Yes, yes, and yes! . What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? McWay Falls No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. Her Wanderful World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Coast of California Day 3: 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Pismo Beach Happy Friday, Everyone! There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. The best way to get from Monterey to Big Sur is by renting a car. After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! from $900. at stops along the way. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. I have yet to try Big Sur Bakery although Ive heard many good referrals about all the food from wood-fired sourdough to buttermilk biscuits and gravy. And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! Whether you prefer sweet or savory, their menu will satisfy every palette. Price: $25-100. The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. It was so yummy! Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. If seeing a whale is on your bucket list, Fishermans Wharf is where you need to be. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! Monterey State Historic Park. Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. Comment below. We definitely have gone back multiple times and found new places to explore every time! Evening Stay and Play in Monterey. The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. The airport is small and easy to navigate. This takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to the lowest point of Big Sur, Cambria, where you can start this itinerary (in reverse order from how it's posted). On your first morning, wake up early and by 8 AM start your Big Sur itinerary by heading south on Highway 1. Again, thank you! Big Sur Carmel Carmel Valley Castroville Marina Monterey Moss Landing Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Salinas Seaside . . This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. I think you. It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. Hi Linnea! Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! (7/19/18), "We were here in Spring of 2017 and, sadly, Big Sur was closed, but we still LOVED this area and can't wait to return one day. " As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. Day 1 of Big Sur Itinerary: Carmel to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Driving distance and time: 33.9 miles, about 1 hour and 5 minutes Start your day early with coffee and a pastry at Carmel Bakery. (See that next!). A trailhead can be found from Monterey State Beach and from there heading south, it will take you to Fishermans Wharf, Cannery Row, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. Miles of misty coastline. Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. Distance: Approximately 430 miles. If you arent pressed for time I recommend spending the night in Carmel-by-the-Sea or at least exploring it for a few hours. It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. If you choose to visit Big Sur as an out-and-back road trip from San Francisco, you can follow California Highway 1 south from the city past Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and the Monterey Peninsula - then back up. All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! Tranquil. Cocktails with a view? Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. I have only ever been to San Francisco but would love to see these amazing views and spend the night. This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. The Post Ranch Inn is a Big Sur icon; the 100-acre property first opened in 1992, and in the years since, has cemented its spot as one of the top luxury hotels in . This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. Our other option is to do Monterey/Carmel on Tuesday (aquarium, 17-mile drive, etc), and then Big Sur first thing Wednesday morning (July 4th). Some of the overgrown trails are known to have poison oak to get to the beach views, so make sure to protect yourself if you want to get to the water. It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! . Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! Again, theres a toilet here! We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Nov 2021 and Nov 2020. Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) Have a great rest of your day. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. I had a few places in mind I wanted to stop before we left, but I also thought it was fun to be spontaneous and stop whenever we saw something that interested us! First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. This is definitely a place I would like to spend more time at if I head back to this area. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! Let's talk travel, teaching abroad, and travel blogging.I also love sharing about my love for Asian dramas and #allthethings to create memorable experiences! You can drive all of these Big Sur road trip stops from either north to south (starting in Carmel) or south to north (starting in San Simeon) of course, but I prefer driving from NORTH to SOUTH. If this is your first time to the area dont rush it! Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries Highlights Itinerary Outdoors Itinerary Family Itinerary Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary Golf Itinerary To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. 1. Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. Pick up snacks beforehand to have in the car during the drive so you dont need to shell out an astronomical amount of cash at the Big Sur convenience stores every time you feel like noshing. Have you been? Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. With more ocean views than you ever thought possible, eco-friendly and luxurious hotel stays, wooded hiking trails and nature for days, I can never get enough of this stretch of the coastline. Visit inside the Basilica (where Serras remains are laid to rest). There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur In a nutshell, this drive is all about the jaw-dropping scenery of the Pacific Coast. The beach down below was beautiful; however, hiking down to the beach is not advisable as the cliffs are unstable and there is no clear path. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! We're currently planning a full trip to the Carmel/ Monterey/ Big Sur area but was wondering if our itinerary is to full? Want the scenic route? I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. Cozy. Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! Weekend Big Sur itinerary. Enjoy your ice cream on the wharf and enjoy watching all the puppies greet each other as their owners walk them up and down the pier. Depending on how hungry you are, appetizers are also available at the outside bar and inside the lounge. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. About this rental. You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. Theyve got a manicured grassy lawn which is perfect for picnics, and a whole set-up on their outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas. September 10, 2024 - September 15, 2024. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. However, if you wait until the summer rush is over and visit during either September or October, youll experience less crowds and actually better weather! If you are looking to stay right in Big Sur, you can find Big Sur Lodge and Big Sur River Inn.If you would like to save money and don't mind staying a little further away, you can find accommodations in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Monterey by searching on booking.com.Carmel-by-the-Sea is about 10 minutes away from the north part of Big Sur, and Monterey is about 20 minutes away. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. And if the two resort pools with panoramic coastal views didnt do it for you, I bet the spa treatments in outdoor cabanas overlooking the redwood forest will. Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! Another thing I loved about Carmel Beach was how dog friendly it was. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. Nearest Cities: Monterey and Carmel to the north (40 minute drive), San Simeon and Cambria to the south (1.5 hour drive) Closest International Airports: San Jose International Airport (SJC) - 1.5 hour drive | Oakland International Airport (OAK) - 2 hour drive | San Francisco (SFO) - 2.5 hour drive Best Time to Visit: April through October, early fall is best Three types of whales frequent the Big Sur coastline: If youre visiting Big Sur in the winter months between October and December, youre in for a real treat tons of monarch butterflies! READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! I guess we'll have to plan another trip." This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. This looks amazing. (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning Park along the road right before the entrance to save on a $10 parking fee. Thanks for all the recommendations. I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. Hi Desiree! Book now from $9.99! The entire 6-mile loop takes approximately three hours, but guests can enjoy as much or as little as they like as all trails intersect at various points and all paths are clearly marked. 5. Whats your favorite local spot? Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary Stop 1: Carmel-by-the-Sea Stop 2: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Stop 3: Garrapata State Park Stop 4: Kasler Point Stop 5: Rocky Creek Bridge Stop 6: Bixby Creek Bridge Stop 7: Andrew Molera State Park Stop 8: Pfeiffer Beach Stop 9: McWay Falls Stop 10: Limekiln State Park Stop 11: Sand Dollar Beach While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. Basically, nature at its finest. Famous for fairytale-like cottages and shops, great art, dining, charming B&B and boutique hotels, and of course the beautiful and exclusive pebble beach golf course. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. Makes me miss San Francisco! Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! The picturesque stretch hugs the Monterey Peninsula, threading through the historic Monterey and the fairytale town of Carmel-by-the-Sea before connecting with the jaw-dropping Big Sur. 9. Swimming is not recommended at this beach because there are a lot of rock formations that could cause harm if a strong wave pulled a swimmer the wrong way (and there were a lot of waves crashing through the rock formations), but you could also stay near the sandy area and dip your feet in the Pacific Ocean. Hi Shafinah! 5. I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel (one of the other perks of staying there) and then headed to the 5th Avenue Deli. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. The ocean is a short walk away. Theres really no way around it. Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. Yes! Whether it's sipping your way through Carmel Valley's boutique wine tasting rooms or hopping on an unforgettable whale watching excursion, Monterey County provides meeting attendees with a variety of extracurricular activities. When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! Did you know? There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. For a complete San Francisco to Big Sur day trip , start in San Francisco and make your way through Monterey and Carmel-By-The-Sea to Big Sur on Highway 1 and US-101. There are souvenir shops, where I bought a super cute Monterey boat picture frame, theres a clam chowder stand, a cafe spot that I love and forget its name, and my favorite the Monterey Bay Creamery where theres a huge cow statue selling ice cream. The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. 6. 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