big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Big Sur looks truly incredible. Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. 7. Monterey, which is further north of Big Sur, is located no more than 1-1.5 hours away from most of the attractions that we recommend seeing on a Big Sur itinerary. Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. 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 . Thanks for your support! Basically, nature at its finest. They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. Big Sur's vast wilderness and breathtaking views of the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline connects the northern half -- Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz -- with the rolling hills and vineyards of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Cambria and Hearst Castle of the southern half -- Part of the Best West Road Trip itinerary - Goin' Coastal in the Central Coast Region of California. There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. 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. 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. Again, thank you! So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! California History Books for Kids. 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! Explore my other California guides here! Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. The road is not paved. After Fishermans Wharf, we decided to leave Monterey to explore 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. To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. 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. It took my breath away. It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. As always, thanks for the support. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. Explore Big Sur. Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). 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! I feel the need to say this since youll be getting back in the car to continue on the 1: if youre the driver, please be responsible and limit yourself to one drink at most. 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. Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. 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) Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! Three days would be even better so you can really relax and take your time. Guide contents. Cozy. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. 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. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. Weekend Big Sur itinerary. Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. Hi Faith! Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. They were so cute, I was squealing! The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! The clam chowder here is also amazing! We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. And yes, theres so much history in this little area. From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! 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. 17 Mile Drive is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. Evening Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! Tranquil. Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. McWay Falls Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. 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! The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. I was in awe the entire time. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. 3. Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! Hi Shafinah! . Miles of misty coastline. Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. 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. . Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. One of our favorite spots here is the Pepper Palace where we buy dry rubs and sauces to make our legendary wings. Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. Luckily, I have a few more trips planned this fall so the It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." Yes, definitely! It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I wanna go for sunset next time! We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. Youll get a really nice view of the beach. If you're going to drive all of the Big Sur coastline in a day, coming from the Bay Area, you'll want to be prepared for at least 5 hours of driving each way, a total of 10 hours on the road. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! There is a scenic 17-mile drive you can pay to drive and see iconic spots such as the Lone Cypress and Pescadero Point. As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. Casinos like Harrah's in South Lake Tahoe regularly have big-name artists perform, so a concert night could be in the cards for your trip. 1. Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! Why is Big Sur famous? There are definitely so many good spots for pictures that you cant get enough of! The Andrew Molera State Park is located in Big Sur and is a relatively undeveloped park in the area. Word spread and a large Chinese community settled in Point Lobos where today you can visit one of their homes turned museum, Whalers Cabin. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. If the history doesnt draw you in, Point Lobos is also home to abundant wildlife, including 20 species of mammals such as gray foxes and mountain lions, various species of birds like the acorn woodpecker peregrine falcon, and of course, many species of marine life including sea otters, sea lions, and whales. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . Book now from $9.99! I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. BIG SUR ADVENTURES. 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. at stops along the way. 9. Where does the Big Sur drive start? Montereys Fishermans Wharf is an iconic stop for your Monterey itinerary. By this time, youll likely be hungry, so stop in at the Big Sur Roadhouse for their famous avo toast, or other wraps or sandwiches. In the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea (4 miles, approximately 10 minutes), which became an artist's colony after the 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake destroyed that city.Take a stroll along Ocean Ave. and admire the charming shops and galleries. How many days do you need in Monterey and Big Sur? Tours cost $15 per person. ), all while taking in the magnificent views! :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. It is the foggiest park even when some of the other parks are clear, youll want to make sure to check the weather as you wont be able to see much with the fog. 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. No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. About this rental. The 72-mile portion that runs through Big Sur is an official American National Scenic Byway. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. But it's absolutely still worth visiting! I definitely recommend booking in advance. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. 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. 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). This mountain range, just inland from the not-so-hidden gem that is Big Sur, runs from below Monterey and Carmel down to about San Luis Obispo. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. Cruises currently run for 4 hours at 10 AM or 3 hours at 2:30 PM (morning tours are recommended) so youll need to plan your time wisely if you are wanting to include this activity in your itinerary. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. The airport is small and easy to navigate. 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. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? 3-day Big Sur itinerary. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! Just letting you know so there are no surprises! Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! Hi Christina! Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. So exactly where is big sur located? I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! Required fields are marked *. Afternoon The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! If you happen to be visiting Big Sur between February and early April, you NEED to make a short pit stop at Calla Lily Valley! (See that next!). As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. General tips. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! There is memorabilia from the movies all over! Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Hi Jolayne! This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. Have a great rest of your day. 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. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. Also, there are two different viewpoints- one of the front side of the bridge and one of the back. I had it recommended to me and I thought it would be the perfect place to pick up a picnic lunch for later. They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. Hi Linnea! Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wrap Up Your Perfect Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, link to Her Wanderful World's Instagram account, link to Her Wanderful World's Facebook account, link to Her Wanderful World's Pinterest account, link to Her Wanderful World's Twitter account, Teaching English Abroad Everything You Need to Know, California Coast Roadtrip | San Fran all the way to San Diego, Check the website for openings and reservations, 17 Fun Things to do in Santa Rosa, California, 20 Incredible Things to do in Petaluma, CA, 17 Charming Things to do in Cambria, California, 17 Best Coastal Sunset Spots in Central California. Then the trail led down to this amazing white sandy beach with no one else around. Don't be me. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure!

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