big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

I only have three more posts to go after this one. We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! Hi Jolayne! I was in awe the entire time. Thats so cool youre a teacher! Absolutely spectacular and downright mesmerizing. We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. Head to Carmel, Monterey, or further south (Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay) if you wanna swim. Time needed: 1 to 2 days. After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. California History Books for Kids. Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! Moon Monterey & Carmel - Stuart Thornton 2019-01-08 Quirky beach towns, deliciously fresh seafood, and dramatic hikes and drives: discover what the locals love with Moon Monterey & Carmel. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Hi Rosie! We went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead first. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur In a nutshell, this drive is all about the jaw-dropping scenery of the Pacific Coast. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. The Perfect Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary, Wizarding World of Harry Potter | Perfect Itinerary, Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party | Top 10, Utah in the Winter | 11 Magical Things to Do, Best Things to do in Jacksonville Florida, 20 Top Things to do in Iceland- The Ultimate Bucket List, Things to do in Kauai | Perfect Itinerary, Things to do in Seoul, South Korea | Top 20, Baja Cantina & Grill- quirky inside and outside, Mission Ranch Restaurant- popular spot for Brunch. The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! Yes, yes, and yes! Which means youll ultimately need to climb back up! Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. Aww, thank you so much! From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. Thx!! This part of the bike trail was a lot busier. 3. 4 Golfers. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! The clam chowder here is also amazing! I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, or with others, this year's Race for Open Space has something for you. 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 There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. 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. Bixby Bridge was one of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary! The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? 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. The parking lot is large and yes, youll need to pay $10 (a common theme to use the beaches/parks in/near Big Sur). I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. Let me know how your travels go! There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. This area is one of my favorites in CA. And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. I definitely recommend booking in advance. This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. Hungry? There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. 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. A Carmel to Big Sur road trip can take anywhere from one hour to five, depending on how many stops . A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. You dont really need your bathing suit here as the water is waaaay too cold. Thank you for this helpful resource. 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. There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! House dating to 1867 of one of the first American families to homestead the Big Sur coast, with a New England-style saltbox wing built in 1877. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. Inside you'll nd: Flexible, strategic itineraries including long weekends in Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz, and a three-day road trip from Big Sur to I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. Hiking and tide pooling are great here. When you purchase something through our links, we earn a small fee (but you still pay the same)! I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: Manage Settings You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! I always love getting cheese plates! Arrive as early as possible on your first day so that you can maximize your time. For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! . Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. Admission is $10.50 per vehicle and when you arrive at the entrance they give you a map of all of the scenic stops and designated places to see. This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! 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 Andrew Molera State Park is located in Big Sur and is a relatively undeveloped park in the area. Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. 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. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. I guess we'll have to plan another trip." In every way, shape, and form. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! End of Big Sur Itinerary Turnaround: On your way back, you can choose to pull off and snap a few pictures of the beautiful ocean down below. Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. We are surrounded by forest. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hour that happened every day from 4-6. In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. You can always put your feet in if youd like! 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. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. 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. Day Three In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. Find a place to park and spend some time enjoying the many art galleries and boutiques. The airport is small and easy to navigate. 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. Yes, its a gorgeous area! I think you. I would love to go back! This state park is absolutely beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! I too hope that tourists can make the kind of choices that will benefit everyone." Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey . Evening I got my ticket for the aquarium here. Alternatively, you can take a bus. The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. If you want a taste of France in sweet Monterey, Paris Bakery is your go-to spot! (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. 1. The marketplace is a certified farmers market so youll find local bakeries, craft vendors, and organic produce. To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. At the time of posting this article, the section of Hwy 1 south of McWay Falls was still closed due to mudslides from 2017. This website is very helpful and gives a description of each stop so you can decide where you want to stop before you even get there. The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! If you are driving up from the south, everything will just be in reverse order. , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! 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!). Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. 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). Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! Hi, Im Jess. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! This road trip itinerary is designed to be done in one to two days depending on your timeline and how much you want to get out and see along the way. 5. 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. Have you been? It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. The ocean is a short walk away. From free coffee available and interesting and unusual titles for purchase, its worth spending a while here to soak up the Big Sur atmosphere. Monterey State Historic Park. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. 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. Some of the overgrown trails are known to have poison oak to get to the beach views, so make sure to protect yourself if you want to get to the water. The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. GROUP PEBBLE BEACH GOLF TRIP PROPOSAL. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! Bring water and watch out for poison oak. Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . What is there to see between Monterey and Big Sur? With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. That is a lot to fit into 2-days. On arrival, our room wasnt quite ready so we had lunch at the hotels restaurant and I got clam chowder in a bread bowl! There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! Day 3: Carmel to Big Sur. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! Visiting between the months of November to March? These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. Pin it for later or share it! Pace yourself its all beautiful. McWay Falls 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. Lovely post! I wanna go for sunset next time! La Playa Carmel. at stops along the way. Want the scenic route? 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. Although I can definitely see why its just as beautiful and even the same style! 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. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. Required fields are marked *. Dont fret if you dont drink, they have tons of snacks you can eat as well! 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. You'll likely hit Carmel-By-The-Sea first, which is where you should bed down; the famed L'Auberge Carmel offers old-world luxury. If you are planning a road trip to the coast of California, this Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is a perfect option for you, and its so convenient as they are about 30 minutes apart from one another. 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. Have so much fun when you visit! Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. Details. If youve had enough of driving on your road trip, you can park near Carmel beach and walk the scenic path. Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. So this tour fit the bill on all accounts! There were also lots of lawn games. The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. 5. We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. Tip: Driving it can be challenging, but well worth it. 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The American Tin Cannery Suite 122 125 Ocean view Blvd Pacific Grove, CA 93950 831-747-1677 _____ 17 Mile Drive 2106 Sunset Drive Pacific Grove, CA 93950 831-717-4912 _____ Pedego Electric Bikes 143 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel, CA 831-293-7063. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet.

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