big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! (7/19/18), "This area has been on my must-see/do list for years. Just letting you know so there are no surprises! 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. Big Sur looks truly incredible. The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! Morning The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! Looks like you had a wonderful time too. On one side, youll see the quaint houses up close and on the other side, youll have a clear view of the iconic Carmel beach down below. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. The road is narrow, so be extra careful when pulling over for the views (my advice only pull off in designated spots, theres plenty of them). Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . 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. This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. Since the trail has a turn out to Monterey State Beach, you can stake your spot and head out for a swim, a surf, or a picnic. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. We went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead first. It was so yummy! 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. Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! 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! There is memorabilia from the movies all over! Read on for the most perfect Big Sur road trip itinerary! Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. As always, thanks for the support. Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. 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. 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 Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. 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. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. Which means youll ultimately need to climb back up! Let me know how your travels go! I absolutely fell in love. Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . Hiking and tide pooling are great here. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. BIG SUR ADVENTURES. Let's talk travel, teaching abroad, and travel blogging.I also love sharing about my love for Asian dramas and #allthethings to create memorable experiences! We so enjoyed our time on our Monterey and Big Sur road trip. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. 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 had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. Youll get a really nice view of the beach. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. And just one reason its on every list of the most beautiful places in California. For more information, check out my travel resources page. Most people start this iconic road trip in L . Quiet. This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. Purple sand (yup!). 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. This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! By this time, youll likely be hungry, so stop in at the Big Sur Roadhouse for their famous avo toast, or other wraps or sandwiches. McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. 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 When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? (10/13/18). With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. Hi Jolayne! Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! This road trip itinerary is designed to be done in one to two days depending on your timeline and how much you want to get out and see along the way. To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! 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. Makes me miss San Francisco! Again, thank you! The Bixby Creek Bridge Lovely post! 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. Hi, Im Jess. Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! 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. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. at stops along the way. Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Dont fret if you dont drink, they have tons of snacks you can eat as well! Thanks for all the recommendations. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. 4 Golfers. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! There are even more trails to explore such as the South Shore Trail, Cypress Grove Loop Trail, Pine Ridge Trail, and Lace Lichen Trail. It is definitely in a really romantic setting. 5. Hi Elena! I guess we'll have to plan another trip." Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. Click here to skip back to the top. It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. 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 you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. Whether it's sipping your way through Carmel Valley's boutique wine tasting rooms or hopping on an unforgettable whale watching excursion, Monterey County provides meeting attendees with a variety of extracurricular activities. Patience is the only requirement, but binoculars are nice to have as well. Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. I always love getting cheese plates! Winding turns. Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. Want the scenic route? From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! Glad to hear it! Price: $25-100. If you want a taste of France in sweet Monterey, Paris Bakery is your go-to spot! Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. There were also lots of lawn games. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. Answer 11 of 32: Hi all! It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. Beautiful, post-card like views. Required fields are marked *. Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! 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. Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. 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. 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. Thank you! This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! Not many out-of-towners know this, but. I got my ticket for the aquarium here. They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes! We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). 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. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! The waves are unpredictable and pretty rough. And Im jealous of you already. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. 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. Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. Thank you! After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. 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 . Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. 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. Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! Pacific Coast Highway. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. 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. Then head over to the Carmel Mission. And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. Casinos like Harrah's in South Lake Tahoe regularly have big-name artists perform, so a concert night could be in the cards for your trip. 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. I have only ever been to San Francisco but would love to see these amazing views and spend the night. If you happen to be visiting Big Sur between February and early April, you NEED to make a short pit stop at Calla Lily Valley! Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. 5. Youll be hungry after your ride, so head over to Hulas for a late lunch. The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus?

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