Hi Jolayne! Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. 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. Like what you see? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! It will take you about 2 hours to drive right into Monterey. 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. 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. 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. Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary: Plan the Perfect - Her Wanderful World 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. (See that next!). Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. You'll likely hit Carmel-By-The-Sea first, which is where you should bed down; the famed L'Auberge Carmel offers old-world luxury. You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. I love Monterey! The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for Carmel & Monterey - I Wander DEETJENS BIG SUR INN - 261 Photos & 199 Reviews - Yelp In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. They also have bikes you can rent as well. 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 was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. 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. Evening We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. The Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary (All The Best Stops!) As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. These are the most beautiful and often historically significant routes in the country. 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. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. Carmel, Monterey and Big Sur - A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary - Our EDventures 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 . Yes please! The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! I would love to visit all of the beautiful beaches, go on those hikes and eat the saltwater taffy and ice cream! 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! From San Francisco: The Best Road Trip to Monterey, Carmel, & Big Sur We would like to thank Big Sur Adventures for providing discounted tickets for us to experience their e-bike tour. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! View of Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA Vacation Rental Private vacation home There is memorabilia from the movies all over! 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! 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. 3. (7/19/18), "as a resident of the Monterey Peninsula we do love our tourists, however, I'd like to remind those who visit - there are those that work and live in the area, and to please be courteous of our existence. Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. Where we stayed: Bring water and watch out for poison oak. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! How to Spend One Day in Big Sur: Day Trip Guide from the Bay Area Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary Stop 1: Carmel-by-the-Sea Stop 2: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Stop 3: Garrapata State Park Stop 4: Kasler Point Stop 5: Rocky Creek Bridge Stop 6: Bixby Creek Bridge Stop 7: Andrew Molera State Park Stop 8: Pfeiffer Beach Stop 9: McWay Falls Stop 10: Limekiln State Park Stop 11: Sand Dollar Beach The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. 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.. The picturesque stretch hugs the Monterey Peninsula, threading through the historic Monterey and the fairytale town of Carmel-by-the-Sea before connecting with the jaw-dropping Big Sur. With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. There were also lots of lawn games. The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. 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. There was a river right behind the Inn with lots of cute chairs to sit on and relax and people were even tubing on the river! Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. Can you swim in Big Sur? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 7 Best Stops on the San Francisco to Big Sur Road Trip - The World Was One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! If seeing a whale is on your bucket list, Fishermans Wharf is where you need to be. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. I have visited California many times through out my life. Afternoon 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! A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Theres typically some traffic, so if youre just driving through, expect it to take at least 3 hours. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! 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. You will definitely get beautiful views here! Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. Be sure to take along a sweater as the trails are shaded and can be very cool the entire time, which makes for a spectacular break on a super hot day! I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. 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. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. I only have three more posts to go after this one. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! The Best Big Sur Itinerary for an Epic Weekend Trip Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. 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. 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! California's Springtime Road Trip: Exploring 10 Of The State's Best 2. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! 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! Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. There are cute dogs all over the place! Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. Majority of the famous viewpoints are on the coastal side, so it would be best if you drove north to south, that way you make right turns in/out of the viewpoints. 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. : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. Day 1 of Big Sur Itinerary: Carmel to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Driving distance and time: 33.9 miles, about 1 hour and 5 minutes Start your day early with coffee and a pastry at Carmel Bakery. So exactly where is big sur located? You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Book lover? Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. I personally love #doingallthethings at the beginning of my trips and then slowing down as I stay longer, but you can puzzle this Monterey and Big Sur itinerary out to best fit your weekend and travel style.