big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

Cozy. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. Another favorite thing we like to do here is to stop at the first shop on the right (also didnt pay attention to its name), grab a little red basket, and have a go at the saltwater taffy. The Perfect Weekend in Carmel, CA - Miss Molly Mac It is about 15 minutes from Monterey, spend at least 3 hours. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! Can you swim in Big Sur? How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. But it's absolutely still worth visiting! Note that youll have to walk/hike about 100 steps or so to access the beach. On your first morning, wake up early and by 8 AM start your Big Sur itinerary by heading south on Highway 1. No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur - California Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4','ezslot_26',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4-0');A beautiful state park, Garrapata State Park has views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Soberanes Canyon. Your Weekend in Big Sur Itinerary: How to Nail a Big Sur Road Trip Big Sur Hotel Guide: Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur, California | Observer We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! 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. In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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). 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). With an early head start to your day, you will have plenty of parking spaces to choose from if you stop for lunch here. Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. And yes, we always have a great time in Monterey! The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. Its such a pretty area! Thanks for stopping by! September 10, 2024 - September 15, 2024. Homewood Suites by Hilton in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels in San Jose Aloft Hotels in San Jose InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in San Jose Extended Stay America Hotels in San Jose Residence Inns in San Jose Choice Hotels in San Jose Best Western Hotels in San Jose Motel 6 Hotels in San Jose Fairfield Inns in San Jose Four Points by Sheraton Hotels Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. 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. California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! The eatery has indoor and outdoor seating, but if you would like to sit on the beach and enjoy the waves while you eat, bring a blanket or some lawn chairs with you as you get beach access from the restaurant. Required fields are marked *. Thanks for stopping by! 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. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. Thx!! Big Sur Carmel Carmel Valley Castroville Marina Monterey Moss Landing Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Salinas Seaside . Perfect ending to your Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway day trip! That just means you'll have to go back! I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." Fun fact: Bixby Bridge was built 5 years before the road was paved to connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo! There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! I was in awe the entire time. First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. 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. Hungry? I saw many of them while riding my bike on the Pacific Coastal Trail and just rode down a particular street if I saw any that looked really interesting! I think you. Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary: Plan the Perfect - Her Wanderful World There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! This Monterey to Big Sur itinerary is planned so it is possible to start in San Francisco and experience the whole road trip itinerary without backtracking at all. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. Thanks for all the recommendations. Looks like you had a wonderful time too. Day 1: Big Sur Itinerary This Big Sur itinerary runs from north to south as we were leaving from Monterey. 1. Theyve got a manicured grassy lawn which is perfect for picnics, and a whole set-up on their outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas. You can definitely complete this Big Sur itinerary in a day, but if you have more time, you can also spread it out over 2-3 days and spend more time in each place. Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary For Families Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. 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 area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. Do take note of the tide schedule though high tide can essentially make the sandy beach disappear, making it difficult to find a place to sit. This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. Carmel-by-the-Sea is probably one of the quaintest seaside towns in the world, which makes it a good starting point for your Big Sur road trip. The Ultimate Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary :p. Have you ever seen a beach with purple sand?! Begin your day with breakfast at From Scratch Restaurant in Carmel by-the-Sea. 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. It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) Yes and No. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! Book lover? 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! The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. As always, thanks for the support. Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! Hearst Castle If youre not in a rush on your Big Sur road trip, why not make the extra stop? Big Sur road trip itinerary: You could do Big Sur in a day or the entire California coast in 2-3 days if you really wanted to, but it will be much more enjoyable if you do it slowly! Options for Dinner on Your Monterey Itinerary, Added Excursions for Your Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, Map of Places for Your Monterey and Big Sur Road Trip, Where to Stay on Your Monterey and Big Sur Road Trip, More Places to Eat on Your Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, Phils Fish Market & Eatery in Moss Landing, What to Pack for Your Monterey and Big Sur Road Trip, FAQs About Your Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary. Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? Weekend Big Sur itinerary. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. Carmel Itineraries Monterey Peninsula Carmel Chamber of Commerce In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. And its large enough to split, for sure. The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. 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 Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! This is definitely a place I would like to spend more time at if I head back to this area. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip 3 Day Itinerary Will need to make a trip out to Big Sur . The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for Carmel & Monterey - I Wander After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. 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. Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. 6. Purple sand (yup!). (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! Pin it for later or share it! (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. I guess we'll have to plan another trip." 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. It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. 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. Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. . I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! And thankfully, everything is laid out quite well with proper signage, so theres no risk of getting lost. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. This looks like a very fun trip and the food looks amazing. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! The Ultimate Guide to Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary with 13 Stops Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! Just letting you know so there are no surprises!