The Ultimate Travel Guide For Visiting Carmel by the Sea to Big Sur

The coastline from Carmel to Big Sur makes up one of North America’s most stunning stretches of coastline. After spending a year in wanderlust over this area, my sister and I just returned from spending five fantastic days on a California road trip visiting Carmel by the Sea, Monterey, and Big Sur. I still cannot stop thinking about how beautiful it is.

This Monterey, Big Sur, and Carmel by the Sea itinerary is everything we wanted – ocean views, incredible food, charming streets, and a little bit of luxury. If you are considering a trip to this stunning stretch of the Pacific, here’s everything you need to know.

The itinerary begins with a drive to take in the magnificent coastline of Big Sur. Then, you will visit Carmel by the Sea, an artist colony with storybook cottages and high-end shopping. Finally, the trip will end with a visit to Monterey to watch whales, see Cannery Row, and visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Along the way, I’ll recommend great places to stay and eat and points of interest not to miss.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway from San Francisco to Carmel by the Sea or on a family vacation, this Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur itinerary will check all the boxes.

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Our 5-Day Itinerary: Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur

Day 1: Arriving in Carmel

We flew into San Francisco International Airport (SFO), rented a car, and headed south on Highway 1.

I rented a BMW through Discover Cars for $330 for the week. Gas is expensive in California, so budget accordingly.

Overall, the California coast is very drivable, and having your own vehicle makes it easy to visit the highlights from Carmel to Big Sur.

It’s about a two-hour drive to Carmel, but you’ll want to stop along the way to soak in those jaw-dropping views.

You can also fly into the Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), ten miles east of downtown Monterey. This smaller airport is serviced by major airlines, including United, American, Alaska, and Allegiant.

We checked into Bernardus Lodge & Spa and immediately went into relax mode.

Visit the on-site spa, hit the hot tub or enjoy an early dinner at Lucia, their onsite restaurant.

Wine, truffle fries, and a perfect California sunset? Yes, please.

Day 2: Exploring Big Sur

Enjoy being in this majestic area by beginning the first morning of your trip with breakfast and a spectacular ocean view at Pacific’s Edge restaurant in the Carmel Highlands.

This cliffside restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating with views for miles. Imagine sipping your coffee with a front-row seat to the Pacific.

If it is a foggy morning, save this restaurant for another day because you won’t want to miss that view.

Alternatives for breakfast include From Scratch, the Carmel Valley Roasting Co., and Lafayette Bakery.

Next, begin your drive along Big Sur.

Big Sur is a spectacular stretch of coastline located along scenic Highway 1 between Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Simeon. Known for its dramatic cliffs, redwood forests, waterfalls, beaches, and hiking trails, Big Sur offers countless things to see and do.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

After breakfast, make your first stop at the Point Lobos State Park, just a short ten-minute drive from Carmel.

Garrapata State Park

Next is one of my favorite stops along Big Sur—Garrapata State Park. It’s a six-minute drive from Point Lobos, just past Malpaso Creek Beach.

The Garrapata State Park sign is not very large, so if you are not attentive, you may drive right past it. The only designated parking is a parking strip right off the road.

A circular gravel walking path winds along the water’s edge, offering spectacular water views mixed with flowered fields and rocks. As with most of this area, its beauty is difficult to describe in words.

The hike in Garrapata is short; you can complete it in thirty minutes, but it is worth your time.

This afternoon, continue your drive along Big Sur from Carmel.

As you drive, there are clear areas to pull off the Pacific Coast Highway to enjoy hikes and scenic overlooks.

Bixby Bridge

As you continue along Highway 1, the road leads you to Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the most photographed places along Highway 1.

The bridge was built in 1932 and is featured in the credits of HBO’s Big Little Lies with Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman.

Of course, everyone seems to stop for an obligatory photo, so be prepared for difficult parking.

Other Big Sur Attractions

In all transparency, we turned around after the Bixby Bridge.

It was getting late, and we were not familiar with the drive enough to drive at night. Plus, signs had indicated part of Highway 1 was closed due to a rockslide, so we erred on the side of caution.

If you have more time, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park was recommended by other hikers in Point Lobos. It has two popular attractions, including a secluded beach with purple sand and McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that flows directly onto the beach.

I was bummed we also missed out on visiting Nepenthe, a popular restaurant perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific. I guess it’s another reason to return!

Finish off day one of your Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur itinerary with an early dinner in Carmel by the Sea before returning to your hotel.

Day 3: A Day in Carmel

For those unfamiliar with Carmel, it has three distinct areas—Carmel Valley, Carmel Highlands, and Carmel by the Sea—all within a short distance of each other.

In Carmel Valley, you will find high-end resorts among rolling hills, wine-tasting rooms, and restaurants in the Carmel Valley Village.

Carmel Highlands runs along the Pacific Ocean with sprawling homes and oceanfront accommodations.

Finally, Carmel by the Sea is a charming village with shops, restaurants, and inns.

Breakfast at Carmel Mission Ranch

We started with breakfast at Carmel Mission Ranch Restaurant, owned by Clint Eastwood.

You can sip coffee by a fire pit and watch sheep graze with the ocean in the background. Enjoying a California omelet with more gorgeous views of the Pacific is an extraordinary way to begin the day.

When you leave the restaurant, visit nearby Carmel Mission Basilica, a beautifully restored mission dating back to 1771.

Visit Carmel By The Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an upscale but casual village known for its stunning natural scenery, picturesque cottages, art galleries, and restaurants. It’s as welcoming to humans as it is to their pets.

Park along one of the streets off Ocean Avenue and set out on foot. It is very walkable.

The Carmel by the Sea Visitor Center is in Carmel Plaza at the northern end of Ocean Avenue. Stop in for a map, directions, and other information.

As you wander, you will first notice the whimsical architecture of the shops. It’s like walking through a storybook fairytale setting with cobblestone passageways, curved chimneys, and greenery filling the scene.

Explore the Carmel art throughout the village and enjoy stepping into the many art galleries.

Go window shopping along Ocean Avenue, where you will find many high-end boutiques, a few souvenir shops, coffee houses, and small nooks.

With its storybook cottages, top-notch cuisine, natural beauty, and relaxed sophistication, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a delight to explore.

We picked up treats from Carmel Bakery and wandered along Ocean Avenue to one of the prettiest beaches in California, with sugar-soft white sand.

End your day with a beautiful walk along the water.

Where to Eat in Carmel by the Sea

You won’t find fast food restaurants or chain retail shops in Carmel by the Sea. Not having these types of stores helps to maintain its charm.

There are so many fantastic dining options for all budgets to indulge in an amazing meal while visiting Carmel by the Sea.

Highlights include Aubergine at L’Auberge, La Bicyclette for classic European country cuisine, and The Tuck Box, a restaurant in Carmel since the 1930s for sandwiches, salads, and afternoon tea.

The list could go on and on to include spots like Carmel Bakery, Carmel’s oldest-running retail business, to enjoy pastries and coffee to Tommy’s Wok for some of the best pork pot stickers I’ve ever eaten.

Day 4: 17-Mile Drive

One of the highlights in the Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur area is the drive along the coastline in and around the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course.

This 17-mile scenic coastal drive along the famous route through Pebble Beach is spectacular.

Stop at lookout points along the cliffs and see famous golf courses, mansions, and iconic sights like the Lone Cypress tree, the inspiration for Pebble Beach’s famed logo.

There are several entrances to the 17-mile drive, but you will use the entrance closest to Carmel by the Sea.

Welcome Gate

You will need to stop at the Welcome Gate to pay an entrance fee, which is around $12. The fee will get credited back to you if you dine at one of the Pebble Beach Resort restaurants. Make sure you hold onto your receipt.

The gate attendant will give you a map of the seventeen stops along the drive and send you on your way. The 17-mile drive is clearly marked both on the road and with signs.

You are in for a treat as you spend the next few hours witnessing fantastic ocean views and countryside.

Pebble Beach Resort

Your drive ends with a stop at the Pebble Beach Resort.

Pebble Beach Golf Links, situated along the stunning coastline of California’s Monterey Peninsula, is renowned as one of the world’s most picturesque and iconic golf courses.

Surprisingly, you can walk around the resort area, visit the Pebble Beach Visitor’s Center, go shopping, and even watch golfers finish at the 18th hole.

Its breathtaking ocean views, challenging layout, and rich history, including hosting multiple U.S. Opens and other prestigious tournaments, make it a bucket-list destination for golf enthusiasts worldwide.

Dinner by the Golf Course

Finish your evening by having dinner at the Inn at Spanish Bay, one of Pebble Beach’s many resorts. Arrange your schedule to arrive near sunset for one of the most unique experiences.

Every evening, as the sun sets, a bagpiper strolls along the golf course, signaling its closure in accordance with Scottish tradition.

Request a table outdoors near the firepits for a delightful conclusion to your night.

Listening to the bagpiper play as the sun sets is truly a magnificent way to wrap up the evening.

Day 5: Monterey and Pacific Grove

Known for its beautiful coastline, historic old town, and world-class aquarium, you won’t want to miss a day in Monterey.

The sunrise on Monterey Bay is phenomenal. If you are an early riser, you won’t want to miss it.

Begin your day with breakfast at Loulou’s Griddle in the Middle near Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

Old Fisherman’s Wharf

After breakfast, I highly recommend taking a whale-watching tour out of Monterey. Seeing giant whales up close is an unbelievable experience.

Once your whale-watching trip ends, stop for a bite at one of the many restaurants serving fresh seafood like these scrumptious meals and drinks at The Crab House.

Finally, be on the lookout for the sea lions that play and bark in the water below the pier. You will definitely hear them.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

One of Monterey’s main attractions is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This massive aquarium is one of the largest in the world and features over 35,000 animals and 620 species.

Walk through aviaries, touch pools, the kelp forest, and get up close to sea otters, sharks, and other marine life.

Don’t miss feeding times to see divers hand-feed fish and learn about the animals.

Cannery Row

Take a stroll down this lively oceanfront street made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name.

Spend the evening strolling the street lined with restaurants, shops, wine-tasting rooms, and boutique hotels housed in former canneries.

Visit Nearby Pacific Grove

When you leave Cannery Row and the Aquarium, take advantage of one of the most beautiful coastal recreation trails connecting the Aquarium to nearby Pacific Grove attractions.

The Coastal Trail is a paved path along the Pacific Ocean with incredible views.

The path links to the 17-mile drive that you can explore on electric bikes, a popular way to see the area.

As you travel along the trail, stop at California’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse in Pacific Grove, the Point Pinos Lighthouse. The lighthouse dates back to 1855.

The lighthouse is open only during limited hours, but if you are lucky enough to visit when it is open, you can climb to the top for panoramic views over the Pacific.

The surrounding Point Pinos Nature Preserve also has scenic trails through the dunes.

Pacific Grove Butterfly Sanctuary

Another fascinating stop near the recreation trail is the Pacific Grove Butterfly Sanctuary.

This enchanting spot offers a unique opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of thousands of monarch butterflies in their natural habitat. The monarchs gather here beginning in each October as they migrate south for the winter.

Walk through the tranquil grove as you admire the clusters of these delicate creatures.

You will often find volunteers with binoculars that you can use, but when I went, binoculars weren’t needed. It’s such a peaceful and mesmerizing experience.

Places to Eat in Monterey

Alvarado Street, a main thoroughfare in Monterey, is lively, bright, and stringed with lights adorning the street. With so many restaurants in this area, you will surely find a favorite.

Consider Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill, Cibo Ristorante Italiano, or the Esteban Restaurant at Casa Munras.

We also ate at Osteria al Mare on Cannery Row, which is fantastic Italian and seafood.

Day 6: Departure Day

Five days along this stretch of California’s coast was the perfect girls’ getaway—equal parts adventure, relaxation, and indulgence. Whether you’re whale watching in Monterey, sipping wine in Carmel, or standing on a cliff in Big Sur, this trip will leave you in awe.

Where to Stay: My Top Picks in Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur

We splurged on Bernardus Lodge & Spa, and honestly, it was worth every penny.

The complimentary Mercedes program? The cozy fire pits? The spa treatments? Yes, yes, and yes.

But if you’re looking for other great places to stay, here are more options:

Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur are near each other, so you can stay in one and venture out on day trips for the entirety of your trip. I have stayed in Carmel Valley and Monterey, and both are convenient for seeing California’s central coast.

Where you stay will depend largely on your budget. Expect to pay much more in Carmel and Big Sur than in Monterey.

Here are some top lodging options to consider for your Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur getaway:

More Recommended Carmel by the Sea Lodging

• La Playa Carmel – La Playa is a popular resort in Carmel. It’s within walking distance of some of Carmel’s best restaurants. In addition, a stay here includes a complimentary breakfast buffet in the mornings as well as complimentary wine tasting and cookies in the afternoons.
• Normandy Inn & Cottages – Situated just steps from Carmel Beach and along the iconic Ocean Avenue, this charming inn offers cozy accommodations with a touch of coastal elegance.
• Le Petit Pali at Ocean Ave – Guests are treated to a complimentary Continental Champagne Breakfast with Rise + Roam Bakery pastries, homemade cookies, and bedside chocolates. The hotel also offers house bicycles for exploration and hosts curated Social Happy Hours featuring regional wines, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and local artisan programming.

More Recommended Monterey Lodging

• Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa – This hotel offers breathtaking bay views and luxurious accommodations that are perfect for a relaxing getaway. With its prime location near Cannery Row and exceptional spa services, it provides a serene and indulgent experience for guests exploring the beauty of Monterey.
• Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay – The Portola Hotel is in a fantastic location and within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and most Monterey attractions. Ask for a room with a harbor view.

Monterey definitely has more accommodations, but if I had the money to spend on a more expensive hotel, I would choose one in Carmel rather than Monterey.

To me, Monterey was touristy, whereas Carmel to Big Sur felt more like a vacation.

Best Time for Visiting Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, and Monterey

The Central California Coast offers year-round appeal, each season providing unique highlights.

In spring, the crowds are smaller, and hotel rates are lower. The weather is mild, and wildflowers are in bloom. The whale-watching season also extends into spring.

Beach weather makes summer peak season. Book lodging well in advance. Keep in mind coastal fog is common in summer. The pace can be slower in the quaint coastal towns.

Warm sunny days and cooler nights make fall a wonderful time to visit. The summer crowds have left, but the whale-watching season continues into November. Fall foliage arrives later than in other parts of the country.

You may continue to see whales in Monterey Bay in winter. Rates are lower but some restaurants and hotels reduce hours or close for the season. Storm watching can be dramatic along the coast.

Spring and fall shoulder seasons may provide the best blend of great weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices along the Central California Coast.

Sample Five-Day Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary

To experience the magic of this region for yourself, use the sample 5-day itinerary in this guide to plan your own Central Coast road trip adventure.

Conclusion

California’s Central Coast is a stunningly beautiful area with charming small towns, dramatic coastlines, and plenty of great activities, making it a perfect getaway destination.

Enjoy the laidback vibes and upscale offerings when visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea. Explore historic attractions and sample fresh seafood in Monterey County. Take in the magnificent scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway in Big Sur.

With quaint inns, nice weather year-round, and world-class culinary and outdoor experiences, a Carmel to Big Sur trip delivers an unforgettable California escape.

You can’t go wrong with so much to see and do in Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur. With this ultimate guide, you’ll discover plenty of highlights and hidden gems.

Enjoy unlocking the beauty and wonders of California’s captivating Central Coast!