Big Sur

It’s been around three years since I’ve driven all the way through Highway 1 and Big Sur; definitely the first time since moving from San Francisco down to LA. When I heard the road had fully re-opened, it was time to plan a trip!

The first time I shot medium format here was with some Ektachrome slide film back in 2020. Pandemic-era road trips were quite the special thing.

Garrapata Coast, 2020  •  📷 75mm @ f/16, 1/250s.  •  🎞 Kodak Ektachrome

I did a partial drive back in February 2025, coming from the south up to Limekiln State Park right where the road closure was, and then back down.

Leftover Kiln  •  📷 150mm @ f/4.5, 1/15s.  •  🎞 Kodak TMAX 400

And then did the northern half separately on a Bay Area trip in August 2025: from the northern end just as far as Bixby Creek or so before backtracking around and down the 101 back to LA.

Little Sur  •  📷 75mm @ f/16, 1/250s.  •  🎞 Eastman Double-X 5222 (CineStill BwXX)

I had another Bay Area trip planned, so brought the Mamiya 6 again + some Ektar and one holdout roll of Portra 400 hidden away in the corner of the film drawer. No Ektachrome in stock this time but figured a small swap to color negative would be close to my 2020 experience.

It was a classic southbound trip — my favorite since the ocean is to the right and it’s easier to stop and pull over.

Bixby Creek Bridge  •  📷 150mm @ f/8, 1/250s.  •  🎞 Kodak Ektar

McWay Falls  •  📷 150mm @ f/8, 1/125s.  •  🎞 Kodak Ektar

Big Creek Cove  •  📷 150mm @ f/11, 1/500s.  •  🎞 Kodak Ektar

Sighting Morro Rock feels like we’re getting back into civilization.

Morro Rock, from the Cayucos pier  •  📷 150mm @ f/16, 1/500s.  •  🎞 Kodak Portra 400

Although it’s really hitting Santa Barbara that makes me feel like I’m back in SoCal and the end of the road trip is near.

Santa Barbara  •  📷 75mm @ f/16, 1/500s.  •  🎞 Kodak Portra 400

I should do this drive more often.