This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! Specializing in travel, lifestyle and fashion. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. 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. I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. And if you venture a bit further south from the city before you hit Carmel, you can enjoy the splendours of the 17-mile-drive a coastal route that is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the entirety of the US. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! 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! The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. Renting a Car : Note that you'll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Have you seen the photos?! A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. For more information, check out my travel resources page. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. Whats your favorite local spot? Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. La Playa Carmel. Where did you drive from? There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. Word spread and a large Chinese community settled in Point Lobos where today you can visit one of their homes turned museum, Whalers Cabin. Theres really no way around it. The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. 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. Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan to stay for awhile. 2. California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara 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. 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. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. Thx!! Carmel-by-the-Sea is probably one of the quaintest seaside towns in the world, which makes it a good starting point for your Big Sur road trip. We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. Quiet. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. Price: $25-100. Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. Big Sur Weekend Road Trip Itinerary - Getaway Compass 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. Its such a pretty area! If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! 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. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. Be sure to dabble your toes in the river at Big Sur River Inn and then end your day with a sunset dinner and ocean view at Pacific's Edge. 5 days in Carmel, Big Sur & Monterey Itinerary in March Have a great rest of your day. Morsels 03.02.23 | Eat + Drink - Monterey County Weekly NOW Dont go during the rain or after its just rained as the road is all dirt and can get quite muddy at times. 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. Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. They are even bigger than you can imagine! With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. Details. Cozy. Youll also be able to witness sea lions and harbor seals frolicking around on nearby rocks any time of year listen and youll hear them no problem! : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! Absolutely spectacular and downright mesmerizing. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. Book now from $9.99! We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. 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. 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! Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Old Downtown Monterey located on Alvarado street and named after Juan Bautista Alvarado who was the former governor of Alta California. Carmel Itineraries Monterey Peninsula Carmel Chamber of Commerce Likes Comments. It took my breath away. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. 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. Start with the short film about Junipero Serra to learn about the history of this mission and also the start of all the California missions. Since youre on the coast, keep in mind that there may be a cold breeze, so youll want to dress in layers and have a light jacket like this one or that one. Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). Then the trail led down to this amazing white sandy beach with no one else around. The ultimate itinerary for a Big Sur road trip They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. (7/19/18), "as a resident of the Monterey Peninsula we do love our tourists, however, I'd like to remind those who visit - there are those that work and live in the area, and to please be courteous of our existence. Happy planning! We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. I would love to visit all of the beautiful beaches, go on those hikes and eat the saltwater taffy and ice cream! I had never seen succulents that big before! Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. September 10, 2024 - September 15, 2024. Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. 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 . 3. They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! Day 1 6pm After a thrilling drive along historic Highway One, you've arrived at the Big Sur Campground and Cabins for an authentically rustic Big Sur stay. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! 2023 CalQIC Annual Conference - Monterey County 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. 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! Yes, yes, and yes! Monterey Itineraries | Things to Do in Monterey | Monterey County CVB Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. 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. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. 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! 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. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Time needed: 1 to 2 days. The airport is small and easy to navigate. After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. Being Big Surs largest beach, as long as the tide is low, youll find plenty of space to lay your towel down and relax. Be sure to take along a sweater as the trails are shaded and can be very cool the entire time, which makes for a spectacular break on a super hot day! Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. Hi MacKenzie! 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. 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. Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego Tip: Driving it can be challenging, but well worth it. I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! The 72-mile portion that runs through Big Sur is an official American National Scenic Byway. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? Did you know? I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. Things to Do in Big Sur | Big Sur, CA Itinerary - Visit Monterey 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. $8,790.00 USD per person. Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. The first stop in your Big Sur itinerary is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which is known as the crown jewel of all state parks in California, located just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. When researching where to eat, I had Forge in the Forest recommend several times. One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. at stops along the way. Begin your day with breakfast at From Scratch Restaurant in Carmel by-the-Sea. Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur - 3 Days | kimkim Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. . Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. Alternatively, you can take a bus. They were so cute, I was squealing! And get there early the tours only accommodate 40 people! Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The Best Big Sur Itinerary for an Epic Weekend Trip After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. Yes, its that impressive. If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! Hi Shafinah! And plus, Im from San Francisco so Im typically driving down the coast, not up. 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 Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. 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. Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. View Full Itinerary At a Glance Called the most beautiful meeting of land and water on the face of the earth, Monterey Bay, the legendary Pacific coast and sun-drenched Carmel Valley mark a convergence of currents, cultures and creators that make the area one of the country's most fascinating places. 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. End: Mammoth Lakes. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! Day One Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California If youre not in a rush on your Big Sur road trip, why not make the extra stop? The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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! Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Let me know how your travels go! Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary.