There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. Looking for more California content? It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. Whether youre driving down the entirety of the California coast or just making the short drive from SF, youre in luck. Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. 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. The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. 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 are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. And plus, Im from San Francisco so Im typically driving down the coast, not up. Tina Yen. When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. and not many tourists know about it just yet! If you do not have a high-clearance vehicle, you can still cross the street and take pictures from the other side of Bixby Bridge. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Big Sur Carmel Carmel Valley Castroville Marina Monterey Moss Landing Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Salinas Seaside . If we get there earlier, we get saltwater taffy and enjoy them on our hikes/beach time. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! 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. From free coffee available and interesting and unusual titles for purchase, its worth spending a while here to soak up the Big Sur atmosphere. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. At the time of posting this article, the section of Hwy 1 south of McWay Falls was still closed due to mudslides from 2017. Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. I have yet to try Big Sur Bakery although Ive heard many good referrals about all the food from wood-fired sourdough to buttermilk biscuits and gravy. In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Nov 2021 and Nov 2020. 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 can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! 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. Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. This takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to the lowest point of Big Sur, Cambria, where you can start this itinerary (in reverse order from how it's posted). Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Santa Cruz is a cute, funky surf town on the way to the San Jose airport. I cant recommend this place enough! (See that next!). Bedroom3; Baths2; Property typePrivate Vacation Home; Max Sleeps6; Love golf Pebble Beach golf courses are among some of the best in the world; Carmel-by-the-Sea renowned for its art galleries, many restaurants & sandy white beaches; Big Sur has campsites, high-cliff beaches, superb hiking trails & world-class views on the Pacific Ocean, and Monterey is known for the famous . Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! Some places I recommend going to in Carmel: Point Lobos was also definitely another highlight of this trip and should definitely be on your Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary. The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. Not happening. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! Sure, the food is on the pricey side (like the rest of Big Sur), but its such a great place to stop and relax for a bit. I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. And Im jealous of you already. Visit inside the Basilica (where Serras remains are laid to rest). While the food and drinks are good, youre paying for the view. This was actually my favorite part of Fishermans Wharf. This Monterey to Big Sur itinerary is planned so it is possible to start in San Francisco and experience the whole road trip itinerary without backtracking at all. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. Mmm! 9. You'll 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! Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. 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 . As always, thanks for the support. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! Explore Big Sur. I was in awe the entire time. End of Big Sur Itinerary Turnaround: On your way back, you can choose to pull off and snap a few pictures of the beautiful ocean down below. After Fishermans Wharf, we decided to leave Monterey to explore Carmel-by-the-sea. The perfect amount of time to see Monterey and Big Sur is 2-3 days. 4 Golfers. 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. Bixby Bridge was built in 1932 and is one of the highest suspending bridges sitting at 260 feet above the bottom of the canyon below. I feel oh so lucky to only live a few hours north, which means we typically make it to Big Sur at least once a year! We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. 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. 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. We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. I had never seen succulents that big before! I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. 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. But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! Oh la la, Crepes! However, if you are here early, the pictures are still pretty amazing and youll miss the 9-10 AM traffic congestion so thats a win! This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. Thanks for all the recommendations. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. Have you seen the photos?! They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! 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! This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Cocktails with a view? There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, or with others, this year's Race for Open Space has something for you. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. Lovely post! Bring water and watch out for poison oak. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. Phone: (831) 515-6403. It was so yummy! 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. Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. 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. Yes! I always love getting cheese plates! 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. Dont go during the rain or after its just rained as the road is all dirt and can get quite muddy at times. This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! I mean, its absolutely GORGEOUS. Then head over to the Carmel Mission. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. 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. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! 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. Thx!! Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. Big Sur road trip itinerary: You could do Big Sur in a day or the entire California coast in 2-3 days if you really wanted to, but it will be much more enjoyable if you do it slowly! 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 Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! 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. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. March 3, 2023. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. 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. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. 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. Afternoon Again, theres a toilet here! Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. Visiting between the months of November to March? You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. (10/13/18). 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. If this is your first time to the area dont rush it! 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. I got my ticket for the aquarium here. 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! They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! While the tours are quite long at three hours, the history and information is so interesting you wont even notice the hours passing by. 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. Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! 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.