And just one reason its on every list of the most beautiful places in California. This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. Hi Desiree! It makes an excellent, 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! You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, their menu will satisfy every palette. Youll be driving on private land, so you cant stop to take tooo many photos, but since its usually not crowded, feel free to stop in the middle of the road if you must for some shots. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! Wow this place looks so similar to Malibu I swear!! And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. Tip: Driving it can be challenging, but well worth it. It could take as little as 2 hours (if you dont stop at all), or 2 days if you make all the stops for the views, foods, and hikes. I definitely recommend booking in advance. The eatery has indoor and outdoor seating, but if you would like to sit on the beach and enjoy the waves while you eat, bring a blanket or some lawn chairs with you as you get beach access from the restaurant. One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. Next up on this Big Sur road trip itinerary the Point Sur Lighthouse! All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. and not many tourists know about it just yet! Thank you for sharing! Morning Free shipping for many products! Big Sur road trip itinerary: You could do Big Sur in a day or the entire California coast in 2-3 days if you really wanted to, but it will be much more enjoyable if you do it slowly! We so enjoyed our time on our Monterey and Big Sur road trip. Most people start this iconic road trip in L . 2023 Cultural & Theme Tours in Monterey & Carmel: Check out reviews and photos of the 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical Highlights. Then the trail led down to this amazing white sandy beach with no one else around. Admission is $10.50 per vehicle and when you arrive at the entrance they give you a map of all of the scenic stops and designated places to see. Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. This website is very helpful and gives a description of each stop so you can decide where you want to stop before you even get there. Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. Cruises currently run for 4 hours at 10 AM or 3 hours at 2:30 PM (morning tours are recommended) so youll need to plan your time wisely if you are wanting to include this activity in your itinerary. Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. Cocktails with a view? I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! Time needed: 1 to 2 days. Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary Day 1: Arrival Hotel check-in: Hofsas House Brophy's Tavern Mulligan Public House Dinner at Little Napoli Day 2: Monterey and Big Sur Highway One Drive in Big Sur Monterey, CA 17 Mile Drive Carmel Beach Dinner: Hog's Breath Inn Day 3: Carmel by the Sea Breakfast: The Tuck Box Carmel Belle There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. In the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea (4 miles, approximately 10 minutes), which became an artist's colony after the 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake destroyed that city.Take a stroll along Ocean Ave. and admire the charming shops and galleries. Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. It is the foggiest park even when some of the other parks are clear, youll want to make sure to check the weather as you wont be able to see much with the fog. 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. 6. Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! A Carmel to Big Sur road trip can take anywhere from one hour to five, depending on how many stops . (See that next!). And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. Being Big Surs largest beach, as long as the tide is low, youll find plenty of space to lay your towel down and relax. There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. All these spots make it easy to photograph. The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! Moon Monterey & Carmel - Stuart Thornton 2019-01-08 Quirky beach towns, deliciously fresh seafood, and dramatic hikes and drives: discover what the locals love with Moon Monterey & Carmel. Likes Comments. 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy And it is a full itinerary! Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Nov 2021 and Nov 2020. September 10, 2024 - September 15, 2024. We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. Yes! Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. 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. You can easily park on the side of the road and forgo the paid parking, which is what most people do (Im not saying its a-okay just letting you know thats an option if the parking lot is full). (7/19/18), "This area has been on my must-see/do list for years. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! Evening Hungry? Yes and No. 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. 2. Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. Ill receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which Ill totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. I think you. Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. 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. Manage Settings Continue driving south on Hwy 1 towards your next stop in this Big Sur itinerary: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which is not to be confused with Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. 3. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! 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. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . 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. Depending on how hungry you are, appetizers are also available at the outside bar and inside the lounge. If this is your first time to the area dont rush it! 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. Purple sand (yup!). End: Mammoth Lakes. Total Distance: 217 miles ; One-Way Driving Time: 4 hours and 45 minutes ; Route: San Francisco Half Moon Bay Santa Cruz Monterey Carmel-by-the-Sea Big Sur San Simeon ; The drive between San Francisco and San Simeon is more appealing than one might imagine. When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. Tina Yen. This whole road trip looks so picturesque! Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. Its pretty secluded and kinda secret (aka not on all the typical things to do in Big Sur posts), so I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! I cant recommend this place enough! The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. Wrap Up Your Perfect Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, link to Her Wanderful World's Instagram account, link to Her Wanderful World's Facebook account, link to Her Wanderful World's Pinterest account, link to Her Wanderful World's Twitter account, Teaching English Abroad Everything You Need to Know, California Coast Roadtrip | San Fran all the way to San Diego, Check the website for openings and reservations, 17 Fun Things to do in Santa Rosa, California, 20 Incredible Things to do in Petaluma, CA, 17 Charming Things to do in Cambria, California, 17 Best Coastal Sunset Spots in Central California. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. Pick-up from centrally located hotels between 7:30am - 8:30am Duration: 11 hours Transportation: Comfortable Motorcoach Includes: Complimentary pickup/dropoff from centrally located hotels Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! Even more than that, Point Lobos doesnt classify itself as a state park, but rather as a natural reserve with the highest protection for nature and wildlife found here. Weekend Big Sur itinerary. There are definitely so many good spots for pictures that you cant get enough of! I absolutely fell in love. . Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. I had it recommended to me and I thought it would be the perfect place to pick up a picnic lunch for later. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! If youre a fan of seafood, Cafe Kevahs Egg Benedict has Dungeness crab and is delicious; the regular egg benedict is also a top pick. Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur In a nutshell, this drive is all about the jaw-dropping scenery of the Pacific Coast. This looks amazing. 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 3-day Big Sur itinerary. . Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. While the tours are quite long at three hours, the history and information is so interesting you wont even notice the hours passing by. When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. There is a small parking lot off the north end of Bixby Bridge where you can step out and take some iconic photos of it. Where we stayed: But it's absolutely still worth visiting! It was quite busy at the time we arrived and we probably waited in line for 30 minutes-1 hour so make sure to add this in when planning your itinerary! We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. You can easily follow along the road trip stops, doing every single one (my recommendation) or picking and choosing a few if you only have part of a day. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. like a Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls One Day Tour from San Jose.. Alternatively, you can take the Monterey-Salinas Transit Line 22 from Carmel or Monterey, which will take you all the way to Nepenthe Restaurant when heading south. There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . 4. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. We enjoyed a little downtime at our hotel. The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! And get there early the tours only accommodate 40 people! Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! House dating to 1867 of one of the first American families to homestead the Big Sur coast, with a New England-style saltbox wing built in 1877. Click here to skip back to the top. The perfect amount of time to see Monterey and Big Sur is 2-3 days. Casinos like Harrah's in South Lake Tahoe regularly have big-name artists perform, so a concert night could be in the cards for your trip. 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 Best California Road Trips & Itineraries | Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur to Santa Barbara California: Places to Visit North America California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara FIRST POSTED: 4th June 2019 | LAST UPDATED: 7th August 2020 9 minute read Here are my picks and notes, either personally tested by me, or recommended by fellow travelers: Be prepared to spend some big money for dining out in Big Sur. There was a river right behind the Inn with lots of cute chairs to sit on and relax and people were even tubing on the river! at stops along the way. While youll see monarchs all around Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park is the place to be to spot the most! You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This is a popular street located in the heart of Monterey. That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. Explore Big Sur. Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! 3. You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. The fog is usually gone by early Fall, and you can even witness whales and butterflies this time of year (yes, really, if you know where to look!). But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. Afternoon Afternoon Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. There are even more trails to explore such as the South Shore Trail, Cypress Grove Loop Trail, Pine Ridge Trail, and Lace Lichen Trail. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. 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! , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! Where did you drive from? Yes, yes, and yes! On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. Recommended accommodation options in Monterey and Carmel that wont break the bank: With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your California Coast road trip, these are the best places to do it: Post Ranch Inn: Offering 3 pools, one being an infinity hot tub, you can spend the bulk of your time here overlooking the stunning California coastline. You might recognize this bridge if you have seen Big Little Lies. Its one of the most iconic bridges in all of California and definitely one of the most photographed for its aesthetic. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! March 3, 2023. If you happen to be visiting Big Sur between February and early April, you NEED to make a short pit stop at Calla Lily Valley! Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. If you're going to drive all of the Big Sur coastline in a day, coming from the Bay Area, you'll want to be prepared for at least 5 hours of driving each way, a total of 10 hours on the road. Hi MacKenzie! Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. A girls gotta eat, am I right? Why is Big Sur famous? Thank you! The trail will take you less than an hour as its about 0.8 miles long and will bring you to the beautiful shorelines where you might even spot a sea otter! This scenic drive is so rewarding with views of cute homes overlooking the never-ending Pacific ocean. Can you swim in Big Sur? Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. Which means youll ultimately need to climb back up! After you finally find it (the road to get to Pfeiffer Beach is a bit hidden and narrow with no signs), youll be pleasantly surprised that the sand is actually truly purple in some spots on the beach. Thx!! This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. Another favorite thing we like to do here is to stop at the first shop on the right (also didnt pay attention to its name), grab a little red basket, and have a go at the saltwater taffy. This mountain range, just inland from the not-so-hidden gem that is Big Sur, runs from below Monterey and Carmel down to about San Luis Obispo. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? This is definitely a place I would like to spend more time at if I head back to this area. Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. Monterey, which is further north of Big Sur, is located no more than 1-1.5 hours away from most of the attractions that we recommend seeing on a Big Sur itinerary. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Word spread and a large Chinese community settled in Point Lobos where today you can visit one of their homes turned museum, Whalers Cabin. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." Just letting you know so there are no surprises! While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! That is a lot to fit into 2-days. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. At the time of posting this article, the section of Hwy 1 south of McWay Falls was still closed due to mudslides from 2017. Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. Its more of a state of mind rather than a specific point on a map, encompassing about 90 sunny Californian miles down the Pacific Coast Highway. Yes, its that impressive. Want the scenic route? Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! I guess we'll have to plan another trip." La Playa Carmel. The airport is small and easy to navigate. Famous for its narrow cobblestone lanes, little cottages dressed in flowers and plants, and enchanting shops that sell tons of local goodies, Carmel is a . Day Two There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. Win-win! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Don't be me. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. In the Big Sur region, hop on the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH; part of California State Route 1), one of the state's most scenic routes, and take your pick of any of the stunning coastal towns. all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. Pacific Coast Highway. It is located towards the end of the wharf, so beware that you may be tempted to stop at one of the restaurants before it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. If you are planning a road trip to the coast of California, this Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is a perfect option for you, and its so convenient as they are about 30 minutes apart from one another. As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. Hi Faith! You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. Thanks for all the recommendations. (10/13/18). So exactly where is big sur located? Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary!