those concerned with vehicle paint, be aware). However, for the seasoned off-roader this is where the real fun begins. Ahead is the Three Peaks area which is considerably more primitive.
At mile 18 we arrived at another campsite located on a promontory with more unobstructed ocean views. At full 3X zoom your camera's finder leaves the land entirely for what amounts to a bird's eye view of the ocean. Just take your pick; on the Coast Ridge these views are numerous.
Mile 19 brought us to a unique rock formation we jokingly named "Turkey Head Rock". Here, there 
were more unobstructed eastern views and sporatic eruptions of soapstone (for you rockhounds).
At mile 21 we arrived at two trailheads and the second-to-the-last camp named Lion's Den Camp, a good site for those desiring total privacy (hike in only). Mile 22 saw patches of Road Category #4, due primarily to ungraded lateral washes.
At mile 23 we arrived at the Three Peaks area and soon came to the - perish the thought - "Dead End" sign. The dead end is probably a locked gate; you are approaching the Hearst holdings, recently sold to the state for conservancy. Note: In planning this charting trip we had hoped to traverse all the way to the Hearst Castle, making a complete circuit with no backtrack (the map showed it possible; unfortunately maps don't always show locked gates). How cool to arrive at the back door. At this point in time, however, the land is not open to the public. Moreover, the remaining stretch of road is unmaintained, turning to a Road Category #5 and possibly worse with ahead a rather lengthy descent obstructed by heavy lateral and overhanging vegetation. Though tempted to go on, considering that we knew a dead end awaited, we decided to turn back. Here, at Three Peaks we found a sign pointing us up a right fork to our last possible campsite. Though quite passable to our vehicle, here, too, a gate locked us out (hike in is possible, though no mileage to the camp was given).
As mentioned, Willow Creek Road is our charted route of return. Willow Creek Road is, however, not recommended as an approach to the Coast Ridge. The change in elevation is precipitous, read - very steep. In fact, atmospheric pressure change will cause you ears to pop as you descend. However, the descent proved not at all unmanagable untilizing two-wheel drive. You'll pass some hearty souls making 
their homes at 900 feet or so in thorough isolation. Loose sand presented itself at some corners on this winding descent where four-wheelers had churned up the surface the previous winter. Tip: during your decline on the steepest stretches stay in 1st gear and pull your emergency brake a click or two to save wear on your front rotors. We found this worked much better than constantly applying the brakes. Note: this technique should not be utilized too long; rear pads will soften.
In any case, in the space of twenty minutes we had gone from the grandeur of a completely primitive dirt road world back to civilization. Our descent complete, we arrived at Hwy 1 another Dirt Road Adventure behind us. Here, a prominent sign designated Willow Creek Road (left).
Have fun!
As always,
Your trusty dirt road scout
Post Adventure notes: please do keep in mind, when considering our other adventures to purchase, that this trip was the first we charted and by far the least extensive.