Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." This looks amazing. Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. Your attention to detail and organization truly made the trip come alive for me as I read about it. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Thanks for stopping by! 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). This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. 3-day Big Sur itinerary. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. A Carmel to Big Sur road trip can take anywhere from one hour to five, depending on how many stops . This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! That just means you'll have to go back! This road trip itinerary is designed to be done in one to two days depending on your timeline and how much you want to get out and see along the way. ), all while taking in the magnificent views! There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA: LOGISTICS. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Nov 2021 and Nov 2020. Tranquil. You can easily park on the side of the road and forgo the paid parking, which is what most people do (Im not saying its a-okay just letting you know thats an option if the parking lot is full). Hungry? Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. Quiet. Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. 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. Details. After Bixby Bridge, this is on everyones must see list during any Big Sur road trip. 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). It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! The Bixby Creek Bridge Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! They are even bigger than you can imagine! I definitely recommend booking in advance. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). Yes and No. Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. 1. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. The best way to get from Monterey to Big Sur is by renting a car. 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. It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. 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. Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. The Post Ranch Inn is a Big Sur icon; the 100-acre property first opened in 1992, and in the years since, has cemented its spot as one of the top luxury hotels in . We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! Why is Big Sur famous? After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! Bubba Gumps has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. 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. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. at stops along the way. On your first morning, wake up early and by 8 AM start your Big Sur itinerary by heading south on Highway 1. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. Whether it's sipping your way through Carmel Valley's boutique wine tasting rooms or hopping on an unforgettable whale watching excursion, Monterey County provides meeting attendees with a variety of extracurricular activities. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. 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. Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. Guide contents. The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! The high season in this area is during the summer months, just after May and through August, so you may want to avoid these months if you dont want to be around the crowds. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. Free shipping for many products! Big Sur looks truly incredible. This can be easily done as a weekend trip out from the Bay Area or as part of a wider trip tracing California's coastline. On arrival, our room wasnt quite ready so we had lunch at the hotels restaurant and I got clam chowder in a bread bowl! And plus, Im from San Francisco so Im typically driving down the coast, not up. . (10/13/18). Youll get a really nice view of the beach. We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! (7/19/18), "as a resident of the Monterey Peninsula we do love our tourists, however, I'd like to remind those who visit - there are those that work and live in the area, and to please be courteous of our existence. This area is one of my favorites in CA. Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. They were so colorful and unique! The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . I was in awe the entire time. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. 2. 7. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). Youll want an all-wheel drive for best mobility, but if all youve got is a regular sedan, go slow and you should be a-okay! Whether you prefer sweet or savory, their menu will satisfy every palette. 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! Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. Miles of misty coastline. Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. Yes, definitely! There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. Please make reservation for dinner; No Dinner Wednesday/Thursday; Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Big Sur Inn at Castro Canyon. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. 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! Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! Afternoon Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. 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. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? for current highway conditions before your drive. Beautiful, post-card like views. 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! We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. 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. Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries Highlights Itinerary Outdoors Itinerary Family Itinerary Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary Golf Itinerary (7/19/18), "This area has been on my must-see/do list for years. This romantic drive is one of the best cross country road trip routes that couples must take together!