big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

5. Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! Youll 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! 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. Epic Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary: Explore California's Pacific Coast Again, thank you! Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. 10 BIG Mistakes to Avoid Before Traveling to the Big Sur! As well as (chive and cheddar) scones and strudels and coffees and cream-filled donuts. Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! 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. They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! 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. Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! 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!) Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. Big Sur Road Trip - Includes ALL the Best Viewpoints! The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. I may email you with more in-depth questions as we plan. You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. We went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead first. Dont fret if you dont drink, they have tons of snacks you can eat as well! 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. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. at stops along the way. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! I got my ticket for the aquarium here. Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. Central Coast Region | @KnowLabs | Flipboard Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. Pacific Coast Highway. Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. Hi Desiree! 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. There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. The road is narrow, so be extra careful when pulling over for the views (my advice only pull off in designated spots, theres plenty of them). Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! 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. 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. 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! Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. 3. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Thank you! These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. Walking on the wharf doesnt take any more than 30 minutes if you just want to do a walk-through, but youd be missing out! Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? A trailhead can be found from Monterey State Beach and from there heading south, it will take you to Fishermans Wharf, Cannery Row, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Looking for sand dollars might result in a disappointment, but youll easily find muscles, crabs, sea anemone, and kelp beds while exploring the nearby rocks during low tide. And get there early the tours only accommodate 40 people! We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. Want the scenic route? If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! Visit inside the Basilica (where Serras remains are laid to rest). Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . You will definitely get beautiful views here! As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. But it's absolutely still worth visiting! FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. Hi Faith! Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! Yes please! The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Bring water and watch out for poison oak. Morning Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. California road trip: Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe - Tripadvisor They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. So exactly where is big sur located? 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. Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. I have only ever been to San Francisco but would love to see these amazing views and spend the night. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. Girls Trip: Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! I am a huge fan of aquariums! Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. I feel the need to say this since youll be getting back in the car to continue on the 1: if youre the driver, please be responsible and limit yourself to one drink at most. I saw many of them while riding my bike on the Pacific Coastal Trail and just rode down a particular street if I saw any that looked really interesting! About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! 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. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. Hi Kate! I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! You'll likely hit Carmel-By-The-Sea first, which is where you should bed down; the famed L'Auberge Carmel offers old-world luxury. The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. 35 of the Best Road Trips and Weekend Getaways from San Francisco Yes, yes, and yes! When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. With that being said, Im planning out this Big Sur road trip itinerary from north to south. The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) Beautiful, post-card like views. Day 2. Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. Monterey Itineraries | Things to Do in Monterey | Monterey County CVB Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Carmel-by-the-Sea. Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. 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. Explore Big Sur. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. There is memorabilia from the movies all over! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. You can read all about how this area came to be here. 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. 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! Some places I recommend going to in Carmel: Point Lobos was also definitely another highlight of this trip and should definitely be on your Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary. 7. You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. Purple sand (yup!). Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. Have you been? This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. Evening They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! You can do a day trip to Big Sur or Monterey, but it takes at least 2 days to explore both Monterey and Big Sur properly. Point Lobos has a long history, dating all the way back to the mid-1800s, and hosted many groups including the Ohlone Native Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spaniards. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? Find a place to park and spend some time enjoying the many art galleries and boutiques. Nov 2nd, 2021 3359 views. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. Hi, Im Jess. 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! Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. 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). 3. This scenic drive is so rewarding with views of cute homes overlooking the never-ending Pacific ocean. Thanks for stopping by! Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. Since the trail has a turn out to Monterey State Beach, you can stake your spot and head out for a swim, a surf, or a picnic. Saving this guide for later! Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. Thank you! Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls from San Jose 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. 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. The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! They were so colorful and unique! With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! Monterey State Historic Park. A Carmel to Big Sur road trip can take anywhere from one hour to five, depending on how many stops . Big Sur is the 90 mile stretch of California coast, nestled between Monterey and San Luis Obispo that is as breathtakingly beautiful and unreal as a dream, with the waves of the Pacific ocean crashing along its rugged shores, simply begging for a visit. You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! 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. The ambience at this place was amazing. 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. The Ultimate Guide to Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary with 13 Stops If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. Wow this place looks so similar to Malibu I swear!! There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. Santa Cruz is a cute, funky surf town on the way to the San Jose airport. Likes Comments. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. Bixby Bridge was built in 1932 and is one of the highest suspending bridges sitting at 260 feet above the bottom of the canyon below. Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. I had never seen succulents that big before! GROUP PEBBLE BEACH GOLF TRIP PROPOSAL. March 3, 2023. What is there to see between Monterey and Big Sur? 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. Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. Theres really no way around it. Do take note of the tide schedule though high tide can essentially make the sandy beach disappear, making it difficult to find a place to sit. It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. 6. Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, or with others, this year's Race for Open Space has something for you. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! They were so cute, I was squealing! Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Thanks for your support! Continue with Recommended Cookies. Thanks for stopping by! Then head over to the Carmel Mission. 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. Patience is the only requirement, but binoculars are nice to have as well. Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. How many days do you need in Monterey and Big Sur? Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! 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! I mean, its absolutely GORGEOUS. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. Big Sur Hotel Guide: Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur, California | Observer This looks amazing. View of Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA Vacation Rental Private vacation home What a wonderful place you get to call home. Evening This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary For Families Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. Guide contents. While the food and drinks are good, youre paying for the view. Some of the overgrown trails are known to have poison oak to get to the beach views, so make sure to protect yourself if you want to get to the water. Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! Channel Islands National Park If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. 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. 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 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. I hope your travel planning takes you here soon! Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. End: Mammoth Lakes. Thank you for sharing! The Perfect Weekend in Carmel, CA - Miss Molly Mac I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. (10/13/18). Best Things to do in Big Sur Day Trip | Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Stay and Play in Monterey. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. 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 California's Springtime Road Trip: Exploring 10 Of The State's Best You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. for current highway conditions before your drive. Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. 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. 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. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur).