There is memorabilia from the movies all over! The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. For more information, check out my travel resources page. This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. 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). I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. The first stop in your Big Sur itinerary is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which is known as the crown jewel of all state parks in California, located just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Since you are now past the influx of traffic, you wont be in a rush to get into any of the popular sites. Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. 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. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. Continue with Recommended Cookies. I love Monterey! (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. I LOVE Big Sur and Monterey its just so beautiful. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. This Monterey to Big Sur itinerary is planned so it is possible to start in San Francisco and experience the whole road trip itinerary without backtracking at all. 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. Its such a pretty area! This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) Also, there are two different viewpoints- one of the front side of the bridge and one of the back. I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. It will take you about 2 hours to drive right into Monterey. Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. Stay and Play in Monterey. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. This whole road trip looks so picturesque! And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. $8,790.00 USD per person. To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. Want the scenic route? After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! This website is very helpful and gives a description of each stop so you can decide where you want to stop before you even get there. Like what you see? It ends near San Simeon. There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). Check out this packing guide of my favorite items to pack on my trips, however, listed below is a tailored guide for a Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. 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. 9. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. 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. A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! 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. This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! 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. There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. The clam chowder here is also amazing! Dont go during the rain or after its just rained as the road is all dirt and can get quite muddy at times. Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! What is there to see between Monterey and Big Sur? . ), all while taking in the magnificent views! 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. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! 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. It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. 5. 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. Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. You can definitely complete this Big Sur itinerary in a day, but if you have more time, you can also spread it out over 2-3 days and spend more time in each place. A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. You can drive all of these Big Sur road trip stops from either north to south (starting in Carmel) or south to north (starting in San Simeon) of course, but I prefer driving from NORTH to SOUTH. Pin it for later or share it! There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. Guide contents. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! . It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! BIG SUR ADVENTURES. Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. The waves are unpredictable and pretty rough. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! 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 I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. Hi Linnea! Have so much fun when you visit! Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. I may email you with more in-depth questions as we plan. Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. Phone: (831) 515-6403. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. Carmel-by-the-Sea is probably one of the quaintest seaside towns in the world, which makes it a good starting point for your Big Sur road trip. 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. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. Hi Elena! We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! 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. The best way to get from Monterey to Big Sur is by renting a car. 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. Each room also boasts a private deck with those magicnicant coastline views, a wood-burning fireplace to get cozy during the chilly nights, and an indoor spa tub. 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!) Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. Hi Christina! If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary If you've 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. If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. 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. After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! Enjoy your ice cream on the wharf and enjoy watching all the puppies greet each other as their owners walk them up and down the pier. This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. 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 it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down by the beach. Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! Hi Sydney! I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. Bixby Bridge is the epitome of Big Sur and its everything youd expect and more (but really, its the surrounding scenery that really steals the show). Can you swim in Big Sur? We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. The beach there was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the ocean. The beach down below was beautiful; however, hiking down to the beach is not advisable as the cliffs are unstable and there is no clear path. Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! 6. 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 saw many of them while riding my bike on the Pacific Coastal Trail and just rode down a particular street if I saw any that looked really interesting! Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Patience is the only requirement, but binoculars are nice to have as well. 10. You can read all about how this area came to be here. With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! I wanna go for sunset next time! Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. Hi Kate! Find a place to park and spend some time enjoying the many art galleries and boutiques. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. 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. Sure, the food is on the pricey side (like the rest of Big Sur), but its such a great place to stop and relax for a bit. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. Day Three: Monterey Morning Monterey is just a 10 minute drive from Carmel and a great area to explore for the day! Day One Big Sur isnt too far from Monterey and you get all the nature with it. And its large enough to split, for sure. AirBnB: Due to the higher-than-normal cost of accommodation in Big Sur, you may want to check out AirBnB for a less expensive option, many even with those ocean views were all swooning over (without the super hefty price tag).
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