I cant recommend this place enough! The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. 1. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! Tina Yen. So exactly where is big sur located? Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! 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. Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? Where we stayed: Thanks for your support! 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). like a Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls One Day Tour from San Jose.. Alternatively, you can take the Monterey-Salinas Transit Line 22 from Carmel or Monterey, which will take you all the way to Nepenthe Restaurant when heading south. The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! House dating to 1867 of one of the first American families to homestead the Big Sur coast, with a New England-style saltbox wing built in 1877. Explore Big Sur. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. 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. In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! We went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead first. Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). I absolutely fell in love. Saving this guide for later! It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. $8,790.00 USD per person. Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. 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! Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Beautiful, post-card like views. Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. 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. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. Monterey State Historic Park. We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel (one of the other perks of staying there) and then headed to the 5th Avenue Deli. 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. 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!) We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. The Best California Road Trips & Itineraries | Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur to Santa Barbara California: Places to Visit North America California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara FIRST POSTED: 4th June 2019 | LAST UPDATED: 7th August 2020 9 minute read Hearst Castle Youll get a really nice view of the beach. The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. 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. Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. We enjoyed a little downtime at our hotel. 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. They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. You can definitely complete this Big Sur itinerary in a day, but if you have more time, you can also spread it out over 2-3 days and spend more time in each place. 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. Thanks for stopping by! Makes me miss San Francisco! The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Whether youre driving down the entirety of the California coast or just making the short drive from SF, youre in luck. We so enjoyed our time on our Monterey and Big Sur road trip. So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. View Full Itinerary At a Glance Called the most beautiful meeting of land and water on the face of the earth, Monterey Bay, the legendary Pacific coast and sun-drenched Carmel Valley mark a convergence of currents, cultures and creators that make the area one of the country's most fascinating places. Distance: Approximately 430 miles. Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! at stops along the way. I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! Luckily, I have a few more trips planned this fall so the Montereys Fishermans Wharf is an iconic stop for your Monterey itinerary. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). Coast of California Day 3: 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Pismo Beach Happy Friday, Everyone! For more information, check out my travel resources page. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. Hi Jolayne! 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. 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! This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. 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. There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! 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. 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. Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. Big Sur Carmel Carmel Valley Castroville Marina Monterey Moss Landing Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Salinas Seaside . As always, thanks for the support. Theres no real starting point. Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! If the history doesnt draw you in, Point Lobos is also home to abundant wildlife, including 20 species of mammals such as gray foxes and mountain lions, various species of birds like the acorn woodpecker peregrine falcon, and of course, many species of marine life including sea otters, sea lions, and whales. 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. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. And its large enough to split, for sure. Youll be hungry after your ride, so head over to Hulas for a late lunch. The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. Many different types of vegetation can be found here as well such as wildflowers, shrubs, and fungi, but most importantly the Monterey Cypress which is local to the area. Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. Have so much fun when you visit! There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. 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. 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! The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. 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. Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. Next up on this Big Sur road trip itinerary the Point Sur Lighthouse! As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. The clam chowder here is also amazing! If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. from $900. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. Pin it for later or share it! 3. 5. 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. How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. Our other option is to do Monterey/Carmel on Tuesday (aquarium, 17-mile drive, etc), and then Big Sur first thing Wednesday morning (July 4th). 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. Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary Day 1: Arrival Hotel check-in: Hofsas House Brophy's Tavern Mulligan Public House Dinner at Little Napoli Day 2: Monterey and Big Sur Highway One Drive in Big Sur Monterey, CA 17 Mile Drive Carmel Beach Dinner: Hog's Breath Inn Day 3: Carmel by the Sea Breakfast: The Tuck Box Carmel Belle The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. 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. There are cute dogs all over the place! Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Time needed: 1 to 2 days. No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. Guide contents. To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. Hi, Im Jess. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. The drive was nice and pretty straight forward and just took a little over an hour and a half. (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. 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. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. 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. This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. I had never seen succulents that big before! Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. Hi Faith! This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. 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. It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! Big Sur and Monterey/Carmel I'll be spending this upcoming weekend on a road trip from Los Angeles to Monterey and thought I'd post my general itinerary and pose a few questions for the Big. 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. They were so cute, I was squealing! Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. From free coffee available and interesting and unusual titles for purchase, its worth spending a while here to soak up the Big Sur atmosphere. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. 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. Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. Answer 11 of 32: Hi all! Thanks for stopping by! Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! 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. Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. In every way, shape, and form. You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! Description: This April, Big Sur Land Trust is hitting the trails once again for our annual fundraiser to save open space and care for the lands you love in Monterey County! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! Hi Elena! La Playa Carmel. Word spread and a large Chinese community settled in Point Lobos where today you can visit one of their homes turned museum, Whalers Cabin. 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. Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! . This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. It ends near San Simeon. They are even bigger than you can imagine! Squeezing all the hot spots into just three days might be a challenging task, but this perfect three-day itinerary will keep you on track. 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. The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over!