This Monterey to Big Sur itinerary is planned so it is possible to start in San Francisco and experience the whole road trip itinerary without backtracking at all. California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara Hi Rosie! Day Two 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. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . Big Sur's vast wilderness and breathtaking views of the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline connects the northern half -- Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz -- with the rolling hills and vineyards of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Cambria and Hearst Castle of the southern half -- Part of the Best West Road Trip itinerary - Goin' Coastal in the Central Coast Region of California. This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. If you found this article useful, consider using the links within the article or below. 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. Winding turns. Required fields are marked *. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). The Ultimate Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. As always, thanks for the support. It was the prime location for marine life spotting! Its beautiful coastline views! Looking for sand dollars might result in a disappointment, but youll easily find muscles, crabs, sea anemone, and kelp beds while exploring the nearby rocks during low tide. 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. Saving this guide for later! This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. 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. And I do love my crab from Phils! The waves are unpredictable and pretty rough. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. McWay Falls 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. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. Thanks for your support! Have a great rest of your day. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! So if youre visiting the area (or live in the city and dont have access to a car), a car rental will be a necessity! This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. I am a huge fan of aquariums! Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. 3 Day Carmel + Big Sur Getaway Itinerary THE NORMAL TRAVELER 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. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. 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. Hi.. we are driving in from Santa Barbara and wanted to plan a Big Sur , Monterey trip where should we stop first where would u stay if u want to see Carmel too? Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. End of Big Sur Itinerary Turnaround: On your way back, you can choose to pull off and snap a few pictures of the beautiful ocean down below. We are surrounded by forest. There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! Again, thank you! The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. 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 Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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 . Thanks for all the recommendations. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. Hi Desiree! Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! 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 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. I think you. When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. Big Sur Weekend Road Trip Itinerary - Getaway Compass Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. from $900. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. 2. Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). 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! The Best Big Sur Itinerary for an Epic Weekend Trip After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? 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. Girls Trip: Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary 3. So exactly where is big sur located? There is memorabilia from the movies all over! One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! 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. 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. Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. 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. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. If you and your group aren't ready to slow down yet, take this time to explore the shops on Fisherman's Wharf or Cannery Row. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. You dont really need your bathing suit here as the water is waaaay too cold. Some places I recommend going to in Carmel: Point Lobos was also definitely another highlight of this trip and should definitely be on your Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! Also, as mentioned before Carmel is known for their wineries so there are several you can head to for wine tastings. 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! If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. The high season in this area is during the summer months, just after May and through August, so you may want to avoid these months if you dont want to be around the crowds. Monterey Itineraries | Things to Do in Monterey | Monterey County CVB It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. Thank you for sharing! I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. Your email address will not be published. Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . About this rental. Have you been? 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. Glad to hear it! I have visited California many times through out my life. If this is your first time to the area dont rush it!
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