big sur carmel, monterey itinerary big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. After Fishermans Wharf, we decided to leave Monterey to explore Carmel-by-the-sea. Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! I only have three more posts to go after this one. The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! 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! Big Sur Road Trip: Best Stops on a Scenic California Coast Adventure! One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. Happy planning! Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. Cruises currently run for 4 hours at 10 AM or 3 hours at 2:30 PM (morning tours are recommended) so youll need to plan your time wisely if you are wanting to include this activity in your itinerary. Not happening. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. Theres no real starting point. . Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! 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. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. 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. Channel Islands National Park Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary: Plan the Perfect - Her Wanderful World Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! 14 Best Road Trips in Northern California - LazyTrips Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. 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! If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. Big Sur Land Trust's Race for Open Space - seemonterey.com From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . I may email you with more in-depth questions as we plan. In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. . Theyve got a manicured grassy lawn which is perfect for picnics, and a whole set-up on their outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas. The ambience at this place was amazing. Alternatively, you can take a bus. 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 Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? Hi, Im Jess. Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. We would like to thank Big Sur Adventures for providing discounted tickets for us to experience their e-bike tour. 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. 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. Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. 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! Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. And Im jealous of you already. Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. 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. Inside you'll nd: Flexible, strategic itineraries including long weekends in Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz, and a three-day road trip from Big Sur to Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. Monterey, Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea Bus Tour from San Francisco 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. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. 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! In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. The Best Big Sur Itinerary for an Epic Weekend Trip That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! Click here to skip back to the top. Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! 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. Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. Looks like you had a wonderful time too. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. 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. Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! Again, theres a toilet here! For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! 2. I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA: LOGISTICS. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! 8. One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. The Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary (All The Best Stops!) It is about 15 minutes from Monterey, spend at least 3 hours. Explore my other California guides here! If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Evening 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. 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. The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. This looks amazing. Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary For Families Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. Youll get a really nice view of the beach. I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. Each room also boasts a private deck with those magicnicant coastline views, a wood-burning fireplace to get cozy during the chilly nights, and an indoor spa tub. 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! If youre looking to take a much longer trip down the PCH, check out all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway yes, all 75 of them! Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Big Sur guide. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. The drive was nice and pretty straight forward and just took a little over an hour and a half. Sure, its the most expensive pastry Ive ever bought (at a whopping $8.50), but my husband and I both felt it was worth the hefty price tag. And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! Big Sur/Monterey Itinerary for July 4 - Big Sur Forum - Tripadvisor Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! 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. Check out this packing guide of my favorite items to pack on my trips, however, listed below is a tailored guide for a Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. 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! 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. Yes, its that impressive. 15 Dreamy Things To Do In Monterey and Carmel As A Couple We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? 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! Morsels 03.02.23 | Eat + Drink - Monterey County Weekly NOW We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel (one of the other perks of staying there) and then headed to the 5th Avenue Deli. These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. And yes, theres so much history in this little area. The Ultimate Guide to Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary with 13 Stops The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. Carmel, Monterey and Big Sur - A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary - Our EDventures 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! 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. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. 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. The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. 10 Things You Should Know About The Brando Resort in Tetiaroa, A First-timer's Trip to Australia; Sydney, the Whitsundays and the Central Coast, Paradise in the Dominican Republic: The Samana Peninsula, Explore the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, A 3-Day Itinerary for Charleston, South Carolina, How to Spend 3 Days in Nashville, TN - A Girls' Trip, Balboa Island in Newport Beach,California, Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur - A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary, Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, "I've actually been meaning to take the kids on this road trip. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. 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.. You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. It is the foggiest park even when some of the other parks are clear, youll want to make sure to check the weather as you wont be able to see much with the fog. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. This part of the bike trail was a lot busier. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Morning We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. Monterey State Historic Park. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! 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. It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. 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!). 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. Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. 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. Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! for current highway conditions before your drive. Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. 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!) Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. 15 Amazing Cheap Vacation Spots in California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! I would love to go back! Yes! The ultimate itinerary for a Big Sur road trip Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! 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. The Bixby Creek Bridge Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. Miles of misty coastline. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. Where does the Big Sur drive start? 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. You can read all about how this area came to be here. As always, thanks for the support. Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! 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 Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for California CA Big Sur Carmel Monterey Coastline Postcard Old Vintage Card View at the best online prices at eBay! View Full Itinerary At a Glance Called the most beautiful meeting of land and water on the face of the earth, Monterey Bay, the legendary Pacific coast and sun-drenched Carmel Valley mark a convergence of currents, cultures and creators that make the area one of the country's most fascinating places. 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. Total Distance: 217 miles ; One-Way Driving Time: 4 hours and 45 minutes ; Route: San Francisco Half Moon Bay Santa Cruz Monterey Carmel-by-the-Sea Big Sur San Simeon ; The drive between San Francisco and San Simeon is more appealing than one might imagine. The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. This Inn was so cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. And so is Nepenthe! Day Two While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). Let me know how your travels go! There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Pin it for later or share it! 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. The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. Park along the road right before the entrance to save on a $10 parking fee. We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. You can easily follow along the road trip stops, doing every single one (my recommendation) or picking and choosing a few if you only have part of a day. How many days do you need in Monterey and Big Sur? Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Hi Christina! Looks like such an awesome road trip. Hi Faith! $8,790.00 USD per person. Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. like a Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls One Day Tour from San Jose.. Alternatively, you can take the Monterey-Salinas Transit Line 22 from Carmel or Monterey, which will take you all the way to Nepenthe Restaurant when heading south. And yes, we always have a great time in Monterey! Hi Rosie! 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. A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Beautiful, post-card like views. The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! Then the trail led down to this amazing white sandy beach with no one else around. I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! I definitely recommend booking in advance. 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! We so enjoyed our time on our Monterey and Big Sur road trip. We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! 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. Your email address will not be published. About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. 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. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. About this rental. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. Thanks for stopping by! 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. 1. Evening Can you swim in Big Sur? In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. (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. (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" from $900. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail is an 18-mile trail that runs from Pacific Grove up north to Castroville and alongside the old Southern Pacific Railway. Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. . 4. Explore Big Sur.