The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! Miles of misty coastline. You can always put your feet in if youd like! Tina Yen. I always love getting cheese plates! The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. 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. Day 2. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. 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. Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. You will definitely get beautiful views here! Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. Hearst Castle document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. Big Sur Carmel Carmel Valley Castroville Marina Monterey Moss Landing Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Salinas Seaside . Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). (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. Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. In every way, shape, and form. We are surrounded by forest. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. Thats so cool youre a teacher! 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. If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. The waves are unpredictable and pretty rough. There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." Hiking and tide pooling are great here. The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. Day Three . We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. And get there early the tours only accommodate 40 people! They are even bigger than you can imagine! Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. from $900. However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! 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. A girls gotta eat, am I right? Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. This is definitely a place I would like to spend more time at if I head back to this area. Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries Highlights Itinerary Outdoors Itinerary Family Itinerary Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary Golf Itinerary Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! 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. Carmel-by-the-Sea. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. Stay and Play in Monterey. Youll be hungry after your ride, so head over to Hulas for a late lunch. 8. Let's talk travel, teaching abroad, and travel blogging.I also love sharing about my love for Asian dramas and #allthethings to create memorable experiences! 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. If you have time for more hiking and want to explore more of the Big Sur area on foot, check out this link for ideas. Details. 5. Yes, its a gorgeous area! Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! The clam chowder here is also amazing! If you and your group aren't ready to slow down yet, take this time to explore the shops on Fisherman's Wharf or Cannery Row. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. 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. 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. The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. I cant recommend this place enough! which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. This is a popular street located in the heart of Monterey. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. I have visited California many times through out my life. About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. If you are looking to stay right in Big Sur, you can find Big Sur Lodge and Big Sur River Inn.If you would like to save money and don't mind staying a little further away, you can find accommodations in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Monterey by searching on booking.com.Carmel-by-the-Sea is about 10 minutes away from the north part of Big Sur, and Monterey is about 20 minutes away. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. This road trip takes just over 3 hours and is a must-do for a glimpse of California's coastal beauty. Which means youll ultimately need to climb back up! Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! 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. We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. You'll 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! The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! The airport is small and easy to navigate. Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! Monterey State Historic Park. Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). Explore my other California guides here! First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. 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. Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! Thanks for stopping by! Just letting you know so there are no surprises! And it is a full itinerary! Its beautiful coastline views! Hi, Im Jess. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. 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. Not happening. 4. If you choose to visit Big Sur as an out-and-back road trip from San Francisco, you can follow California Highway 1 south from the city past Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and the Monterey Peninsula - then back up. 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. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. I got my ticket for the aquarium here. Lovely post! Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " 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! Another thing I loved about Carmel Beach was how dog friendly it was. Cocktails with a view? After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. 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. It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when. If we get there earlier, we get saltwater taffy and enjoy them on our hikes/beach time. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. 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. There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It is the foggiest park even when some of the other parks are clear, youll want to make sure to check the weather as you wont be able to see much with the fog. Why is Big Sur famous? 6. Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. 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. With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. 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). In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. The ocean is a short walk away. 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. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! Whether you are looking for a shopping trip, family getaway or romantic getaway we have just the travel itinerary 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. The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. 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. I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. 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. I LOVE Big Sur and Monterey its just so beautiful. 5. For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. 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. Tip: Driving it can be challenging, but well worth it. Check the website for openings and reservations. You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. 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. This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. Beautiful, post-card like views. Can you swim in Big Sur? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . The airport is small and easy to navigate. I am a huge fan of aquariums! And plus, the water is chilly over here! Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. Park along the road right before the entrance to save on a $10 parking fee. All these spots make it easy to photograph. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. Yes! That is a lot to fit into 2-days. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Afternoon Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. 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 Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. 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. Dont go during the rain or after its just rained as the road is all dirt and can get quite muddy at times. Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. Hi Linnea! 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. We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. 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. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for California CA Big Sur Carmel Monterey Coastline Postcard Old Vintage Card View at the best online prices at eBay! They were so colorful and unique! Have you seen the photos?! This looks amazing. The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. If youre not in a rush on your Big Sur road trip, why not make the extra stop? We would like to thank Big Sur Adventures for providing discounted tickets for us to experience their e-bike tour. 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. Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. 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). But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. Makes me miss San Francisco! 17 Mile Drive is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. 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 place is absolutely perfect for lunch! Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. 4 Golfers. Big Sur looks truly incredible. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. It will take you about 2 hours to drive right into Monterey. Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. I had never seen succulents that big before! 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.
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