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!). I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! 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. If you want a taste of France in sweet Monterey, Paris Bakery is your go-to spot! Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! If you didnt have time to pack a snack or breakfast, plan a stop at Big Sur Bakery before u-turning into the Pfeiffer Beach turn-off. The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! 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. It was the prime location for marine life spotting! One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. I only have three more posts to go after this one. 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! Depending on how hungry you are, appetizers are also available at the outside bar and inside the lounge. 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. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). 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). The road is not paved. Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. A 75-room Big Sur boutique hotel just yards from the beach in a restored mansion built in 1905, La Playa Carmel was first constructed by artist Christian Jorgensen as a gift for his wife and had the first swimming pool in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. Thanks for stopping by! Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. 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! As always, all opinions expressed are our own. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when. In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. Bring water and watch out for poison oak. Like what you see? They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. 10 Things You Should Know About The Brando Resort in Tetiaroa, A First-timer's Trip to Australia; Sydney, the Whitsundays and the Central Coast, Paradise in the Dominican Republic: The Samana Peninsula, Explore the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, A 3-Day Itinerary for Charleston, South Carolina, How to Spend 3 Days in Nashville, TN - A Girls' Trip, Balboa Island in Newport Beach,California, Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur - A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary, Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, "I've actually been meaning to take the kids on this road trip. They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! 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. If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! Looks like you had a wonderful time too. This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey . The airport is small and easy to navigate. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. Again, thank you! 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. On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. Time needed: 1 to 2 days. This can be easily done as a weekend trip out from the Bay Area or as part of a wider trip tracing California's coastline. And it is a full itinerary! Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! 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There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! Big Sur Land Trust's Race for Open Space - seemonterey.com Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. 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. After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). Evening Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! The Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur - Culture Trip . Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! Thanks for stopping by! About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. And I do love my crab from Phils! This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. The waves are unpredictable and pretty rough. This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. 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. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. 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. This beach is known to be the most consistent wave producer for surfers, so if you are one of these talented people, bring your surfboard and have at it! This mountain range, just inland from the not-so-hidden gem that is Big Sur, runs from below Monterey and Carmel down to about San Luis Obispo. Here are my picks and notes, either personally tested by me, or recommended by fellow travelers: Be prepared to spend some big money for dining out in Big Sur. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! Price: $25-100. Theres really no way around it. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy Day Three Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur itinerary? - California Forum Although I can definitely see why its just as beautiful and even the same style! Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary You can read all about how this area came to be here. This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! There are souvenir shops, where I bought a super cute Monterey boat picture frame, theres a clam chowder stand, a cafe spot that I love and forget its name, and my favorite the Monterey Bay Creamery where theres a huge cow statue selling ice cream. As always, thanks for the support. . And Im jealous of you already. Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. The perfect amount of time to see Monterey and Big Sur is 2-3 days. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. 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. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! 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. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. Oh la la, Crepes! 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. While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. Makes me miss San Francisco! We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. I guess we'll have to plan another trip." (7/15/18), "It's such a kid-friendly area, and I just heard that the entire Hwy 1 is now opened." Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. Thats so cool youre a teacher! 10. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. California History Books for Kids. Wow this place looks so similar to Malibu I swear!! Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. 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. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. Explore my other California guides here! The drive was nice and pretty straight forward and just took a little over an hour and a half. The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. . Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! 3. This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. 2. Reading and seeing these photos makes me miss it a whole lot. 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!) PDF Monterey Bay The Ultimate Guide From Santa Cruz To Pdf I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! I personally love #doingallthethings at the beginning of my trips and then slowing down as I stay longer, but you can puzzle this Monterey and Big Sur itinerary out to best fit your weekend and travel style. Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. 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! The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! This area is one of my favorites in CA. Alternately, it's possible to just take Highway 1 all the way, though this takes a long time, about a 4 hours and 30 minutes drive to Cambria. It was located in a building that looked like a castle. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! It will take you about 2 hours to drive right into Monterey. I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. What a wonderful place you get to call home. 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 Hi Kate! I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! Big Sur Road Trip: Best Stops on a Scenic California Coast Adventure! Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! 4. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! 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! April trip - itinerary change? - Big Sur Message Board - Tripadvisor Thank you for this helpful resource. The ocean is a short walk away. 2023 Cultural & Theme Tours in Monterey & Carmel: Check out reviews and photos of the 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical Highlights. 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. Youll get a really nice view of the beach. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. Read on for the most perfect Big Sur road trip itinerary! If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! Dont fret if you dont drink, they have tons of snacks you can eat as well! Theyve got a manicured grassy lawn which is perfect for picnics, and a whole set-up on their outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas. . 2-Day Big Sur Itinerary: 25 Best Things To Do For An Epic Road Trip In The Bixby Creek Bridge Whether youre driving down the entirety of the California coast or just making the short drive from SF, youre in luck. $8,790.00 USD per person. Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! This part of the bike trail was a lot busier. There are cute dogs all over the place! FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. The ambience at this place was amazing. 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. 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). 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. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. 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! If the history doesnt draw you in, Point Lobos is also home to abundant wildlife, including 20 species of mammals such as gray foxes and mountain lions, various species of birds like the acorn woodpecker peregrine falcon, and of course, many species of marine life including sea otters, sea lions, and whales. Aww, thank you so much! Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. Day 1. Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. Theres no real starting point. 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. AirBnB: Due to the higher-than-normal cost of accommodation in Big Sur, you may want to check out AirBnB for a less expensive option, many even with those ocean views were all swooning over (without the super hefty price tag). 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. Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. 17-Mile Drive Tour | Big Sur Bike Tours & Rentals Monterey California The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. Its more of a state of mind rather than a specific point on a map, encompassing about 90 sunny Californian miles down the Pacific Coast Highway. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. 14 Best Road Trips in Northern California - LazyTrips Carmel to Big Sur: A Stunning California Road Trip Morning The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine.
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