Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. There is memorabilia from the movies all over! And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? 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. How to Spend One Day in Big Sur: Day Trip Guide from the Bay Area I wanna go for sunset next time! 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. Have you been? They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. Manage Settings We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. I always love getting cheese plates! Planning a trip to Carmel/Big Sur? Help with Itinerary? - Monterey We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! I cant recommend this place enough! Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. Thanks for all the recommendations. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. Pacific Coast Highway. The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary, Wizarding World of Harry Potter | Perfect Itinerary, Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party | Top 10, Utah in the Winter | 11 Magical Things to Do, Best Things to do in Jacksonville Florida, 20 Top Things to do in Iceland- The Ultimate Bucket List, Things to do in Kauai | Perfect Itinerary, Things to do in Seoul, South Korea | Top 20, Baja Cantina & Grill- quirky inside and outside, Mission Ranch Restaurant- popular spot for Brunch. Big Sur Weekend Road Trip Itinerary - Getaway Compass If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! What a wonderful place you get to call home. Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. 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. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! 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! 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. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. Lovely post! 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. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. 7 Best Stops on the San Francisco to Big Sur Road Trip - The World Was I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. From San Francisco: The Best Road Trip to Monterey, Carmel, & Big Sur Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. 4. 15 Amazing Cheap Vacation Spots in California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. Big Sur/Monterey Itinerary for July 4 - Big Sur Forum - Tripadvisor You will definitely get beautiful views here! Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! The ultimate itinerary for a Big Sur road trip There are even more trails to explore such as the South Shore Trail, Cypress Grove Loop Trail, Pine Ridge Trail, and Lace Lichen Trail. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. Carmel-by-the-Sea. There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! 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. Thats so cool youre a teacher! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. 3-day Big Sur itinerary. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. After Fishermans Wharf, we decided to leave Monterey to explore Carmel-by-the-sea. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. If this is your first time to the area dont rush it! Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. And thankfully, everything is laid out quite well with proper signage, so theres no risk of getting lost. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. 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. I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. 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. I guess we'll have to plan another trip." Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . Santa Cruz is a cute, funky surf town on the way to the San Jose airport. You can easily park on the side of the road and forgo the paid parking, which is what most people do (Im not saying its a-okay just letting you know thats an option if the parking lot is full). Day 1. Hi Rosie! In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. 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. 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 California CA Big Sur Carmel Monterey Coastline Postcard Old Vintage From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! Cozy. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! The Perfect Weekend in Carmel, CA - Miss Molly Mac 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. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. Famous for its narrow cobblestone lanes, little cottages dressed in flowers and plants, and enchanting shops that sell tons of local goodies, Carmel is a . This Inn was so cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! The Ultimate Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary 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! This scenic drive is so rewarding with views of cute homes overlooking the never-ending Pacific ocean. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. 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. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! Hiking and tide pooling are great here. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. Day Two Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey . This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). We decided to stop by Folktale Winery and Vineyards because it seriously looked like something from a fairy tale! Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. Beautiful, post-card like views. Absolutely spectacular and downright mesmerizing. We definitely have gone back multiple times and found new places to explore every time! Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. Thank you! As always, all opinions expressed are our own. Here are my picks and notes, either personally tested by me, or recommended by fellow travelers: Be prepared to spend some big money for dining out in Big Sur. from $900. In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. While the food and drinks are good, youre paying for the view. Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. I LOVE Big Sur and Monterey its just so beautiful. Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. 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. This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. General tips. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. End: Mammoth Lakes. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. I have visited California many times through out my life. Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. Channel Islands National Park Although I can definitely see why its just as beautiful and even the same style! Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when. 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. Stay and Play in Monterey. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. 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. There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). Youll most definitely wanna make a few stops along the way (Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, and Carmel/Monterey are my favorites), so plan accordingly! 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). 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical Tranquil. Like what you see? Yes! In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. Alternately, it's possible to just take Highway 1 all the way, though this takes a long time, about a 4 hours and 30 minutes drive to Cambria. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. Wow this place looks so similar to Malibu I swear!! Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. Book now from $9.99! If you're going to drive all of the Big Sur coastline in a day, coming from the Bay Area, you'll want to be prepared for at least 5 hours of driving each way, a total of 10 hours on the road. There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary: Plan the Perfect - Her Wanderful World We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, but you can easily park on the side of the road (if you dont mind walking a far distance to get in). There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. Yes please! 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! The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Evening This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. The Bixby Creek Bridge If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. California's Springtime Road Trip: Exploring 10 Of The State's Best Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Guide contents. Hi Sydney! 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. Yes, its a gorgeous area! 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! Explore Big Sur. We are surrounded by forest. As always, thanks for the support. Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. Your attention to detail and organization truly made the trip come alive for me as I read about it. A Carmel to Big Sur road trip can take anywhere from one hour to five, depending on how many stops . Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. Another thing I loved about Carmel Beach was how dog friendly it was. This whole road trip looks so picturesque! It was quite busy at the time we arrived and we probably waited in line for 30 minutes-1 hour so make sure to add this in when planning your itinerary! There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! This part of the bike trail was a lot busier. At the time of posting this article, the section of Hwy 1 south of McWay Falls was still closed due to mudslides from 2017. The Andrew Molera State Park is located in Big Sur and is a relatively undeveloped park in the area. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option!
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