4 Golfers. Comment below. Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. 7. 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. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. 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). And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. Hi, Im Jess. Hi Kate! Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." What is there to see between Monterey and Big Sur? I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. 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! Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! 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. I wanna go for sunset next time! Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). It was the prime location for marine life spotting! all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. 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. Day 2. Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. And just one reason its on every list of the most beautiful places in California. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. Whats your favorite local spot? Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! 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. 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. You can always put your feet in if youd like! On one side, youll see the quaint houses up close and on the other side, youll have a clear view of the iconic Carmel beach down below. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. Required fields are marked *. 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! There are cute dogs all over the place! 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. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. 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. Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. Afternoon And so is Nepenthe! Then the trail led down to this amazing white sandy beach with no one else around. You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. 5. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. 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 (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! . Day One Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . Yes and No. 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 . Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Day 3. . Yes please! 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. Afternoon Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. Makes me miss San Francisco! Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Explore my other California guides here! I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. The American Tin Cannery Suite 122 125 Ocean view Blvd Pacific Grove, CA 93950 831-747-1677 _____ 17 Mile Drive 2106 Sunset Drive Pacific Grove, CA 93950 831-717-4912 _____ Pedego Electric Bikes 143 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel, CA 831-293-7063. Moon Monterey & Carmel - Stuart Thornton 2019-01-08 Quirky beach towns, deliciously fresh seafood, and dramatic hikes and drives: discover what the locals love with Moon Monterey & Carmel. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. And thankfully, everything is laid out quite well with proper signage, so theres no risk of getting lost. You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). Guide contents. That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. 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. 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! They were so cute, I was squealing! Tip: Driving it can be challenging, but well worth it. 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. 9. You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. from $900. 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. Tranquil. Dont fret if you dont drink, they have tons of snacks you can eat as well! Thank you! These are the most common ways to take a Big Sur road trip: Start and finish in Carmel-by-the-Sea but only drive as far as McWay Falls (78 miles of driving) Start in Carmel-by-the-Sea and finish in Morro Bay (120 miles of driving) Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. Winding turns. There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? (10/13/18). Reading and seeing these photos makes me miss it a whole lot. Day 1: Big Sur Itinerary This Big Sur itinerary runs from north to south as we were leaving from Monterey. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. Next up on this Big Sur road trip itinerary the Point Sur Lighthouse! I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. 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! Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! Hi Christina! Drive about 2 miles to get to the ticket booth and have cash with you to pay for the $12 entry fee. Check the website for openings and reservations. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. 10. Inside you'll nd: Flexible, strategic itineraries including long weekends in Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz, and a three-day road trip from Big Sur to Basically, nature at its finest. Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. It is located towards the end of the wharf, so beware that you may be tempted to stop at one of the restaurants before it. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . Have you seen the photos?! While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. Loading. 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. If you didnt have time to pack a snack or breakfast, plan a stop at Big Sur Bakery before u-turning into the Pfeiffer Beach turn-off. Free shipping for many products! Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. I always love getting cheese plates! You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. Explore Big Sur. Thx!! Dont go during the rain or after its just rained as the road is all dirt and can get quite muddy at times. Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. March 3, 2023. Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! This beach is known to be the most consistent wave producer for surfers, so if you are one of these talented people, bring your surfboard and have at it! 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. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. 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. There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail is an 18-mile trail that runs from Pacific Grove up north to Castroville and alongside the old Southern Pacific Railway. This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. Can you swim in Big Sur? When researching where to eat, I had Forge in the Forest recommend several times. Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. I had it recommended to me and I thought it would be the perfect place to pick up a picnic lunch for later. 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! 3. Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! 5. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. 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. Thanks for all the recommendations. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Thanks for stopping by! For a complete San Francisco to Big Sur day trip , start in San Francisco and make your way through Monterey and Carmel-By-The-Sea to Big Sur on Highway 1 and US-101. Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur.