They also have bikes you can rent as well. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. The ocean is a short walk away. 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). Hiking and tide pooling are great here. In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! Don't be me. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. Manage Settings We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. This looks amazing. It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. 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. 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. Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. For more information, check out my travel resources page. Famous for its narrow cobblestone lanes, little cottages dressed in flowers and plants, and enchanting shops that sell tons of local goodies, Carmel is a . We decided the best way to get there was the scenic route! If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! You would never imagine this town is in California, it feels like a fairy tale town in Germany. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Use caution while driving as the road is rather windy and narrow! 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). Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! Total Distance: 217 miles ; One-Way Driving Time: 4 hours and 45 minutes ; Route: San Francisco Half Moon Bay Santa Cruz Monterey Carmel-by-the-Sea Big Sur San Simeon ; The drive between San Francisco and San Simeon is more appealing than one might imagine. Thank you! South Iceland - 7 Places Your Family Will Love! It ends near San Simeon. This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. 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! Thank you! Tina Yen. I recommend anywhere from 1-3 days in Big Sur, kinda depending if you wanna go on a few hikes or just see the typical tourist Big Sur road trip stops. Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary Stop 1: Carmel-by-the-Sea Stop 2: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Stop 3: Garrapata State Park Stop 4: Kasler Point Stop 5: Rocky Creek Bridge Stop 6: Bixby Creek Bridge Stop 7: Andrew Molera State Park Stop 8: Pfeiffer Beach Stop 9: McWay Falls Stop 10: Limekiln State Park Stop 11: Sand Dollar Beach It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. Fun for young and old, exploring the rocky coastline in search of creatures is a must-do. 10. Hi Kate! 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. Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! 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! Whether youre driving down the entirety of the California coast or just making the short drive from SF, youre in luck. It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! 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. Your attention to detail and organization truly made the trip come alive for me as I read about it. Quiet. This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! Treebones Resort features seven ocean view tent campsites, along with 16 yurts with great views of the Pacific at Cape San Martin! ), all while taking in the magnificent views! Looks like you had a wonderful time too. This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. Yes, definitely! Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. Win-win! Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. 2 hr ago . 6. You will definitely get beautiful views here! Not happening. Miles of misty coastline. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. Aww, thank you so much! Reading and seeing these photos makes me miss it a whole lot. 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. For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. Yes please! We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, Gray Whales: December to February (migrating south to Mexico), and February to April (returning north; easier to spot as they are closer to the shore), Humpback Whales: late April to early December, With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your. READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. 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 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. If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! Explore my other California guides here! This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. Then we'd be driving from Mc Way Falls back up to Monterey and then down to Arroyo Grande where we're staying Wednesday night. We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. La Playa Carmel. A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. Hungry? There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Looking for more California content? Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. Can you swim in Big Sur? Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! . Cozy. 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! Three types of whales frequent the Big Sur coastline: If youre visiting Big Sur in the winter months between October and December, youre in for a real treat tons of monarch butterflies! It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! There are cute dogs all over the place! Then the trail led down to this amazing white sandy beach with no one else around. McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! 3. Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. It was the prime location for marine life spotting! General tips. Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail is an 18-mile trail that runs from Pacific Grove up north to Castroville and alongside the old Southern Pacific Railway. When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. We were going to get lunch, but decided to wait until Carmel since we ate so many samples! The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! There is memorabilia from the movies all over! It could take as little as 2 hours (if you dont stop at all), or 2 days if you make all the stops for the views, foods, and hikes. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! (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. It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. 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! The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. Definitely adding this road trip to my bucket list. There are definitely so many good spots for pictures that you cant get enough of! It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. Its beautiful coastline views! 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. Day One The drive was nice and pretty straight forward and just took a little over an hour and a half. This sample itinerary aims to show how you can cover the two towns of Monterey or Carmel in as little as 2 days. Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! Looks like such an awesome road trip. Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Cannery Row, a waterfront area with old buildings filled with shopping, restaurants, and fun activities such as escape rooms, arcades, and the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium. September 10, 2024 - September 15, 2024. The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. I feel oh so lucky to only live a few hours north, which means we typically make it to Big Sur at least once a year! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! I am a huge fan of aquariums! The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. Carmel-by-the-Sea. Theres really no way around it. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. Although I can definitely see why its just as beautiful and even the same style! If you're going to drive all of the Big Sur coastline in a day, coming from the Bay Area, you'll want to be prepared for at least 5 hours of driving each way, a total of 10 hours on the road. I absolutely fell in love. Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. There was a river right behind the Inn with lots of cute chairs to sit on and relax and people were even tubing on the river! It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. That just means you'll have to go back! Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! 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.