This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! Weve just started looking for ideas for travel this year. We're currently planning a full trip to the Carmel/ Monterey/ Big Sur area but was wondering if our itinerary is to full? Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning . 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). It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! Day One You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! Be sure and check out the view from both sides of the street, but be careful when crossing. Again, thank you! Swimming is not recommended at this beach because there are a lot of rock formations that could cause harm if a strong wave pulled a swimmer the wrong way (and there were a lot of waves crashing through the rock formations), but you could also stay near the sandy area and dip your feet in the Pacific Ocean. Youll know it by seeing cars lined up the hill up into the parking lot or various vehicles parked, waiting to get in. 9. Dont go during the rain or after its just rained as the road is all dirt and can get quite muddy at times. Looking for sand dollars might result in a disappointment, but youll easily find muscles, crabs, sea anemone, and kelp beds while exploring the nearby rocks during low tide. You could spend 1-2 hours here and then continue on to Big Sur. My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. This was one of my favorite stops on this trip. April trip - itinerary change? - Big Sur Message Board - Tripadvisor Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! Price: $25-100. And I do love my crab from Phils! It is highly recommended that a car or truck with high clearance would be better to drive through it. Fun for young and old, exploring the rocky coastline in search of creatures is a must-do. In Old Downtown Monterey, youll find over 400 shops and restaurants lining the main streets as well. Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. Big Sur road trip itinerary: You could do Big Sur in a day or the entire California coast in 2-3 days if you really wanted to, but it will be much more enjoyable if you do it slowly! I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! And it is a full itinerary! Day 2. While youll see monarchs all around Big Sur, Andrew Molera State Park is the place to be to spot the most! Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. Day 2: Santa Cruz to Carmel. Hi Elena! You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! 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! I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! It was the prime location for marine life spotting! Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? There are cute dogs all over the place! It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. Being Big Surs largest beach, as long as the tide is low, youll find plenty of space to lay your towel down and relax. On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. And yes, we always have a great time in Monterey! Why is Big Sur famous? Big Sur and Monterey/Carmel - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! Pace yourself its all beautiful. 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. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Central Coast Region | @KnowLabs | Flipboard 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. (7/15/18), "It's such a kid-friendly area, and I just heard that the entire Hwy 1 is now opened." It has an awesome art community, and its one of the most beautiful places in Californiatry the 17-mile scenic drive! all my favorite stops on the Pacific Coast Highway. Yes and No. Ablonetti Bar and Grill is located on Fishermans Wharf and is our all-time favorite restaurant. Sea otters help kelp forests flourish by keeping the sea urchin population in check. That just means you'll have to go back! Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. We enjoyed a little downtime at our hotel. From San Francisco: The Best Road Trip to Monterey, Carmel, & Big Sur It was easy to find the area where we needed to take a shuttle to the rental car building. After Fishermans Wharf, we decided to leave Monterey to explore Carmel-by-the-sea. They are a definite must on any Big Sur Itinerary. I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . With binoculars you can see sea otters and sea lions. There are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. At an early hour, you might be too early for Nepenthe the restaurant upstairs, but Cafe Kevah down below has a delicious selection for brunch. We went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead first. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. On your first morning, wake up early and by 8 AM start your Big Sur itinerary by heading south on Highway 1. To eat here though, you definitely pay for the cliffside views. Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! Then head over to the Carmel Mission. Hi Chris, Many thanks for your inquiry! The first stop in your Big Sur itinerary is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which is known as the crown jewel of all state parks in California, located just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail. Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! Jackie Jegat, the owner and founder, moved from his home in France to open his own restaurant on the California Coast when he was about 30 years old. If youre from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, youll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. 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. National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey County It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel. Beautiful, post-card like views. Day Two In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Big Sur River Inn is located about half way through the Big Sur viewpoints and a great spot to stop for lunch! 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. La Playa Carmel. Big Sur Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip 3 Day Itinerary This takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to the lowest point of Big Sur, Cambria, where you can start this itinerary (in reverse order from how it's posted). After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). Also, there are two different viewpoints- one of the front side of the bridge and one of the back. 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. . 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. Hi Kate! Be sure to dabble your toes in the river at Big Sur River Inn and then end your day with a sunset dinner and ocean view at Pacific's Edge. I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. Monterey Itineraries | Things to Do in Monterey | Monterey County CVB Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! I guess we'll have to plan another trip." I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! The Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California. Monterey, Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea Bus Tour from San Francisco The Perfect Weekend in Carmel, CA - Miss Molly Mac They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. The Post Ranch Inn is a Big Sur icon; the 100-acre property first opened in 1992, and in the years since, has cemented its spot as one of the top luxury hotels in . Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. Three tips for the Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops. Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! 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. Youll find a parking lot on the east side of the road with an underground tunnel for walking over to the trail. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. (7/19/18), "We were here in Spring of 2017 and, sadly, Big Sur was closed, but we still LOVED this area and can't wait to return one day. " Thx!! Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. The Essential Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary 10. Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes! Pacific Coast Highway. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. I wanna go for sunset next time! There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Big Sur/Monterey Itinerary for July 4 - Big Sur Forum - Tripadvisor You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things. The ambience at this place was amazing. Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. A girls gotta eat, am I right? There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. Carmel, Monterey and Big Sur - A Perfect 3-Day Itinerary - Our EDventures This stretch of highway connects Southern California with the Eastern Sierra mountains up north. Tours cost $15 per person. Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! When researching where to eat, I had Forge in the Forest recommend several times. After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! READ MORE - Road trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. Morning The Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary (All The Best Stops!) I only have three more posts to go after this one. Reading and seeing these photos makes me miss it a whole lot. Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. Afternoon Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This area is one of my favorites in CA. Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria.