big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

Accommodation in Big Sur is pricey. You wont miss it, promise, as its just a short 15 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). Time needed: 1 to 2 days. Evening The Bixby Bridge only cost $200,000 to construct. On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. Oh la la, Crepes! We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! Hi, Im Jess. However, if you are here early, the pictures are still pretty amazing and youll miss the 9-10 AM traffic congestion so thats a win! Call ahead to ask about the exact time that the bagpipe player will be playing, as times change throughout the year. Johnathon was easy-going and the time we spent with Big Sur Adventures was the highlight of our weekend. There are many different wines you can choose from (this area is really well known for their wineries in case you didnt know). Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! Here youll find multiple historic buildings including Californias First Theater, Colton Hall, the Stevenson House, and many more! Youll most likely be coming from the airport if youre visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. Maybe even take a walk on the Santa Cruz boardwalk! Big Sur Coast is known for its rocky beaches, spectacular sunsets, and sheer natural beauty. $8,790.00 USD per person. And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! En route, you'll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. 4 Golfers. I definitely need to add that this is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever been. There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. They are even bigger than you can imagine! In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. I think you. Read on for my favorite Big Sur activities, where to stay, what to do in Big Sur, and (most importantly), what and where to eat! Monterey, which is further north of Big Sur, is located no more than 1-1.5 hours away from most of the attractions that we recommend seeing on a Big Sur itinerary. 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. This was actually my favorite part of Fishermans Wharf. I havent been to Malibu yet, but if they look the same then Im down to see more gorgeous views! Next up on this Big Sur road trip itinerary the Point Sur Lighthouse! This weekend itinerary will immerse you in the Big Sur experience. We were able to order build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. Make sure to bring a light jacket since it gets a little bit chillier at night. 6. We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. Its such a pretty area! 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. Yes and No. La Playa Carmel. Evening Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! It ends near San Simeon. Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. Its important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. You dont really need your bathing suit here as the water is waaaay too cold. It is our home state, so hopefully we can do it soon." Sign up for itinerary inspiration, travel tips, and more! You will definitely get beautiful views here! So exactly where is big sur located? Planning ahead: You can plan to picnic at the beach. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with your itinerary. 2022 text, 2021 Big Sur Drinking Fountain Image and Ghiradelli Cannery Row Image, 2020 Carmel . A short 10 minute walk from the parking lot will get you to a beautiful waterfall crashing directly into the Pacific Oceans emerald water. 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. We loved visiting the Whalers Cabin in Whalers Cove and thought the scenery was the most spectacular around Bluefish Cove. The town is very walkable and its honestly so much fun to just explore it at your own pace. In nearby Monterey, uncrowded beaches like Del Monte Beach . Any tips/suggestions appreciated. (7/16/18), "Enjoy and let me know how it goes!" It is the foggiest park even when some of the other parks are clear, youll want to make sure to check the weather as you wont be able to see much with the fog. McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way back to Carmel. Her Wanderful World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! If youre planning on hanging out on the beach, pack your swimsuit or a wetsuit to surf. Absolute paradise, albeit rather crowded at times. The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. The high season in this area is during the summer months, just after May and through August, so you may want to avoid these months if you dont want to be around the crowds. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Yes and No. It took my breath away. I hope youll have the same great time while visiting! The drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon is 2 hours and 20 minutes of curvy, cliff-side driving. Go hiking, walking, bird watching (pelicans frequent the area), scuba diving (yes, really! You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. 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). These are the most common ways to take a Big Sur road trip: Start and finish in Carmel-by-the-Sea but only drive as far as McWay Falls (78 miles of driving) Start in Carmel-by-the-Sea and finish in Morro Bay (120 miles of driving) . I loved seeing the open sea, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! 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. Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego Sign up for AirBnB with my link and get up to $40 off your first stay! 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. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Looks like you had a wonderful time too. Our other option is to do Monterey/Carmel on Tuesday (aquarium, 17-mile drive, etc), and then Big Sur first thing Wednesday morning (July 4th). Hiking and tide pooling are great here. 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. Drive out to Point Lobos Natural Reserve for some hiking and breathtaking views. As well as (chive and cheddar) scones and strudels and coffees and cream-filled donuts. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . 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. Day 1. And it is a full itinerary! You can easily follow along the road trip stops, doing every single one (my recommendation) or picking and choosing a few if you only have part of a day. It makes an excellent, However, if you wait until the summer rush is over and visit during either September or October, youll experience less crowds and actually better weather! If you found this article useful, consider using the links within the article or below. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). View Full Itinerary At a Glance Called the most beautiful meeting of land and water on the face of the earth, Monterey Bay, the legendary Pacific coast and sun-drenched Carmel Valley mark a convergence of currents, cultures and creators that make the area one of the country's most fascinating places. Find a place to park and spend some time enjoying the many art galleries and boutiques. I stopped at this state park on the way back to Carmel and I really loved it! 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. Where we stayed: For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. Hi Shafinah! There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the trees. 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. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! I saw many of them while riding my bike on the Pacific Coastal Trail and just rode down a particular street if I saw any that looked really interesting! Our guide Johnathon was knowledgeable about the area telling us interesting facts along the route. The Best California Road Trips & Itineraries | Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur to Santa Barbara California: Places to Visit North America California Road Trip: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Santa Barbara FIRST POSTED: 4th June 2019 | LAST UPDATED: 7th August 2020 9 minute read Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. Psst: If youre visiting in early spring, dont miss Calla Lily Valley right near Garrapata Beach (different location than the Bluff Trail). Hi Linnea! Not many out-of-towners know this, but. There is a small parking lot off the north end of Bixby Bridge where you can step out and take some iconic photos of it. Weekend Big Sur itinerary. All these spots make it easy to photograph. Big Sur Itinerary - Best View Points! But if you are still hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there! Once you find the right road, there is another very sharp turn down towards the beach.*. Hungry? Tip: Driving it can be challenging, but well worth it. After that, we walked past an island with hundreds of birds on it, which was so cool! (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! 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. Expect a daytime high around 64F in March, and nighttime lows around 47F. Want the scenic route? . Some staple orders for us here are the steak and shrimp scampi, gnocchi with two sauces, and the grilled salmon filet. The view from the entrance to Old Coast Road isnt half bad either. 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! Start your drive down the coast with snacks from Carmel Highlands General Store. They were so cute, I was squealing! As you drive up to this area, the ocean turns to the most pretty turquoise color! 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! Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. Again, theres a toilet here! Carmel Beach is definitely the best place to watch the sunset. A 75-room Big Sur boutique hotel just yards from the beach in a restored mansion built in 1905, La Playa Carmel was first constructed by artist Christian Jorgensen as a gift for his wife and had the first swimming pool in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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. Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! 17 Mile Drive is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.). There are cute dogs all over the place! Nov 2nd, 2021 3359 views. Yes! We ended up booking the Hideaway an adorable boutique hotel. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! You could spend all day in this area headed from winery to winery. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. It was the prime location for marine life spotting! You can drive all of these Big Sur road trip stops from either north to south (starting in Carmel) or south to north (starting in San Simeon) of course, but I prefer driving from NORTH to SOUTH. One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. Have you been? The perfect amount of time to see Monterey and Big Sur is 2-3 days. 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). Big Sur Itinerary Get away to Big Sur to decompress, lose your stress and soothe your soul. Hi.. we are driving in from Santa Barbara and wanted to plan a Big Sur , Monterey trip where should we stop first where would u stay if u want to see Carmel too? Bring water and watch out for poison oak. 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. 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. And Im jealous of you already. Have a great rest of your day. Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. Each room actually had binoculars making it even easier to locate the animals! There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. 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. It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, thats for sure! To discover all these buildings, be like the yellow brick road and follow the Path of Historys yellow tiles on the sidewalk. Despite all ocean views and beaches, theres not many safe spots for swimming. The museum exhibits have a few rooms depicting life during the mission days. Epic Golf Travel would love to be your resource for all your golf travel needs! I absolutely fell in love. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Begin your day with a savory or sweet crepe at the highly rated Crepes of Brittany in Monterey. Then continue heading south along Hwy 1 to take in some of the famous sites. California History Books for Kids. Coast of California Day 3: 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Pismo Beach Happy Friday, Everyone! One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. Explore my other California guides here! Begin your day with a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Caf Lumiere in Monterey. Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan to stay for awhile. 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! 15 Amazing Cheap Vacation Spots in California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Fun for young and old, exploring the rocky coastline in search of creatures is a must-do. This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. There is also the Old Downtown Marketplace every Tuesday from 4 -7 PM in the fall and 4 8 PM in the summer. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3','ezslot_25',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3-0');As one of the top 20 best places to retire in California, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming small town you need to check out. Looking for more California content? This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. We are visiting California from the UK in April, a rescheduled trip after we had to cancel in May 2020. I always love getting cheese plates! After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! The actual name of the mission is Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo. There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit stop before heading back home! Yes please! House dating to 1867 of one of the first American families to homestead the Big Sur coast, with a New England-style saltbox wing built in 1877. I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! Or Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey to San Francisco. It is an active parish and school, so be aware that special events such as mass or funerals may be taking place. It costs $10 once you make your way a bit, but its well worth it once you get to the beach. Recommended accommodation options in Monterey and Carmel that wont break the bank: With that being said, the hotels in Big Sur really are quite special, and if you can splurge for one night on your California Coast road trip, these are the best places to do it: Post Ranch Inn: Offering 3 pools, one being an infinity hot tub, you can spend the bulk of your time here overlooking the stunning California coastline. You can read all about how this area came to be here. As an English teacher, I love travel that involves a literary outing like Cannery Row. Youll drive into places like San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, San Luis Obispo, Pismo, and more! We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. When is the Best Time to Visit Monterey and Big Sur? 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. Day 1: Monterey. Its more of a state of mind rather than a specific point on a map, encompassing about 90 sunny Californian miles down the Pacific Coast Highway. Seaside cliffs. 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. Morning Woooo its finally time to get this Big Sur road trip itinerary under way! The banana bread is great too, but now that weve had the almond croissant, I dont think well ever be getting anything else. 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. 5. Arrive- Pick up Rental Car and Drive to Monterey I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flight arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. Thank you for this helpful resource. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. Hearst Castle Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. This road trip takes just over 3 hours and is a must-do for a glimpse of California's coastal beauty. There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. Big Sur Bakery is typically pretty crowded, but its worth the wait. Morning The location was great and we were able to walk all over town. While the food and drinks are good, youre paying for the view. And theres a reason for it the 80-foot waterfall is absolutely stunning. If you and your group aren't ready to slow down yet, take this time to explore the shops on Fisherman's Wharf or Cannery Row. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! Pick-up from centrally located hotels between 7:30am - 8:30am Duration: 11 hours Transportation: Comfortable Motorcoach Includes: Complimentary pickup/dropoff from centrally located hotels There was a river right behind the Inn with lots of cute chairs to sit on and relax and people were even tubing on the river! When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. Cocktails with a view? One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! And get there early the tours only accommodate 40 people! Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! 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! 2. Note that the color of the sand realllly comes alive right after it rains. Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! Patience is the only requirement, but binoculars are nice to have as well. Manage Settings It is the perfect place to fill up on gas and get any last minute snacks. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. There are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. Loading. In the months of October-February, you will also be in time to see the Monarch butterflies clustering at Monarch Grove Butterly Sanctuary. I had never seen succulents that big before! Afternoon Big Sur guide. Filed Under: North America, USA Tagged With: big sur, california, central coast, pacific coast highway, Your email address will not be published. Distance: Approximately 430 miles. That waterfall on Julia Pfeiffer Burns is incredible!!! Explore Big Sur. We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. The best location to stay for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is in Monterey. First things first, if youve never been to Carmel or Monterey, I highly recommend spending at least a day discovering both. Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. It was located in a building that looked like a castle. Then you can eat something while enjoying the waves! You can definitely take away as needed to fit your travel style. I had it recommended to me and I thought it would be the perfect place to pick up a picnic lunch for later. Big Sur looks truly incredible. Let me know how your travels go! Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. Located about two hours south of San Francisco and about five hours north of Los Angeles, this rugged coastline is famous for many things. I like to searchvia this sitein order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. Over the three hours we spent together, we made multiple stops and learned about seals, sea otters, local history, plant life, and more. Bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing! 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 . I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. 9. Now part of the Ventana Inn resort. The grounds are incredibly beautiful and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture. Book now from $9.99! Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. 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. . I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Day 5: Paso Robles/Cambria to Santa Ynez Valley. I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great it was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Yes, definitely! From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Squeezing all the hot spots into just three days might be a challenging task, but this perfect three-day itinerary will keep you on track. There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! Details. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! Alternately, it's possible to just take Highway 1 all the way, though this takes a long time, about a 4 hours and 30 minutes drive to Cambria. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. 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. Where did you drive from? 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! Carmel is a quaint, coastal town in California, known for its fairytale-like cottages, top notch restaurants, and proximity to the beach. The 45 minute drive can last all day as you delight in the views (and the cuisine!) There isnt an entrance fee, but they do ask for a $2 donation. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. Phils Fish Market & Eatery sounds so fun too! Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. While the entire reserve is beautiful, dont miss China Cove and Bird Island Lookout (on the southern part of the park). We offer private tours to Carmel, Big Sur and/or Monterey from San Francisco. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. There are plenty of other beaches to hang around, so do your part and just stay where youre supposed to be. They sometimes even host concerts, cultural events, and film nights as well. The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . Welcome back to the California Coast road trip series. Price: $25-100. Thanks for the inspiration to put it on the top of my travel list." 4. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Specializing in travel, lifestyle and fashion. Youll most definitely wanna make a few stops along the way (Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, and Carmel/Monterey are my favorites), so plan accordingly! 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. And its large enough to split, for sure. This whole road trip looks so picturesque! This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. 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. Visit inside the Basilica (where Serras remains are laid to rest). Since it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down by the beach. If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists. Monterey Carmel Big Sur Pebble Beach Private Charter by Luxury Vehicle 6 hrs~ 6 hours Hotel pickup offered. Itineraries: Monterey Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur In a nutshell, this drive is all about the jaw-dropping scenery of the Pacific Coast. Day One Thanks for stopping by! Thanks for stopping by! It is still totally worth it to see this beautiful place. 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.