It makes an excellent, 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! While the food and drinks are good, youre paying for the view. Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. Pin it for later or share it! In every way, shape, and form. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. I may email you with more in-depth questions as we plan. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. . And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). It took my breath away. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. September 10, 2024 - September 15, 2024. Fun fact: Bixby Bridge was built 5 years before the road was paved to connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo! 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. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! and not many tourists know about it just yet! 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. 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. Not happening. Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. 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. Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. I love Monterey! 7. Did you know? Book lover? 4 Golfers. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! These are the most beautiful and often historically significant routes in the country. No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. Big Sur Carmel Carmel Valley Castroville Marina Monterey Moss Landing Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Salinas Seaside . Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. Winding turns. And get there early the tours only accommodate 40 people! Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. 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!) In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. Do take note of the tide schedule though high tide can essentially make the sandy beach disappear, making it difficult to find a place to sit. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. This romantic drive is one of the best cross country road trip routes that couples must take together! 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. Day 2. We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. I would love to visit all of the beautiful beaches, go on those hikes and eat the saltwater taffy and ice cream! 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. 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. 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. The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. Any tips/suggestions appreciated. For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! Hi, Im Jess. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. Morning And it is a full itinerary! The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! 8. The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. from $900. Day Three If we get there earlier, we get saltwater taffy and enjoy them on our hikes/beach time. Afternoon And just one reason its on every list of the most beautiful places in California. All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! How many days do you need in Monterey and Big Sur? Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. like a Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls One Day Tour from San Jose.. Alternatively, you can take the Monterey-Salinas Transit Line 22 from Carmel or Monterey, which will take you all the way to Nepenthe Restaurant when heading south. With more ocean views than you ever thought possible, eco-friendly and luxurious hotel stays, wooded hiking trails and nature for days, I can never get enough of this stretch of the coastline. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! Yes, yes, and yes! This looks amazing. Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. GROUP PEBBLE BEACH GOLF TRIP PROPOSAL. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. 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! 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!). Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. 8. 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 . There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. $8,790.00 USD per person. Day 1 6pm After a thrilling drive along historic Highway One, you've arrived at the Big Sur Campground and Cabins for an authentically rustic Big Sur stay. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. We're currently planning a full trip to the Carmel/ Monterey/ Big Sur area but was wondering if our itinerary is to full? Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. 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! 6. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. It was so yummy! I recommend anywhere from 1-3 days in Big Sur, kinda depending if you wanna go on a few hikes or just see the typical tourist Big Sur road trip stops. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! I always love getting cheese plates! There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. You can do a day trip to Big Sur or Monterey, but it takes at least 2 days to explore both Monterey and Big Sur properly. Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. 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. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! Youll get a really nice view of the beach. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Walking on the wharf doesnt take any more than 30 minutes if you just want to do a walk-through, but youd be missing out! It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. It ends near San Simeon. Okay, so we just discovered this spot off the side of the highway on our last visit to Big Sur, and I cannot believe I never noticed it before! Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. And I do love my crab from Phils! Since it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down by the beach. Aww, thank you so much! It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. It is definitely in a really romantic setting. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. 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. We went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead first. Hi Linnea! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! . Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. This is definitely a place I would like to spend more time at if I head back to this area. 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). Can you swim in Big Sur? 5. Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). You will definitely get beautiful views here! But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. It could take as little as 2 hours (if you dont stop at all), or 2 days if you make all the stops for the views, foods, and hikes. They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. Book now from $9.99! There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. What is there to see between Monterey and Big Sur? 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 3. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. About this rental. The Best California Road Trips & Itineraries | Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur to Santa Barbara California: Places to Visit North America California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara FIRST POSTED: 4th June 2019 | LAST UPDATED: 7th August 2020 9 minute read