Six weeks ago, Highway 1 fully reopened in Big Sur, following devastating mudslides in May 2017. After $54 million worth of repairs and the removal of millions of tons of earth, rocks and debris, travelers can once again enjoy an uninterrupted drive along the gorgeous coastal highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
But it’s not just the views that make the trek one of the most famous road trips in the world. There’s also the food to contend with: Dotted along the winding route you’ll find peppery smoked fish tacos, juicy burgers smothered in eggs and melted cheese and homemade doughnuts oozing with jelly.
Our version of this journey begins in Point Reyes Station, north of San Francisco. There you’ll want to stock up on triple cream Mt. Tam cheese from Cowgirl Creamery, and to scarf as many straight-from-the-bay oysters as you can get down. Your eating adventure will continue from there—better start hungry.
Point Reyes
Side Street Kitchen
The specialty at this year-old, bright, modern diner is the crispy-skinned rotisserie chicken, fragrant with herbs and served half or whole, with an array of sauces, including curried yogurt, salsa verde and chimichurri rojo. The other specialty: puffy, sugar-coated and fruit-filled apple fritters. 60 4th St., Point Reyes Station
The Boat Oyster Bar
Hog Island Oyster Co. is famed for the oysters they pull out of the bay and supply to top dining rooms around the country. Their reservation-only café on the water features those world-class bivalves; the menu changes often, but it frequently includes their singular kumamotos. You can get a dozen raw for $36; even better are the BBQ ones, grilled and dripping with chipotle bourbon garlic butter. 20215 Shoreline Hwy., Marshall
Half Moon Bay Area
La Costanera
Peruvian food is having a moment in the U.S., and La Costanera, with a wall of windows overlooking the water from the second-floor dining room, has been recognized by Michelin’s Bib Gourmand. The menu has a mix of classics such as antichuchos (grilled skewers) with marinated beef heart and pork belly; empanadas; tender beer-braised lamb shank; and lomo saltado (beef tenderloin with onions, soy sauce and a fried egg if you want one). 8150 Cabrillo Hwy., Montara
Dad’s Luncheonette
Chef Scott Clark used to cook at San Francisco’s Michelin three-star Saison. He’s transformed a red-painted train caboose into a cozy wood-lined diner, with a small menu of comfort food favorites. The $12 hamburger sandwich has melted cheese, a soft egg and red onion pickles on grilled white bread; the mushroom version substitutes maitakes for the grassfed beef. 225 Cabrillo Hwy. South, Half Moon Bay
Sam’s Chowder House
Seafood comprises almost the entire menu at Sam’s, from a “Captains Platter” of oysters, clams, shrimp, poke and ceviche, to an appetizer of grilled sardines, to steamed clams (with the option of linguine), to lobster rolls, “naked” with butter or “dressed” with aioli. At night, the place highlights fresh catches such as Pacific swordfish and local halibut. The seats on the deck have a panoramic ocean view. 4210 Cabrillo Hwy., Half Moon Bay
Hop Dogma Brewing Co.
The rotating array of craft brews at this locally popular beer hall might include Pyro’s Prost chili beer (pilsner brewed with jalapeño); Every Third Inquiry, a bourbon barrel-aged stout; and the flagship Alpha Dank IPA. Guests can order food from nearby Lamas, a Peruvian and Mexican restaurant, and the tacos, burritos and arroz con pollo will be delivered to the taproom. 270 Capistrano Rd., Half Moon Bay