Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. 6. . Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. Book now from $9.99! Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. The clam chowder here is also amazing! We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. The Andrew Molera State Park is located in Big Sur and is a relatively undeveloped park in the area. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Most people start this iconic road trip in L . 1. We enjoyed a little downtime at our hotel. 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. Each room also boasts a private deck with those magicnicant coastline views, a wood-burning fireplace to get cozy during the chilly nights, and an indoor spa tub. and not many tourists know about it just yet! Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Makes me miss San Francisco! Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur In a nutshell, this drive is all about the jaw-dropping scenery of the Pacific Coast. Phone: (831) 515-6403. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! 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. After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. 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. Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! 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. Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! 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! In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. Day Two Can you swim in Big Sur? Theres typically some traffic, so if youre just driving through, expect it to take at least 3 hours. Hiking and tide pooling are great here. Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. We're currently planning a full trip to the Carmel/ Monterey/ Big Sur area but was wondering if our itinerary is to full? California History Books for Kids. 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. Hi Sydney! When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. McWay Falls They also have bikes you can rent as well. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! A girls gotta eat, am I right? Ill receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which Ill totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Cannery Row, a waterfront area with old buildings filled with shopping, restaurants, and fun activities such as escape rooms, arcades, and the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium. Montereys Fishermans Wharf is an iconic stop for your Monterey itinerary. Saving this guide for later! We are surrounded by forest. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! Yes, its that impressive. Pace yourself its all beautiful. About this rental. Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. I always love getting cheese plates! 2022 text, 2021 Big Sur Drinking Fountain Image and Ghiradelli Cannery Row Image, 2020 Carmel . Our other option is to do Monterey/Carmel on Tuesday (aquarium, 17-mile drive, etc), and then Big Sur first thing Wednesday morning (July 4th). The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Answer 11 of 32: Hi all! After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. Where we stayed: I mean, its absolutely GORGEOUS. Day 1: Monterey. BIG SUR ADVENTURES. Famous for fairytale-like cottages and shops, great art, dining, charming B&B and boutique hotels, and of course the beautiful and exclusive pebble beach golf course. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. 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. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. Evening It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Explore Big Sur. Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. The trail will take you less than an hour as its about 0.8 miles long and will bring you to the beautiful shorelines where you might even spot a sea otter! 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! This Inn was so cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan to stay for awhile. Miles of misty coastline. Thank you! You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . 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. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. Although I can definitely see why its just as beautiful and even the same style! What a wonderful place you get to call home. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Whether youre driving down the entirety of the California coast or just making the short drive from SF, youre in luck. Theres really no way around it. Being Big Surs largest beach, as long as the tide is low, youll find plenty of space to lay your towel down and relax. Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! All these spots make it easy to photograph. We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. . Make sure to have these essentials on your list: The best time to visit Monterey and Big Sur is in the fall during the months of September to November or in the spring during the months of April to May. Likes Comments. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. 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. Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. . Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! 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. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. 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 . Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. 7. This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. Cocktails with a view? We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. At the time of posting this article, the section of Hwy 1 south of McWay Falls was still closed due to mudslides from 2017. Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! If you want a taste of France in sweet Monterey, Paris Bakery is your go-to spot! I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. Book lover? Oh la la, Crepes! Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! La Playa Carmel. I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. 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. Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. Channel Islands National Park Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! 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! Total Distance: 217 miles ; One-Way Driving Time: 4 hours and 45 minutes ; Route: San Francisco Half Moon Bay Santa Cruz Monterey Carmel-by-the-Sea Big Sur San Simeon ; The drive between San Francisco and San Simeon is more appealing than one might imagine. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. Youll be driving on private land, so you cant stop to take tooo many photos, but since its usually not crowded, feel free to stop in the middle of the road if you must for some shots. 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary Carmel-by-the-Sea Start your Big Sur Road Trip in the charming small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! 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! I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3','ezslot_25',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3-0');As one of the top 20 best places to retire in California, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming small town you need to check out. The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Continue with Recommended Cookies. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. There are definitely so many good spots for pictures that you cant get enough of! Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. 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 will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. As well as (chive and cheddar) scones and strudels and coffees and cream-filled donuts. You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. 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. When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! 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. Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: There is memorabilia from the movies all over! 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. Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? Glad to hear it! Have you been? The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! 8. Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. There is a small parking lot off the north end of Bixby Bridge where you can step out and take some iconic photos of it. 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! There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. 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. Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. Manage Settings You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. And just one reason its on every list of the most beautiful places in California. 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.

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