3-day Big Sur itinerary. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. Theres really no way around it. I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. Big Sur guide. There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. If you are planning a road trip to the coast of California, this Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is a perfect option for you, and its so convenient as they are about 30 minutes apart from one another. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). This takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to the lowest point of Big Sur, Cambria, where you can start this itinerary (in reverse order from how it's posted). Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. Loading. Dont fret if you dont drink, they have tons of snacks you can eat as well! 5. Read on for the most perfect Big Sur road trip itinerary! Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . You'll most definitely wanna make a few stops along the way ( Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, and Carmel/Monterey are my favorites), so plan accordingly! I got my ticket for the aquarium here. Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. Thats so cool youre a teacher! Hi, Im Jess. 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. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. BIG SUR ADVENTURES. Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. Walking on the wharf doesnt take any more than 30 minutes if you just want to do a walk-through, but youd be missing out! Youll most definitely wanna make a few stops along the way (Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, and Carmel/Monterey are my favorites), so plan accordingly! Check the website for openings and reservations. The picturesque stretch hugs the Monterey Peninsula, threading through the historic Monterey and the fairytale town of Carmel-by-the-Sea before connecting with the jaw-dropping Big Sur. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. If you choose to visit Big Sur as an out-and-back road trip from San Francisco, you can follow California Highway 1 south from the city past Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and the Monterey Peninsula - then back up. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Yes and No. Distance: Approximately 430 miles. Thanks for all the recommendations. Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. 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! You might recognize this bridge if you have seen Big Little Lies. Its one of the most iconic bridges in all of California and definitely one of the most photographed for its aesthetic. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. The trail will take you less than an hour as its about 0.8 miles long and will bring you to the beautiful shorelines where you might even spot a sea otter! There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel (one of the other perks of staying there) and then headed to the 5th Avenue Deli. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. Big Sur looks truly incredible. I have visited California many times through out my life. Hi Jolayne! I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! Happy planning! Thx!! 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 had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3','ezslot_25',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3-0');As one of the top 20 best places to retire in California, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming small town you need to check out. Luckily, I have a few more trips planned this fall so the 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. Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Tina Yen. Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! If you are looking to stay right in Big Sur, you can find Big Sur Lodge and Big Sur River Inn.If you would like to save money and don't mind staying a little further away, you can find accommodations in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Monterey by searching on booking.com.Carmel-by-the-Sea is about 10 minutes away from the north part of Big Sur, and Monterey is about 20 minutes away. at stops along the way. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! . Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Aww, thank you so much! Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. 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. Manage Settings Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. 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. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. Beautiful, post-card like views. This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. Morning As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. Day 1: Monterey. Hi Linnea! 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. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. Day 1: Big Sur Itinerary This Big Sur itinerary runs from north to south as we were leaving from Monterey. At an early hour, you might be too early for Nepenthe the restaurant upstairs, but Cafe Kevah down below has a delicious selection for brunch. Nov 2nd, 2021 3359 views. Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! 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. Be sure to dabble your toes in the river at Big Sur River Inn and then end your day with a sunset dinner and ocean view at Pacific's Edge. 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. There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! Comment below. Note:If you have time, Pfeiffer Beach, which is very close to this state park is worth a visit. The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. Basically, nature at its finest. 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. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. I have yet to try Big Sur Bakery although Ive heard many good referrals about all the food from wood-fired sourdough to buttermilk biscuits and gravy. My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. And its large enough to split, for sure. Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! 7. I hope your travel planning takes you here soon! There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! and not many tourists know about it just yet! 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. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! Tranquil. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, their menu will satisfy every palette. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. And it is a full itinerary! Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. 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. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. 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. There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). There are even more trails to explore such as the South Shore Trail, Cypress Grove Loop Trail, Pine Ridge Trail, and Lace Lichen Trail. (7/19/18), "This area has been on my must-see/do list for years. Thanks for your support! As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. 1. End of Big Sur Itinerary Turnaround: On your way back, you can choose to pull off and snap a few pictures of the beautiful ocean down below.