from $900. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. 4.. Can You Start from San Francisco to Big Sur on the Road Trip Itinerary? Monterey Itineraries | Things to Do in Monterey | Monterey County CVB Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. 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. While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. 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. Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! 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! Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! Driving Big Sur: Best Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary (Top Views + Stops!) 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. Check the website for openings and reservations. You will definitely get beautiful views here! 8. Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! 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. 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. Fun fact: Bixby Bridge was built 5 years before the road was paved to connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo! Where we stayed: 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. The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for Carmel & Monterey - I Wander Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! 17-Mile Drive Tour | Big Sur Bike Tours & Rentals Monterey California In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. Yes and No. I always love getting cheese plates! all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. Three types of whales frequent the Big Sur coastline: If youre visiting Big Sur in the winter months between October and December, youre in for a real treat tons of monarch butterflies! 2. Time needed: 1 to 2 days. Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. I would love to go back! The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! 5. We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. 17 Mile Drive is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! If we get there earlier, we get saltwater taffy and enjoy them on our hikes/beach time. That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! California Coast Day 3: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, & Pismo Morning The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! A PCH Road Trip to Monterey and Big Sur | Cond Nast Traveler The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. Monterey, Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea Bus Tour from San Francisco So exactly where is big sur located? 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. Whether youre driving down the entirety of the California coast or just making the short drive from SF, youre in luck. Comment below. A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! 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! 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! If you have time for more hiking and want to explore more of the Big Sur area on foot, check out this link for ideas. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Then we'd be driving from Mc Way Falls back up to Monterey and then down to Arroyo Grande where we're staying Wednesday night. This road trip takes just over 3 hours and is a must-do for a glimpse of California's coastal beauty. Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . Weekend Big Sur itinerary. Price: $25-100. Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Epic Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary: Explore California's Pacific Coast Thats so cool youre a teacher! Evening Hi Sydney! With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. Fun for young and old, exploring the rocky coastline in search of creatures is a must-do. 5 days in Carmel, Big Sur & Monterey Itinerary in March I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Since it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down by the beach. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. 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. 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. 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! READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. Carmel, Monterey and Big Sur - A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary - Our EDventures There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. Likes Comments. Hi Jolayne! Day Three Like what you see? Yes! You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. Loading. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! 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. Hi Faith! Aww, thank you so much! Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. Coast of California Day 3: 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Pismo Beach Happy Friday, Everyone! Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. 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. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . Read on for the most perfect Big Sur road trip itinerary! I definitely recommend booking in advance. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! It is about 15 minutes from Monterey, spend at least 3 hours. To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. Pick up snacks beforehand to have in the car during the drive so you dont need to shell out an astronomical amount of cash at the Big Sur convenience stores every time you feel like noshing. Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. The ocean is a short walk away. Big Sur Land Trust's Race for Open Space - seemonterey.com It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. They were so cute, I was squealing! Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! 14 Best Road Trips in Northern California - LazyTrips I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! 2-Day Big Sur Itinerary: 25 Best Things To Do For An Epic Road Trip In Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. 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. 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. 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! You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. I may email you with more in-depth questions as we plan. It was so yummy! 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). 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). Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. Book now from $9.99! Miles of misty coastline. This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. 8. The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. Luckily, I have a few more trips planned this fall so the And thankfully, everything is laid out quite well with proper signage, so theres no risk of getting lost. I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. 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! Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! These 10 Hidden Gems Are California's Best-kept Secrets If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Looks like you had a wonderful time too. 15 Dreamy Things To Do In Monterey and Carmel As A Couple 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 My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. And just one reason its on every list of the most beautiful places in California. Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. Yes, yes, and yes! Thank you! You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! 1. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. Its such a pretty area! First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. Big Sur road trip: 12 Epic Pacific Coast Highway stops to check out (2022)! 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 When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. Answer 11 of 32: Hi all! And I do love my crab from Phils! 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!). You can do a day trip to Big Sur or Monterey, but it takes at least 2 days to explore both Monterey and Big Sur properly. Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. 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. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA: LOGISTICS. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. Planning a trip to Carmel/Big Sur? Help with Itinerary? - Monterey Thanks for stopping by! Afternoon After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. 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. 3 Day Carmel + Big Sur Getaway Itinerary THE NORMAL TRAVELER Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Perfect Weekend in Carmel, CA - Miss Molly Mac But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! Big Sur guide. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! 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. Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. You can easily park on the side of the road and forgo the paid parking, which is what most people do (Im not saying its a-okay just letting you know thats an option if the parking lot is full). The Bixby Creek Bridge Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, but you can easily park on the side of the road (if you dont mind walking a far distance to get in). Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. PDF Monterey Bay The Ultimate Guide From Santa Cruz To Pdf Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! 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. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur itinerary? - California Forum The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). There are cute dogs all over the place! 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 decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! Seaside cliffs. Thank you! 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. As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. While the tours are quite long at three hours, the history and information is so interesting you wont even notice the hours passing by. You can read all about how this area came to be here. I would love to visit all of the beautiful beaches, go on those hikes and eat the saltwater taffy and ice cream! 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! 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. Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. Discover Monterey Bay & Big Sur | Road Scholar Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! For more information, check out my travel resources page. I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. I LOVE Big Sur and Monterey its just so beautiful. The Ultimate Guide to Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary with 13 Stops Its pretty secluded and kinda secret (aka not on all the typical things to do in Big Sur posts), so I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! I wanna go for sunset next time! In every way, shape, and form. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur - 3 Days | kimkim We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. Each room also boasts a private deck with those magicnicant coastline views, a wood-burning fireplace to get cozy during the chilly nights, and an indoor spa tub. We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. I am a huge fan of aquariums! Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. Youll also be able to witness sea lions and harbor seals frolicking around on nearby rocks any time of year listen and youll hear them no problem! Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! This is definitely a place I would like to spend more time at if I head back to this area. Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur - California Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California BIG SUR ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: The Ultimate Guide to Beautiful Big Sur I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. 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. There are souvenir shops, where I bought a super cute Monterey boat picture frame, theres a clam chowder stand, a cafe spot that I love and forget its name, and my favorite the Monterey Bay Creamery where theres a huge cow statue selling ice cream. 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. Purple sand (yup!). 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.
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