big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. 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. There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! 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. And get there early the tours only accommodate 40 people! We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! 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. Your email address will not be published. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! Win-win! Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. 15 Amazing Cheap Vacation Spots in California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. 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. 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. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. Again, theres a toilet here! Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! Checking into the Madonna Inn: San Luis Obispos Quirkiest and Most Eccentric Hotel, Snorkeling in Maui: 12 Best Places to Snorkel in Maui (+ Safety and Packing Tips), The Massive Guide to Manarola, Italy: Things to do in Manarola, Cinque Terre, Cinque Terre Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Days in Cinque Terre, Italy, Fall in San Francisco: 25+ Fall Activities in the SF Bay Area You Cant Miss, Things to do in Cambria, California (The Cutest Seaside Village on the Central Coast). Yes and No. I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! It took my breath away. READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! BIG SUR ADVENTURES. It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. And its large enough to split, for sure. 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! We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. This scenic drive is so rewarding with views of cute homes overlooking the never-ending Pacific ocean. I would love to go back! 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. Not many out-of-towners know this, but coastal fog is another downside of a Big sur road trip during summertime; it can hang around as late as midday! Looks like you had a wonderful time too. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! Tina Yen. And just one reason its on every list of the most beautiful places in California. Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary Day 1: Arrival Hotel check-in: Hofsas House Brophy's Tavern Mulligan Public House Dinner at Little Napoli Day 2: Monterey and Big Sur Highway One Drive in Big Sur Monterey, CA 17 Mile Drive Carmel Beach Dinner: Hog's Breath Inn Day 3: Carmel by the Sea Breakfast: The Tuck Box Carmel Belle Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for sharing. It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. Pick-up from centrally located hotels between 7:30am - 8:30am Duration: 11 hours Transportation: Comfortable Motorcoach Includes: Complimentary pickup/dropoff from centrally located hotels Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! So if youre visiting the area (or live in the city and dont have access to a car), a car rental will be a necessity! After you finally find it (the road to get to Pfeiffer Beach is a bit hidden and narrow with no signs), youll be pleasantly surprised that the sand is actually truly purple in some spots on the beach. Whats your favorite local spot? Yes, its a gorgeous area! Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. 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! There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. Looks like such an awesome road trip. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! (See that next!). Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. Hi Elena! There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan to stay for awhile. 2. There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! I wanna go for sunset next time! They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. 5. Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. Hi, Im Jess. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes! . 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. You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! 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. 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. I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. The 72-mile portion that runs through Big Sur is an official American National Scenic Byway. 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). Seaside cliffs. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. Hi MacKenzie! This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south).