California's Scenic Highway 1 to Reopen June 10, 2011

Monterey County Primed for Summer Travelers                                                                      

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif., June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Just in time for summer, a portion of scenic Highway 1 at the Monterey County line, 40 miles south of Big Sur, will reopen June 10, 2011 after being closed nearly two months due to a landslide. Travelers can now cruise California's iconic coast from Los Angeles to San Francisco via Highway 1 while taking in what has been referred to as the greatest meeting of land and sea. The reopening of Highway 1 enables 100 percent access and a direct route for visitors to enjoy a bevy of activities, restaurants, and unique places to stay along Monterey County's 99 miles of classic California coastline.

"For Big Sur and beyond, this is tremendous news and the reopening comes at a critical time for summer travel," said John Reyes, President and CEO of the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Tourism is our destination's second largest economy and Highway 1 is an important artery for the millions of visitors we welcome year-round."

Perhaps most affected by multiple road closures this spring was Big Sur, a beloved playground for outdoor enthusiasts that was voted TripAdvisor's® No. 7 Best U.S. Destination (Traveler's Choice, 2010). From dramatic cliffs to towering redwood forests and steaming natural hot springs, Big Sur stays true to what author Henry Miller described as "the face of the earth as the Creator intended it..."

For adventurers, Big Sur packs in hundreds of miles of hiking terrain, resident wildlife and all things oceanic.  Its seamless blend of rustic yet revered lands have made "El Sur Grande" home to a long list of artists, poets and craftspeople since the area was first settled in the 1870s.  For nature and scenic drive enthusiasts, the trek through Big Sur is a rite of passage.  Whether embarking from the north or south, set a course for Big Sur's not-to-be-missed hot spots including Bixby Creek Bridge, Mc Way Falls, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Point Sur Lighthouse Station, Henry Miller Memorial Library and lunch with a world panorama at Nepenthe.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Monterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor, Highway 1.  The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 40,000 acres of premium vineyards, 24 golf courses and over 250 lodging properties.  Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley.  The Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY), just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area's major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to and from Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN) and San Francisco (SFO).  www.SeeMonterey.com.

SOURCE Monterey County Convention and Visitor's Bureau

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