There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! You can easily park on the side of the road and forgo the paid parking, which is what most people do (Im not saying its a-okay just letting you know thats an option if the parking lot is full). The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. 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. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. 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. Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur - California You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. Big Sur isnt too far from Monterey and you get all the nature with it. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). 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. Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. 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. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. 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 were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! . Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. Day 3. . Temps are mild year round, ranging from a cool 60 degrees to a balmy 75 degrees F. Its always wise to bring along a jacket no matter what month youll be frolicking around Big Sur, as it never gets particularly hot hot hot, and temperatures are always cooler on the coast than in the mountains nearby. When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. Big Sur road trip: 12 Epic Pacific Coast Highway stops to check out (2022)! If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. I am a huge fan of aquariums! Another thing I loved about Carmel Beach was how dog friendly it was. Check the website for openings and reservations. READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. 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. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey County 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. I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! These are the most beautiful and often historically significant routes in the country. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. 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. They also have bikes you can rent as well. Theres typically some traffic, so if youre just driving through, expect it to take at least 3 hours. If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. Youll get a really nice view of the beach. 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. Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. The ocean is a short walk away. Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. 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. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! 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! We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. Big Sur Land Trust's Race for Open Space - seemonterey.com Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! 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! It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. Hungry? This looks amazing. If this is your first time to the area dont rush it! 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! 15 Dreamy Things To Do In Monterey and Carmel As A Couple Carmel Itineraries Monterey Peninsula Carmel Chamber of Commerce Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. And plus, the water is chilly over here! When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Theres really no way around it. I definitely recommend booking in advance. You can always put your feet in if youd like! Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Checking into the Madonna Inn: San Luis Obispos Quirkiest and Most Eccentric Hotel, Snorkeling in Maui: 12 Best Places to Snorkel in Maui (+ Safety and Packing Tips), The Massive Guide to Manarola, Italy: Things to do in Manarola, Cinque Terre, Cinque Terre Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Days in Cinque Terre, Italy, Fall in San Francisco: 25+ Fall Activities in the SF Bay Area You Cant Miss, Things to do in Cambria, California (The Cutest Seaside Village on the Central Coast). It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. 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. 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). Its such a pretty area! Channel Islands National Park (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. Beautiful, post-card like views. This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. Thank you for sharing! Central Coast Region | @KnowLabs | Flipboard We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! 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 . Evening 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. We would like to thank Big Sur Adventures for providing discounted tickets for us to experience their e-bike tour. 8 Epic San Francisco Road Trips to Plan Right Now BIG SUR ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: The Ultimate Guide to Beautiful Big Sur Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. We decided to stop by Folktale Winery and Vineyards because it seriously looked like something from a fairy tale! Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. California Coast Day 3: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, & Pismo Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Our other option is to do Monterey/Carmel on Tuesday (aquarium, 17-mile drive, etc), and then Big Sur first thing Wednesday morning (July 4th). Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! 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. Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. 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. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. As well as (chive and cheddar) scones and strudels and coffees and cream-filled donuts. Manage Settings 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! We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. And Im jealous of you already. Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! Answer 11 of 32: Hi all! Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. Pin it for later or share it! 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. 2. Have a great rest of your day. Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. . I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. 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! A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! 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. 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!) 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. The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. 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. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! I have only ever been to San Francisco but would love to see these amazing views and spend the night. Note:If you have time, Pfeiffer Beach, which is very close to this state park is worth a visit. We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. 3 Day Carmel + Big Sur Getaway Itinerary THE NORMAL TRAVELER After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. Hi Christina! I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. Hearst Castle If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Have you been? Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. I may email you with more in-depth questions as we plan. And it is a full itinerary! 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 youll see monarchs all around Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park is the place to be to spot the most! Yes, its that impressive. 5. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. 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. . As always, all opinions expressed are our own. Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. 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. If seeing a whale is on your bucket list, Fishermans Wharf is where you need to be. Fun for young and old, exploring the rocky coastline in search of creatures is a must-do. They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes! Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. 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. 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. Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. Specializing in travel, lifestyle and fashion. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. Monterey State Historic Park. Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " Nearest Cities: Monterey and Carmel to the north (40 minute drive), San Simeon and Cambria to the south (1.5 hour drive) Closest International Airports: San Jose International Airport (SJC) - 1.5 hour drive | Oakland International Airport (OAK) - 2 hour drive | San Francisco (SFO) - 2.5 hour drive Best Time to Visit: April through October, early fall is best I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! It is about 15 minutes from Monterey, spend at least 3 hours. It was the prime location for marine life spotting! Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. Its beautiful coastline views! Next up on this Big Sur road trip itinerary the Point Sur Lighthouse! Comment below. First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. Yes, yes, and yes! 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. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey.
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