If you can settle for not actually staying in Big Sur itself, consider heading up north to Carmel or Monterey for less-than-astronomical prices. The Bixby Creek Bridge For more information, check out my travel resources page. Read on for the most perfect Big Sur road trip itinerary! 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. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. 5 days in Carmel, Big Sur & Monterey Itinerary in March There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). Any tips/suggestions appreciated. Youll want an all-wheel drive for best mobility, but if all youve got is a regular sedan, go slow and you should be a-okay! Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! Visiting between the months of November to March? If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. Yes, its a gorgeous area! These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. 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. The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Hi Kate! Day 3. . We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! 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. 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. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary For Families 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. 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. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). 8. But it's absolutely still worth visiting! After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! Day 1 of Big Sur Itinerary: Carmel to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Driving distance and time: 33.9 miles, about 1 hour and 5 minutes Start your day early with coffee and a pastry at Carmel Bakery. Dont go during the rain or after its just rained as the road is all dirt and can get quite muddy at times. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. Weekend Big Sur itinerary. Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. Big Sur Road Trip: Best Stops on a Scenic California Coast Adventure! 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. Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! Loading. Aww, thank you so much! 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. The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for Carmel & Monterey - I Wander Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! at stops along the way. , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! If you do not have a high-clearance vehicle, you can still cross the street and take pictures from the other side of Bixby Bridge. First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. 4 Golfers. 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! Time needed: 1 to 2 days. 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. We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! 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. 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. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. 5. 5. Monterey, Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea Bus Tour from San Francisco Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . Your attention to detail and organization truly made the trip come alive for me as I read about it. Mmm! La Playa Carmel. Although I can definitely see why its just as beautiful and even the same style! 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. Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. It ends near San Simeon. 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 were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. Let's talk travel, teaching abroad, and travel blogging.I also love sharing about my love for Asian dramas and #allthethings to create memorable experiences! Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. The Ultimate Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? At the time of posting this article, the section of Hwy 1 south of McWay Falls was still closed due to mudslides from 2017. 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. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey County (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! 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. I saw many of them while riding my bike on the Pacific Coastal Trail and just rode down a particular street if I saw any that looked really interesting! There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary On arrival, our room wasnt quite ready so we had lunch at the hotels restaurant and I got clam chowder in a bread bowl! Thank you! Yes and No. Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. After you finally find it (the road to get to Pfeiffer Beach is a bit hidden and narrow with no signs), youll be pleasantly surprised that the sand is actually truly purple in some spots on the beach. We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. 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. They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. Tranquil. We are surrounded by forest. . 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. Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. We so enjoyed our time on our Monterey and Big Sur road trip. Jackie Jegat, the owner and founder, moved from his home in France to open his own restaurant on the California Coast when he was about 30 years old. BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA: LOGISTICS. 1. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! 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! It makes an excellent, However, if you wait until the summer rush is over and visit during either September or October, youll experience less crowds and actually better weather! From free coffee available and interesting and unusual titles for purchase, its worth spending a while here to soak up the Big Sur atmosphere. As well as (chive and cheddar) scones and strudels and coffees and cream-filled donuts. Make sure to have these essentials on your list: The best time to visit Monterey and Big Sur is in the fall during the months of September to November or in the spring during the months of April to May. Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. (7/19/18), "This area has been on my must-see/do list for years. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . There was a river right behind the Inn with lots of cute chairs to sit on and relax and people were even tubing on the river! Hi Christina! California road trip: Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe - Tripadvisor When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. 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. Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! 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! 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. It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. Do take note of the tide schedule though high tide can essentially make the sandy beach disappear, making it difficult to find a place to sit. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Monterey State Historic Park. This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. Yes and No. 3. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. $8,790.00 USD per person. 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. It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. The ambience at this place was amazing. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! Visit inside the Basilica (where Serras remains are laid to rest). Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). Beautiful, post-card like views. Famous for fairytale-like cottages and shops, great art, dining, charming B&B and boutique hotels, and of course the beautiful and exclusive pebble beach golf course. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. Pin it for later or share it! The ocean is a short walk away. GROUP PEBBLE BEACH GOLF TRIP PROPOSAL. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! All these spots make it easy to photograph. We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. Comment below. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel (one of the other perks of staying there) and then headed to the 5th Avenue Deli. It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. Yes, its that impressive. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. Did you know? In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. 6. 4.. Can You Start from San Francisco to Big Sur on the Road Trip Itinerary? We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. 8 Epic San Francisco Road Trips to Plan Right Now (See that next!). We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. 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. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. Glad to hear it! I am a huge fan of aquariums! You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. The 72-mile portion that runs through Big Sur is an official American National Scenic Byway. 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. Have you seen the photos?! There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! 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 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. Homewood Suites by Hilton in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels in San Jose Aloft Hotels in San Jose InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in San Jose Extended Stay America Hotels in San Jose Residence Inns in San Jose Choice Hotels in San Jose Best Western Hotels in San Jose Motel 6 Hotels in San Jose Fairfield Inns in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. Not happening. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California

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