A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. Where we stayed: Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. About this rental. Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. 8. This adorable general store is on the way to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. Saving this guide for later! This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! 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. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. Day 6: Santa Ynez Valley to Los Angeles. Don't be me. . You can do a day trip to Big Sur or Monterey, but it takes at least 2 days to explore both Monterey and Big Sur properly. And if theres still orchids and wildflowers out, youll think youre in Hawaii. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Afternoon Likes Comments. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. There was a river right behind the Inn with lots of cute chairs to sit on and relax and people were even tubing on the river! Absolutely spectacular and downright mesmerizing. I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. Havent had enough of the great outdoors on your Big Sur road trip just yet? Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: The clam chowder here is also amazing! Checking into the Madonna Inn: San Luis Obispos Quirkiest and Most Eccentric Hotel, Snorkeling in Maui: 12 Best Places to Snorkel in Maui (+ Safety and Packing Tips), The Massive Guide to Manarola, Italy: Things to do in Manarola, Cinque Terre, Cinque Terre Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Days in Cinque Terre, Italy, Fall in San Francisco: 25+ Fall Activities in the SF Bay Area You Cant Miss, Things to do in Cambria, California (The Cutest Seaside Village on the Central Coast). Big Sur is the 90 mile stretch of California coast, nestled between Monterey and San Luis Obispo that is as breathtakingly beautiful and unreal as a dream, with the waves of the Pacific ocean crashing along its rugged shores, simply begging for a visit. Where does the Big Sur drive start? It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. Since it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down by the beach. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. It was the prime location for marine life spotting! Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. Miles of misty coastline. The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, their menu will satisfy every palette. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. Arrive- Pick up Rental Car and Drive to Monterey I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. I definitely recommend booking in advance. Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. For more information, check out my travel resources page. Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. Evening There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! Now you can sit and relax in the car a bit as you head south to Big Sur. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! Hi Jolayne! Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! Visit inside the Basilica (where Serras remains are laid to rest). To see ratings, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, read Big Sur trip itinerary planning site. Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. 5. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. Monterey State Historic Park. Let's talk travel, teaching abroad, and travel blogging.I also love sharing about my love for Asian dramas and #allthethings to create memorable experiences! Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. We definitely have gone back multiple times and found new places to explore every time! 3-day Big Sur itinerary. Hi Elena! Key: Purple Big Sur Itinerary | Blue Monterey Itinerary | Orange Other excursions | Yellow Places to stay. We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. 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 Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. 8. It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! Okay, so we just discovered this spot off the side of the highway on our last visit to Big Sur, and I cannot believe I never noticed it before! Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! And yes, theres so much history in this little area. The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. It is definitely in a really romantic setting. So exactly where is big sur located? The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. They also have bikes you can rent as well. It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. It was located in a building that looked like a castle. Beautiful, post-card like views. 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego I have only ever been to San Francisco but would love to see these amazing views and spend the night. 3. Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) If you want a taste of France in sweet Monterey, Paris Bakery is your go-to spot! Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. Weve always been planning to do a road trip in this part of California, so will be bookmarking this. Im going next year to visit a friend and we plan on road tripping so Im hoping Ill finally get to go! Begin your day with breakfast at From Scratch Restaurant in Carmel by-the-Sea. This was a great place to end the day in Carmel. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! The Lone Cypress on the 17-mile drive is one of the most photographed trees in the world. You can drive all of these Big Sur road trip stops from either north to south (starting in Carmel) or south to north (starting in San Simeon) of course, but I prefer driving from NORTH to SOUTH. Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! 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. As always, all opinions expressed are our own. Carmel-by-the-Sea. On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. Pacific Coast Highway. Constructed in 1931, and standing over 250 feet high, many people consider this bridge to be the gateway to Big Sur. Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. And Im jealous of you already. Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. . Distance: Approximately 430 miles. There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. The ocean is a short walk away. 6. Be sure to take along a sweater as the trails are shaded and can be very cool the entire time, which makes for a spectacular break on a super hot day! Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. Recommended accommodation options in Monterey and Carmel that wont break the bank: With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your California Coast road trip, these are the best places to do it: Post Ranch Inn: Offering 3 pools, one being an infinity hot tub, you can spend the bulk of your time here overlooking the stunning California coastline. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! Purple sand (yup!). Note that parking is rather limited and costs $10, with restrooms available. 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. Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. Explore Big Sur. La Playa Carmel. A 75-room Big Sur boutique hotel just yards from the beach in a restored mansion built in 1905, La Playa Carmel was first constructed by artist Christian Jorgensen as a gift for his wife and had the first swimming pool in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. There are even more trails to explore such as the South Shore Trail, Cypress Grove Loop Trail, Pine Ridge Trail, and Lace Lichen Trail. Be sure to check the website as tours are not offered every day. Yes! There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . 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. 3. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. 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 The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. 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. There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. 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. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . Looks like such an awesome road trip. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. Explore my other California guides here! 3 hours 20 minutes (150 miles) Difficulty level: Easy 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. Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. Pace yourself its all beautiful. It will take you about 2 hours to drive right into Monterey. You are able to do wine tastings inside or if you dont drink, there is also a full service restaurant as well. Can you swim in Big Sur? There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. The high season in this area is during the summer months, just after May and through August, so you may want to avoid these months if you dont want to be around the crowds.