Click here to skip back to the top. I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. Details. Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! Pin it for later or share it! Explore Big Sur. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. Whats your favorite local spot? 10. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . Big Sur guide. With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. Explore my other California guides here! Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. I hope your travel planning takes you here soon! Thanks for your support! Note:If you have time, Pfeiffer Beach, which is very close to this state park is worth a visit. With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. 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!) Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel (one of the other perks of staying there) and then headed to the 5th Avenue Deli. Day 3: Carmel to Big Sur. READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. 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. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. at stops along the way. It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Day 1. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary, Wizarding World of Harry Potter | Perfect Itinerary, Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party | Top 10, Utah in the Winter | 11 Magical Things to Do, Best Things to do in Jacksonville Florida, 20 Top Things to do in Iceland- The Ultimate Bucket List, Things to do in Kauai | Perfect Itinerary, Things to do in Seoul, South Korea | Top 20, Baja Cantina & Grill- quirky inside and outside, Mission Ranch Restaurant- popular spot for Brunch. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. While the tours are quite long at three hours, the history and information is so interesting you wont even notice the hours passing by. 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! Many different types of vegetation can be found here as well such as wildflowers, shrubs, and fungi, but most importantly the Monterey Cypress which is local to the area. There are cute dogs all over the place! Book lover? You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. Thx!! The road is not paved. These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. Point Lobos has a long history, dating all the way back to the mid-1800s, and hosted many groups including the Ohlone Native Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spaniards. And yes, we always have a great time in Monterey! My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. Three days would be even better so you can really relax and take your time. You can read all about how this area came to be here. Like what you see? We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. 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! There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! Patience is the only requirement, but binoculars are nice to have as well. We would like to thank Big Sur Adventures for providing discounted tickets for us to experience their e-bike tour. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. Lovely post! Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! I had never seen succulents that big before! Tina Yen. Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. (10/13/18). 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! They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. There is a scenic 17-mile drive you can pay to drive and see iconic spots such as the Lone Cypress and Pescadero Point. There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. 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. Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. 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 . 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. Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! 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. When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. 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. Tours cost $15 per person. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. Guide contents. 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. ), all while taking in the magnificent views! 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!). Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. Don't be me. Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! Yes, its a gorgeous area! There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning 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. Thank you! If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. 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. 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. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. 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. 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. 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. To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! Phone: (831) 515-6403. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3','ezslot_25',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3-0');As one of the top 20 best places to retire in California, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming small town you need to check out. Manage Settings Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and 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! Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. 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. The eatery has indoor and outdoor seating, but if you would like to sit on the beach and enjoy the waves while you eat, bring a blanket or some lawn chairs with you as you get beach access from the restaurant. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. 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. To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! Your attention to detail and organization truly made the trip come alive for me as I read about it. This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. 17 Mile Drive is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. This romantic drive is one of the best cross country road trip routes that couples must take together! We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. 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. Hi Rosie! : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. 1. This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. Check the website for openings and reservations. 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! Morning I would love to visit all of the beautiful beaches, go on those hikes and eat the saltwater taffy and ice cream! 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. California History Books for Kids. 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. This is a popular street located in the heart of Monterey. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. Hi Shafinah! Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. 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. Have a great rest of your day. About this rental. Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. While youll see monarchs all around Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park is the place to be to spot the most! I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! If this is your first time to the area dont rush it! Hungry? Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! Day Three Day Two The road is narrow, so be extra careful when pulling over for the views (my advice only pull off in designated spots, theres plenty of them). 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. Fun fact: Bixby Bridge was built 5 years before the road was paved to connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo! The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! Hi Kate! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Not many out-of-towners know this, but coastal fog is another downside of a Big sur road trip during summertime; it can hang around as late as midday! 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. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Day 1: Monterey. 8. Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. Our other option is to do Monterey/Carmel on Tuesday (aquarium, 17-mile drive, etc), and then Big Sur first thing Wednesday morning (July 4th). That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! And its large enough to split, for sure. In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! 9. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. Reading and seeing these photos makes me miss it a whole lot. 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. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. Makes me miss San Francisco! THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. Book now from $9.99! 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. There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. And plus, Im from San Francisco so Im typically driving down the coast, not up. We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. . Why is Big Sur famous? Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. BIG SUR ADVENTURES. We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. The Bixby Creek Bridge Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. Famous for fairytale-like cottages and shops, great art, dining, charming B&B and boutique hotels, and of course the beautiful and exclusive pebble beach golf course. The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. Nov 2nd, 2021 3359 views. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! Its beautiful coastline views! March 3, 2023. Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. 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. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! It took my breath away. Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. 6. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. Saving this guide for later! Thank you for sharing! (See that next!). Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA: LOGISTICS. Evening Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. Free shipping for many products! Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. Thank you for this helpful resource. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. 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. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! However, if you are here early, the pictures are still pretty amazing and youll miss the 9-10 AM traffic congestion so thats a win! 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 was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. Thats so cool youre a teacher! I LOVE Big Sur and Monterey its just so beautiful.
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