I definitely recommend booking in advance. Again, theres a toilet here! When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? Loading. If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. Visit inside the Basilica (where Serras remains are laid to rest). I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes! (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. " 4. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. This looks amazing. Tranquil. In every way, shape, and form. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! The ambience at this place was amazing. Bring water and watch out for poison oak. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." Hi Jolayne! Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. 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). After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. Whats your favorite local spot? The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. The ocean is a short walk away. Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. 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. Luckily, I have a few more trips planned this fall so the McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. Recommended accommodation options in Monterey and Carmel that wont break the bank: With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your California Coast road trip, these are the best places to do it: Post Ranch Inn: Offering 3 pools, one being an infinity hot tub, you can spend the bulk of your time here overlooking the stunning California coastline. There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. 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. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. 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. How many days do you need in Monterey and Big Sur? 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. While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. Yes, yes, and yes! Treebones Resort features seven ocean view tent campsites, along with 16 yurts with great views of the Pacific at Cape San Martin! It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. 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. Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. What a wonderful place you get to call home. And it is a full itinerary! They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. Pin it for later or share it! Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. Renting a Car : Note that you'll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Afternoon We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. Just be careful to watch out for other vehicles coming and livestock roaming around! You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. Any Big Sur road trip aint complete without a stop at iconic Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur (which Im sure youve seen alllll over instagram and pinterest). Alternatively, you can take a bus. Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. Check out this packing guide of my favorite items to pack on my trips, however, listed below is a tailored guide for a Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. 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. GROUP PEBBLE BEACH GOLF TRIP PROPOSAL. Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. Hi Shafinah! :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). This part of the bike trail was a lot busier. The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Glad to hear it! 5. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Old Downtown Monterey located on Alvarado street and named after Juan Bautista Alvarado who was the former governor of Alta California. Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! Three days would be even better so you can really relax and take your time. You can always put your feet in if youd like! 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. 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. While youll see monarchs all around Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park is the place to be to spot the most! 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. (See that next!). Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Time needed: 1 to 2 days. Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. It was so yummy! Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. 17 Mile Drive is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. 1. Yes and No. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for California CA Big Sur Carmel Monterey Coastline Postcard Old Vintage Card View at the best online prices at eBay! This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. We decided to stop by Folktale Winery and Vineyards because it seriously looked like something from a fairy tale! A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. Also, as mentioned before Carmel is known for their wineries so there are several you can head to for wine tastings. We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. 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. We went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead first. Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. Make sure to have these essentials on your list: The best time to visit Monterey and Big Sur is in the fall during the months of September to November or in the spring during the months of April to May. . 9. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. 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 repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. 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. The clam chowder here is also amazing! Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. 2023 Cultural & Theme Tours in Monterey & Carmel: Check out reviews and photos of the 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical Highlights. Mmm! I think you. 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. 3-day Big Sur itinerary. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. Makes me miss San Francisco! Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). Since Big Sur is located between Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Simeon, its best to start from either of these (and finish in the other) if you wanna experience the entire coastline of Big Sur. Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. Guide contents. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3','ezslot_25',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3-0');As one of the top 20 best places to retire in California, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming small town you need to check out. Sure, its the most expensive pastry Ive ever bought (at a whopping $8.50), but my husband and I both felt it was worth the hefty price tag. Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan to stay for awhile. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. 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. 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! Morning It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. General tips. Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Cannery Row, a waterfront area with old buildings filled with shopping, restaurants, and fun activities such as escape rooms, arcades, and the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! 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. 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. Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. 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. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. 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. There are souvenir shops, where I bought a super cute Monterey boat picture frame, theres a clam chowder stand, a cafe spot that I love and forget its name, and my favorite the Monterey Bay Creamery where theres a huge cow statue selling ice cream. Hi Rosie! This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. 2. With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4','ezslot_26',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4-0');A beautiful state park, Garrapata State Park has views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Soberanes Canyon. Thx!! And I do love my crab from Phils! Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, Gray Whales: December to February (migrating south to Mexico), and February to April (returning north; easier to spot as they are closer to the shore), Humpback Whales: late April to early December, With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your. 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. You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. Hungry? There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. Purple sand (yup!). 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 would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. I had a few places in mind I wanted to stop before we left, but I also thought it was fun to be spontaneous and stop whenever we saw something that interested us! They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! Day 1: Big Sur Itinerary This Big Sur itinerary runs from north to south as we were leaving from Monterey. McWay Falls We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. 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!). Since youre on the coast, keep in mind that there may be a cold breeze, so youll want to dress in layers and have a light jacket like this one or that one. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). 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! I cant recommend this place enough! I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." They were so colorful and unique! 3. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! 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. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). And its large enough to split, for sure. Evening Yes, its a gorgeous area! Explore Big Sur. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. Be sure to dabble your toes in the river at Big Sur River Inn and then end your day with a sunset dinner and ocean view at Pacific's Edge. (10/13/18). Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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! Have a great rest of your day. And thankfully, everything is laid out quite well with proper signage, so theres no risk of getting lost. Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! 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. And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. Have you been? Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur In a nutshell, this drive is all about the jaw-dropping scenery of the Pacific Coast. Tours cost $15 per person. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. . Where did you drive from? Word spread and a large Chinese community settled in Point Lobos where today you can visit one of their homes turned museum, Whalers Cabin. Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. We are surrounded by forest. As always, thanks for the support. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. Beautiful, post-card like views. Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Thanks for all the recommendations. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. 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. There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning 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. 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! Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. Hi Desiree! Winding turns. Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! Day 3. . There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. 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. Thanks for your support! We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. 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. I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. You will definitely get beautiful views here! Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. Arrive as early as possible on your first day so that you can maximize your time. On arrival, our room wasnt quite ready so we had lunch at the hotels restaurant and I got clam chowder in a bread bowl! The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . Thanks for sharing your journey with us! 6. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. 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. Free shipping for many products! Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. There are cute dogs all over the place! 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. Tina Yen. We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. 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). 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. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. I got my ticket for the aquarium here. 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! Hi MacKenzie! 2022 text, 2021 Big Sur Drinking Fountain Image and Ghiradelli Cannery Row Image, 2020 Carmel . Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! Not many out-of-towners know this, but. You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. Again, thank you! To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. 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). You can read all about how this area came to be here. Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. 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.
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big sur carmel, monterey itinerary