Until it was by-passed by the modern highway, this was one of the few places on the Redwood Highway where it actually ran along the Pacific Ocean for some distance. The road was cut into the hillside and was narrow, winding and dangerous - while being among the most scenic stretches of the Highway. To get an idea, you have to travel the road south from Carmel on California SSR 1, but that is higher above the ocean. There is also a brief ocean-side stretch just beyond Orick some 40 miles south.