3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. And yes, theres so much history in this little area. Big Sur Road Trip - Includes ALL the Best Viewpoints! Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning And Im jealous of you already. With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. Big Sur and Monterey/Carmel I'll be spending this upcoming weekend on a road trip from Los Angeles to Monterey and thought I'd post my general itinerary and pose a few questions for the Big. *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). Looks like such an awesome road trip. End of Big Sur Itinerary Turnaround: On your way back, you can choose to pull off and snap a few pictures of the beautiful ocean down below. Hi Jolayne! Pacific Coast Highway. Win-win! All these spots make it easy to photograph. We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. Quiet. You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. I had never seen succulents that big before! The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. 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! We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. Big Sur Weekend Road Trip Itinerary - Getaway Compass They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). You will definitely get beautiful views here! Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. These 10 Hidden Gems Are California's Best-kept Secrets 2-Day Big Sur Itinerary: 25 Best Things To Do For An Epic Road Trip In The airport is small and easy to navigate. Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. $8,790.00 USD per person. Its beautiful coastline views! We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Hi Faith! No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. 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. That just means you'll have to go back! Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! Morsels 03.02.23 | Eat + Drink - Monterey County Weekly NOW Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. Cozy. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. Big Sur isnt too far from Monterey and you get all the nature with it. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! 7 Best Stops on the San Francisco to Big Sur Road Trip - The World Was This whole road trip looks so picturesque! So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! Basically, nature at its finest. The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! Phone: (831) 515-6403. Did you know? There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! Thanks for stopping by! Big Sur/Monterey Itinerary for July 4 - Big Sur Forum - Tripadvisor Just letting you know so there are no surprises! Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. Manage Settings Many different types of vegetation can be found here as well such as wildflowers, shrubs, and fungi, but most importantly the Monterey Cypress which is local to the area. 7. Sure, its the most expensive pastry Ive ever bought (at a whopping $8.50), but my husband and I both felt it was worth the hefty price tag. Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur - California The ambience at this place was amazing. 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. Day Two Explore Big Sur. These are the most beautiful and often historically significant routes in the country. By this time, youll likely be hungry, so stop in at the Big Sur Roadhouse for their famous avo toast, or other wraps or sandwiches. I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. 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. Tina Yen. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. 5. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. Hi Rosie! Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. The perfect amount of time to see Monterey and Big Sur is 2-3 days. La Playa Carmel. Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. 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. BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA: LOGISTICS. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. April trip - itinerary change? - Big Sur Message Board - Tripadvisor Inside you'll nd: Flexible, strategic itineraries including long weekends in Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz, and a three-day road trip from Big Sur to If we get there earlier, we get saltwater taffy and enjoy them on our hikes/beach time. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey County 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. General tips. I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. and not many tourists know about it just yet! Theyve got a manicured grassy lawn which is perfect for picnics, and a whole set-up on their outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas. 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. Whether you are looking for a shopping trip, family getaway or romantic getaway we have just the travel itinerary for you! Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. Have you seen the photos?! 15 Dreamy Things To Do In Monterey and Carmel As A Couple Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. Glad to hear it! I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. Have you been? While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! Evening With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. 3. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. Beautiful, post-card like views. 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4','ezslot_26',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4-0');A beautiful state park, Garrapata State Park has views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Soberanes Canyon. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! . Although I can definitely see why its just as beautiful and even the same style! 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. Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! And it is a full itinerary! 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! When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. Yes! As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! Your email address will not be published. Since it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down by the beach. Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. 2022 text, 2021 Big Sur Drinking Fountain Image and Ghiradelli Cannery Row Image, 2020 Carmel . We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. Morning 1. It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. Where did you drive from? Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! And so is Nepenthe! The 20 Best Day Trips From San Francisco (Without a Car) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. So exactly where is big sur located? DEETJENS BIG SUR INN - 261 Photos & 199 Reviews - Yelp Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary, Wizarding World of Harry Potter | Perfect Itinerary, Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party | Top 10, Utah in the Winter | 11 Magical Things to Do, Best Things to do in Jacksonville Florida, 20 Top Things to do in Iceland- The Ultimate Bucket List, Things to do in Kauai | Perfect Itinerary, Things to do in Seoul, South Korea | Top 20, Baja Cantina & Grill- quirky inside and outside, Mission Ranch Restaurant- popular spot for Brunch. Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary If you've been thinking about a weekend get-a-way to one of California's best destinations, then look no further than this 3-day itinerary celebrating the best that Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur have to offer. The American Tin Cannery Suite 122 125 Ocean view Blvd Pacific Grove, CA 93950 831-747-1677 _____ 17 Mile Drive 2106 Sunset Drive Pacific Grove, CA 93950 831-717-4912 _____ Pedego Electric Bikes 143 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel, CA 831-293-7063. Weve always been planning to do a road trip in this part of California, so will be bookmarking this. In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. When you visit Point Lobos, youll be amazed by its natural beauty, but please make sure to stay on trails as erosion is currently harming plants and wildlife in the area. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. The Best Big Sur Itinerary for an Epic Weekend Trip One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. 8. 6. Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. 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. Your attention to detail and organization truly made the trip come alive for me as I read about it. 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 . Free shipping for many products! Best Things to do in Big Sur Day Trip | Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Okay, so we just discovered this spot off the side of the highway on our last visit to Big Sur, and I cannot believe I never noticed it before! Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Note:If you have time, Pfeiffer Beach, which is very close to this state park is worth a visit. You'll most definitely wanna make a few stops along the way ( Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, and Carmel/Monterey are my favorites), so plan accordingly! The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! Any Big Sur road trip aint complete without a stop at iconic Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur (which Im sure youve seen alllll over instagram and pinterest). 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. 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. It was so yummy! One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Hiking and tide pooling are great here. For a special end to your day, drive over to the Spanish Inn to listen to the live bagpipe player, and sip a glass of wine as you watch the sunset. Heres more California-related content I think youll love: Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). Yes and No. If you have time for more hiking and want to explore more of the Big Sur area on foot, check out this link for ideas. Since Big Sur is located between Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Simeon, its best to start from either of these (and finish in the other) if you wanna experience the entire coastline of Big Sur. at stops along the way. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur - 3 Days | kimkim This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. Bedroom3; Baths2; Property typePrivate Vacation Home; Max Sleeps6; Love golf Pebble Beach golf courses are among some of the best in the world; Carmel-by-the-Sea renowned for its art galleries, many restaurants & sandy white beaches; Big Sur has campsites, high-cliff beaches, superb hiking trails & world-class views on the Pacific Ocean, and Monterey is known for the famous . It took my breath away. Price: $25-100. Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. Mmm! Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. (10/13/18). READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. Makes me miss San Francisco! No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. I always love getting cheese plates! Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip 3 Day Itinerary Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. Tours cost $15 per person. And I do love my crab from Phils! A Carmel to Big Sur road trip can take anywhere from one hour to five, depending on how many stops . To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey . Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. Yes please! Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Day 2. You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. Thanks for all the recommendations. Then head over to the Carmel Mission. A girls gotta eat, am I right? I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! Carmel to Big Sur: A Stunning California Road Trip You can definitely complete this Big Sur itinerary in a day, but if you have more time, you can also spread it out over 2-3 days and spend more time in each place. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). On your first morning, wake up early and by 8 AM start your Big Sur itinerary by heading south on Highway 1. Check out this packing guide of my favorite items to pack on my trips, however, listed below is a tailored guide for a Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Bixby Bridge is the epitome of Big Sur and its everything youd expect and more (but really, its the surrounding scenery that really steals the show). Have so much fun when you visit! When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. It ends near San Simeon. 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). This is definitely a place I would like to spend more time at if I head back to this area. The ultimate itinerary for a Big Sur road trip I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Please make reservation for dinner; No Dinner Wednesday/Thursday; Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Big Sur Inn at Castro Canyon. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for California CA Big Sur Carmel Monterey Coastline Postcard Old Vintage Card View at the best online prices at eBay! Hearst Castle There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. Temps are mild year round, ranging from a cool 60 degrees to a balmy 75 degrees F. Its always wise to bring along a jacket no matter what month youll be frolicking around Big Sur, as it never gets particularly hot hot hot, and temperatures are always cooler on the coast than in the mountains nearby. It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. Majority of the famous viewpoints are on the coastal side, so it would be best if you drove north to south, that way you make right turns in/out of the viewpoints. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. Morning Read on for my favorite Big Sur activities, where to stay, what to do in Big Sur, and (most importantly), what and where to eat! Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. There are cute dogs all over the place! Day 3: Carmel to Big Sur. Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . Afternoon Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. 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 There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Thank you! Big Sur Hotel Guide: Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur, California | Observer Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. Yes! I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! Yes, its that impressive. Pfeiffer Beach will be the second turnout, There are many more options for Monterey ranging from the, If youd like to stay in Big Sur, there is the, Blanket or lawn chairs for hanging out at the beach, Bike if youd like to explore Monterey by bike. We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! Description: This April, Big Sur Land Trust is hitting the trails once again for our annual fundraiser to save open space and care for the lands you love in Monterey County! 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. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. 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. Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria.

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