Hearst Castle
Don't be me. It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. . Again, theres a toilet here! The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. 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). They are even bigger than you can imagine! Evening
Even more than that, Point Lobos doesnt classify itself as a state park, but rather as a natural reserve with the highest protection for nature and wildlife found here. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. 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! (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. 3-day Big Sur itinerary. You can book a tour right on the wharf, but its possible that tickets might sell out. Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. Yes please! After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. I was in awe the entire time. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. We decided to stop by Folktale Winery and Vineyards because it seriously looked like something from a fairy tale! Wow this place looks so similar to Malibu I swear!! I guess we'll have to plan another trip." Basically, nature at its finest. 15 Amazing Cheap Vacation Spots in California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. The best way to get from Monterey to Big Sur is by renting a car. This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey . Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Nov 2nd, 2021 3359 views. There is memorabilia from the movies all over! The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! . Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Morning
I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! Evening
At an early hour, you might be too early for Nepenthe the restaurant upstairs, but Cafe Kevah down below has a delicious selection for brunch. 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! Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! And if you venture a bit further south from the city before you hit Carmel, you can enjoy the splendours of the 17-mile-drive a coastal route that is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the entirety of the US. There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! Tranquil. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). Point Lobos has a long history, dating all the way back to the mid-1800s, and hosted many groups including the Ohlone Native Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spaniards. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. Theres typically some traffic, so if youre just driving through, expect it to take at least 3 hours. Just note that the Monterey-Salinas Transit Lines stop running during . 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. 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. . It ends near San Simeon. When you visit Point Lobos, youll be amazed by its natural beauty, but please make sure to stay on trails as erosion is currently harming plants and wildlife in the area. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and little sandwiches. There are cute dogs all over the place! This area is gorgeous where you can easily spend a couple of hours hanging out. Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). The clam chowder here is also amazing! Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). . Find a place to park and spend some time enjoying the many art galleries and boutiques. Check the website for openings and reservations. 4.. Can You Start from San Francisco to Big Sur on the Road Trip Itinerary? There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Thanks for your support! . We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. Hi Elena! Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. and not many tourists know about it just yet! Required fields are marked *. It was so yummy! I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. 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 Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. 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! Miles of misty coastline. Hi Jolayne! There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! This whole road trip looks so picturesque! Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. 1. Day 3. . 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. Morning
Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. 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! Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. Your attention to detail and organization truly made the trip come alive for me as I read about it. As well as (chive and cheddar) scones and strudels and coffees and cream-filled donuts. Then the trail led down to this amazing white sandy beach with no one else around. There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. Beautiful, post-card like views. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. Afternoon
If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. Drive over to Asilomar State Beach for some tide-pooling. After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! Seaside cliffs. Being Big Surs largest beach, as long as the tide is low, youll find plenty of space to lay your towel down and relax. You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! If you do not have a high-clearance vehicle, you can still cross the street and take pictures from the other side of Bixby Bridge. The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning From here, you can make a decision on what youre feeling but here are some recommendations! 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. California History Books for Kids. And I do love my crab from Phils! Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. 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. 8. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. 6. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. I had it recommended to me and I thought it would be the perfect place to pick up a picnic lunch for later. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! 4. Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Its beautiful coastline views! Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park has gorgeous panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Big Sur is the farthest distance of the San Francisco day trips on our list (2.5 hours away from the city). 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 flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! Book lover? I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego
Explore Big Sur. I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! Weve always been planning to do a road trip in this part of California, so will be bookmarking this. Let me know how your travels go! This looks amazing. The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. In the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea (4 miles, approximately 10 minutes), which became an artist's colony after the 1906 Great San Francisco Earthquake destroyed that city.Take a stroll along Ocean Ave. and admire the charming shops and galleries. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. Happy planning! While the tours are quite long at three hours, the history and information is so interesting you wont even notice the hours passing by. I love Monterey! 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 . McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! 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. You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. Yes, yes, and yes! Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. No one is allowed to go down to beach, so it's in pristine condition. This road trip takes just over 3 hours and is a must-do for a glimpse of California's coastal beauty. all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. 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. Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed.
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