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. Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . 14 Best Road Trips in Northern California - LazyTrips Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. Thank you! Your Weekend in Big Sur Itinerary: How to Nail a Big Sur Road Trip You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! The ambience at this place was amazing. 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! Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. Saving this guide for later! Day 1: Monterey. The first stop in your Big Sur itinerary is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which is known as the crown jewel of all state parks in California, located just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! 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. First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. California road trip: Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe - Tripadvisor I only have three more posts to go after this one. The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary - Globetrotting Ginger Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California The Best California Road Trips & Itineraries | Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur to Santa Barbara California: Places to Visit North America California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara FIRST POSTED: 4th June 2019 | LAST UPDATED: 7th August 2020 9 minute read DEETJENS BIG SUR INN - 261 Photos & 199 Reviews - Yelp And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. That just means you'll have to go back! You might recognize this bridge if you have seen Big Little Lies. Its one of the most iconic bridges in all of California and definitely one of the most photographed for its aesthetic. Yes, its a gorgeous area! 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. If youre a fan of seafood, Cafe Kevahs Egg Benedict has Dungeness crab and is delicious; the regular egg benedict is also a top pick. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. This Inn was so cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. Thank you for this helpful resource. This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. 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. Absolutely spectacular and downright mesmerizing. You can easily follow along the road trip stops, doing every single one (my recommendation) or picking and choosing a few if you only have part of a day. Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! 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. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! Visiting between the months of November to March? Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary Carmel-by-the-Sea Start your Big Sur Road Trip in the charming small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! And if the two resort pools with panoramic coastal views didnt do it for you, I bet the spa treatments in outdoor cabanas overlooking the redwood forest will. Best Things to do in Big Sur Day Trip | Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. 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. Jackie Jegat, the owner and founder, moved from his home in France to open his own restaurant on the California Coast when he was about 30 years old. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." Day 3: Carmel to Big Sur. 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. And thankfully, everything is laid out quite well with proper signage, so theres no risk of getting lost. . Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. The Perfect Weekend in Carmel, CA - Miss Molly Mac You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It is located towards the end of the wharf, so beware that you may be tempted to stop at one of the restaurants before it. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! The airport is small and easy to navigate. Day Three Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. and not many tourists know about it just yet! It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. Big Sur guide. When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? I feel the need to say this since youll be getting back in the car to continue on the 1: if youre the driver, please be responsible and limit yourself to one drink at most. Beautiful, post-card like views. Bixby Bridge was built in 1932 and is one of the highest suspending bridges sitting at 260 feet above the bottom of the canyon below. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! 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! This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! View of Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA Vacation Rental Private vacation home Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. Weekend Big Sur itinerary. Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. 6. I would advise sharing a sundae with your BFF as the portions are huge, but its delicious nonetheless. You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: Known as one of Big Surs largest and most accessible beaches and the last stop on your Big Sur itinerary is Sand Dollar Beach, located about 30 minutes south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. There is a scenic 17-mile drive you can pay to drive and see iconic spots such as the Lone Cypress and Pescadero Point. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. 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. Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! 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! Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! California Coast Day 3: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, & Pismo Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! Day Two I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. Find a place to park and spend some time enjoying the many art galleries and boutiques. We love to break up our Big Sur road trip with some cocktails and appetizers from Nepenthe. These are the most beautiful and often historically significant routes in the country. Yes, its that impressive. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. 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. A girls gotta eat, am I right? Pick up snacks beforehand to have in the car during the drive so you dont need to shell out an astronomical amount of cash at the Big Sur convenience stores every time you feel like noshing. There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. 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. Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, or with others, this year's Race for Open Space has something for you. It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. 4 Golfers. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. 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. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. Big Sur road trip: 12 Epic Pacific Coast Highway stops to check out (2022)! Search for thecheapest car rentals over here! The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! It was located in a building that looked like a castle. How to Spend One Day in Big Sur: Day Trip Guide from the Bay Area And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey County This romantic drive is one of the best cross country road trip routes that couples must take together! You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. Montereys Fishermans Wharf is an iconic stop for your Monterey itinerary. This was our last stop heading down Highway 1 before we turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel. 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 Thank you for sharing! One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! Its such a pretty area! Let me know how your travels go! BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA: LOGISTICS. If you can settle for not actually staying in Big Sur itself, consider heading up north to Carmel or Monterey for less-than-astronomical prices. Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. 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. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. Stay for sunset as the rock formations on the beach make for some epic scenery! Glad to hear it! Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? Hi Faith! I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." 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. 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. 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.