big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

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 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! I hope your travel planning takes you here soon! This romantic drive is one of the best cross country road trip routes that couples must take together! I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! Hungry? It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. If youve 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. 2. Aww, thank you so much! Looks like such an awesome road trip. Park along the road right before the entrance to save on a $10 parking fee. all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. Day 2. You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! Big Sur road trip itinerary: You could do Big Sur in a day or the entire California coast in 2-3 days if you really wanted to, but it will be much more enjoyable if you do it slowly! The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. . There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! . 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. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! ), all while taking in the magnificent views! 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. Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego 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. 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? Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary Carmel-by-the-Sea Start your Big Sur Road Trip in the charming small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. The road is not paved. 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. In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! In the Big Sur region, hop on the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH; part of California State Route 1), one of the state's most scenic routes, and take your pick of any of the stunning coastal towns. If the history doesnt draw you in, Point Lobos is also home to abundant wildlife, including 20 species of mammals such as gray foxes and mountain lions, various species of birds like the acorn woodpecker peregrine falcon, and of course, many species of marine life including sea otters, sea lions, and whales. It ends near San Simeon. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! Casinos like Harrah's in South Lake Tahoe regularly have big-name artists perform, so a concert night could be in the cards for your trip. 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. The trail will take you less than an hour as its about 0.8 miles long and will bring you to the beautiful shorelines where you might even spot a sea otter! 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. It was so yummy! Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary Stop 1: Carmel-by-the-Sea Stop 2: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Stop 3: Garrapata State Park Stop 4: Kasler Point Stop 5: Rocky Creek Bridge Stop 6: Bixby Creek Bridge Stop 7: Andrew Molera State Park Stop 8: Pfeiffer Beach Stop 9: McWay Falls Stop 10: Limekiln State Park Stop 11: Sand Dollar Beach Yes! Nearest Cities: Monterey and Carmel to the north (40 minute drive), San Simeon and Cambria to the south (1.5 hour drive) Closest International Airports: San Jose International Airport (SJC) - 1.5 hour drive | Oakland International Airport (OAK) - 2 hour drive | San Francisco (SFO) - 2.5 hour drive Best Time to Visit: April through October, early fall is best Explore my other California guides here! As always, thanks for the support. , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. 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 trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. . This mountain range, just inland from the not-so-hidden gem that is Big Sur, runs from below Monterey and Carmel down to about San Luis Obispo. 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. This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. 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! Day 1: Monterey. It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! If youre not in a rush on your Big Sur road trip, why not make the extra stop? Pin it for later or share it! Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. Yes and No. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. I got my ticket for the aquarium here. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. 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! The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. Mmm! General tips. Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, or with others, this year's Race for Open Space has something for you. Likes Comments. Do take note of the tide schedule though high tide can essentially make the sandy beach disappear, making it difficult to find a place to sit. I only have three more posts to go after this one. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. Loading. 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. There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Any tips/suggestions appreciated. When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. 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! All these spots make it easy to photograph. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. Again, thank you! Day One I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Hi Shafinah! Theyve got a manicured grassy lawn which is perfect for picnics, and a whole set-up on their outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas. There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! If you want a taste of France in sweet Monterey, Paris Bakery is your go-to spot! So exactly where is big sur located? Next up on this Big Sur road trip itinerary the Point Sur Lighthouse! South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! (10/13/18). Thank you! It is definitely in a really romantic setting. Hearst Castle Beautiful, post-card like views. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! Again, theres a toilet here! The ocean is a short walk away. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. Thx!! The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! 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. Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! You can always put your feet in if youd like! Thank you! Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. Thats so cool youre a teacher! The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. Whats your favorite local spot? Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! 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. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. Oh la la, Crepes! 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. I love Monterey! Did you know? Yes, definitely! If seeing a whale is on your bucket list, Fishermans Wharf is where you need to be. Fun fact: Bixby Bridge was built 5 years before the road was paved to connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo! Pacific Coast Highway. Majority of the famous viewpoints are on the coastal side, so it would be best if you drove north to south, that way you make right turns in/out of the viewpoints. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. Hi, Im Jess. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. It is about 15 minutes from Monterey, spend at least 3 hours. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. March 3, 2023. Have you seen the photos?! What a wonderful place you get to call home. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. This beach is known to be the most consistent wave producer for surfers, so if you are one of these talented people, bring your surfboard and have at it! Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. And yes, theres so much history in this little area. It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. I would love to visit all of the beautiful beaches, go on those hikes and eat the saltwater taffy and ice cream! It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. Manage Settings 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. This part of the bike trail was a lot busier. 5. 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. One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! Pace yourself its all beautiful. What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. 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. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! 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. Hi Jolayne! If you're going to drive all of the Big Sur coastline in a day, coming from the Bay Area, you'll want to be prepared for at least 5 hours of driving each way, a total of 10 hours on the road. This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. Monterey State Historic Park. Afternoon Day 3. . A girls gotta eat, am I right? BIG SUR ADVENTURES. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Theres really no way around it. 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! We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! Walking on the wharf doesnt take any more than 30 minutes if you just want to do a walk-through, but youd be missing out! 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