To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. Yes! I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Afternoon One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. In the Big Sur region, hop on the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH; part of California State Route 1), one of the state's most scenic routes, and take your pick of any of the stunning coastal towns. :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! 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. 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! They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes! 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. 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. I mean, its absolutely GORGEOUS. Hiking and tide pooling are great here. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. 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. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). 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. Luckily, I have a few more trips planned this fall so the That just means you'll have to go back! The road is not paved. You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! 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. For more information, check out my travel resources page. In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA: LOGISTICS. 5. When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. There is memorabilia from the movies all over! A Carmel to Big Sur road trip can take anywhere from one hour to five, depending on how many stops . Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. Pick-up from centrally located hotels between 7:30am - 8:30am Duration: 11 hours Transportation: Comfortable Motorcoach Includes: Complimentary pickup/dropoff from centrally located hotels Required fields are marked *. This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. Fun fact: Bixby Bridge was built 5 years before the road was paved to connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo! This was actually my favorite part of Fishermans Wharf. I wanna go for sunset next time! You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. Note:If you have time, Pfeiffer Beach, which is very close to this state park is worth a visit. I have only ever been to San Francisco but would love to see these amazing views and spend the night. Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! 9. This scenic drive is so rewarding with views of cute homes overlooking the never-ending Pacific ocean. There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. Explore my other California guides here! (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. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? Hi Rosie! There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. 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! 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. 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! The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. Another thing I loved about Carmel Beach was how dog friendly it was. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. Quiet. It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. I definitely recommend booking in advance. Day Three If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. 15 Amazing Cheap Vacation Spots in California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. After Fishermans Wharf, we decided to leave Monterey to explore Carmel-by-the-sea. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! While the food and drinks are good, youre paying for the view. Theres no real starting point. You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . There were also lots of lawn games. After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! 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. Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. Hi Elena! The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! 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. Santa Cruz is a cute, funky surf town on the way to the San Jose airport. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). 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! Your attention to detail and organization truly made the trip come alive for me as I read about it. Lovely post! We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. 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. Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. Loading. Hi Jolayne! I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. Where did you drive from? Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Whether you prefer sweet or savory, their menu will satisfy every palette. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. The Bixby Creek Bridge 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. McWay Falls 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! Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Youll have an amazing time when you visit! Guide contents. I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. 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. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. The perfect amount of time to see Monterey and Big Sur is 2-3 days. 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. 2022 text, 2021 Big Sur Drinking Fountain Image and Ghiradelli Cannery Row Image, 2020 Carmel . No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! Hearst Castle 1. The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. Tranquil. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. Seaside cliffs. Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. On arrival, our room wasnt quite ready so we had lunch at the hotels restaurant and I got clam chowder in a bread bowl! And plus, the water is chilly over here! Have you been? Looks like such an awesome road trip. In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! About this rental. 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. Coast of California Day 3: 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Pismo Beach Happy Friday, Everyone! Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. Evening 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. There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! On your first morning, wake up early and by 8 AM start your Big Sur itinerary by heading south on Highway 1. And so is Nepenthe! This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! Morning Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Nov 2021 and Nov 2020. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! Want the scenic route? Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. Win-win! There are cute dogs all over the place! But it's absolutely still worth visiting! Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! Have a great rest of your day. Day 1 6pm After a thrilling drive along historic Highway One, you've arrived at the Big Sur Campground and Cabins for an authentically rustic Big Sur stay. Mmm! Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. I only have three more posts to go after this one. 4 Golfers. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. (7/19/18), "We were here in Spring of 2017 and, sadly, Big Sur was closed, but we still LOVED this area and can't wait to return one day. " Be sure to take along a sweater as the trails are shaded and can be very cool the entire time, which makes for a spectacular break on a super hot day! Thanks for stopping by! Theres typically some traffic, so if youre just driving through, expect it to take at least 3 hours. This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. If this is your first time to the area dont rush it! There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. 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. 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. The Andrew Molera State Park is located in Big Sur and is a relatively undeveloped park in the area. Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Happy planning! 6. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. 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. We so enjoyed our time on our Monterey and Big Sur road trip. Morning 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.