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. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 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. Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. Where did you drive from? I recommend anywhere from 1-3 days in Big Sur, kinda depending if you wanna go on a few hikes or just see the typical tourist Big Sur road trip stops. 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. Price: $25-100. 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. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). This area is one of my favorites in CA. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. 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! I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. 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). This was actually my favorite part of Fishermans Wharf. Thanks for stopping by! Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. It will take you about 2 hours to drive right into Monterey. Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! for current highway conditions before your drive. 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. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. 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. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. Aww, thank you so much! The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. I mean, its absolutely GORGEOUS. Hi.. we are driving in from Santa Barbara and wanted to plan a Big Sur , Monterey trip where should we stop first where would u stay if u want to see Carmel too? There were also lots of lawn games. There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. 3. Looks like you had a wonderful time too. Start with the short film about Junipero Serra to learn about the history of this mission and also the start of all the California missions. Hiking and tide pooling are great here. Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. 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). There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. Thats so cool youre a teacher! Morning Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. Enjoy your ice cream on the wharf and enjoy watching all the puppies greet each other as their owners walk them up and down the pier. 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. South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! 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!) Theres really no way around it. Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. Day 3: Carmel to Big Sur. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! The airport is small and easy to navigate. Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. Yes, its that impressive. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. 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! I think you. 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. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? 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. Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). Tina Yen. I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. Montereys Fishermans Wharf is an iconic stop for your Monterey itinerary. While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. Click here to skip back to the top. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. (7/15/18), "It's such a kid-friendly area, and I just heard that the entire Hwy 1 is now opened." 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. 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. 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. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! As always, all opinions expressed are our own. This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! I would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! I have only ever been to San Francisco but would love to see these amazing views and spend the night. We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? And I do love my crab from Phils! Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. If this is your first time to the area dont rush it! , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! 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. PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. All these spots make it easy to photograph. Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. 4 Golfers. This Inn was so cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. It was so yummy! You can read all about how this area came to be here. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! 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. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. Hi Rosie! Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. . Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! 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. In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. 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! Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! 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. . Morning My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! Any tips/suggestions appreciated. California History Books for Kids. Oh la la, Crepes! Day 2. This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). Afternoon Whether it's sipping your way through Carmel Valley's boutique wine tasting rooms or hopping on an unforgettable whale watching excursion, Monterey County provides meeting attendees with a variety of extracurricular activities. I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." This Monterey to Big Sur itinerary is planned so it is possible to start in San Francisco and experience the whole road trip itinerary without backtracking at all. Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, or with others, this year's Race for Open Space has something for you. The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. 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. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. Glad to hear it! 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 has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! It ends near San Simeon. Explore my other California guides here! It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Wrap Up Your Perfect Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, link to Her Wanderful World's Instagram account, link to Her Wanderful World's Facebook account, link to Her Wanderful World's Pinterest account, link to Her Wanderful World's Twitter account, Teaching English Abroad Everything You Need to Know, California Coast Roadtrip | San Fran all the way to San Diego, Check the website for openings and reservations, 17 Fun Things to do in Santa Rosa, California, 20 Incredible Things to do in Petaluma, CA, 17 Charming Things to do in Cambria, California, 17 Best Coastal Sunset Spots in Central California. (See that next!). Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. 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. Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. We're currently planning a full trip to the Carmel/ Monterey/ Big Sur area but was wondering if our itinerary is to full? Arrive as early as possible on your first day so that you can maximize your time. Saving this guide for later! 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. I have visited California many times through out my life. Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Monterey, which is further north of Big Sur, is located no more than 1-1.5 hours away from most of the attractions that we recommend seeing on a Big Sur itinerary. Yes, yes, and yes! . 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. Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. It is about 15 minutes from Monterey, spend at least 3 hours. You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. Again, thank you! Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. The perfect amount of time to see Monterey and Big Sur is 2-3 days. Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. Seaside cliffs. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. You will definitely get beautiful views here! 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. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. Yes and No. Have you seen the photos?! For more information, check out my travel resources page. Yes and No. These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! 9. This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. 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. 5. Big Sur isnt too far from Monterey and you get all the nature with it. Check the website for openings and reservations. The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. 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. I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. And plus, the water is chilly over here! I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. 15 Amazing Cheap Vacation Spots in California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Word spread and a large Chinese community settled in Point Lobos where today you can visit one of their homes turned museum, Whalers Cabin. 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.. Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. 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. It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. Have so much fun when you visit! If youre looking to take a much longer trip down the PCH, check out all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway yes, all 75 of them! Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. And if the two resort pools with panoramic coastal views didnt do it for you, I bet the spa treatments in outdoor cabanas overlooking the redwood forest will. Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. Continue driving south on Hwy 1 towards your next stop in this Big Sur itinerary: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which is not to be confused with Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. I only have three more posts to go after this one. Visiting between the months of November to March? Hi Linnea! Day Two Mmm! Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. There are definitely so many good spots for pictures that you cant get enough of! 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. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). I would love to go back! 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. 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. It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! Looks like such an awesome road trip. 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. Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. 5. This part of the bike trail was a lot busier. The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! 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. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. 1. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. Yes please! We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. Have you been? What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. But it's absolutely still worth visiting! 4. Where we stayed: 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. 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).
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