New short film by Moving Art showcases beauty, resilience and enduring legacy of iconic Highway 1

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sept. 23, 2026 — As travelers once again take to California’s iconic Highway 1, Moving Art today announced the release of Highway 1, a new cinematic short film capturing the extraordinary landscapes and enduring spirit of one of the world’s most celebrated road trips.

Commissioned by Visit California, the 30-minute film is directed by acclaimed filmmaker and pioneer of time-lapse cinematography Louie Schwartzberg and narrated by California native Josh Brolin.

Filmed along the California coast this year just after reopening following a three-year closure near the border of Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, the documentary takes viewers beyond Highway 1’s postcard-worthy vistas to explore the living landscape that has shaped the route for generations. Sweeping imagery of the Pacific coastline, redwood forests and marine environments captures the extraordinary natural character of Highway 1, offering a meditation on beauty, resilience and the responsibility that comes with experiencing a place of such significance.

“Highway 1 has always represented something bigger than a road. It is part of California’s identity and one of the great journeys of the world,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “This film captures the sense of awe that has drawn people to this coastline for generations while reminding us that its future depends on how we experience it today. We want travelers to come, stay and support these communities and experience Highway 1 with the care and respect this remarkable place deserves.”

The film arrives at a meaningful moment for California’s Central Coast, as increasing weather events, landslides and road closures have tested the resilience of Highway 1 and the communities that depend on it. Its release celebrates the enduring appeal of the route while offering a different perspective on what it means to experience it: not as a drive to conquer or check off a list, but as a living ecosystem, a working community and a cultural resource to be appreciated thoughtfully.

“For me, Highway 1 is a place where nature constantly reminds us of both its power and its fragility,” Schwartzberg said. “I wanted the camera to slow us down — to let us see the light, the landscape and the life along this coast in a way we might miss when we’re simply passing through. I hope that people finish this film not only wanting to experience Highway 1, but feeling a deeper connection and responsibility to protect it.”

Schwartzberg and a small production crew captured the film with an emphasis on low-impact production practices while working in sensitive natural environments. The resulting film reflects an approach to travel Visit California is encouraging along the corridor: Plan ahead, respect closures and communities, use designated viewpoints and pull-outs, support local businesses and consider traveling outside peak periods.

For Brolin, a California native whose connection to the state stretches from the coast to the communities he has called home, narrating the film offered an opportunity to tell a story about a landscape that is both globally recognizable and deeply personal.

“California’s coast has a way of staying with you,” said Brolin. “Highway 1 can make you feel incredibly small and incredibly alive at the same time. What I love about this film is that it doesn’t just show you how beautiful this place is. It asks you to really see it — the communities, the wildness, the history and how fortunate we are to have it. That’s something worth celebrating and taking care of.”

A broader release and distribution effort will introduce the film to audiences in California and around the world through digital distribution, media events, film festival submissions and Visit California and Moving Art channels.

The film also invites travelers to experience Highway 1 responsibly. Visit California encourages visitors to plan before setting out, check current road and weather conditions, respect posted closures, stop only in designated areas, support businesses in communities along the route and take time to experience the journey rather than simply the drive.

“Highway 1 inspires millions of people because there is simply nowhere else like it,” Beteta said. “The greatest tribute we can pay to this road and the people who call it home is to ensure that the experience remains extraordinary for generations to come.”

Highway 1 is available to watch beginning today at movingart.com/highway1. 

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ABOUT VISIT CALIFORNIA

Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go tovisitcalifornia.com. For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go tomedia.visitcalifornia.com.

ABOUT MOVING ART

Moving Art is a streaming platform created by award-winning filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg, featuring decades of breathtaking time-lapse and macro cinematography of flowers, oceans, deserts, and wildlife from across the world. Founded on Schwartzberg's belief that nature is our greatest teacher, Moving Art pairs stunning visuals with music to create immersive, restorative viewing experiences. The platform hosts original short films, curated collections, and conscious collaborations with musicians and artists, extending Schwartzberg's mission to reconnect audiences with the beauty and wonder of the natural world, inspiring audiences to celebrate Life and protect what we love.