Central Coast Region | @KnowLabs | Flipboard It was the prime location for marine life spotting! The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. Theres really no way around it. There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. Any Big Sur road trip aint complete without a stop at iconic Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur (which Im sure youve seen alllll over instagram and pinterest). 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! The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger 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! This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. 4.. Can You Start from San Francisco to Big Sur on the Road Trip Itinerary? Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! The Bixby Creek Bridge
Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. 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. 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. There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Seaside cliffs. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. Hi Sydney! This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. Wow this place looks so similar to Malibu I swear!! Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan to stay for awhile. Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. 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. That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! I hope your travel planning takes you here soon! Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. 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. The Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary (All The Best Stops!) On arrival, our room wasnt quite ready so we had lunch at the hotels restaurant and I got clam chowder in a bread bowl! PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. 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. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! That just means you'll have to go back! 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 are cute dogs all over the place! 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! The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! 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! 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 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! Swimming is not recommended at this beach because there are a lot of rock formations that could cause harm if a strong wave pulled a swimmer the wrong way (and there were a lot of waves crashing through the rock formations), but you could also stay near the sandy area and dip your feet in the Pacific Ocean. 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. DEETJENS BIG SUR INN - 261 Photos & 199 Reviews - Yelp Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . While the tours are quite long at three hours, the history and information is so interesting you wont even notice the hours passing by. This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. 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. 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. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Be sure to take along a sweater as the trails are shaded and can be very cool the entire time, which makes for a spectacular break on a super hot day! In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. Unfortunately, when I was there, you could only go on part of the trail and since it is only a small pathway where you can see the falls, it was pretty crowded. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! This is a popular street located in the heart of Monterey. (7/15/18), "It's such a kid-friendly area, and I just heard that the entire Hwy 1 is now opened." Thanks for your support! I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. So exactly where is big sur located? It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! 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. The ambience at this place was amazing. Hi Desiree! Where did you drive from? Hi MacKenzie! 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! This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. 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. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Thats so cool youre a teacher! Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! Homewood Suites by Hilton in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels in San Jose Aloft Hotels in San Jose InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in San Jose Extended Stay America Hotels in San Jose Residence Inns in San Jose Choice Hotels in San Jose Best Western Hotels in San Jose Motel 6 Hotels in San Jose Fairfield Inns in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels 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. Thanks for all the recommendations. Most people start this iconic road trip in L . Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. This road trip takes just over 3 hours and is a must-do for a glimpse of California's coastal beauty. 2-Day Big Sur Itinerary: 25 Best Things To Do For An Epic Road Trip In It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. 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. 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). They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes! 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!) Day 3. . The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. The waves are unpredictable and pretty rough. 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 location was great and we were able to walk all over town. There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. 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. Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. Recommended accommodation options in Monterey and Carmel that wont break the bank: With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your California Coast road trip, these are the best places to do it: Post Ranch Inn: Offering 3 pools, one being an infinity hot tub, you can spend the bulk of your time here overlooking the stunning California coastline. It was located in a building that looked like a castle. Yes please! 3 Day Carmel + Big Sur Getaway Itinerary THE NORMAL TRAVELER Where does the Big Sur drive start? If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! Why is Big Sur famous? Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. 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. Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Quiet. Nov 2nd, 2021 3359 views. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! The 20 Best Day Trips From San Francisco (Without a Car)