Have you ever wanted to travel to a destination SO bad and hyped it up SO much in your mind that when you finally got there… it didn’t live up to your expectations? Well, I am happy to say the Big Sur is not one of those places. I have been itching to travel there for some time now and it was more beautiful than ever expected.
It’s hard to describe the jaw-dropping, natural beauty of this corner of the world. Few places in the world have brought tears to my eyes just by looking at it (Gorges due Verdon & Iceland being two of them), and the Big Sur has now been added to that list. I will describe the beauty and share my photos, but it truly does not do it justice. The Big Sur is one of those places that you MUST go see for yourself!
In this guide, I will outline critical things to know before planning your Big Sur road trip, where to stay, how to get there and of course… my one day Big Sur itinerary! There are so many notable stops along this coastal route, and I will explain which ones are and are not worth going to.
Spoiler alert: Most of them are worth going to!
There’s a chance that this post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you), that goes directly towards little Rosie’s dog treats!
What is the Big Sur?
The Big Sur is a stretch of coastline in California known for the ragged cliffs, green mountains and deep blue water. While the technical length of the Big Sur runs from San Francisco to Los Angeles, the well-known viewpoints are in northern California, roughly 35 miles in length.
Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) bends along the edge of the coast, making not only the view points scenic, but the entire drive! As you wind down the coast, there will be plenty of viewpoints to pull over at and state parks to drive through (more on that later).
Best Time to go to the Big Sur?
Is there a bad time to go to the Big Sur? No, not really. California weather is consistent year round, and that is why it’s such a popular place to live! I’ve read that Spring is the best time of year because there are many flower fields along the coast that bloom during this time.
If you want to avoid crowds, I would travel in the winter months either before or after the holidays. I traveled in early fall and had the most amazing weather and the crowds were minimal, so again… I don’t think there is a bad time to start your Big Sur road trip.
Unfortunately, The Big Sur is known for having cloudy and foggy weather year round. Consider yourself extremely lucky if you do the drive on a sunny and warm day! Either way, I think the fog gives it an extra magical feel to it, and would love to go back on a cloudy day.
Am I crazy for saying that?! OH WELL!
How to get to the Big Sur?
Flying:
The two closest airports are San Jose (1 1/2 hour drive) and San Francisco (Under 2 1/2 hour drive). If you are flying international, San Francisco will likely be your least expensive option, but driving through San Francisco is not pleasant. If you can swing it, I would highly recommend flying into San Jose instead because it will cut down your non-scenic drive time & you can avoid driving through the CROWDED traffic of San Francisco.
Driving:
If you are driving from wherever you live (or maybe a major city like San Francisco or Los Angeles), you will want to make Carmel or Monterey your starting point. These neighboring, coastal towns are both adorable starting points on your Big Sur day trip.
Where to stay in Big Sur?
There are three areas I recommend for staying along the Big Sur: Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur.
Monterey
Monterey is a relaxing, slow-paced coastal town in Northern California. Most known for the HUGE Monterey Bay Aquarium and hit TV show, Big Little Lies. Being less than 30 minutes from the start of the Big Sur, this is a great hub for someone who wants to see the Big Sur during the day, but still have a fun nightlife.
In this town, you will find plenty of touristy attractions to keep you busy, SO many wine bars (seriously.. every few stores will be a wine bar), and scenic views on every corner. Even though Uber/Lyft are easy to come by in Monetery, I would recommend staying at a hotel that is within walking distance of all the nightlife. Here are my three recommendations broken down by Budget, Average and Luxury:
Budget: HI Monterey Hostel is located in a prime location, right next to Cannery Row on the water. For less than $50/ night, the price can not be beat!
Average: Colton Inn is an adorable place to stay with clean rooms, outdoor seating for breakfast, and fresh flowers on the railings. What I noticed about my time in Monterey was the abundance of small Inns!
Luxury: Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is pure luxury! Situated near Cannery Row, it has the perfect location and perfect views to match! This is a popular spot for weddings and events because every inch of this place is absolutely gorgeous.
Airbnb: If I ever have a group bigger than 2 people, I always stay in an Airbnb! I love getting that sense of living in a place when I travel. If it’s your first time using Airbnb, click here for a $40 credit to use towards your booking!
Psssst…. I ended up staying in Monterey to do a day trip to the Big Sur. If you plan to do the same, I have a quick guide on traveling to Monterey here!
Carmel
Carmel-by-the-sea is an adorable area with store-front shops, large stretches of beaches, wine bars on every corner and great shopping (not just touristy shopping, but cute boutiques!).
If I had to choose between Monterey and Carmel, I would choose Carmel because the beaches are out of this world! Regardless of where you choose, Carmel and Monterey are only a 10 minute drive away from each other, so I encourage you to see both and decide for yourself!
Budget: Carmel Oaks is located in a great spot, downtown Carmel, where the restaurants and shops are. Rooms are clean with all-white bedding… Don’t beds look 10x more inviting with white bedding!?
Average: The Colonial Terrace is a unique property only one block from the beach. It has a homey feel to it with free breakfast, coffee served all day, and freshly baked cookies in the lobby! Instead of staying in a large, chain hotel, this is an older building that has rooms in individual cottages.
Luxury: La Playa Carmel is a large property with beautiful gardens and luxurious rooms. Situated only a few blocks from Carmel Beach and walking distance from all the shops and restaurants. This hotel is so beautiful, it will be tempting to skip the Big Sur and just stay here all day!
Airbnb: If I ever have a group bigger than 2 people, I always stay in an Airbnb! I love getting that sense of living in a place when I travel. If it’s your first time using Airbnb, click here for a $40 credit to use towards your booking!
Big Sur
If you plan to spend a few days exploring the Big Sur, or just want to be right in the middle of the nature, I would recommend staying in the town of Big Sur. You will be right in the middle of the Big Sur viewpoints and will save a lot of driving time to see the sights.
The only downside to the Big Sur is there is ZERO service and no nightlife. If you like to go out and explore at night, I would recommend staying either in Carmel or Monterey.
Budget: Camping grounds are abundant in this area and will be your cheapest option by far. If you want to be completely disconnected, surrounded by nature and close to all the famous sites, this will be your best option! There are many camp grounds along Highway 1, you can read all about them here!
Average: Big Sur River Inn is located along the creek, right in the middle of town. It has a restaurant, pool and full bar but book in advance because this place sells out FAST. Even if you don’t stay here, I still recommend stopping here for lunch on your Big Sur Road trip (more on that later).
Luxury: Ventana Big Sur Resort is UNREAL. Situated on top of the mountain, you have incredible ocean views while still being in the forest. All of the rooms are luxurious and the restaurant has an outstanding deck with ocean views. Of course, this level of luxury comes with a price tag to match though!
Airbnb: If I ever have a group bigger than 2 people, I always stay in an Airbnb! I love getting that sense of living in a place when I travel. If it’s your first time using Airbnb, click here for a $40 credit to use towards your booking!
What to Pack for the Big Sur?
Sunblock packets: Most of the viewpoints along the Big Sur will not be shaded. You will be hiking down to beaches, walking along sunny cliffs, and standing in the sun to capture the view! It’s important that you not only apply sunblock before you go, but bring sunblock packets in your purse! These babies are the size of a ketchup packet and are SO convenient for re-applying throughout the day. You can check them out here!
Camera: This is probably the most important things to bring on your Big Sur day trip! A good, reliable and lightweight camera will make the quality of your photos last for years to come. Do you ever look back on old I-Phone photos and cringe at how blurry they were?! You don’t want to do that with all these photos of this amazing location! My camera that I use is extremely affordable and one of the smallest DSLR’s that Canon makes (so, you can fit it in your bag and it won’t be too heavy!). Click here for my camera.
Gopro to record the drive: I have a Gopro and I am STILL kicking myself for not thinking of this before I left! You can stick the GoPro on the front window and record the jaw-dropping drive. This is also great if you plan to hike down to the beaches because it is completely waterproof! Click here for the GoPro that I have.
Beach Blanket: This is crucial to bring if you plan to spend any time on the beaches or enjoying the viewpoints. Plus, it’s a great prop to give your photos that extra pop! Click here for a cute beach blanket.
Big Sur Itinerary – Best View Points!
Phew! That was already a TON of information! Are you still with me?!
Highway 1 is a one lane highway that winds along the coast. 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 am going to outline the best viewpoints starting from Carmel all the way until Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, with bonus stops past that if you are feeling extra adventurous!
TIP: All the major view points are listed here, but I would HIGHLY recommend taking your time and stopping anywhere that looks inviting to you. There will be small, dirt pull-out areas along Highway 1 that you will be able to stop at. Just because it isn’t a “popular” stop doesn’t mean it isn’t worth stopping at! I took my time and was in no rush, so I stopped at almost every view point and did not regret it! Check out the photo below as an example!
Here we go…
1. Carmel
Start in Carmel to fuel up with breakfast at Tuckbox, which is an adorable restaurant that looks like a snow white cottage! Tuckbox is located in downtown Carmel, between Ocean Ave and 7th.
2. Point Lobos State Park
(Carmel to Point Lobos State Park = 15 minutes)
Point Lobos State Park is the first, big stop on your Big Sur road trip. In this state park, you will find a few hiking trails, hidden beaches and many viewpoints to keep you busy. I did not stop here on my road trip because it costs $10.00 to enter the park and I preferred to stop at Pfeiffer Beach instead (also $10).
From the pictures, this area looks truly beautiful, but I think there are so many gorgeous lookout points and hikes that are completely free. My recommendation is to do the entire road trip and if you still want more sights, then stop here on the way back to Carmel / Monterey.
3. Calla Lilly Valley
(Point Lobos State Park to Calla Lilly Valley = 12 minutes)
Next up, Calla Lilly Valley! This will be a beautiful valley of wild Lillys that give you a peek-a-boo shot of the ocean. This area is only in bloom in the spring (Late February – Early May), but the views are still beautiful either way.
If you are traveling to the Big Sur in spring, this will be a spot you do not want to miss!
4. Rockey Creek Bridge
(Calla Lilly Valley to Rockey Creek Bridge = 5 minutes)
If you’ve ever seen pictures of the Big Sur, you will quickly notice Bixby Creek Bridge. Rockey Creek Bridge is a smaller version that is directly before Bixby Creek Bridge. You will see a ton of people stopping at this Rockey Creek thinking it’s Bixby Creek, but if you drive just another 2 minutes down Highway 1, you will see the even bigger and more impressive Bixby Creek Bridge!
5. Bixby Bridge
(Rockey Creek Bridge to Bixby Bridge = 2 minutes)
Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the most photographed spots along the Big Sur and for good reason! There are two viewpoints on either side of the bridge, so I recommend stopping on the coastal side of the bridge on your way south, and then stopping on the inland side on the way back to your hotel in Carmel / Monterey. If you don’t plan on staying in Carmel / Monterey, you can easily cross the street to check out both viewpoints without having to move the car.
6. Lunch at Big Sur River Inn
(Bixby Bridge to Big Sur River Inn = 20 minutes)
This was one of my favorite experiences on my Big Sur road trip! In the very tiny town of Big Sur, there is a restaurant/bar/hotel called Big Sur River Inn. I recommend ordering your food to-go from the restaurant (just tell them that you want to eat it on the river) and eat your lunch on the stream! They have chairs set up so you can sit in the river with just your feet getting wet.
If you don’t want to sit in the river, they also have large grass areas under the trees that line the river, perfect for a picnic!
7. Pfeiffer Beach
(Big Sur River Inn to Pfeiffer Beach = 10-15 minutes)
Listen up because everyone misses this turnoff! After you pass the Lodge, there will be a turnoff on the coastal side that is hidden by trees. There are no signs that tell you what the turnoff leads to, but it will be a sharp right turn (practically a u-turn) that will take you downhill to Pfeiffer Beach.
After you drive a little ways downhill, you will be greeted by a park ranger who warns you about the winding and narrow drive down to the beach + the $10 entry fee per car. I would highly recommend going down to the beach because it was my favorite spot and well worth the $10 entry!
The beach is very large and even when it’s busy, you won’t have an issue finding a corner to enjoy for yourself. This beach is well known for the cove that is protected by large rock formations, one with a large “keyhole.” You can park yourself on the beach and watch the waves crash through the hole!
8. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park – McWay Falls
(Pfeiffer Beach to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park = 30 minutes)
You will see plenty of signage for this area and there will be a large parking lot. There is a self-pay station for parking at the entrance of the parking lot, but I don’t think its necessary to pay the $10 if you plan to quickly look at the viewpoint. If you want to do longer hikes in this area, you will probably need to suck it up and pay the $10 for parking. BUT, I did not see a single park ranger wandering the area, so up to you!
This area is known for the scenic cove that has an 80 foot waterfall flowing out of the green cliff. When you get there, I recommend doing the popular Overlook trail that will take you to the viewpoint of the beach + waterfall! This is an extremely easy, 0.6 mile hike that is well-trafficked and wheel-chair accessible.
Something I did not know before going… You can not hike down to the beach or swim in this area. It is extremely prohibited for being very dangerous and harmful to the environment.
9. Carmel Beach for Sunset Picnic
(Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to Carmel = 1 hour and 15 minutes)
If you start this road trip around 10-11am, you will have plenty of time to do everything on this guide + make it back to Carmel for a sunset picnic on the beach. I would recommend getting a box of pizza from Little Napoli, a bottle of wine (don’t forget a wine opener + cups), and a beach blanket to watch the sunset on Carmel Beach.
Fun Fact: Did you know you can legally drink on the beach in Carmel!?
That was all the stops on my 4-5 hour Big Sur Road trip + some! I stopped at many random view points that did not have a specific name, and those ended up being my favorite pictures for the entire trip!
BONUS STOPS!
There are more stops south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns, but then you will be veering away from the 4-5 hours I promised you! If you are feeling adventurous, OR you plan to stay in a city south of these viewpoints (like San Simeon, Santa Barbara, or LA), here are more stops south of McWay Falls:
- Ragged Point (1 hour from McWay Falls)
- Piedras Blancas Light House (1 hour and 20 minutes from McWay Falls)
- Elephant Seal Vista Point (1 hour and 20 minutes from McWay Falls)
- Hearst Castle (1 hour and 25 minutes from McWay Falls)
Key Take-A-Ways
- I recommend budgeting 4-5 hours to complete the Big Sur to and from Carmel / Monterey.
- Drive SOUTH for two reasons… First, all your view point turnouts are on the coastal side. If you drive north, you will have to make a left turn along a winding highway when you enter AND exit the turnout. This will take a lot longer and make your overall drive a lot more stressful. Second, driving along the side of the coast will make your drive a lot more enjoyable! Half the enjoyment of the Big Sur is the scenic drive, so you will want the best possible view.
- Even though this is a one day Big Sur Itinerary, I would recommend staying a few days if possible. There are so many hiking opportunities along the coast, but if you want to see all the viewpoints, you won’t have enough time to do both. There are also a lot of beaches that you could easily spend the entire day at, especially Pfeiffer Beach!
- Either print out the map of the stops, screen shot it on your phone! No one is kidding when they say there is ZERO service along the Big Sur! It is difficult to get lost considering it is one road, but you will want to have a general idea of all the stops.
- Bring a car charger! Like I mentioned above, you will have no service on the Big Sur so your phone will die extremely fast!
- Don’t be in a rush when you are driving, because some of the best viewpoints I stopped at were ones with no name and no people at them. Take your time exploring and soaking in all those amazing views!
- Before you leave Carmel / Monterey, make sure you have a full tank of gas. There is only one gas station in the town of Big Sur, but other than that.. you would be out of luck! Plus, there is no service so you would have a difficult time calling for a tow truck.
Big Sur Q&A’s
What is the best time of year to visit the Big Sur?
Is there really a wrong time?! I don’t think you can go wrong! Early fall has historically sunny weather, but in the spring you will see all the flowers blooming. I have a full section above on what I think is best, but in all honestly.. I don’t think there is a bad time to travel to the Big Sur.
Can you drive through Big Sur?
Absolutely! Big Sur is a coastal drive along Highway 1 in Northern California. Along this scenic drive, you will pass famous view points and state parks such as Point Lobos State Park, Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, Hearst Castle and more! You can also stop in the town of Big Sur for gas, snacks or to eat at the few restaurants.
How long should you spend in Big Sur?
4-5 hours would give you plenty of time to stop at all the sights and soak in the extraordinary views. You could easily spend multiple days relaxing at the beaches, hiking along the many trails, and stopping at the scenic viewpoints.
Where should I stay when visiting Big Sur?
Monterey, Carmel or Big Sur will be your three best options for your Big Sur road trip! Monterey and Carmel are neighboring coastal towns at the start of the Big Sur that have more options for restaurants and nightlife. If you want to be disconnected and in the middle of nature, you can camp along Highway 1 or stay in the few hotels in the town of Big Sur.
Where do you fly into for Big Sur?
The closest airports are San Jose International (1.5 hours from Carmel) and San Francisco International (2.5 hours from Carmel). Regardless of the airport, you will still need to drive a little ways to get to the start of the Big Sur.
Where does the Big Sur Drive Start?
Most people begin their drive in Carmel, the first major viewpoint is Point Lobos State Park.
Can you swim at McWay Falls?
NO you can not swim at McWay Falls or hike down to the beach. It is strictly prohibited and extremely dangerous. The Overlook trail is a great way to see the falls – only an easy 0.6 mile hike.
That’s a wrap! This Big Sur vacation is going to be unforgettable and I am so excited for you to experience this beautiful piece of the world. I would go as far to say my Big Sur road trip was the best road trip I have EVER done (sorry Iceland, your spot has been taken!). I stayed in Monterey and did a day trip, but if you plan to drive only down the coast, you will still see all these same view points.
I hope this guide is borderline too informative, and just when you thought it was over… don’t forget your FREE map download of all the major viewpoints!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
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