Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. While youll see monarchs all around Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park is the place to be to spot the most! Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. In the Big Sur region, hop on the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH; part of California State Route 1), one of the state's most scenic routes, and take your pick of any of the stunning coastal towns. 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. 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. Visiting between the months of November to March? It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. They are even bigger than you can imagine! I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. 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. The Bixby Creek Bridge From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! Luckily, I have a few more trips planned this fall so the For a special end to your day, drive over to the Spanish Inn to listen to the live bagpipe player, and sip a glass of wine as you watch the sunset. I love Monterey! Details. The Ultimate Guide to Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary with 13 Stops I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. Ill receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which Ill totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. . Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. Its beautiful coastline views! Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! These 10 Hidden Gems Are California's Best-kept Secrets Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! Carmel-by-the-Sea. We decided to stop by Folktale Winery and Vineyards because it seriously looked like something from a fairy tale! Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. . 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. 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. Known as one of Big Surs largest and most accessible beaches and the last stop on your Big Sur itinerary is Sand Dollar Beach, located about 30 minutes south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. 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. Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur itinerary? - California Forum Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. I think you. Your email address will not be published. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. I absolutely fell in love. It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. Word spread and a large Chinese community settled in Point Lobos where today you can visit one of their homes turned museum, Whalers Cabin. About this rental. The ocean is a short walk away. To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. Absolutely spectacular and downright mesmerizing. This Inn was so cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! I would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. Yes! Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! Comment below. 35 of the Best Road Trips and Weekend Getaways from San Francisco There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. Tranquil. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! Description: This April, Big Sur Land Trust is hitting the trails once again for our annual fundraiser to save open space and care for the lands you love in Monterey County! There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! You can always put your feet in if youd like! There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. I guess we'll have to plan another trip." Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! I was in awe the entire time. The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for Carmel & Monterey - I Wander From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer 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. Then we'd be driving from Mc Way Falls back up to Monterey and then down to Arroyo Grande where we're staying Wednesday night. All these spots make it easy to photograph. We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! That is a lot to fit into 2-days. Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. 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. I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! Whether youre driving down the entirety of the California coast or just making the short drive from SF, youre in luck. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. There were also lots of lawn games. Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. Want the scenic route? If youve been thinking about a weekend get-a-way to one of California's best destinations, then look no further than this 3-day itinerary celebrating the best that Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur have to offer. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Big Sur Road Trip - Includes ALL the Best Viewpoints! Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. 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 Perfect Weekend in Carmel, CA - Miss Molly Mac Yes, its a gorgeous area! Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. 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. The Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur - Culture Trip Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Morning California road trip: Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe - Tripadvisor This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. PDF Monterey Bay The Ultimate Guide From Santa Cruz To Pdf . This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . Miles of misty coastline. Three types of whales frequent the Big Sur coastline: If youre visiting Big Sur in the winter months between October and December, youre in for a real treat tons of monarch butterflies! Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! Big Sur Weekend Road Trip Itinerary - Getaway Compass In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. 8 Epic San Francisco Road Trips to Plan Right Now After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). Can you swim in Big Sur? Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. Happy planning! The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. and not many tourists know about it just yet! They were so cute, I was squealing! And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. 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!) Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. 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. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! They were so colorful and unique! Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Hi Desiree! My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. 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. 1. In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur - California Big Sur is the 90 mile stretch of California coast, nestled between Monterey and San Luis Obispo that is as breathtakingly beautiful and unreal as a dream, with the waves of the Pacific ocean crashing along its rugged shores, simply begging for a visit. The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. Patience is the only requirement, but binoculars are nice to have as well. DEETJENS BIG SUR INN - 261 Photos & 199 Reviews - Yelp Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. Nov 2nd, 2021 3359 views. They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. 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). There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . Thank you! Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. There is memorabilia from the movies all over! Yes and No. 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! Beautiful, post-card like views. Hi.. we are driving in from Santa Barbara and wanted to plan a Big Sur , Monterey trip where should we stop first where would u stay if u want to see Carmel too? Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. Hearst Castle Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. Weve always been planning to do a road trip in this part of California, so will be bookmarking this. Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip 3 Day Itinerary . This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! Even more than that, Point Lobos doesnt classify itself as a state park, but rather as a natural reserve with the highest protection for nature and wildlife found here. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! Big Sur Road Trip: Best Stops on a Scenic California Coast Adventure! Monterey Itineraries | Things to Do in Monterey | Monterey County CVB They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! Thanks for stopping by! Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when. 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. Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. 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 The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. And it is a full itinerary! This romantic drive is one of the best cross country road trip routes that couples must take together! Not happening. Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! I definitely recommend booking in advance. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. Again, theres a toilet here! There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. Explore Big Sur. This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. A PCH Road Trip to Monterey and Big Sur | Cond Nast Traveler I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. Day 2. The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. Thanks for stopping by! Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. 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. This looks amazing. Big Sur road trip: 12 Epic Pacific Coast Highway stops to check out (2022)! Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. And yes, we always have a great time in Monterey! The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. 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. 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. Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. Day 1: Big Sur Itinerary This Big Sur itinerary runs from north to south as we were leaving from Monterey. 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! Thank you! 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! It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. Thank you for sharing! Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! 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 colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! 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. Guide contents. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place.
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