The fog is usually gone by early Fall, and you can even witness whales and butterflies this time of year (yes, really, if you know where to look!). I have visited California many times through out my life. What a wonderful place you get to call home. Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? Big Sur Road Trip: Best Stops on a Scenic California Coast Adventure! Book lover? Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! 2022 text, 2021 Big Sur Drinking Fountain Image and Ghiradelli Cannery Row Image, 2020 Carmel . As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! If you're going to drive all of the Big Sur coastline in a day, coming from the Bay Area, you'll want to be prepared for at least 5 hours of driving each way, a total of 10 hours on the road. Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 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. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! Also, there are two different viewpoints- one of the front side of the bridge and one of the back. Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. Loading. Day Two Want the scenic route? Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! 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. Not happening. You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. For more information, check out my travel resources page. There are cute dogs all over the place! Stay and Play in Monterey. 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. 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! And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. Okay, so we just discovered this spot off the side of the highway on our last visit to Big Sur, and I cannot believe I never noticed it before! Big Sur/Monterey Itinerary for July 4 - Big Sur Forum - Tripadvisor 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! Can you swim in Big Sur? Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." Yes! 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. These are the most beautiful and often historically significant routes in the country. Any tips/suggestions appreciated. Your email address will not be published. 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. Thank you for this helpful resource. (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. They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. Options for Dinner on Your Monterey Itinerary, Added Excursions for Your Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, Map of Places for Your Monterey and Big Sur Road Trip, Where to Stay on Your Monterey and Big Sur Road Trip, More Places to Eat on Your Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, Phils Fish Market & Eatery in Moss Landing, What to Pack for Your Monterey and Big Sur Road Trip, FAQs About Your Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary. This is a popular street located in the heart of Monterey. The beach down below was beautiful; however, hiking down to the beach is not advisable as the cliffs are unstable and there is no clear path. Where did you drive from? Thanks for your support! They also have bikes you can rent as well. Also, as mentioned before Carmel is known for their wineries so there are several you can head to for wine tastings. There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. It could take as little as 2 hours (if you dont stop at all), or 2 days if you make all the stops for the views, foods, and hikes. I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! 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! Thank you! 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. 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). Yes and No. Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. 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 love Monterey! Its such a pretty area! The ocean is a short walk away. Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . Another favorite thing we like to do here is to stop at the first shop on the right (also didnt pay attention to its name), grab a little red basket, and have a go at the saltwater taffy. This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! 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. Aww, thank you so much! As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. Temps are mild year round, ranging from a cool 60 degrees to a balmy 75 degrees F. Its always wise to bring along a jacket no matter what month youll be frolicking around Big Sur, as it never gets particularly hot hot hot, and temperatures are always cooler on the coast than in the mountains nearby. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! Wow this place looks so similar to Malibu I swear!! We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! Big Sur Land Trust's Race for Open Space - seemonterey.com Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! 3-day Big Sur itinerary. Don't be me. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. The airport is small and easy to navigate. In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). Tranquil. . It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." 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 At the time of posting this article, the section of Hwy 1 south of McWay Falls was still closed due to mudslides from 2017. Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! $8,790.00 USD per person. Seaside cliffs. Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. from $900. The Ultimate Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. In the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea (4 miles, approximately 10 minutes), which became an artist's colony after the 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake destroyed that city.Take a stroll along Ocean Ave. and admire the charming shops and galleries. Purple sand (yup!). ), all while taking in the magnificent views! Theyve got a manicured grassy lawn which is perfect for picnics, and a whole set-up on their outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas. Beautiful, post-card like views. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. Fun fact: Bixby Bridge was built 5 years before the road was paved to connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo! Thanks for stopping by! It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. Cocktails with a view? Alternately, it's possible to just take Highway 1 all the way, though this takes a long time, about a 4 hours and 30 minutes drive to Cambria. 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. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. On your first morning, wake up early and by 8 AM start your Big Sur itinerary by heading south on Highway 1. I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. Big Sur Carmel Carmel Valley Castroville Marina Monterey Moss Landing Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Salinas Seaside . Next up on this Big Sur road trip itinerary the Point Sur Lighthouse! Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. 8 Epic San Francisco Road Trips to Plan Right Now Specializing in travel, lifestyle and fashion. I absolutely fell in love. From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! Check the website for openings and reservations. 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. 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. 4 Golfers. Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. 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. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. 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! April trip - itinerary change? - Big Sur Message Board - Tripadvisor There is a scenic 17-mile drive you can pay to drive and see iconic spots such as the Lone Cypress and Pescadero Point. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan to stay for awhile. Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! 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. I would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. 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. Thank you! 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). Day 1. The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. Hi Faith! Pin it for later or share it! Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. Carmel-by-the-Sea is probably one of the quaintest seaside towns in the world, which makes it a good starting point for your Big Sur road trip. Price: $25-100. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. 3. Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. 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. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. Have you been? You'll likely hit Carmel-By-The-Sea first, which is where you should bed down; the famed L'Auberge Carmel offers old-world luxury. There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! 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 arent pressed for time I recommend spending the night in Carmel-by-the-Sea or at least exploring it for a few hours. So if youre visiting the area (or live in the city and dont have access to a car), a car rental will be a necessity! Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. 6. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. 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). BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA: LOGISTICS. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. Its beautiful coastline views! Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. And plus, the water is chilly over here! This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful.
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