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The best way to get from Monterey to Big Sur is by renting a car. Word spread and a large Chinese community settled in Point Lobos where today you can visit one of their homes turned museum, Whalers Cabin. ), all while taking in the magnificent views! The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! This looks amazing. THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. Youll have an amazing time when you visit! The park offers a few short hikes, each offering their own thing, to waterfalls in redwood forests and access to the beach. When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). What is there to see between Monterey and Big Sur? My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! Day One (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. The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. When you visit Point Lobos, youll be amazed by its natural beauty, but please make sure to stay on trails as erosion is currently harming plants and wildlife in the area. Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. (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. " Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! Hi Faith! I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! About this rental. Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. 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. 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. Within its 12 towns, there's so much to discover in . 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. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. Hiking and tide pooling are great here. On your first morning, wake up early and by 8 AM start your Big Sur itinerary by heading south on Highway 1. And if you venture a bit further south from the city before you hit Carmel, you can enjoy the splendours of the 17-mile-drive a coastal route that is considered to be one of the most scenic drives in the entirety of the US. Yes, its a gorgeous area! Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail & State Beach, 7. Any tips/suggestions appreciated. I LOVE Big Sur and Monterey its just so beautiful. 5. Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. It ends near San Simeon. As always, all opinions expressed are our own. 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. Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. This website is very helpful and gives a description of each stop so you can decide where you want to stop before you even get there. For more information, check out my travel resources page. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . I think we tried 7 different kinds of Clam Chowder and they literally all taste different because they have their own recipes and specialties. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid so I was excited to go back. 3. Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. . It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. Afternoon They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. Hi Elena! In every way, shape, and form. 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. And thankfully, neither are too strenuous or long (perfect if you dont have all day). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Options for Dinner on Your Monterey Itinerary, Added Excursions for Your Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, Map of Places for Your Monterey and Big Sur Road Trip, Where to Stay on Your Monterey and Big Sur Road Trip, More Places to Eat on Your Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary, Phils Fish Market & Eatery in Moss Landing, What to Pack for Your Monterey and Big Sur Road Trip, FAQs About Your Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . Miles of misty coastline. When visiting, youll want to hike the Soberanes Canyon Trailas its restored and in great condition. While youre planning your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road! Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. You can also opt to stay in a luxury glamping site with safari-style canvas tents under the redwoods if you feel so inclined. Unfortunately, when I was there, you could only go on part of the trail and since it is only a small pathway where you can see the falls, it was pretty crowded. The Barbacoa Beef tacos are insanely delicious! So exactly where is big sur located? : Sand dollar beach does indeed have sand dollars! Pick up snacks beforehand to have in the car during the drive so you dont need to shell out an astronomical amount of cash at the Big Sur convenience stores every time you feel like noshing. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). 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Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, Gray Whales: December to February (migrating south to Mexico), and February to April (returning north; easier to spot as they are closer to the shore), Humpback Whales: late April to early December, With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your. I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! There are a ton of walks and trails to choose from, with all difficulty levels. This road trip itinerary is designed to be done in one to two days depending on your timeline and how much you want to get out and see along the way. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. You can stop in Santa Cruz if youd like. One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. There are BARRELS of salt water taffy with flavors ranging from caramel apple to blueberry cheesecake its incredible! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As always, thanks for the support. You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. Continue with Recommended Cookies. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! Thanks for sharing your journey with us! The hottest month in Monterey is September when high temperatures are around 67F and lows are 55F. (10/13/18). 17 Mile Drive is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. The road is not paved. Looks like you had a wonderful time too. There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! Heading to California and cant wait to check off all the stops on this Big Sur road trip itinerary? You might recognize this bridge if you have seen Big Little Lies. Its one of the most iconic bridges in all of California and definitely one of the most photographed for its aesthetic. Looks like such an awesome road trip. Stay and Play in Monterey. 1. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. If you do not have a high-clearance vehicle, you can still cross the street and take pictures from the other side of Bixby Bridge. Hi Kate! There are even more trails to explore such as the South Shore Trail, Cypress Grove Loop Trail, Pine Ridge Trail, and Lace Lichen Trail. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. There will also be many spots to pull over and take some beautiful pictures on the drive. Not many out-of-towners know this, but coastal fog is another downside of a Big sur road trip during summertime; it can hang around as late as midday! I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! If youve 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. If you can settle for not actually staying in Big Sur itself, consider heading up north to Carmel or Monterey for less-than-astronomical prices. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . If you choose to visit Big Sur as an out-and-back road trip from San Francisco, you can follow California Highway 1 south from the city past Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, and the Monterey Peninsula - then back up. Take along some warmer clothes as it gets quite chilly up at the top of the lighthouse! This road trip takes just over 3 hours and is a must-do for a glimpse of California's coastal beauty. In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. Yes, you can leave from San Francisco to head south down the Central Coast on Highway 101. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. It is located towards the end of the wharf, so beware that you may be tempted to stop at one of the restaurants before it. Quiet. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie.