big sur carmel, monterey itinerary
The airport is small and easy to navigate. Likes Comments. McWay Falls 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. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. 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. Thanks for stopping by! We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). 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. To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. Big Sur is the 90 mile stretch of California coast, nestled between Monterey and San Luis Obispo that is as breathtakingly beautiful and unreal as a dream, with the waves of the Pacific ocean crashing along its rugged shores, simply begging for a visit. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. In every way, shape, and form. 7 Best Stops on the San Francisco to Big Sur Road Trip - The World Was Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! . While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. (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. Another thing I loved about Carmel Beach was how dog friendly it was. Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. Whats your favorite local spot? Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! 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. On one side, youll see the quaint houses up close and on the other side, youll have a clear view of the iconic Carmel beach down below. 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!) Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. A girls gotta eat, am I right? 6. Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. Its beautiful coastline views! Where we stayed: If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Looks like you had a wonderful time too. Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. Pace yourself its all beautiful. No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. 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. 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! Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. 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. View of Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA Vacation Rental Private vacation home The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. Check out this packing guide of my favorite items to pack on my trips, however, listed below is a tailored guide for a Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. How to Spend One Day in Big Sur: Day Trip Guide from the Bay Area There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! DEETJENS BIG SUR INN - 261 Photos & 199 Reviews - Yelp 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! 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!). There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! Girls Trip: Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary March 3, 2023. If you happen to be visiting Big Sur between February and early April, you NEED to make a short pit stop at Calla Lily Valley! The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Depending on how hungry you are, appetizers are also available at the outside bar and inside the lounge. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! Absolutely spectacular and downright mesmerizing. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan to stay for awhile. Then head over to the Carmel Mission. It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. I cant recommend this place enough! Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. So exactly where is big sur located? I would love to go back! Note:If you have time, Pfeiffer Beach, which is very close to this state park is worth a visit. Did you know? . Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary: Plan the Perfect - Her Wanderful World Big Sur's vast wilderness and breathtaking views of the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline connects the northern half -- Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz -- with the rolling hills and vineyards of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Cambria and Hearst Castle of the southern half -- Part of the Best West Road Trip itinerary - Goin' Coastal in the Central Coast Region of California. If you are planning a road trip to the coast of California, this Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is a perfect option for you, and its so convenient as they are about 30 minutes apart from one another. Fun for young and old, exploring the rocky coastline in search of creatures is a must-do. READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! We would like to thank Big Sur Adventures for providing discounted tickets for us to experience their e-bike tour. Hungry? Again, theres a toilet here! Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Evening The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! 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. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. 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. 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. We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! I guess we'll have to plan another trip." Loading. You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. And I do love my crab from Phils! Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Yes, its a gorgeous area! Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. The airport is small and easy to navigate. Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. 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. Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. 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! 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. Yes and No. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. Where does the Big Sur drive start? I feel oh so lucky to only live a few hours north, which means we typically make it to Big Sur at least once a year! and not many tourists know about it just yet! 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. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. Looks like such an awesome road trip. 5. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! Guide contents. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. It was quite busy at the time we arrived and we probably waited in line for 30 minutes-1 hour so make sure to add this in when planning your itinerary! The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. Not many out-of-towners know this, but coastal fog is another downside of a Big sur road trip during summertime; it can hang around as late as midday! Distance: Approximately 430 miles. Carmel-by-the-Sea. These 10 Hidden Gems Are California's Best-kept Secrets With that being said, Im planning out this Big Sur road trip itinerary from north to south. Click here to skip back to the top. Theres really no way around it. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). $8,790.00 USD per person. 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. Thank you! The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. From free coffee available and interesting and unusual titles for purchase, its worth spending a while here to soak up the Big Sur atmosphere. Walking on the wharf doesnt take any more than 30 minutes if you just want to do a walk-through, but youd be missing out! The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary We are surrounded by forest. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. Lovely post! Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. Recommended accommodation options in Monterey and Carmel that wont break the bank: With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your California Coast road trip, these are the best places to do it: Post Ranch Inn: Offering 3 pools, one being an infinity hot tub, you can spend the bulk of your time here overlooking the stunning California coastline. They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! Pfeiffer Beach will be the second turnout, There are many more options for Monterey ranging from the, If youd like to stay in Big Sur, there is the, Blanket or lawn chairs for hanging out at the beach, Bike if youd like to explore Monterey by bike. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. Cocktails with a view? They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. If youve 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. There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. Hearst Castle 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. There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. This looks amazing. Thx!! 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. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. 35 of the Best Road Trips and Weekend Getaways from San Francisco When researching where to eat, I had Forge in the Forest recommend several times. 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. Whether you are looking for a shopping trip, family getaway or romantic getaway we have just the travel itinerary for you! There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. 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.