Originally Posted by sarals

Good morning, SweetRower!

I live in Monterey and I can offer a little insight. Hwy 1 just north of the Bixby Bridge is still closed due to a slide over the winter. I think one lane passage is allowed at certain times of the day - the CalTrans site should have that information. As far as avoiding the "big hills", well, there is a way to get around the Peninsula and not have to climb long grades. Get on the the Coastal Rec Trail in Castroville and take it to Lover's Point in Pacific Grove and then stay on Ocean View Avenue from there. You'll pass Heritage Plaza in downtown Monterey, Wharf #1 and #2, the Coast Guard Station, Cannery Row, the Aquarium, and finally Asilomar. Stay on Ocean View to the Pacific Grove 17 Mile Drive Gate (Pebble Beach), and then ride 17 Mile Drive to Pebble Beach Lodge. Passing that, continue on to the Carmel Gate, and then go through Carmel to Hwy 1, which you'll meet at The Crossroads (Hwy 1 and River Road). You'll pass Mission Carmel on River Road near Hwy 1. You can go through downtown Carmel if you want to. In order to avoid that, take Ocean Avenue to the beach, and then follow the beach road to Hwy 1. Be sure to check Google Maps (or something) to plan that route! There are a lot of turns and it's easy to get lost! Any climbs you encounter on that route will be short and not steep.

Enjoy, and welcome!