This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. 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 scenic drive is so rewarding with views of cute homes overlooking the never-ending Pacific ocean. If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! If you found this article useful, consider using the links within the article or below. 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. Just letting you know so there are no surprises! 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. I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. 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. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Phone: (831) 515-6403. Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. Bring water and watch out for poison oak. 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. 4 Golfers. Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. 7 Best Stops on the San Francisco to Big Sur Road Trip - The World Was And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). 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. There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. This is a popular street located in the heart of Monterey. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. The 20 Best Day Trips From San Francisco (Without a Car) Looks like you had a wonderful time too. 8 Best California Road Trips | Big Sur to Sierras - Leisure These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. Yes and No. 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. Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. Big Sur Road Trip: Best Stops on a Scenic California Coast Adventure! 5 days in Carmel, Big Sur & Monterey Itinerary in March Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. Thank you for this helpful resource. Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. We definitely have gone back multiple times and found new places to explore every time! When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. 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. 4. Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! Day 3: Carmel to Big Sur. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). 3. Hi Christina! 10. 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. Treebones Resort features seven ocean view tent campsites, along with 16 yurts with great views of the Pacific at Cape San Martin! These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. 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. If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. (See that next!). It ends near San Simeon. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! Even more than that, Point Lobos doesnt classify itself as a state park, but rather as a natural reserve with the highest protection for nature and wildlife found here. Cozy. We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? They are even bigger than you can imagine! One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. Since youre on the coast, keep in mind that there may be a cold breeze, so youll want to dress in layers and have a light jacket like this one or that one. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical Day 2. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. Continue driving south on Hwy 1 towards your next stop in this Big Sur itinerary: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which is not to be confused with Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! I always love getting cheese plates! Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 17-Mile Drive Tour | Big Sur Bike Tours & Rentals Monterey California BIG SUR ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: The Ultimate Guide to Beautiful Big Sur 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! There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . Three days would be even better so you can really relax and take your time. This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. 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. Details. There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! So exactly where is big sur located? (10/13/18). This Inn was so cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. Mmm! Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. Also, as mentioned before Carmel is known for their wineries so there are several you can head to for wine tastings. It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. 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! We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. Yes! Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. It is about 15 minutes from Monterey, spend at least 3 hours. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. It was so yummy! As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! 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. 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. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. The Bixby Creek Bridge You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. I saw many of them while riding my bike on the Pacific Coastal Trail and just rode down a particular street if I saw any that looked really interesting! They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. View of Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA Vacation Rental Private vacation home 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. 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! Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. Hi MacKenzie! Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary Day 1: Arrival Hotel check-in: Hofsas House Brophy's Tavern Mulligan Public House Dinner at Little Napoli Day 2: Monterey and Big Sur Highway One Drive in Big Sur Monterey, CA 17 Mile Drive Carmel Beach Dinner: Hog's Breath Inn Day 3: Carmel by the Sea Breakfast: The Tuck Box Carmel Belle By this time, youll likely be hungry, so stop in at the Big Sur Roadhouse for their famous avo toast, or other wraps or sandwiches. There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Girls Trip: Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. Oh la la, Crepes! Tranquil. Then head over to the Carmel Mission. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. Big Sur/Monterey Itinerary for July 4 - Big Sur Forum - Tripadvisor Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! Again, theres a toilet here! Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. 5. After you finally find it (the road to get to Pfeiffer Beach is a bit hidden and narrow with no signs), youll be pleasantly surprised that the sand is actually truly purple in some spots on the beach. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. Day Three 35 of the Best Road Trips and Weekend Getaways from San Francisco The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! There is memorabilia from the movies all over! There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. Unfortunately, when I was there, you could only go on part of the trail and since it is only a small pathway where you can see the falls, it was pretty crowded. Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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! Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). Pacific Coast Highway. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? Hi, Im Jess. 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. Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. I got my ticket for the aquarium here. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? Specializing in travel, lifestyle and fashion. Check the website for openings and reservations. Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. Likes Comments. When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. . That just means you'll have to go back! 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. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! 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. I had it recommended to me and I thought it would be the perfect place to pick up a picnic lunch for later. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. Looks like such an awesome road trip. Carmel-by-the-Sea. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. Morning Have you seen the photos?! Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. Being Big Surs largest beach, as long as the tide is low, youll find plenty of space to lay your towel down and relax. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. Carmel to Big Sur: A Stunning California Road Trip We enjoyed a little downtime at our hotel. Day 1: Monterey. If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. 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. For a special end to your day, drive over to the Spanish Inn to listen to the live bagpipe player, and sip a glass of wine as you watch the sunset. The airport is small and easy to navigate. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. Can you swim in Big Sur? The Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur - Culture Trip