Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! We definitely have gone back multiple times and found new places to explore every time! Besides Abalonettis another one of our favorite restaurants in this area is Phils Fish Market & Eatery. Walking on the wharf doesnt take any more than 30 minutes if you just want to do a walk-through, but youd be missing out! Top tip: pull off at a turnout from the bridges south end at sunset. This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. They currently offer brunch and lunch; however, because they are so small they highly recommend making reservations instead of just showing up. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco. A girls gotta eat, am I right? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Big Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! The drive was nice and pretty straight forward and just took a little over an hour and a half. 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. Where we stayed: The ambience at this place was amazing. This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. Not as expensive as the other two, so check out Treebones if youd like to give your wallet a bit of a break! 10. Win-win! Find a place to park and spend some time enjoying the many art galleries and boutiques. READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! I wanna go for sunset next time! Fog usually disappears around 9 AM even though that sounds like a disappointing fact. Day One Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. Yea, neither had I until I visited Preiffer Beach in Big Sur. 7 Best Stops on the San Francisco to Big Sur Road Trip - The World Was I had it recommended to me and I thought it would be the perfect place to pick up a picnic lunch for later. 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. Thank you for sharing! It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic . The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. Montereys Fishermans Wharf is an iconic stop for your Monterey itinerary. The menus pretty large, and you can even eat while dipping your toes in the river! Many people dont actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. Sure, the food is on the pricey side (like the rest of Big Sur), but its such a great place to stop and relax for a bit. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. Afternoon Hi Desiree! The ultimate itinerary for a Big Sur road trip They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! Hi Kate! 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. Have a great rest of your day. 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. When driving from Monterey to Big Sur, youll pass the small seaside town of Carmel-by-the Sea. Day 1: Monterey. Book now from $9.99! Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! Okay, so we just discovered this spot off the side of the highway on our last visit to Big Sur, and I cannot believe I never noticed it before! California Coast Day 3: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, & Pismo Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Did you know? Youll be hungry after your ride, so head over to Hulas for a late lunch. It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. 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. Check the missions website for daily hours and admission prices. Next up on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! Ill receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which Ill totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. Lovely post! The entire area is pricey, so expect to pay big city prices (~$15ish for a cocktail, ~$20-30ish for an entree). You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. Any Big Sur road trip aint complete without a stop at iconic Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur (which Im sure youve seen alllll over instagram and pinterest). The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! Not to be missed, youll need to visit the Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Cocktails with a view? Where does the Big Sur drive start? Each room also boasts a private deck with those magicnicant coastline views, a wood-burning fireplace to get cozy during the chilly nights, and an indoor spa tub. After Mcway Falls, we headed to Pfeiffer Burns State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). 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). We enjoyed a little downtime at our hotel. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. They are even bigger than you can imagine! Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! Big Sur is a beautiful coastal area located 140 miles south of San Francisco. (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! Big Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at its nicest. Hiking and tide pooling are great here. Girls Trip: Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur 3 Day Itinerary That is a lot to fit into 2-days. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! Renting a Car:Note that youll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) It was located in a building that looked like a castle. Also, there are two different viewpoints- one of the front side of the bridge and one of the back. Big Sur and Monterey/Carmel - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Since youre on the coast, keep in mind that there may be a cold breeze, so youll want to dress in layers and have a light jacket like this one or that one. Which means youll ultimately need to climb back up! When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? If you have never seen redwood trees another great stop is Pfieffer Big Sur state Park , mentioned by the previous poster. Things to Do in Big Sur | Big Sur, CA Itinerary - Visit Monterey I am a huge fan of aquariums! I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for one night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. 3. 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. 7. In those early days, abalone harvesting became very popular when the Chinese realized the lucrative business of harvesting fish and started commercializing seafood. Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. Want the scenic route? 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. 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! Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. Arrive as early as possible on your first day so that you can maximize your time. Call before you go so you aren't driving hours for nothing. Ventana Inn & Spa: Youll swoon the second you see this adults-only, rustically luxurious resort. This can be easily done as a weekend trip out from the Bay Area or as part of a wider trip tracing California's coastline. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. Evening Named as one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram by Kayak and short listed as the best travel influencer by FlightCentre. 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. Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! We also really liked the friendly service and beautiful atrium. 2-Day Big Sur Itinerary: 25 Best Things To Do For An Epic Road Trip In And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? Hi Faith! We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. It is possible to drive Big Sur in one day, but many people like to spend longer exploring the area. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. Theres a retro school bus selling ice cream right off the parking lot, which is perfect on a hot day. If we get there earlier, we get saltwater taffy and enjoy them on our hikes/beach time. 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). I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. If you squint really hard, youll see the falls between the rocks going directly into the ocean in the photo below. Cannery Row also has some cute candy shops, arcades and even an indoor mini golf arena! Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. What Can I Do After My Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary? Most people start this iconic road trip in L . As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! Channel Islands National Park Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. 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Be warned, traffic can slow along this stretch (especially south bound) during the summer, so its best to visit Bixby in the early AM! I have yet to try Big Sur Bakery although Ive heard many good referrals about all the food from wood-fired sourdough to buttermilk biscuits and gravy. Once you get to Pacific Grove, everything is accessible by foot or bike. Carmel-by-the-Sea. There is a small parking area located on the east side of the highway. I recommend booking your whale-watching tickets in advance. We also think the service is really good, so you cant go wrong with this restaurant! And plus, Im from San Francisco so Im typically driving down the coast, not up. Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Cannery Row, a waterfront area with old buildings filled with shopping, restaurants, and fun activities such as escape rooms, arcades, and the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium. I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. , Point Lobos looks absolutely stunning! Left-wing Paranoia in Big Sur, Caramel, Monterey County, California 8. Likes Comments. Pace yourself its all beautiful. 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. Known as one of Big Surs largest and most accessible beaches and the last stop on your Big Sur itinerary is Sand Dollar Beach, located about 30 minutes south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. I guess we'll have to plan another trip." Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. About this rental. I'll be sharing a relaxed pace three-day itinerary, with overnight stops in both Monterey and Santa Barbara. Finding it can be a challenge in itself because the turn is not marked. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. and not many tourists know about it just yet! I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! It is a charming little area that also has some good marine life sighting spots. The road is narrow, so be extra careful when pulling over for the views (my advice only pull off in designated spots, theres plenty of them). 5. Morning There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Where did you drive from? Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. I love Monterey! On the opposite side of the road, there is a dirt road known as Old Coast Road. The town is truly tiny at only one square mile, but it is absolutely packed with amazing things.