Big Creek Bridge

Big Creek Bridge is a road bridge with a single reinforced concrete arch that spans across the stream valley where a creek meets the ocean. The structure carries Highway 101 traffic as it crosses this coastal waterway.

This crossing opened in 1931 following a design approach that later earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The structure received reinforcement work toward the end of the 20th century to extend its usable life.

The bridge represents an engineering solution that addressed the regional challenges of sandy foundations, high flood levels, and corrosive salt air conditions.

The structure can be easily seen from the main coastal road and serves as a visible landmark of the region. Best views occur while driving along the route or from nearby vantage points along the shoreline.

This crossing shares its distinctive arch design with two other nearby bridges and follows a design pattern patented in the early 1900s. Reusing this proven design allowed builders to solve multiple water crossings efficiently with a tested approach.

GPS coordinates: 36.07010,-121.60040

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:58