big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . Thank you for sharing! Basically, nature at its finest. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. The Ultimate Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. 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. We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. And its large enough to split, for sure. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." I got my ticket for the aquarium here. Day 1: Monterey. I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! This was actually my favorite part of Fishermans Wharf. Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. At the time of posting this article, the section of Hwy 1 south of McWay Falls was still closed due to mudslides from 2017. There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! (10/13/18). Youll be able to come back to a small town and enjoy a night on the town after you explore the nature scenes of Big Sur. We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. They are even bigger than you can imagine! California CA Big Sur Carmel Monterey Coastline Postcard Old Vintage 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. Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. 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! To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. We decided to stop by Folktale Winery and Vineyards because it seriously looked like something from a fairy tale! The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. 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. Yes! When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur - California Hi Elena! 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). 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. This takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to the lowest point of Big Sur, Cambria, where you can start this itinerary (in reverse order from how it's posted). Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. 7 Best Stops on the San Francisco to Big Sur Road Trip - The World Was Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! Have you seen the photos?! Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Heres more California-related content I think youll love: Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. 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. Oh la la, Crepes! 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! Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? $8,790.00 USD per person. Then head over to the Carmel Mission. Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! Hi Jolayne! Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. BIG SUR ADVENTURES. California's Springtime Road Trip: Exploring 10 Of The State's Best The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. 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! Yes! You will definitely get beautiful views here! Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! A PCH Road Trip to Monterey and Big Sur | Cond Nast Traveler I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! 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. We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Yes, its a gorgeous area! About this rental. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. I would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. Checking into the Madonna Inn: San Luis Obispos Quirkiest and Most Eccentric Hotel, Snorkeling in Maui: 12 Best Places to Snorkel in Maui (+ Safety and Packing Tips), The Massive Guide to Manarola, Italy: Things to do in Manarola, Cinque Terre, Cinque Terre Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Days in Cinque Terre, Italy, Fall in San Francisco: 25+ Fall Activities in the SF Bay Area You Cant Miss, Things to do in Cambria, California (The Cutest Seaside Village on the Central Coast). The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. Day 1: Big Sur Itinerary This Big Sur itinerary runs from north to south as we were leaving from Monterey. Day 3. . READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. Carmel Itineraries Monterey Peninsula Carmel Chamber of Commerce To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. Hi Shafinah! 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. Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. A girls gotta eat, am I right? This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. 35 of the Best Road Trips and Weekend Getaways from San Francisco This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! It is definitely in a really romantic setting. Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. Glad to hear it! Be sure to take along a sweater as the trails are shaded and can be very cool the entire time, which makes for a spectacular break on a super hot day! 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. Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. Sure, the food is on the pricey side (like the rest of Big Sur), but its such a great place to stop and relax for a bit. There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! 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. If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! Majority of the famous viewpoints are on the coastal side, so it would be best if you drove north to south, that way you make right turns in/out of the viewpoints. Big Sur Hotel Guide: Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur, California | Observer You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! (7/19/18), "We were here in Spring of 2017 and, sadly, Big Sur was closed, but we still LOVED this area and can't wait to return one day. " The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Hi Kate! Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Looking for more California content? When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. Beautiful, post-card like views. The ultimate itinerary for a Big Sur road trip Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary: Plan the Perfect - Her Wanderful World This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. 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. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. 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. Fun fact: Bixby Bridge was built 5 years before the road was paved to connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo! Big Sur Road Trip - Includes ALL the Best Viewpoints! Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. April trip - itinerary change? - Big Sur Message Board - Tripadvisor I have visited California many times through out my life. Book lover? I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. 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. Evening Win-win! 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 can be easily done as a weekend trip out from the Bay Area or as part of a wider trip tracing California's coastline. Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. Day 3: Carmel to Big Sur. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. Thx!! I mean, its absolutely GORGEOUS. So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! And yes, theres so much history in this little area. We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. 6. I absolutely fell in love. (See that next!). Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. It was so yummy! Admission is $10.50 per vehicle and when you arrive at the entrance they give you a map of all of the scenic stops and designated places to see. Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! Quiet. 1. Price: $25-100. Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. from $900. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. Girls Trip: Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary Thanks for stopping by! For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. In every way, shape, and form. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! Sure, its the most expensive pastry Ive ever bought (at a whopping $8.50), but my husband and I both felt it was worth the hefty price tag. We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. 17-Mile Drive Tour | Big Sur Bike Tours & Rentals Monterey California The 20 Best Day Trips From San Francisco (Without a Car) Aww, thank you so much! I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Carmel, Monterey and Big Sur - A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary - Our EDventures We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . Morning No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. Discover Monterey Bay & Big Sur | Road Scholar This Inn was so cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! Monterey State Historic Park. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. 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 I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. 5. Thank you for this helpful resource. All these spots make it easy to photograph. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail is an 18-mile trail that runs from Pacific Grove up north to Castroville and alongside the old Southern Pacific Railway. This whole road trip looks so picturesque! Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Old Downtown Monterey located on Alvarado street and named after Juan Bautista Alvarado who was the former governor of Alta California. Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. 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. Santa Cruz is a cute, funky surf town on the way to the San Jose airport. 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. They also have bikes you can rent as well. 4.. Can You Start from San Francisco to Big Sur on the Road Trip Itinerary? FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. GROUP PEBBLE BEACH GOLF TRIP PROPOSAL. 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 are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! . I hope your travel planning takes you here soon! There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. 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. : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. The Best Big Sur Itinerary for an Epic Weekend Trip Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! Afternoon 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. Mmm! Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. Tours cost $15 per person. 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. However, if you are here early, the pictures are still pretty amazing and youll miss the 9-10 AM traffic congestion so thats a win! Weekend Big Sur itinerary. 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! 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.. 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. Epic Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary: Explore California's Pacific Coast Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. 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. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! For a complete San Francisco to Big Sur day trip , start in San Francisco and make your way through Monterey and Carmel-By-The-Sea to Big Sur on Highway 1 and US-101. The 72-mile portion that runs through Big Sur is an official American National Scenic Byway. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. While youll see monarchs all around Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park is the place to be to spot the most! Pacific Coast Highway. It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4','ezslot_26',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4-0');A beautiful state park, Garrapata State Park has views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Soberanes Canyon. 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. 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. 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. Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. I have yet to try Big Sur Bakery although Ive heard many good referrals about all the food from wood-fired sourdough to buttermilk biscuits and gravy. Makes me miss San Francisco! The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. They were so colorful and unique! Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! 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. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. 6. I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. Explore Big Sur. You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. I wanna go for sunset next time! I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. If youre not in a rush on your Big Sur road trip, why not make the extra stop? 10 BIG Mistakes to Avoid Before Traveling to the Big Sur! 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!). This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. The entire 6-mile loop takes approximately three hours, but guests can enjoy as much or as little as they like as all trails intersect at various points and all paths are clearly marked. Have a great rest of your day. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! 1. Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! This looks amazing. It ends near San Simeon. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. I guess we'll have to plan another trip." Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit.

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