Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. Youll be hungry after your ride, so head over to Hulas for a late lunch. 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. When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. 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. There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. Have a great rest of your day. 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. Required fields are marked *. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. I think you. 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. In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. 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! There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Explore Big Sur. 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! Likes Comments. There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. Yes and No. Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! Specializing in travel, lifestyle and fashion. Saving this guide for later! No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. You will definitely get beautiful views here! Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. Reading and seeing these photos makes me miss it a whole lot. First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. 3. This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Day 1. AirBnB: Due to the higher-than-normal cost of accommodation in Big Sur, you may want to check out AirBnB for a less expensive option, many even with those ocean views were all swooning over (without the super hefty price tag). Loading. Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. 6. Luckily, I have a few more trips planned this fall so the Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. And so is Nepenthe! Another favorite thing we like to do here is to stop at the first shop on the right (also didnt pay attention to its name), grab a little red basket, and have a go at the saltwater taffy. However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! Thanks for your support! It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. Hi Desiree! I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. Thank you! There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. You can read all about how this area came to be here. Depending on how hungry you are, appetizers are also available at the outside bar and inside the lounge. Looking for more California content? Alternatively, you can take a bus. Day 2. Thats so cool youre a teacher! Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Let me know how your travels go! Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! 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 Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! Homewood Suites by Hilton in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels in San Jose Aloft Hotels in San Jose InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in San Jose Extended Stay America Hotels in San Jose Residence Inns in San Jose Choice Hotels in San Jose Best Western Hotels in San Jose Motel 6 Hotels in San Jose Fairfield Inns in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. Hi Shafinah! There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! The picturesque stretch hugs the Monterey Peninsula, threading through the historic Monterey and the fairytale town of Carmel-by-the-Sea before connecting with the jaw-dropping Big Sur. Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. As always, all opinions expressed are our own. . Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! 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! Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! Hearst Castle . These are the most beautiful and often historically significant routes in the country. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! There were also lots of lawn games. Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. I have yet to try Big Sur Bakery although Ive heard many good referrals about all the food from wood-fired sourdough to buttermilk biscuits and gravy. There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). Afternoon Morning Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! Glad to hear it! 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. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. The first stop in your Big Sur itinerary is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which is known as the crown jewel of all state parks in California, located just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. 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. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . The perfect amount of time to see Monterey and Big Sur is 2-3 days. It ends near San Simeon. You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. 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! Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! 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 . I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! (7/19/18), "as a resident of the Monterey Peninsula we do love our tourists, however, I'd like to remind those who visit - there are those that work and live in the area, and to please be courteous of our existence. Any Big Sur road trip aint complete without a stop at iconic Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur (which Im sure youve seen alllll over instagram and pinterest). These are the most common ways to take a Big Sur road trip: Start and finish in Carmel-by-the-Sea but only drive as far as McWay Falls (78 miles of driving) Start in Carmel-by-the-Sea and finish in Morro Bay (120 miles of driving) The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. Next up on this Big Sur road trip itinerary the Point Sur Lighthouse! Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. Known as one of Big Surs largest and most accessible beaches and the last stop on your Big Sur itinerary is Sand Dollar Beach, located about 30 minutes south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! From free coffee available and interesting and unusual titles for purchase, its worth spending a while here to soak up the Big Sur atmosphere. I was in awe the entire time. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! This was actually my favorite part of Fishermans Wharf. 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 Comment below. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! 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. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! The Bixby Creek Bridge They also have bikes you can rent as well. 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. Theres really no way around it. 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. If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. The ocean is a short walk away. Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. 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. They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! Want the scenic route? The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. Visiting between the months of November to March? You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. Like what you see? 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. Afternoon The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. This looks amazing. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. Park along the road right before the entrance to save on a $10 parking fee. It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! 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. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. Hiking and tide pooling are great here. Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. Tranquil. Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, or with others, this year's Race for Open Space has something for you. Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! September 10, 2024 - September 15, 2024. Guide contents. 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. Where we stayed: 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? While the tours are quite long at three hours, the history and information is so interesting you wont even notice the hours passing by. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). from $900. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. And yes, theres so much history in this little area. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. Looks like you had a wonderful time too. Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Nov 2021 and Nov 2020. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. 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). There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! 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. Big Sur and Monterey/Carmel I'll be spending this upcoming weekend on a road trip from Los Angeles to Monterey and thought I'd post my general itinerary and pose a few questions for the Big. Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. Aww, thank you so much! Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! 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. We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. Hungry? Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! Bedroom3; Baths2; Property typePrivate Vacation Home; Max Sleeps6; Love golf Pebble Beach golf courses are among some of the best in the world; Carmel-by-the-Sea renowned for its art galleries, many restaurants & sandy white beaches; Big Sur has campsites, high-cliff beaches, superb hiking trails & world-class views on the Pacific Ocean, and Monterey is known for the famous . 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. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. 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. End: Mammoth Lakes. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! 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. This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. I mean, its absolutely GORGEOUS. 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! Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! 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. Enjoy your ice cream on the wharf and enjoy watching all the puppies greet each other as their owners walk them up and down the pier. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? Check the website for openings and reservations. Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. When researching where to eat, I had Forge in the Forest recommend several times. Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. 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. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey . Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO.
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