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! One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. ), all while taking in the magnificent views! I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. 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. If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. Tina Yen. The airport is small and easy to navigate. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. (7/19/18), "We were here in Spring of 2017 and, sadly, Big Sur was closed, but we still LOVED this area and can't wait to return one day. " Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! Can you swim in Big Sur? which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Weve always been planning to do a road trip in this part of California, so will be bookmarking this. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. I hope your travel planning takes you here soon! There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! 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. 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. 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. Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! Hi Jolayne! This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 3-day Big Sur itinerary. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. Explore Big Sur. This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . 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. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! Bedroom3; Baths2; Property typePrivate Vacation Home; Max Sleeps6; Love golf Pebble Beach golf courses are among some of the best in the world; Carmel-by-the-Sea renowned for its art galleries, many restaurants & sandy white beaches; Big Sur has campsites, high-cliff beaches, superb hiking trails & world-class views on the Pacific Ocean, and Monterey is known for the famous . You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! Thank you! It could take as little as 2 hours (if you dont stop at all), or 2 days if you make all the stops for the views, foods, and hikes. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. As well as (chive and cheddar) scones and strudels and coffees and cream-filled donuts. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. Lovely post! My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries Highlights Itinerary Outdoors Itinerary Family Itinerary Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary Golf Itinerary Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. Time needed: 1 to 2 days. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. Yes, its a gorgeous area! Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. How many days do you need in Monterey and Big Sur? (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. 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. There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? Aww, thank you so much! If you choose to visit Big Sur as an out-and-back road trip from San Francisco, you can follow California Highway 1 south from the city past Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and the Monterey Peninsula - then back up. House dating to 1867 of one of the first American families to homestead the Big Sur coast, with a New England-style saltbox wing built in 1877. Bixby Bridge is the epitome of Big Sur and its everything youd expect and more (but really, its the surrounding scenery that really steals the show). Youll have an amazing time when you visit! Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Check out this packing guide of my favorite items to pack on my trips, however, listed below is a tailored guide for a Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Saving this guide for later! Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. Phone: (831) 515-6403. This was actually my favorite part of Fishermans Wharf. Again, theres a toilet here! The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . 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From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! Its beautiful coastline views! 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. It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! 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! Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! Swimming is not recommended at this beach because there are a lot of rock formations that could cause harm if a strong wave pulled a swimmer the wrong way (and there were a lot of waves crashing through the rock formations), but you could also stay near the sandy area and dip your feet in the Pacific Ocean. 3. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. Specializing in travel, lifestyle and fashion. The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. Pick-up from centrally located hotels between 7:30am - 8:30am Duration: 11 hours Transportation: Comfortable Motorcoach Includes: Complimentary pickup/dropoff from centrally located hotels Big Sur looks truly incredible. Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! And plus, Im from San Francisco so Im typically driving down the coast, not up. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! I cant recommend this place enough! Day Two
Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. After Fishermans Wharf, we decided to leave Monterey to explore Carmel-by-the-sea. Hi Linnea! And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) California History Books for Kids. The clam chowder here is also amazing! After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Known as one of Big Surs largest and most accessible beaches and the last stop on your Big Sur itinerary is Sand Dollar Beach, located about 30 minutes south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. This part of the bike trail was a lot busier. Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. 4. The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. Manage Settings Morning
Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. 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! Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? If you found this article useful, consider using the links within the article or below. 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 There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego
. For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. 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. Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. 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 went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead first. I was in awe the entire time. Tranquil. The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. 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! 10. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! Miles of misty coastline. I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Looks like you had a wonderful time too. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. With that being said, Im planning out this Big Sur road trip itinerary from north to south. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Yes and No. 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! McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. Alternately, it's possible to just take Highway 1 all the way, though this takes a long time, about a 4 hours and 30 minutes drive to Cambria. So exactly where is big sur located? Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. 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. We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure:
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. You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. I LOVE Big Sur and Monterey its just so beautiful. 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. You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. Evening
The best way to get from Monterey to Big Sur is by renting a car. In every way, shape, and form. I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! Coast of California Day 3: 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Pismo Beach Happy Friday, Everyone! Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. You will definitely get beautiful views here! PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. 3. 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. 5. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! If youre not in a rush on your Big Sur road trip, why not make the extra stop? Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! 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. There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). Her Wanderful World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. Day 1: Big Sur Itinerary This Big Sur itinerary runs from north to south as we were leaving from Monterey. Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. There are definitely so many good spots for pictures that you cant get enough of! I got my ticket for the aquarium here. *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey . 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! This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. . Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. Hi Christina! Happy planning! Dont go during the rain or after its just rained as the road is all dirt and can get quite muddy at times. Have you seen the photos?! (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. 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.
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