You will definitely get beautiful views here! If you arent pressed for time I recommend spending the night in Carmel-by-the-Sea or at least exploring it for a few hours. Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. Carmel-by-the-Sea is probably one of the quaintest seaside towns in the world, which makes it a good starting point for your Big Sur road trip. 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. I absolutely fell in love. Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. Looks like such an awesome road trip. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. 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 LOVE Big Sur and Monterey its just so beautiful. 1. 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! I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! It will take you about 2 hours to drive right into Monterey. With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. Not happening. There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. Yes, definitely! The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. 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. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! A 75-room Big Sur boutique hotel just yards from the beach in a restored mansion built in 1905, La Playa Carmel was first constructed by artist Christian Jorgensen as a gift for his wife and had the first swimming pool in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. 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. I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! Youll be hungry after your ride, so head over to Hulas for a late lunch. They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. There were also lots of lawn games. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. Channel Islands National Park Day 1. Jackie Jegat, the owner and founder, moved from his home in France to open his own restaurant on the California Coast when he was about 30 years old. One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. Also, as mentioned before Carmel is known for their wineries so there are several you can head to for wine tastings. Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! Dont go during the rain or after its just rained as the road is all dirt and can get quite muddy at times. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. Bixby Bridge is the epitome of Big Sur and its everything youd expect and more (but really, its the surrounding scenery that really steals the show). Afternoon This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. If you want a taste of France in sweet Monterey, Paris Bakery is your go-to spot! Where we stayed: Youll have an amazing time when you visit! My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. 5. If you are looking to stay right in Big Sur, you can find Big Sur Lodge and Big Sur River Inn.If you would like to save money and don't mind staying a little further away, you can find accommodations in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Monterey by searching on booking.com.Carmel-by-the-Sea is about 10 minutes away from the north part of Big Sur, and Monterey is about 20 minutes away. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. 3. The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! 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!). and not many tourists know about it just yet! at stops along the way. . How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. 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. 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! Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) It is definitely in a really romantic setting. Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. Thank you! . It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! (7/15/18), "It's such a kid-friendly area, and I just heard that the entire Hwy 1 is now opened." The ambience at this place was amazing. Treebones Resort features seven ocean view tent campsites, along with 16 yurts with great views of the Pacific at Cape San Martin! 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. The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. The Andrew Molera State Park is located in Big Sur and is a relatively undeveloped park in the area. There are even more trails to explore such as the South Shore Trail, Cypress Grove Loop Trail, Pine Ridge Trail, and Lace Lichen Trail. There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. Then head over to the Carmel Mission. 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. Win-win! If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur itinerary? - California Forum Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary For Families Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. Like what you see? The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. 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. (10/13/18). The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger Happy planning! Hi.. we are driving in from Santa Barbara and wanted to plan a Big Sur , Monterey trip where should we stop first where would u stay if u want to see Carmel too? Fun for young and old, exploring the rocky coastline in search of creatures is a must-do. For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. 8. The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. View of Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA Vacation Rental Private vacation home They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! With that being said, Im planning out this Big Sur road trip itinerary from north to south. We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. Big Sur and Monterey/Carmel I'll be spending this upcoming weekend on a road trip from Los Angeles to Monterey and thought I'd post my general itinerary and pose a few questions for the Big. The Best Big Sur Itinerary for an Epic Weekend Trip Hi Sydney! To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). 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. 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. 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. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. 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. Likes Comments. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). Park along the road right before the entrance to save on a $10 parking fee. There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! Oh la la, Crepes! Moon Monterey & Carmel - Stuart Thornton 2019-01-08 Quirky beach towns, deliciously fresh seafood, and dramatic hikes and drives: discover what the locals love with Moon Monterey & Carmel. While youll see monarchs all around Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park is the place to be to spot the most! Thats so cool youre a teacher! Morning *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). 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! Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for Carmel & Monterey - I Wander 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. A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. 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. No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. 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. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. It was so yummy! 4. When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. Theres no real starting point. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. 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! If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. 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. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. Glad to hear it! The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! 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! The Ultimate Guide to Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary with 13 Stops Hi Rosie! Please make reservation for dinner; No Dinner Wednesday/Thursday; Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Big Sur Inn at Castro Canyon. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Nov 2021 and Nov 2020. 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. 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. Big Sur Weekend Road Trip Itinerary - Getaway Compass Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! Just letting you know so there are no surprises! 15 Dreamy Things To Do In Monterey and Carmel As A Couple They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. 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. 4 Golfers. These are the most beautiful and often historically significant routes in the country. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Pacific Coast Highway. You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. I would love to visit all of the beautiful beaches, go on those hikes and eat the saltwater taffy and ice cream! 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. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. I wanna go for sunset next time! If you found this article useful, consider using the links within the article or below. Thanks for stopping by! Weekend Big Sur itinerary. Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! Basically, nature at its finest. 8 Best California Road Trips | Big Sur to Sierras - Leisure The Ultimate Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. 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. Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. I had never seen succulents that big before! There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! 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 Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? 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. I may email you with more in-depth questions as we plan. The airport is small and easy to navigate. 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. And I do love my crab from Phils! They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. Youll want an all-wheel drive for best mobility, but if all youve got is a regular sedan, go slow and you should be a-okay! Read on for the most perfect Big Sur road trip itinerary! 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! And thankfully, everything is laid out quite well with proper signage, so theres no risk of getting lost. If youre a fan of seafood, Cafe Kevahs Egg Benedict has Dungeness crab and is delicious; the regular egg benedict is also a top pick. Three days would be even better so you can really relax and take your time. There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. The ultimate itinerary for a Big Sur road trip This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. Have you been? Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Evening Theres typically some traffic, so if youre just driving through, expect it to take at least 3 hours. Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes!