How Far From Carmel To Big Sur
The Perfect 4 Mean solar day Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary
I have visited California many times through out my life. Living in Utah, our family vacations were always to Southern California. When the opportunity came up to visit northern California, I was excited and really intrigued. I can now say that I absolutely loved that surface area and will definitely be coming back! Hither is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway!
Arrive- Pick up Rental Car and Drive to Monterey
I flew into the San Jose, California airport on a flying arriving around 12:00 in the afternoon. The airport is small and piece of cake to navigate. It was piece of cake to find the area where we needed to accept a shuttle to the rental car building. It was quite busy at the time we arrived and we probably waited in line for thirty minutes-i hour so make certain to add this in when planning your itinerary!
I definitely recommend booking in advance. We booked in advance and it was well-nigh $31 a day before adding gas and insurance if yous want.
The drive was prissy and pretty straight forward and just took a trivial over an hour and a one-half.
I absolutely loved the hotel I picked to stay in for i night, The Monterey Plaza Hotel . The location is then perfect in between Cannery Row and Fisherman'south Wharf and but a ten minute walk to the aquarium. My favorite part about it, even so, was that it was literally right over the ocean. Information technology was the prime location for marine life spotting! I saw ocean otters, seals and dolphins! Each room really had binoculars making it fifty-fifty easier to locate the animals!
On inflow, our room wasn't quite ready then we had tiffin at the hotel'southward eating house and I got clam chowder in a bread bowl! It was and then succulent and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. I can't recommend this place enough!
Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary!
2 PM- Visit Cannery Row
Cannery Row is filled with boutiques, restaurants and waterfront hotels. It is a charming little area that besides has some expert marine life sighting spots. The surface area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! I had never seen succulents that big before! Cannery Row as well has some cute candy shops, arcades and fifty-fifty an indoor mini golf arena!
After checking out Cannery Row, nosotros walked to Big Sur Adventuresalmost 5 minutes abroad to rent bikes. They had the cutest beach cruisers with baskets and they also have electric bikes! The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing.
5:00 Explore the Houses of Pacific Grove
I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. They were so colorful and unique! 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!
6 PM- Terminate at Gorgeous Await Outs and Beaches
If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you lot desire to stop before you head out! I had a few places in listen I wanted to finish before we left, merely I too thought it was fun to be spontaneous and stop whenever we saw something that interested us! One of our first stops was atLovers Point Beach.We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously considering of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! (If you come up between April-June, there are imperial flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!)
Dusk- Asilomar Beach
We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and concluded up on a trail to Asilomar Land Beach. There was a trail for bikes all along the beach and it was a actually cute place to end for dusk. We had to bustle back right subsequently then we could go our bike rentals dorsum in time! Riding bikes was definitely a blast and I highly recommend everyone ride bikes along this trail.
Dinner- Bubba Gump'south
Bubba Gump'due south has such a fun atmosphere that seems to mesh perfectly with Monterrey! I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to attempt it out! Cannery Row is near where nosotros dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Bubba Gump's specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you lot have ever seen Woods Gump- this place volition be really fun for you! There is memorabilia from the movies all over!
I recommend the shrimp mac and cheese! It was then yummy!
Twenty-four hour period 2- Monterey and Carmel
9 AM- Monterey Bay Aquarium
I am a huge fan of aquariums! In fact, I thought near beingness a Marine Biologist for awhile. I had always heard about the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and how great information technology was and how Finding Nemo was based on that aquarium! I really thought this was a slap-up aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. I was there for a penguin feeding and that was really fun! I loved seeing the open up bounding main, the jelly fish and the really adorable sea otters! I got my ticket for the aquarium here .
12 PM- Ride Bikes to Fisherman'south Wharf
Some other awesome part of the Monterey Plaza Hotel is that you tin can rent bikes for free! After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fisherman'southward Wharf! This part of the bike trail was a lot busier. Information technology was a quick ride to Fisherman's Wharf and nosotros gear up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. Fisherman's Wharf is total of cute candy shops and tons of Mollusk Chowder restaurants! In fact, they all have people outside of their cafes or restaurants giving out samples. This was actually my favorite part of Fisherman's Wharf. I recollect we tried 7 different kinds of Mollusk Chowder and they literally all taste dissimilar because they accept their own recipes and specialties. We were going to get lunch, just decided to await until Carmel since we ate so many samples! But if you are however hungry, I recommend picking which place had your favorite sample and eating there!
2 PM- 17 Mile Drive
Later on Fisherman'south Wharf, nosotros decided to leave Monterey to explore Carmel-by-the-sea. We decided the best mode to become in that location was the breathtaking route! 17 Mile Drive is said to exist one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. Admission is $10.50 per vehicle and when yous go far at the archway they requite yous a map of all of the scenic stops and designated places to see. This website is very helpful and gives a description of each cease so you can decide where you want to end before yous even get there. I really enjoyed Spanish Bay Beach, Fanshell Beach overlook, Cypress Point Lookout man and the Lone Cypress. The Lone Cypress is actually over 250 years old! If you are into golfing, the 17 mile bulldoze also has the world famous Pebble Beach!
3:xxx PM- Make it at Hotel & Happy Hour and Appetizers
In that location are a lot of really good options of places to stay in Carmel. We concluded up booking the Hideaway – an adorable bazaar hotel. The location was slap-up and we were able to walk all over town. They as well have bikes y'all tin can rent besides. One of the best features of the hotel was the Happy Hr that happened every twenty-four hours from 4-6. It was going on right when we arrived at the hotel. There are many dissimilar wines y'all can choose from (this expanse is really well known for their wineries in case you didn't know). Don't fret if you lot don't drink, they have tons of snacks you tin eat as well! There were various cheeses, crackers, fruit and fiddling sandwiches. Information technology was nice to arrive at the hotel after a long day and just relax for a minute and swallow some snacks!
5 PM- Explore Carmel Boondocks
Carmel is ane of the near mannerly and quintessential towns I have e'er been to. I absolutely fell in dearest. Y'all would never imagine this town is in California, information technology feels like a fairy tale town in Frg. The town is very walkable and it's honestly and then much fun to just explore it at your own pace. There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and don't forget dog shops! I definitely need to add that this is one of the most canis familiaris friendly places I have ever been. There are cute dogs all over the identify! I heard from a local that even though Carmel is small-scale, there is ever something new to discover and I tin can definitely believe it. In that location were all sorts of cute alleys you could get down to find more hidden gems. Besides, as mentioned before Carmel is known for their wineries so there are several you tin head to for wine tastings.
Carmel is a must for any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary!
Sunset- Carmel Beach
Carmel Beach is definitely the best identify to watch the sunset. The colors over the h2o were admittedly spectacular! Make certain to bring a calorie-free jacket since it gets a little chip chillier at nighttime. Some other matter I loved almost Carmel Beach was how dog friendly information technology was. There were cute adorable dogs everywhere. Bring a coating and some snacks and program to stay for awhile.
Dinner- Forge in the Wood
In that location are a lot of incredible eateries in Carmel. When researching where to swallow, I had Forge in the Forest recommend several times. The ambience at this place was astonishing. It is definitely in a actually romantic setting. There are warm fires all over the place and lights hanging in the copse. This was a great place to end the day in Carmel.
Itinerary DAY 3 Big Sur Road Trip
viii AM- Breakfast and Pick up Picnic Luncheon
We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel (one of the other perks of staying at that place) and then headed to the 5th Artery Deli. I had it recommended to me and I thought it would exist the perfect place to option up a picnic tiffin for later. Nosotros were able to club build your own sandwiches that came with a drink and chips. This store was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and not bad customer service.
8:45 AM- Stop at Carmel General Store
This adorable general store is on the style to all of the stops on the Big Sur day trip. It is the perfect identify to fill upwardly on gas and get whatever last infinitesimal snacks. Not to mention, it's ambrosial, and then it's a really fun identify to stop for photos!
Bixby Bridge
You might recognize this bridge if yous have seen "Big Picayune Lies." Information technology's one of the near iconic bridges in all of California and definitely one of the most photographed for its aesthetic. Keep that in mind when y'all caput out on your road trip. If you are a morning person, y'all might want to head out before to avoid the other tourists. The parking near this bridge is somewhat limited. Also, there are ii dissimilar viewpoints- 1 of the front side of the span and one of the back. Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. This was one of my favorite stops on this trip.
Bixby Bridge was i of my favorite stops on my Big Sur Itinerary!
Terminate at Breathtaking Look Outs
Highway ane is one of the nearly breathtaking roads I have ever been on! I was in awe the unabridged time. There are and then many scenic look outs to cease at and then feel costless to stop as much every bit you want forth the way!
This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary.
McWay Falls
I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. They are a definite must on whatever Big Sur Itinerary. As y'all drive up to this area, the body of water turns to the virtually pretty turquoise color! It took my breath abroad. The Mcway Falls trail is located at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns Country Park. Unfortunately, when I was there, y'all could only keep part of the trail and since it is only a small pathway where you tin can see the falls, information technology was pretty crowded. It is still totally worth it to come across this beautiful place. This was our last finish heading down Highway ane earlier nosotros turned around and made some stops on the way back to Carmel.
McWay Falls will be the last stop on your Big Sur Itinerary before turning around and making your way dorsum to Carmel.
Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Subsequently Mcway Falls, nosotros headed to Pfeiffer Burns Country Park (non to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park). I was actually excited to go here because I hadn't seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. Seeing these trees was such a surreal experience! They are even bigger than you tin imagine!
Note:If you have time, Pfeiffer Beach, which is very close to this state park is worth a visit. Since it was already the middle of the day, there were no parking spots down past the beach. We pulled into this area where you tin can park and then pay to have a shuttle to the beach. Unfortunately, we had just missed the last shuttle and the side by side one wasn't leaving for quite awhile. Pfeiffer beach is all-time known for it's amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand!
Terminate at Big Sur River Inn
Next upward on the Big Sur Itinerary: Stopping at Big Sur River Inn for a much needed icecream break! This Inn was and then cute and the place we got icecream was in an old blue bus! There was a river right backside the Inn with lots of cute chairs to sit on and relax and people were even tubing on the river! This is definitely a identify I would similar to spend more than fourth dimension at if I head back to this area.
Thousandarrapata State Park
I stopped at this state park on the style dorsum to Carmel and I really loved information technology! The beach in that location was beautiful with views of the cliffs next to the sea. One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere.
5:00 PM Folktale Winery
Carmel Valley is full of vineyards and wineries. You lot could spend all twenty-four hours in this surface area headed from winery to winery. We decided to cease by Folktale Winery and Vineyards because it seriously looked like something from a fairy tale! It was located in a edifice that looked similar a castle. You are able to practise vino tastings within or if you don't drink, in that location is too a full service restaurant as well. I e'er love getting cheese plates! The inside had the most beautiful blueprint and the outside was just equally lovely with tables and benches everywhere and alive music playing. There were also lots of lawn games.
6:30 PM- Carmel Mission Basilica
Right outside of Carmel is Carmel Mission Basilica, dating clear back to the 1700s. The grounds are incredibly cute and this place is definitely worth a stop for the gorgeous grounds and architecture.
seven:30 PM- Explore more of Carmel and Dinner
Some places I recommend going to in Carmel:
- The Cheese Shop
- Ritzy Ragz and Thingz
- Blackbird
- Thinker Toys
- 5th Avenue Deli
- Cottage of Sweets
- The Hat Shop Carmel
- Diggidy Dog
- Ocean Avenue Shopping Carmel
- Tuckbox Tearoom
Restaurants I recommend:
- Cantinetta Luca
- Baja Cantina & Grill- quirky inside and outside
- Mission Ranch Eating place- popular spot for Brunch
- Squealer's Breath
- Carmel Baker- try the homemade cannolis
- Treehouse Cafe
Day four- Point Lobos and Head Home
8 AM- Point Lobos State Park
Point Lobos was as well definitely some other highlight of this trip and should definitely be on your Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur Itinerary. This state park is admittedly beautiful and is full of wildlife everywhere! We went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead offset. This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions downwards below. They were so cute, I was squealing! Then the trail led downwardly to this amazing white sandy embankment with no one else around. Later that, we walked past an isle with hundreds of birds on information technology, which was and then cool! Nosotros also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. Later leaving the park, there was quite a chip of traffic to become back to Carmel. (Keep this in mind if you are headed off to the airport so that you give yourself plenty of time.)
12 PM- Head to Airdrome, Finish in Santa Cruz en Route
Santa Cruz is a cute, funky surf town on the fashion to the San Jose airport. I had remembered going to the Santa Cruz Embankment Boardwalk when I was a child so I was excited to become dorsum. Information technology'southward an adorable amusement park right on the beach! There are also cute murals all over town and makes for a perfect pit end earlier heading back dwelling! Even so dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again onetime soon!
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Aubrie Bell
Aubrie is a Utah based blogger/content creator. Specializing in travel, lifestyle and manner. Named equally one of the top 10 travel bloggers on Instagram past Kayak and curt listed as the all-time travel influencer by FlightCentre.
19 Comments
Source: https://www.globetrottinggingertravel.com/the-perfect-4-day-monterey-carmel-and-big-sur-itinerary/
Thank you for such a great recounting of your trip. We will be coming hither mid-May and will definitely use your advice. I may email you with more in-depth questions as we plan. Once more, thank you!
Hi.. we are driving in from Santa Barbara and wanted to program a Large Sur , Monterey trip… where should we cease first… where would u stay if u want to run into Carmel too? Thx!!