Michelin Unveils High-End Dining Guide for California's Scenic Highway 1

Michelin has released a new dining itinerary spotlighting upscale restaurants along California's nearly 700-mile Highway 1, coinciding with the summer travel season.

The guide offers a curated culinary map for travelers seeking high-quality dining experiences along the scenic Pacific coastline.

Northern California Culinary Stops

The itinerary begins in Mendocino County with the two-Michelin-starred Harbor House Inn in Elk. This restaurant and hotel features a 20-seat dining room overlooking the ocean. The establishment uses "steam and fire to highlight the true taste in our ingredients" and offers a tasting menu starting at $325 per person, with lunch available for $150. Menu highlights include black cod smoked over bay laurel.

Further south in Marin County, the guide suggests Tony's Seafood in Marshall for fresh oysters. A dozen grilled oysters are priced at $48, with a watermelon-tarragon sake oyster shooter available for $11.

In San Francisco, the guide recommends Outerlands for brunch, noting its $10 bone broth offering.

Big Sur and Central Coast Dining

In Big Sur, Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn is highlighted for its seasonal tasting menu, priced at $185. While not holding Michelin stars, the restaurant has received a Michelin Green Star for its environmental excellence. A supplemental sustainable caviar service starts at $220.

Bell's, a one-Michelin-starred French-style bistro in Los Alamos, is recognized for its daily changing menu based on local availability and the chef's choices.

Further south, Bettina in Santa Barbara offers wood-fired pizzas made with organic dough and house-made mozzarella. The restaurant has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for five consecutive years, recognizing its quality food at a reasonable price, with pizzas starting at $21.

Southern California Selections

Los Angeles features Melisse in Santa Monica, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant offering an 18-serving tasting menu that includes Miyazaki Wagyu, uni, and Osetra caviar.

In Laguna Beach, R|O-Rebel Omakase is noted as Orange County's sole remaining Michelin-starred restaurant. This comes after Knife Pleat in Costa Mesa lost its star.

In May, Michelin added 11 new Southern California restaurants to its guide. Among these additions are Miura, an omakase spot in Beverly Hills known for premium fish flown in from Japan; Alto in Studio City for its Argentine-Uruguayan-inspired cuisine; and Casa Leo in Los Feliz for its modern Spanish fare.

Outside of Los Angeles, new additions include Lucien in San Diego, Monte's in Santa Barbara, and Alice B. in Palm Springs, a restaurant from chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.