Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego 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. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. With that being said, Im planning out this Big Sur road trip itinerary from north to south. Thank you! San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. Hi Sydney! Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. It ends near San Simeon. This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey . You betcha your night will be an unforgettable escape. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. A Carmel to Big Sur road trip can take anywhere from one hour to five, depending on how many stops . Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. Continue with Recommended Cookies. After checking out Cannery Row, we walked to Big Sur Adventuresabout 5 minutes away to rent bikes. They start getting crowded around 9 am, so plan to arrive before then. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. Miles of misty coastline. Of courseeee this is when its most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. 1. While the tours are quite long at three hours, the history and information is so interesting you wont even notice the hours passing by. There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. The fog is usually gone by early Fall, and you can even witness whales and butterflies this time of year (yes, really, if you know where to look!). Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. Don't be me. The airport is small and easy to navigate. If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. It was quite busy at the time we arrived and we probably waited in line for 30 minutes-1 hour so make sure to add this in when planning your itinerary! The Bixby Creek Bridge We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. Reading and seeing these photos makes me miss it a whole lot. Where does the Big Sur drive start? Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! Monterey or Carmel to Big Sur The best place to stay if embarking upon a Big Sur day trip is Carmel or Monterey. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! Thanks for sharing your journey with us! When researching where to eat, I had Forge in the Forest recommend several times. But it's absolutely still worth visiting! If you want a taste of France in sweet Monterey, Paris Bakery is your go-to spot! Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. 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. What is there to see between Monterey and Big Sur? Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! Loading. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. Whats your favorite local spot? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Comment below. 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. Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. from $900. Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. 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 Manage Settings Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. 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). It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! Hiking and tide pooling are great here. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. It took my breath away. It was so yummy! The road is not paved. A trailhead can be found from Monterey State Beach and from there heading south, it will take you to Fishermans Wharf, Cannery Row, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. Yes and No. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. Day One If you arent pressed for time I recommend spending the night in Carmel-by-the-Sea or at least exploring it for a few hours. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. You can always put your feet in if youd like! Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. Temps are mild year round, ranging from a cool 60 degrees to a balmy 75 degrees F. Its always wise to bring along a jacket no matter what month youll be frolicking around Big Sur, as it never gets particularly hot hot hot, and temperatures are always cooler on the coast than in the mountains nearby. Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. Yes, its that impressive. A great option for lunch in Big Sur is Nepenthe and Cafe Kevah. Sure, the food is on the pricey side (like the rest of Big Sur), but its such a great place to stop and relax for a bit. Purple sand (yup!). Not to mention, its adorable, so its a really fun place to stop for photos! I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. For the photographers heart, the iconic Keyhole Arch makes for a stunning sunset spot in Central California during the golden hour! I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? Tina Yen. Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Old Downtown Monterey located on Alvarado street and named after Juan Bautista Alvarado who was the former governor of Alta California. For more information, check out my travel resources page. I always love getting cheese plates! Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. Afternoon 9. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? Guide contents. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! Its more of a state of mind rather than a specific point on a map, encompassing about 90 sunny Californian miles down the Pacific Coast Highway. Depending on how hungry you are, appetizers are also available at the outside bar and inside the lounge. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. California History Books for Kids. 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! This area is one of my favorites in CA. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. Youll be able to come back to a small town and enjoy a night on the town after you explore the nature scenes of Big Sur. Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. like a Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls One Day Tour from San Jose.. Alternatively, you can take the Monterey-Salinas Transit Line 22 from Carmel or Monterey, which will take you all the way to Nepenthe Restaurant when heading south. Be sure to checkout some of my blog posts which include information about travel, fashion, lifestyle and photography. Thank you for sharing! 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! It is about 15 minutes from Monterey, spend at least 3 hours. Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! The ambience at this place was amazing. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). 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. Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. September 10, 2024 - September 15, 2024. There are souvenir shops, where I bought a super cute Monterey boat picture frame, theres a clam chowder stand, a cafe spot that I love and forget its name, and my favorite the Monterey Bay Creamery where theres a huge cow statue selling ice cream. 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. However, if you are here early, the pictures are still pretty amazing and youll miss the 9-10 AM traffic congestion so thats a win! Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. Thanks for stopping by! The colors over the water were absolutely spectacular! Mmm! READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. Time needed: 1 to 2 days. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. ), all while taking in the magnificent views! And so is Nepenthe! By this time, youll likely be hungry, so stop in at the Big Sur Roadhouse for their famous avo toast, or other wraps or sandwiches. It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. Makes me miss San Francisco! There are cute dogs all over the place! As always, all opinions expressed are our own. Big Sur looks truly incredible. Also, as mentioned before Carmel is known for their wineries so there are several you can head to for wine tastings. 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.
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