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If you don’t stop, it’ll take about three hours to drive the stretch of California Highway 1 tethering Monterey, Calif., to Pismo Beach, Calif. But you will stop. Many times. The road weaves through 235 kilometres of hill-hugging, redwood-shaded, lookout-etched, breathless scenery. Back in the day, Dr. John Roberts needed 31/2 hours to reach a shipwreck near the Point Sur Lightstation, 40 kilometres south of Carmel, Calif. The arduous journey seeded Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, according to the Cambria Historical Society. Construction began after the First World War in 1919 with convicts from San Quentin Prison performing the labour in exchange for reduced sentences. Perhaps bring along music from the Eagles, because you’ll be taking it easy along this route

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17-Mile Drive on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Big Sur, CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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The view from the Bixby Bridge along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Elephant Seals Beach along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Hearst CastleThe Globe and Mail

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Morro Rock spotted from the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Passing is not recommened along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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North of Big Sur along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Elephant seals spotted along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Elepahant seals spotted along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Inside Hearst CastleThe Globe and Mail

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The view from Hearst CastleThe Globe and Mail

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A lookout point along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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The Pacific Coast Highway, which runs from Monterey, Calif to Pismo Beach, offers some wonderful views.The Globe and Mail

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Point Lobo along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Point Lobo along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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Point Lobo along the Pacific Coast Highway in CaliforniaThe Globe and Mail

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