Bixby Bridge Cameras: Live Big Sur Route 1 Icon
Monitor the Bixby Creek Bridge — the 1932 open-spandrel concrete arch bridge on California State Route 1, one of the most-photographed bridges in California and an iconic Big Sur landmark. Located 13 miles south of Carmel, the bridge provides a critical link in the 71-mile Big Sur scenic corridor. Track approach conditions on TrafficVision.Live.
VIEW BIXBY BRIDGE CAMERAS →Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the most-photographed bridges in California and an iconic landmark of the Big Sur coast. Per Wikipedia's Bixby Bridge entry, the bridge is a reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch bridge located 120 miles south of San Francisco and 13 miles south of Carmel in Monterey County on California State Route 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway). Completed October 15, 1932, the bridge was built under budget at $199,861 (~$3.73 million in 2024 dollars) and had a 360-foot (110 m) main span — the longest concrete arch span in the California State Highway System at the time. When it was completed, it was the highest single-span arch bridge in the world, and it remains one of the tallest. Before the 1932 opening, Big Sur residents were virtually cut off during winter due to blockages on the impassable Old Coast Road, which led 11 miles inland. The bridge's graceful architecture and magnificent setting have made it one of California's most-photographed bridges. Caltrans, QuickMap, and 511.org provide camera coverage.
Bixby Bridge Coverage
Bixby Bridge Main Span (360 ft)
Iconic concrete arch
The 360-foot open-spandrel arch is the signature feature. 280 feet above Bixby Creek.
Route 1 Big Sur Context
PCH core scenic zone
Bixby Bridge is part of the 71-mile Big Sur core of the Pacific Coast Highway. See PCH guide.
Bixby Bridge Vista Point (North End)
Primary photo stop
Caltrans-maintained vista point on the north end of the bridge offers the most-photographed angle.
Old Coast Road
Alternate historic route
The 11-mile Old Coast Road bypasses Bixby Creek inland — unpaved, impassable in winter.
Carmel + Monterey Access
North gateway
Carmel-by-the-Sea (13 miles north) is the primary Big Sur access point.
Big Sur Village (south)
Further south on Route 1
Big Sur village, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and Nepenthe restaurant are south of Bixby Bridge.
When to Check Bixby Bridge Cameras
Bixby Bridge Peak Windows
- Summer (Jun-Aug) — Peak Big Sur tourism + photography
- Spring wildflower season — Peak Central Coast travel
- October + fall foliage — Wine country overflow to Big Sur
- Weekend weekends year-round — Photography + scenic drive tourists
- Winter storm closures — Route 1 landslide closures affect access — see PCH guide
- Bixby Bridge vista point — Can fill to capacity by 10 AM summer weekends
- Big Sur Marathon (April) — Route 1 partially closed for race
- Pfeiffer Big Sur Marathon (April-May) — Secondary event in same window
View Live Bixby Bridge Cameras
Check Route 1 conditions and Big Sur access — free, 24/7, no sign-up.
VIEW BIXBY BRIDGE CAMERAS →Pro Tip: Photographing Bixby Bridge
Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the most-photographed bridges in California. Tips:
- Best angle: north-end vista point, looking south along Route 1
- Best light: late afternoon (golden hour) or early morning
- Parking: limited at the vista point — fills by 10 AM on summer weekends
- Avoid: Monday-Tuesday if possible; those are less crowded but the bridge rarely empties
- Drone restrictions: FAA rules apply; check current restrictions
For Big Sur visitors, Bixby Bridge is a must-see stop but NOT the most remote Big Sur experience. Continue south on Route 1 for McWay Falls (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park), Nepenthe restaurant, and Pfeiffer Beach. Full Big Sur drive from Carmel to Hearst Castle (~90 miles) takes 3-5 hours with stops.
See the broader Pacific Coast Highway guide for Big Sur closure history and alternate route planning.
For California coastal travelers, see our California traffic cameras guide, California beach cams guide, Pacific Coast Highway guide, San Francisco traffic cameras guide, Golden Gate Bridge guide, SF Bay Bridge guide, Los Angeles traffic cameras guide, Disneyland guide, and I-5 corridor guide.
Track Bixby Bridge Traffic
Browse live Caltrans, QuickMap, and 511.org camera feeds.
VIEW BIXBY BRIDGE CAMERAS →When was Bixby Bridge built?
October 15, 1932 per Wikipedia. Built under budget at $199,861 (~$3.73 million in 2024 dollars). Before 1932, Big Sur residents were cut off during winter due to the impassable Old Coast Road.
How tall is Bixby Bridge?
280 feet (85 m) above Bixby Creek. When opened in 1932 it was the highest single-span arch bridge in the world — and it remains one of the tallest. The main span is 360 feet (110 m).
Where is Bixby Bridge located?
13 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea on California State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) in the Big Sur region of Monterey County. 120 miles south of San Francisco.
Is there a vista point for photos?
Yes — a Caltrans-maintained vista point on the north end of the bridge is the most-photographed spot. Limited parking; fills to capacity by 10 AM on summer weekends.
Are Bixby Bridge cameras free to view?
Is Bixby Bridge ever closed?
Not routinely — but Route 1 through Big Sur is subject to frequent landslide closures that can affect access to Bixby Bridge. See the Pacific Coast Highway guide for Big Sur closure status.
Ready to Monitor Bixby Bridge?
Track Big Sur Route 1 and Bixby Bridge traffic with live Caltrans cameras — free, instant, no sign-up.
VIEW BIXBY BRIDGE CAMERAS →