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

Tina Yen. I think you. This area is one of my favorites in CA. 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. Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. You might recognize this bridge if you have seen Big Little Lies. Its one of the most iconic bridges in all of California and definitely one of the most photographed for its aesthetic. Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. . Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. California History Books for Kids. The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. This beach is known to be the most consistent wave producer for surfers, so if you are one of these talented people, bring your surfboard and have at it! Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! 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. Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! 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. We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Although I can definitely see why its just as beautiful and even the same style! We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. Yes! All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. 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. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. Three days would be even better so you can really relax and take your time. Day 1: Monterey. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. You can read all about how this area came to be here. Then head over to the Carmel Mission. 4 Golfers. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. 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! The perfect amount of time to see Monterey and Big Sur is 2-3 days. Looks like you had a wonderful time too. We are surrounded by forest. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. . Also, there are two different viewpoints- one of the front side of the bridge and one of the back. And its large enough to split, for sure. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." 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 It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. I love Monterey! We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. Big Sur Carmel Carmel Valley Castroville Marina Monterey Moss Landing Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Salinas Seaside . We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! 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. Okay, so we just discovered this spot off the side of the highway on our last visit to Big Sur, and I cannot believe I never noticed it before! 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 Looks like such an awesome road trip. Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. 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. This road trip takes just over 3 hours and is a must-do for a glimpse of California's coastal beauty. But it's absolutely still worth visiting! The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. Day One Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. Monterey State Historic Park. Thanks for stopping by! Explore Big Sur. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. Thx!! Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! Manage Settings Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. 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 there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. 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. 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. I was in awe the entire time. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. Start with the short film about Junipero Serra to learn about the history of this mission and also the start of all the California missions. With that being said, Im planning out this Big Sur road trip itinerary from north to south. I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." On arrival, our room wasnt quite ready so we had lunch at the hotels restaurant and I got clam chowder in a bread bowl! Arrive as early as possible on your first day so that you can maximize your time. You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. As always, thanks for the support. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . 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. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! It was moved to get away from the military garrison. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. Thanks for all the recommendations. Again, thank you! Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! 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. You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! The best way to get from Monterey to Big Sur is by renting a car. 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. You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. . I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. Yes please! Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. If youre not in a rush on your Big Sur road trip, why not make the extra stop? I feel oh so lucky to only live a few hours north, which means we typically make it to Big Sur at least once a year! This is a popular street located in the heart of Monterey. Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. The 72-mile portion that runs through Big Sur is an official American National Scenic Byway. We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. This romantic drive is one of the best cross country road trip routes that couples must take together! Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. Big Sur guide. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. It was so yummy! Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! And if the two resort pools with panoramic coastal views didnt do it for you, I bet the spa treatments in outdoor cabanas overlooking the redwood forest will. Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. It ends near San Simeon. Explore my other California guides here! There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. Read on for my favorite Big Sur activities, where to stay, what to do in Big Sur, and (most importantly), what and where to eat! Then we'd be driving from Mc Way Falls back up to Monterey and then down to Arroyo Grande where we're staying Wednesday night. And so is Nepenthe! You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! Day 2. Hearst Castle 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 . Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. 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. Morning There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! Purple sand (yup!). They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. Since it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down by the beach. La Playa Carmel. Hi Christina! Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. for current highway conditions before your drive. Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries Highlights Itinerary Outdoors Itinerary Family Itinerary Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary Golf Itinerary The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) There is memorabilia from the movies all over! They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? 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 You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. With more ocean views than you ever thought possible, eco-friendly and luxurious hotel stays, wooded hiking trails and nature for days, I can never get enough of this stretch of the coastline. Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. 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.. Free shipping for many products! Read on for the most perfect Big Sur road trip itinerary! 1. This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? Day Three Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. 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. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). 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. One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. The entire 6-mile loop takes approximately three hours, but guests can enjoy as much or as little as they like as all trails intersect at various points and all paths are clearly marked. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. Hi Sydney! This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. And I do love my crab from Phils! This scenic drive is so rewarding with views of cute homes overlooking the never-ending Pacific ocean. Yes, its that impressive. Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. There is a small parking lot off the north end of Bixby Bridge where you can step out and take some iconic photos of it. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. About this rental. 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. And yes, we always have a great time in Monterey! Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. They are even bigger than you can imagine! The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. I guess we'll have to plan another trip." Hi Linnea! They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. I would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. 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! Seaside cliffs. I wanna go for sunset next time! Big Sur isnt too far from Monterey and you get all the nature with it. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. Hi Shafinah! 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. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . It was the prime location for marine life spotting! You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. Pacific Coast Highway. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. 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! Answer 11 of 32: Hi all! I absolutely fell in love. 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. Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Thats so cool youre a teacher! This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). We enjoyed a little downtime at our hotel. 9. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. I cant recommend this place enough! This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. Her Wanderful World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. Santa Cruz is a cute, funky surf town on the way to the San Jose airport. At an early hour, you might be too early for Nepenthe the restaurant upstairs, but Cafe Kevah down below has a delicious selection for brunch. 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. Day 3: Carmel to Big Sur. After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. Visiting between the months of November to March? Did you know? Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, or with others, this year's Race for Open Space has something for you. The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. You can definitely complete this Big Sur itinerary in a day, but if you have more time, you can also spread it out over 2-3 days and spend more time in each place. As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then.