Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. 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. Day Three 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. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! 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. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! You will definitely get beautiful views here! Explore my other California guides here! When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. Point Lobos has a long history, dating all the way back to the mid-1800s, and hosted many groups including the Ohlone Native Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spaniards. I had never seen succulents that big before! Yes, its that impressive. In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. View of Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA Vacation Rental Private vacation home Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I was in awe the entire time. California CA Big Sur Carmel Monterey Coastline Postcard Old Vintage Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! Sure, its the most expensive pastry Ive ever bought (at a whopping $8.50), but my husband and I both felt it was worth the hefty price tag. 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. Free shipping for many products! (7/15/18), "It's such a kid-friendly area, and I just heard that the entire Hwy 1 is now opened." 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. 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! McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. Dont fret if you dont drink, they have tons of snacks you can eat as well! 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. If you found this article useful, consider using the links within the article or below. As always, thanks for the support. The Perfect Weekend in Carmel, CA - Miss Molly Mac For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. It is definitely in a really romantic setting. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to 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. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. And I do love my crab from Phils! All these spots make it easy to photograph. (7/19/18), "This area has been on my must-see/do list for years. Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. The American Tin Cannery Suite 122 125 Ocean view Blvd Pacific Grove, CA 93950 831-747-1677 _____ 17 Mile Drive 2106 Sunset Drive Pacific Grove, CA 93950 831-717-4912 _____ Pedego Electric Bikes 143 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel, CA 831-293-7063. The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. When you visit Point Lobos, youll be amazed by its natural beauty, but please make sure to stay on trails as erosion is currently harming plants and wildlife in the area. Manage Settings Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! That is a lot to fit into 2-days. March 3, 2023. 2023 Cultural & Theme Tours in Monterey & Carmel: Check out reviews and photos of the 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical Highlights. It was so yummy! Inside you'll nd: Flexible, strategic itineraries including long weekends in Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz, and a three-day road trip from Big Sur to Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. 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. Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! 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. 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. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 3. The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger And plus, the water is chilly over here! I hope your travel planning takes you here soon! Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur - 3 Days | kimkim Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! at stops along the way. 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. They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). Evening 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. Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! They also have bikes you can rent as well. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! And so is Nepenthe! With that being said, Im planning out this Big Sur road trip itinerary from north to south. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. Famous for its narrow cobblestone lanes, little cottages dressed in flowers and plants, and enchanting shops that sell tons of local goodies, Carmel is a . Cozy. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! 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! Since it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down by the beach. Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip 3 Day Itinerary Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. Central Coast Region | @KnowLabs | Flipboard Have a great rest of your day. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). 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 Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. Bixby Bridge was built in 1932 and is one of the highest suspending bridges sitting at 260 feet above the bottom of the canyon below. About this rental. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. Big Sur Hotel Guide: Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur, California | Observer There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. The Bixby Creek Bridge There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. 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! 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. There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! Hi MacKenzie! Some of the overgrown trails are known to have poison oak to get to the beach views, so make sure to protect yourself if you want to get to the water. *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). Day One Big Sur isnt too far from Monterey and you get all the nature with it. This takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to the lowest point of Big Sur, Cambria, where you can start this itinerary (in reverse order from how it's posted). 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. The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. 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. Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. Thank you for this helpful resource. Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! 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. Day Two Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. There is a scenic 17-mile drive you can pay to drive and see iconic spots such as the Lone Cypress and Pescadero Point. 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 had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! Being Big Surs largest beach, as long as the tide is low, youll find plenty of space to lay your towel down and relax. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. 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. Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! Monterey Itineraries | Things to Do in Monterey | Monterey County CVB Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. BIG SUR ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: The Ultimate Guide to Beautiful Big Sur 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!) Big Sur Road Trip - Includes ALL the Best Viewpoints! 7. The Best Big Sur Itinerary for an Epic Weekend Trip As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. There were also lots of lawn games. I am a huge fan of aquariums! 5 days in Carmel, Big Sur & Monterey Itinerary in March I guess we'll have to plan another trip." 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. Monterey, which is further north of Big Sur, is located no more than 1-1.5 hours away from most of the attractions that we recommend seeing on a Big Sur itinerary. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. The ocean is a short walk away. Day 3. . Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! General tips. 8 Epic San Francisco Road Trips to Plan Right Now This is a popular street located in the heart of Monterey. I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. Its more of a state of mind rather than a specific point on a map, encompassing about 90 sunny Californian miles down the Pacific Coast Highway. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? The 72-mile portion that runs through Big Sur is an official American National Scenic Byway. Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! We enjoyed a little downtime at our hotel. DEETJENS BIG SUR INN - 261 Photos & 199 Reviews - Yelp Have you seen the photos?! I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. 2022 text, 2021 Big Sur Drinking Fountain Image and Ghiradelli Cannery Row Image, 2020 Carmel . There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. We decided to stop by Folktale Winery and Vineyards because it seriously looked like something from a fairy tale! Can you swim in Big Sur? You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. 1. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. 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. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. Hiking and tide pooling are great here. You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. The drive was nice and pretty straight forward and just took a little over an hour and a half. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Quiet. After Fishermans Wharf, we decided to leave Monterey to explore Carmel-by-the-sea. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! Channel Islands National Park document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! Comment below. And yes, we always have a great time in Monterey! Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. Where we stayed: I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. Yes, yes, and yes! When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. These are the most beautiful and often historically significant routes in the country. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. 5. Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan to stay for awhile. The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! Monterey, Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea Bus Tour from San Francisco (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. Coast of California Day 3: 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Pismo Beach Happy Friday, Everyone! The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. 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! Hi Jolayne! Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. Please make reservation for dinner; No Dinner Wednesday/Thursday; Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Big Sur Inn at Castro Canyon. They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! 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. Be sure to dabble your toes in the river at Big Sur River Inn and then end your day with a sunset dinner and ocean view at Pacific's Edge. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! Thank you! 5. 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. Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. 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). The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. These are the most common ways to take a Big Sur road trip: Start and finish in Carmel-by-the-Sea but only drive as far as McWay Falls (78 miles of driving) Start in Carmel-by-the-Sea and finish in Morro Bay (120 miles of driving) Time needed: 1 to 2 days. The Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur - Culture Trip 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. Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. and not many tourists know about it just yet! There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. Carmel-by-the-Sea. Explore Big Sur. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. Big Sur Land Trust's Race for Open Space - seemonterey.com 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! 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. PDF Monterey Bay The Ultimate Guide From Santa Cruz To Pdf Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. Saving this guide for later! California Coast Day 3: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, & Pismo When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California