big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. The rest of the year is considered cool temperature, but Monterey does boast of 300 days of sunshine. Just letting you know so there are no surprises! How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. They were so cute, I was squealing! The ambience at this place was amazing. You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. PCH Road Trip Planning Essentials. Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. As you arrive, drive straight to the Sea Lion Point parking lot and you can start on the trail there, Cypress Grove Trail. Coast of California Day 3: 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Pismo Beach Happy Friday, Everyone! The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. Likes Comments. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. Tina Yen's travel guide for Big Sur with 47 favorite places to visit. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. from $900. Can you swim in Big Sur? There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. Explore Big Sur. Purple sand (yup!). Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . . 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 costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. 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. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Aww, thank you so much! Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! There is memorabilia from the movies all over! Heres more California-related content I think youll love: Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. 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. Yes please! A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! That is a lot to fit into 2-days. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. Win-win! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! Time needed: 1 to 2 days. Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? We are surrounded by forest. This scenic drive is so rewarding with views of cute homes overlooking the never-ending Pacific ocean. The trail will take you less than an hour as its about 0.8 miles long and will bring you to the beautiful shorelines where you might even spot a sea otter! There is a scenic 17-mile drive you can pay to drive and see iconic spots such as the Lone Cypress and Pescadero Point. Mmm! I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! Afternoon Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. Where we stayed: San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. Happy planning! There were all sorts of cute alleys you could go down to find more hidden gems. Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! Yes! Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. Not many out-of-towners know this, but. There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel (one of the other perks of staying there) and then headed to the 5th Avenue Deli. In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4','ezslot_26',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4-0');A beautiful state park, Garrapata State Park has views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Soberanes Canyon. 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. Let me know how your travels go! Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: Monterey and Big Sur are two beautiful coastal areas in California with offerings of nature, small-town feels, and cool weather. 2. Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary Day 1: Arrival Hotel check-in: Hofsas House Brophy's Tavern Mulligan Public House Dinner at Little Napoli Day 2: Monterey and Big Sur Highway One Drive in Big Sur Monterey, CA 17 Mile Drive Carmel Beach Dinner: Hog's Breath Inn Day 3: Carmel by the Sea Breakfast: The Tuck Box Carmel Belle I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. Montereys Fishermans Wharf is an iconic stop for your Monterey itinerary. Morning You can definitely complete this Big Sur itinerary in a day, but if you have more time, you can also spread it out over 2-3 days and spend more time in each place. And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! It was located in a building that looked like a castle. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. 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! . We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! Morning Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. 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. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! Did you know? Basically, nature at its finest. Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. 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. Pin it for later or share it! There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. Cocktails with a view? If you found this article useful, consider using the links within the article or below. You could drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! We definitely have gone back multiple times and found new places to explore every time! Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. 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. Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Hi Sydney! This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. 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. We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. Have so much fun when you visit! 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. Treebones Resort features seven ocean view tent campsites, along with 16 yurts with great views of the Pacific at Cape San Martin! In his restaurant, youll see rows of pastries lining the front of his shop and cafe au lait to go, too! Thats so cool youre a teacher! Hi.. we are driving in from Santa Barbara and wanted to plan a Big Sur , Monterey trip where should we stop first where would u stay if u want to see Carmel too? Check out this packing guide of my favorite items to pack on my trips, however, listed below is a tailored guide for a Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . Here are my picks and notes, either personally tested by me, or recommended by fellow travelers: Be prepared to spend some big money for dining out in Big Sur. Carmel is a small, beautiful, and charming seaside town tucked between Big Sur and Monterey on the central coast of California. Which means youll ultimately need to climb back up! Sure, its the most expensive pastry Ive ever bought (at a whopping $8.50), but my husband and I both felt it was worth the hefty price tag. After a full morning of activity and then a satisfying afternoon meal, we were ready for a restful and low-key afternoon. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! Ive been to California several times but I still havent visited Big Sur or Monterey. About this rental. (See that next!). They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! The water was soooo extra beautiful when we were there we actually felt like we were in Hawaii for a hot second! The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. Price: $25-100. In the Big Sur region, hop on the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH; part of California State Route 1), one of the state's most scenic routes, and take your pick of any of the stunning coastal towns. Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. Hi Rosie! The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Carmel-by-the-Sea. Wrap Up Your Perfect Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, link to Her Wanderful World's Instagram account, link to Her Wanderful World's Facebook account, link to Her Wanderful World's Pinterest account, link to Her Wanderful World's Twitter account, Teaching English Abroad Everything You Need to Know, California Coast Roadtrip | San Fran all the way to San Diego, Check the website for openings and reservations, 17 Fun Things to do in Santa Rosa, California, 20 Incredible Things to do in Petaluma, CA, 17 Charming Things to do in Cambria, California, 17 Best Coastal Sunset Spots in Central California. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. Loading. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. 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. Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. 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. Famous for its narrow cobblestone lanes, little cottages dressed in flowers and plants, and enchanting shops that sell tons of local goodies, Carmel is a . 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. Big Sur looks truly incredible. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! 8. This waterfall cascades over the cliff and falls about 80 feet into the sandy cove below. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. Looking for more California content?