Traveling by car from Carmel to Big Sur takes an hour. *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. The e-bikes are incredibly easy to ride and comfortable. Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. No matter what time of year youre visiting Big Sur, youll always want to be on the lookout for whales off the California coast. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! AirBnB: Due to the higher-than-normal cost of accommodation in Big Sur, you may want to check out AirBnB for a less expensive option, many even with those ocean views were all swooning over (without the super hefty price tag). Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. 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. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! 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. Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. Is driving to Big Sur dangerous? The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. We are surrounded by forest. With that being said, you can easily see oh so much in even as little as one day. It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Patience is the only requirement, but binoculars are nice to have as well. The road is not paved. As always, all opinions expressed are our own. We chose the 17-mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our 3-hour outing. Yes please! 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 think you. Check the website for openings and reservations. And its large enough to split, for sure. And plus, Im from San Francisco so Im typically driving down the coast, not up. It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. If you didnt have time to pack a snack or breakfast, plan a stop at Big Sur Bakery before u-turning into the Pfeiffer Beach turn-off. Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. After leaving the park, there was quite a bit of traffic to get back to Carmel. Weekend Big Sur itinerary. It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. Psst: When people say theyre hiking to McWay Falls, theyre really just casually strolling down a paved path. Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. . Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. The best way to get from Monterey to Big Sur is by renting a car. I love Monterey! I teach 9-5 professionals how to maximize their limited time off with carefully planned out itineraries, long weekend inspiration, and general travel planning tips. How many days do you need in Monterey and Big Sur? Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary If you've been thinking about a weekend get-a-way to one of California's best destinations, then look no further than this 3-day itinerary celebrating the best that Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur have to offer. It was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and eat some snacks! You will definitely get beautiful views here! 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. Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. 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. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California Nov 2021 and Nov 2020. There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! Description: This April, Big Sur Land Trust is hitting the trails once again for our annual fundraiser to save open space and care for the lands you love in Monterey County! . This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. Ten interesting facts we learned on OurEDventure: What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? This Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is incredibly helpful. As you start your Big Sur road trip down from San Francisco (after exploring Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea prior), youre first official stop should be Point Lobos! Your attention to detail and organization truly made the trip come alive for me as I read about it. Casinos like Harrah's in South Lake Tahoe regularly have big-name artists perform, so a concert night could be in the cards for your trip. My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. I had never seen succulents that big before! I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! And thankfully, everything is laid out quite well with proper signage, so theres no risk of getting lost. You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. The location of the Carmel Mission isn't the original spot. Bring water and watch out for poison oak. (7/15/18), "It's such a kid-friendly area, and I just heard that the entire Hwy 1 is now opened." 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 drive the famous 17-mile Pebble Beach drive en route. We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. which is a favorite local hotspot and should not be missed when planning your Big Sur itinerary. Book lover? Have you been? Yes! Can You Stop by Santa Cruz on the Way to Monterey? I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. For a special end to your day, drive over to the Spanish Inn to listen to the live bagpipe player, and sip a glass of wine as you watch the sunset. I always love getting cheese plates! The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. 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 There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. Since the trail has a turn out to Monterey State Beach, you can stake your spot and head out for a swim, a surf, or a picnic. A Carmel to Big Sur road trip can take anywhere from one hour to five, depending on how many stops . Loading. This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. If you are looking to stay right in Big Sur, you can find Big Sur Lodge and Big Sur River Inn.If you would like to save money and don't mind staying a little further away, you can find accommodations in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Monterey by searching on booking.com.Carmel-by-the-Sea is about 10 minutes away from the north part of Big Sur, and Monterey is about 20 minutes away. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. 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! You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. Time needed: 1 to 2 days. Big Sur guide. And Im jealous of you already. If youre visiting in winter, dont miss the chance to go whale-watching, as this area is a haven for them! The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. I would love to visit all of the beautiful beaches, go on those hikes and eat the saltwater taffy and ice cream! Hi MacKenzie! Start off your morning by heading over to Paris Bakery in Monterey to get some breakfast. I only have three more posts to go after this one. These are the items on our list that we are possibly looking to hit: Highway 1 Mcway Falls Bixby. Wow this place looks so similar to Malibu I swear!! 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!). The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! I discuss Nepenthe below as a must-visit stop on your Big Sur itinerary! Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. 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! I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! Another awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you can rent bikes for free! That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! Day Three Guide contents. It could take as little as 2 hours (if you dont stop at all), or 2 days if you make all the stops for the views, foods, and hikes. We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. Parking is open all along the street and a parking lot is also located on the south side of Cannery Row. Grab Life by the Moments Itineraries Highlights Itinerary Outdoors Itinerary Family Itinerary Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary Golf Itinerary Let me know how your travels go! Have a great rest of your day. I feel the need to say this since youll be getting back in the car to continue on the 1: if youre the driver, please be responsible and limit yourself to one drink at most. We would like to thank Big Sur Adventures for providing discounted tickets for us to experience their e-bike tour. Whether you are looking for a shopping trip, family getaway or romantic getaway we have just the travel itinerary for you! And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? Big Sur's vast wilderness and breathtaking views of the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline connects the northern half -- Carmel, Monterey and Santa Cruz -- with the rolling hills and vineyards of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Cambria and Hearst Castle of the southern half -- Part of the Best West Road Trip itinerary - Goin' Coastal in the Central Coast Region of California. 1. The waves are unpredictable and pretty rough. There were also lots of lawn games. 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. The scenic pull-offs are along the coast, and driving north to south provides the easiest access to these. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. 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! Enjoy your ice cream on the wharf and enjoy watching all the puppies greet each other as their owners walk them up and down the pier. A short 15 minute walk along the cliffs with beautiful views of the coast and even a waterfall! 15 Amazing Cheap Vacation Spots in California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. (7/19/18), "This area has been on my must-see/do list for years. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. 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. How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station.

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