Weve always been planning to do a road trip in this part of California, so will be bookmarking this. Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. Youll also be able to witness sea lions and harbor seals frolicking around on nearby rocks any time of year listen and youll hear them no problem! We booked in advance and it was about $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if you want. The United States flag was first raised in Monterey in 1846 claiming California for the United States. There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. 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. Youll be hungry after your ride, so head over to Hulas for a late lunch. I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small, there is always something new to discover and I can definitely believe it. I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! And Im jealous of you already. This image is from Big Sur, a California State Park . If you're going to drive all of the Big Sur coastline in a day, coming from the Bay Area, you'll want to be prepared for at least 5 hours of driving each way, a total of 10 hours on the road. Thank you! I think you. These little beauties return to Big Sur in October, and migrate north in January. Depending on how hungry you are, appetizers are also available at the outside bar and inside the lounge. Next up on this Big Sur road trip itinerary the Point Sur Lighthouse! Sea Salt & Fog | National Park Itineraries & California Travel Planning You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. You can extend your road trip and continue driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway to see even more small California Coastal towns! Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads I have ever been on! From free coffee available and interesting and unusual titles for purchase, its worth spending a while here to soak up the Big Sur atmosphere. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. Day 4: Big Sur to Paso Robles or Cambria. The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Patience is the only requirement, but binoculars are nice to have as well. 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. 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! Beautiful, post-card like views. 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. Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. I can now say that I absolutely loved that area and will definitely be coming back! If you want a taste of France in sweet Monterey, Paris Bakery is your go-to spot! 6 days / 5 nights / 4 rounds. for current highway conditions before your drive. Visiting between the months of November to March? Morning There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! Small and cozy and rustic and delicious. California History Books for Kids. They are even bigger than you can imagine! 4.. Can You Start from San Francisco to Big Sur on the Road Trip Itinerary? You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. Hungry? 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! You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Distance: Approximately 430 miles. The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! Thank you for sharing! I was looking for an itinerary for this area for a roadtrip and landed on your blog. While the tours are quite long at three hours, the history and information is so interesting you wont even notice the hours passing by. Just letting you know so there are no surprises! I cant recommend this place enough! Continue driving south on Hwy 1 towards your next stop in this Big Sur itinerary: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which is not to be confused with Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. How to get here: When youre heading southbound (recommended), take the 2nd right after you see the Big Sur Station. (7/19/18), "as a resident of the Monterey Peninsula we do love our tourists, however, I'd like to remind those who visit - there are those that work and live in the area, and to please be courteous of our existence. 9. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. Our itineraries will help get you on your way to a memorable Monterey County experience. 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. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, their menu will satisfy every palette. 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. I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! Thank you! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the next one wasnt leaving for quite awhile. If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. Their island-inspired menu has plenty to choose from including burgers, tacos, fish and chicken platters. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! Its so nice to just be surrounded by nature and kinda forget about the rest of the world for a little while! There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a really beautiful place to end for sunset. But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout and the Lone Cypress. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. Harbor seals can dive 300 feet and stay underwater for up to 28 minutes! They have ice cream, churros, and sundaes, which is the best option! 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. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! 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. 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. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. 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. I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. The road is not paved. This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. There are numerous places to eat and drink in Big Sur, although some are definitely better than others. Plus - you're a short drive away from Monterey and Big Sur! If you have time for more hiking and want to explore more of the Big Sur area on foot, check out this link for ideas. 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. (See that next!). And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). It could be difficult to drive a large vehicle or RV through this area as it is one lane and very narrow. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. We had to hurry back right after so we could get our bike rentals back in time! 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. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! If you happen to be visiting Big Sur between February and early April, you NEED to make a short pit stop at Calla Lily Valley! Even if you decide to end here and make this a San Francisco to Monterey drive, you won't be missing out. Explore my other California guides here! We drove all the way south to the furthest location we wanted to see and then worked our way back north. Yes please! This place is absolutely perfect for lunch! 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. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. Afternoon 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. Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Best things to See: Iconic Bixby Bridge, Ragged Point, McWay Falls, Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. (10/12/18), "Thank you Kelsey for your words of advise. Youll get a really nice view of the beach. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. Check out Lovers Point Beach where you can do all the water activities like surfing and kayaking. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! It is about a 20-minute drive from the Monterey area, but its named one of the Best Beach restaurants named by BBC Travel.

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