If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. Glad to hear it! Comment below. This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. Yes and No. Tina Yen. Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! Where did you drive from? 1. The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. 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. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. 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. A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. In the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea (4 miles, approximately 10 minutes), which became an artist's colony after the 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake destroyed that city.Take a stroll along Ocean Ave. and admire the charming shops and galleries. Youll be driving on private land, so you cant stop to take tooo many photos, but since its usually not crowded, feel free to stop in the middle of the road if you must for some shots. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! Hungry? Then the trail led down to this amazing white sandy beach with no one else around. It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. There are definitely so many good spots for pictures that you cant get enough of! After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. Big Sur guide. Yes! And Im jealous of you already. Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Have so much fun when you visit! To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. 2. The Post Ranch Inn is a Big Sur icon; the 100-acre property first opened in 1992, and in the years since, has cemented its spot as one of the top luxury hotels in . The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. 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. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. 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! If this is your first time to the area dont rush it! Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! Thanks for stopping by! Since Big Sur is located between Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Simeon, its best to start from either of these (and finish in the other) if you wanna experience the entire coastline of Big Sur. Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! 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. Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. 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. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! This area is one of my favorites in CA. 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! 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. We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . 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. Dont fret if you dont drink, they have tons of snacks you can eat as well! There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. 15 Amazing Cheap Vacation Spots in California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! 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. With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. . Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. 9. Hi Elena! The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. Phone: (831) 515-6403. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. . You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. 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. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. 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. Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. Answer 11 of 32: Hi all! I would love to go back! We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. Win-win! On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. This whole road trip looks so picturesque! Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. At an early hour, you might be too early for Nepenthe the restaurant upstairs, but Cafe Kevah down below has a delicious selection for brunch. Details. So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! Likes Comments. 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. If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Montereys Fishermans Wharf is an iconic stop for your Monterey itinerary. 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. This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. Aww, thank you so much! Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. Its such a pretty area! Thanks for your support! 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. You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. And get there early the tours only accommodate 40 people! Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. In every way, shape, and form. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. There is a scenic 17-mile drive you can pay to drive and see iconic spots such as the Lone Cypress and Pescadero Point. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Theres really no way around it. (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. " Temps are mild year round, ranging from a cool 60 degrees to a balmy 75 degrees F. Its always wise to bring along a jacket no matter what month youll be frolicking around Big Sur, as it never gets particularly hot hot hot, and temperatures are always cooler on the coast than in the mountains nearby. Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! You'll likely hit Carmel-By-The-Sea first, which is where you should bed down; the famed L'Auberge Carmel offers old-world luxury. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Youll get a really nice view of the beach. McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! The airport is small and easy to navigate. It was so yummy! There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. I always love getting cheese plates! Did you know? The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. 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. Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. 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 The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. Day 2. 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. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. Quiet. 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! After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Weve always been planning to do a road trip in this part of California, so will be bookmarking this. When researching where to eat, I had Forge in the Forest recommend several times. 2022 text, 2021 Big Sur Drinking Fountain Image and Ghiradelli Cannery Row Image, 2020 Carmel . I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! Can you swim in Big Sur? Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. The beach down below was beautiful; however, hiking down to the beach is not advisable as the cliffs are unstable and there is no clear path. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. 4.. Can You Start from San Francisco to Big Sur on the Road Trip Itinerary? I mean, its absolutely GORGEOUS. Beautiful, post-card like views. I absolutely fell in love. They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. That just means you'll have to go back! Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Where we stayed: Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. 3. Hi Shafinah! Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). 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 Looks like such an awesome road trip. It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. 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! I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. 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. We would like to thank Big Sur Adventures for providing discounted tickets for us to experience their e-bike tour. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. I only have three more posts to go after this one. Just letting you know so there are no surprises! Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! 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. You can always put your feet in if youd like! Time needed: 1 to 2 days. Tranquil. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. I hope your travel planning takes you here soon! You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. 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. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. The clam chowder here is also amazing! Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. 10. I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. If you have time for more hiking and want to explore more of the Big Sur area on foot, check out this link for ideas. Recommended accommodation options in Monterey and Carmel that wont break the bank: With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your California Coast road trip, these are the best places to do it: Post Ranch Inn: Offering 3 pools, one being an infinity hot tub, you can spend the bulk of your time here overlooking the stunning California coastline.

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