Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. 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. Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! The Best Big Sur Itinerary for an Epic Weekend Trip Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. I have only ever been to San Francisco but would love to see these amazing views and spend the night. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! Big Sur Carmel Carmel Valley Castroville Marina Monterey Moss Landing Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Salinas Seaside . Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. 5. How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. California road trip: Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe - Tripadvisor They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! 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 a small parking lot off the north end of Bixby Bridge where you can step out and take some iconic photos of it. 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. 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!) Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. For more information, check out my travel resources page. Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary If you've 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. It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. They were so colorful and unique! It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. Time needed: 1 to 2 days. Oh la la, Crepes! Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. 7. 4 Golfers. Free shipping for many products! This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Tip: Driving it can be challenging, but well worth it. Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. You can always put your feet in if youd like! There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries Highlights Itinerary Outdoors Itinerary Family Itinerary Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary Golf Itinerary 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. 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. Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! Best Things to do in Big Sur Day Trip | Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Alternatively, you can take a bus. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! Stay and Play in Monterey. To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. 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. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. 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, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. 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. They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! Discover Monterey Bay & Big Sur | Road Scholar Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! Unfortunately, when I was there, you could only go on part of the trail and since it is only a small pathway where you can see the falls, it was pretty crowded. 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! Likes Comments. It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. Start with the short film about Junipero Serra to learn about the history of this mission and also the start of all the California missions. Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. I would love to go back! If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. Bring water and watch out for poison oak. Thank you for sharing! There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! 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. Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. 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. Theyve got a manicured grassy lawn which is perfect for picnics, and a whole set-up on their outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas. The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. 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. In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. Loading. Luckily, I have a few more trips planned this fall so the While the food and drinks are good, youre paying for the view. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. 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'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. Book lover? California's Springtime Road Trip: Exploring 10 Of The State's Best Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. 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). I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! at stops along the way. I had never seen succulents that big before! GROUP PEBBLE BEACH GOLF TRIP PROPOSAL - Epic Golf Travel 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Big Sur road trip: 12 Epic Pacific Coast Highway stops to check out (2022)! Even more than that, Point Lobos doesnt classify itself as a state park, but rather as a natural reserve with the highest protection for nature and wildlife found here. There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! 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 If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Price: $25-100. It is definitely in a really romantic setting. You might recognize this bridge if you have seen Big Little Lies. Its one of the most iconic bridges in all of California and definitely one of the most photographed for its aesthetic. Nov 2nd, 2021 3359 views. For a special end to your day, drive over to the Spanish Inn to listen to the live bagpipe player, and sip a glass of wine as you watch the sunset. If youre looking to take a much longer trip down the PCH, check out all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway yes, all 75 of them! Big Sur and Monterey/Carmel - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. Youll be able to come back to a small town and enjoy a night on the town after you explore the nature scenes of Big Sur. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. Things to Do in Big Sur | Big Sur, CA Itinerary - Visit Monterey 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. Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. Three days would be even better so you can really relax and take your time. Carmel Itineraries Monterey Peninsula Carmel Chamber of Commerce 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. 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. Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. Day 1: Monterey. Guide contents. 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. We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. 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! 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. I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! Thanks for your support! Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. 8. I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! 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! 8 Best California Road Trips | Big Sur to Sierras - Leisure We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. 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. We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! Word spread and a large Chinese community settled in Point Lobos where today you can visit one of their homes turned museum, Whalers Cabin. (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" We're currently planning a full trip to the Carmel/ Monterey/ Big Sur area but was wondering if our itinerary is to full? 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! Youll be hungry after your ride, so head over to Hulas for a late lunch. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Big Sur/Monterey Itinerary for July 4 - Big Sur Forum - Tripadvisor . No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. Like what you see? Arrive- Pick up Rental Car and Drive to Monterey I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. We are surrounded by forest. Carmel to Big Sur: A Stunning California Road Trip Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. Have so much fun when you visit! If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! The airport is small and easy to navigate. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger Big Sur guide. Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. Yes and No. I would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. Yes, its that impressive. We so enjoyed our time on our Monterey and Big Sur road trip. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Looking for more California content? Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). from $900. In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! 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. 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! While youll see monarchs all around Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park is the place to be to spot the most! 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 . A 75-room Big Sur boutique hotel just yards from the beach in a restored mansion built in 1905, La Playa Carmel was first constructed by artist Christian Jorgensen as a gift for his wife and had the first swimming pool in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Explore my other California guides here! Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. And yes, theres so much history in this little area. Pacific Coast Highway. California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara 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. Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. Check the website for openings and reservations. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. 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. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! We enjoyed a little downtime at our hotel. This area is one of my favorites in CA. 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. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. 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. BIG SUR ADVENTURES. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. Ill receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which Ill totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. Youll 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! It is about 15 minutes from Monterey, spend at least 3 hours. You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! Have you seen the photos?! The ocean is a short walk away. Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. 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. 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. 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. Monterey State Historic Park. Yes, its a gorgeous area! With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. And if you venture a bit further south from the city before you hit Carmel, you can enjoy the splendours of the 17-mile-drive a coastal route that is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the entirety of the US. Santa Cruz is a cute, funky surf town on the way to the San Jose airport. I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. And I do love my crab from Phils! 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. And it is a full itinerary! Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. 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. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. Yes and No. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. The clam chowder here is also amazing! Seaside cliffs. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. The best way to get from Monterey to Big Sur is by renting a car. Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. Also, there are two different viewpoints- one of the front side of the bridge and one of the back. Day 2. GROUP PEBBLE BEACH GOLF TRIP PROPOSAL. Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. 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. 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. This road trip itinerary is designed to be done in one to two days depending on your timeline and how much you want to get out and see along the way. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! Find a place to park and spend some time enjoying the many art galleries and boutiques. I guess we'll have to plan another trip." We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. 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.