The ocean is a short walk away. Thank you for sharing! As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. I am a huge fan of aquariums! Tours cost $15 per person. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. 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! Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. The fog is usually gone by early Fall, and you can even witness whales and butterflies this time of year (yes, really, if you know where to look!). 2022 text, 2021 Big Sur Drinking Fountain Image and Ghiradelli Cannery Row Image, 2020 Carmel . 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. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. Day Two Read on for the most perfect Big Sur road trip itinerary! The drive was nice and pretty straight forward and just took a little over an hour and a half. What is there to see between Monterey and Big Sur? March 3, 2023. Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! That just means you'll have to go back! Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! 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! There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! All these spots make it easy to photograph. 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! 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! Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. 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. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! 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. Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. 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. 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.. Required fields are marked *. How many days do you need in Monterey and Big Sur? Big Sur isnt too far from Monterey and you get all the nature with it. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? 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 consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. I have visited California many times through out my life. If youre looking to take a much longer trip down the PCH, check out all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway yes, all 75 of them! While the food and drinks are good, youre paying for the view. The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. 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! It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. You can always put your feet in if youd like! Pace yourself its all beautiful. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. 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. 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. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. 2. 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. Majority of the famous viewpoints are on the coastal side, so it would be best if you drove north to south, that way you make right turns in/out of the viewpoints. We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. . Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! It was so yummy! This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . Time needed: 1 to 2 days. Most people are surprised at how little civilization is around here no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. Youll be driving on private land, so you cant stop to take tooo many photos, but since its usually not crowded, feel free to stop in the middle of the road if you must for some shots. Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. We're currently planning a full trip to the Carmel/ Monterey/ Big Sur area but was wondering if our itinerary is to full? Also, as mentioned before Carmel is known for their wineries so there are several you can head to for wine tastings. Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. Explore Big Sur. Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Looking for more California content? It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. If you have time for more hiking and want to explore more of the Big Sur area on foot, check out this link for ideas. I have only ever been to San Francisco but would love to see these amazing views and spend the night. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. like a Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls One Day Tour from San Jose.. Alternatively, you can take the Monterey-Salinas Transit Line 22 from Carmel or Monterey, which will take you all the way to Nepenthe Restaurant when heading south. :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. 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. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! 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. However, if you are here early, the pictures are still pretty amazing and youll miss the 9-10 AM traffic congestion so thats a win! 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. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! Hi Linnea! There are cute dogs all over the place! Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). Book lover? 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. Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. Where does the Big Sur drive start? 47900 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Okay, so we just discovered this spot off the side of the highway on our last visit to Big Sur, and I cannot believe I never noticed it before! . Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. 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. Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Do note there is no beach or ocean access, and its actually forbidden to go down there. Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. 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. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? Since it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down by the beach. Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. I would love to go back! When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. With that being said, Im planning out this Big Sur road trip itinerary from north to south. The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! It took my breath away. The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! Hi Jolayne! 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 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. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. Hi Faith! Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. Oh la la, Crepes! Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, but you can easily park on the side of the road (if you dont mind walking a far distance to get in). Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. And plus, Im from San Francisco so Im typically driving down the coast, not up. , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! Explore my other California guides here! Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. For a complete San Francisco to Big Sur day trip , start in San Francisco and make your way through Monterey and Carmel-By-The-Sea to Big Sur on Highway 1 and US-101. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. I would love to visit all of the beautiful beaches, go on those hikes and eat the saltwater taffy and ice cream! Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. GROUP PEBBLE BEACH GOLF TRIP PROPOSAL. Distance: Approximately 430 miles. It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. Its known for its pristine scenery, full of turquoise water, beautifully-designed bridges, rustic hiking trails, and more. My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. for current highway conditions before your drive. Many different types of vegetation can be found here as well such as wildflowers, shrubs, and fungi, but most importantly the Monterey Cypress which is local to the area. Fun for young and old, exploring the rocky coastline in search of creatures is a must-do. There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. If you didnt have time to pack a snack or breakfast, plan a stop at Big Sur Bakery before u-turning into the Pfeiffer Beach turn-off. 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! Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. 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. Admission is $10.50 per vehicle and when you arrive at the entrance they give you a map of all of the scenic stops and designated places to see. As always, thanks for the support. READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! I personally love #doingallthethings at the beginning of my trips and then slowing down as I stay longer, but you can puzzle this Monterey and Big Sur itinerary out to best fit your weekend and travel style. Thanks for stopping by! (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). I guess we'll have to plan another trip." 2. 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. We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. 10 Things You Should Know About The Brando Resort in Tetiaroa, A First-timer's Trip to Australia; Sydney, the Whitsundays and the Central Coast, Paradise in the Dominican Republic: The Samana Peninsula, Explore the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, A 3-Day Itinerary for Charleston, South Carolina, How to Spend 3 Days in Nashville, TN - A Girls' Trip, Balboa Island in Newport Beach,California, Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur - A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary, Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, "I've actually been meaning to take the kids on this road trip. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! 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. 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.