See Monterey and fragrance brand D.S. & Durga have created a sensory-led Big Sur itinerary to mark the reopening of California's Highway 1 after more than three years.

See Monterey has partnered with Brooklyn fragrance house D.S. & Durga to launch a Big Sur scented itinerary, inviting travellers to experience California's iconic coastal region through places that inspired the brand's Big Sur fragrance collection. The collaboration coincides with the full reopening of Highway 1 through Big Sur, restoring uninterrupted access between Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties for the first time in more than three years.

The Big Sur scented itinerary is designed around locations chosen by David Seth Moltz, co-founder and perfumer at D.S. & Durga, whose Big Sur After Rain and Big Sur Eucalyptus products are inspired by the area's forests, coastline and ocean air.

Moltz says: "Big Sur is for giants—huge trees, mountains, waves, and clouds. It is a secret enclave that holds mystical history from trees to poets by the mighty Pacific. This itinerary is an homage to that confluence of Monterey's wood, water, and green, a microcosm of California in some ways, that stays with you long after you've left."

The itinerary encourages visitors to explore some of the region's best-known natural landmarks alongside places to eat and stay. Highlights include Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, home to an 80-foot waterfall, redwood groves and whale-watching viewpoints.

Big Sur Lodge also features on the route. Located within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, it offers accommodation alongside the Homestead Restaurant and Bar, which serves meals made using locally sourced ingredients.

Travellers are also directed to Andrew Molera State Park, the largest state park on the Big Sur coast. Its network of trails passes through beaches, riverbanks, redwood forests and meadows, reflecting the variety of landscapes found across the region.

For dining, Moltz recommends Nepenthe Restaurant, which overlooks more than 60 miles of the Big Sur coastline, while Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is highlighted as a historic place to stay. Dating from the 1930s, the property combines guest accommodation with an award-winning restaurant serving breakfast and dinner.

Rob O'Keefe, president and CEO of See Monterey, says: "Monterey County has long inspired travelers through its breathtaking landscapes and sensory richness. Partnering with D.S. & Durga on this immersive itinerary is a natural way to invite visitors to experience our coastline, forests, culinary scene, and luxury escapes in a way that engages all the senses while reflecting the region's harmony of natural elegance, environmental stewardship, and thoughtful travel."

The collaboration also supports D.S. & Durga's existing Big Sur fragrance range. The Big Sur After Rain collection includes candles, hand soap, hand lotion and a hanging car fragrance, while Big Sur Eucalyptus eau de parfum is available in 50ml and 100ml bottles. The products feature notes including coastal rain, eucalyptus, magnolia, Pacific spray, wet wood, rosemary and cardamom.

Visitors can download the Big Sur scented itinerary through the See Monterey app to plan their own road trip through the region. The launch also draws attention to responsible tourism across Monterey County, which covers more than two million acres of varied landscapes and encourages visitors to follow local guidance designed to help protect its natural environment.

The reopening of Highway 1 removes a major barrier to travel along one of California's best-known coastal routes, allowing visitors once again to drive uninterrupted between Monterey and San Luis Obispo while exploring Big Sur's landscapes, accommodation and restaurants.