big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . Thanks for stopping by! Youll get a really nice view of the beach. Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Tranquil. This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. Whats your favorite local spot? With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. Distance: Approximately 430 miles. One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. Comment below. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . 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! We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. Note:If you have time, Pfeiffer Beach, which is very close to this state park is worth a visit. Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. 2. 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. And I do love my crab from Phils! 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. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. 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. (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. " The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). 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! which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. We definitely have gone back multiple times and found new places to explore every time! Sure, the food is on the pricey side (like the rest of Big Sur), but its such a great place to stop and relax for a bit. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. Theres no real starting point. Have a great rest of your day. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. 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. Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. This road trip itinerary is designed to be done in one to two days depending on your timeline and how much you want to get out and see along the way. 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! Price: $25-100. 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. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! If youre looking to take a much longer trip down the PCH, check out all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway yes, all 75 of them! Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." 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! You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. I love Monterey! Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Pace yourself its all beautiful. 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. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Day 1: Monterey. Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. Where we stayed: Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. 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. Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! The Andrew Molera State Park is located in Big Sur and is a relatively undeveloped park in the area. I have visited California many times through out my life. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! Jackie Jegat, the owner and founder, moved from his home in France to open his own restaurant on the California Coast when he was about 30 years old. Winding turns. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. I was in awe the entire time. 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 FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. Hearst Castle Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. And so is Nepenthe! 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!). Thank 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. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. This Monterey to Big Sur itinerary is planned so it is possible to start in San Francisco and experience the whole road trip itinerary without backtracking at all. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. And it is a full itinerary! What is there to see between Monterey and Big Sur? at stops along the way. Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. If seeing a whale is on your bucket list, Fishermans Wharf is where you need to be. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. Hi Sydney! There are even more trails to explore such as the South Shore Trail, Cypress Grove Loop Trail, Pine Ridge Trail, and Lace Lichen Trail. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? 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. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, their menu will satisfy every palette. Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! Thank you! After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. 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. And yes, theres so much history in this little area. There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. Yes and No. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! Lovely post! Answer 11 of 32: Hi all! 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. A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. Most people start this iconic road trip in L . There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. 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 . The high season in this area is during the summer months, just after May and through August, so you may want to avoid these months if you dont want to be around the crowds. Youll want an all-wheel drive for best mobility, but if all youve got is a regular sedan, go slow and you should be a-okay! Thanks for your support! 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. We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! Thanks for stopping by! 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. I only have three more posts to go after this one. They are even bigger than you can imagine! Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. Hi Kate! Hi, Im Jess. Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, Gray Whales: December to February (migrating south to Mexico), and February to April (returning north; easier to spot as they are closer to the shore), Humpback Whales: late April to early December, With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your. If you do not have a high-clearance vehicle, you can still cross the street and take pictures from the other side of Bixby Bridge. You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. 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! You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! Big Sur's vast wilderness and breathtaking views of the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline connects the northern half -- Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz -- with the rolling hills and vineyards of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Cambria and Hearst Castle of the southern half -- Part of the Best West Road Trip itinerary - Goin' Coastal in the Central Coast Region of California. And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. Morning Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! This is definitely a place I would like to spend more time at if I head back to this area. The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. (10/13/18). It was so yummy! Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). It will take you about 2 hours to drive right into Monterey. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. 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! Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! 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. Manage Settings And thankfully, everything is laid out quite well with proper signage, so theres no risk of getting lost. Specializing in travel, lifestyle and fashion. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! 7. 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 In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. Arrive as early as possible on your first day so that you can maximize your time. Then we'd be driving from Mc Way Falls back up to Monterey and then down to Arroyo Grande where we're staying Wednesday night. Unfortunately, when I was there, you could only go on part of the trail and since it is only a small pathway where you can see the falls, it was pretty crowded. After Fishermans Wharf, we decided to leave Monterey to explore Carmel-by-the-sea. Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. Your email address will not be published. There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. Check the website for openings and reservations. The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. Three days would be even better so you can really relax and take your time. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! As you start your Big Sur road trip down from San Francisco (after exploring Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea prior), youre first official stop should be Point Lobos! 4.. Can You Start from San Francisco to Big Sur on the Road Trip Itinerary? 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. If you can settle for not actually staying in Big Sur itself, consider heading up north to Carmel or Monterey for less-than-astronomical prices. 5. You can always put your feet in if youd like! We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. I would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. Afternoon Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Known as one of Big Surs largest and most accessible beaches and the last stop on your Big Sur itinerary is Sand Dollar Beach, located about 30 minutes south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

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