Today I want to bring you my Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey itinerary for a 4-day California road trip. These famous places on the Central Coast have everything from boulder-studded beaches to charming shops and great restaurants. It’s easy to visit all three places on a California vacation, and I’m excited to tell you about the fun things you can do and see. I’m here now, so read on for my travel itinerary and a map with all the highlights.
Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey Itinerary
Big Sur is a coastal area that sits along a 90-mile stretch of the Pacific Ocean on California’s Central Coast. The Pacific Coast Highway (called the Cabrillo Highway here) runs the length of Big Sur. This iconic coastal road gives locals and visitors easy access to state parks, beaches, hiking trails, restaurants, hotels, campsites, and more.
Carmel is just north of Big Sur on the Monterey Peninsula. From the picture-pretty shops in Carmel-by-the-Sea to the wineries in Carmel Valley and the dramatic scenery in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, there’s a lot to love about this part of the Golden State.
Monterey is a coastal city that was once the center of the sardine-packing industry. Immortalized in print by John Steinbeck, today it’s famous for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the waterfront shops and restaurants along Cannery Row, and the beautiful coastline.
Central Coast Road Trip Itinerary
My itinerary for Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey follows a surprise trip my boyfriend has planned for our anniversary. All I know is that we’re traveling south from San Francisco to spend a long weekend in some of our favorite places on the coast. I can’t wait to see what the journey has in store for us.
Day 1
My boyfriend and I leave San Francisco in the late morning to avoid traffic. It takes us just under 2 hours to get to Castroville, where we stop for lunch. This historic town in Monterey County is known for artichokes, and we’re excited to tuck into some.
We eat at a famous local place called Phil’s Fish Market, which is set in a 19th-century schoolhouse right next to the iconic Castroville sign. The restaurant is known for its seafood dishes, so we order crab cakes and scallops to go with our fire-roasted artichokes. Oh, and strawberry shortcake. It all goes down a treat in the airy dining room.
Point Lobos
It’s a 25-minute drive to the next stop on our itinerary: Point Lobos. Called “the crown jewel” of the 280 California state parks, this natural reserve is known for its hiking trails, coastal scenery, and marine life.
We park along the highway and follow the Lace Lichen Trail through beautiful woodland to the Pacific Ocean. The rugged coastline is full of sandy coves and barking sea lions, and it all feels quintessentially Californian. It’s a great introduction to this part of the state.
From Point Lobos we drive south through the Carmel Highlands. Soon we’re officially in Big Sur. We stop to climb the stairs up a hill on Soberanes Pont and take in the iconic coastal scenery before moving on.
Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn
We drive along Highway 1 to get to our accommodation in Big Sur. It’s called Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn, and it’s famous for its historic wooden cabins nestled among the redwoods. We enjoyed a delicious dinner in the charming restaurant here on our last trip to Big Sur, and we’re excited to be back in this special place.
Built by a Norwegian when Big Sur was becoming a popular travel destination in the 1930s, Deetjen’s blends into the landscape and offers visitors a rustic retreat with a Nordic feel.
We’re staying in the Castro Cabin, a cozy wooden structure right next to a waterfall. It’s straight out of a fairy tale, and it’s perfect for our stay.
Dinner at Sierra Mar Restaurant
We settle into our cabin and explore the grounds, then head out to have dinner at Post Ranch Inn. This is one of the most famous hotels in Big Sur, and its hillside restaurant offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
We’re seated at an amazing corner table, and we order creative cocktails and California caviar as the sun starts to paint the clouds pink. Our server is friendly and has a good sense of humor, and she helps set the tone for a memorable evening.
Over the next two hours, we enjoy a multi-course tasting menu of primarily fish and seafood. The meal is excellent, and we couldn’t ask for a better sunset to enjoy it with.
Day 2
The following morning our Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey itinerary continues with a big breakfast at Deetjen’s and a day of fun activities, great meals, and a few surprises.
Buzzard’s Roost Trail Hike
Our first stop is a hike on the Buzzard’s Roost Trail. This moderate 2.8-mile hike in the hills above the coast offers dramatic redwood trees and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean at the top.
Leaving Deetjen’s, we drive a short distance north to get to the small parking area and unmarked trailhead across the highway from Big Sur Lodge. Once on the lollipop-shaped trail, we walk along the Big Sur river and ascend a path lined with tall trees.
It takes us under an hour to reach the top, and we’re rewarded with spectacular views of the coast. We spend some time taking it all in, then descend the other side of the loop on the way back to the road.
Fernwood Resort
When we finish the hike, we hop in the car and head north to Fernwood Resort for lunch. Established in 1932, this place has everything from forest cabins to a campground, general store, bar, and live music events.
Fernwood also has a restaurant with a sunny wooden terrace out back. It’s the perfect spot for an afternoon meal.
We meet my boyfriend’s coworker and her family when we arrive, and our group tucks into heaping salads and delicious pizzas as the deck fills up with people.
Big Sur River Inn
After lunch we drive north to Big Sur River Inn. The area’s first hotel and restaurant, this place has been a gathering point for locals and visitors for generations.
Big Sur River Inn is famous for having Adirondack chairs right in the water. We enjoyed them so much on our last trip that we couldn’t help coming back. We order drinks at the bar and carry them out over the terrace and down to the big wooden seats.
We spend an hour soaking up the peaceful scenery, listening to the sound of the slow-moving water, and watching the sun filter through the redwoods. The river is so clear we can see everything in it, and we love that we’re in it too.
Garrapata Beach
After finishing our drinks, we get back into the car and drive north to Garrapata Beach. On the way we stop to take pictures of Bixby Bridge, a soaring arch that’s one of the most photographed bridges in California. Completed in 1932, it’s one of the highest of its kind in the world.
Garrapata Beach features a beautiful stretch of sand, stunning headlands, coastal paths, and views over the Pacific Ocean. As with many waterfront areas in Big Sur, it’s windy here, but it’s worth battling the breeze to see the shoreline.
We pull off the road and park by Calla Lily Valley, an area known for wildflowers. We walk around, taking in the scenery on the bluffs, admiring the lilies (there are a few here at this time of year, but they’re usually in full bloom in late winter or early spring), and walking on the sand.
Carmel Valley
From Garrapata Beach we start the next leg of our Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey itinerary with a 25-minute drive to Carmel Valley. When we arrive, we check into Bernardus Lodge & Spa, a beautiful hotel in the heart of wine country.
Our suite is amazing. It has high ceilings, a four-poster bed, a spacious living room, and an outdoor terrace with a fire pit looking out onto grape vines and ridge lines. It also has a huge bathroom with double shower heads, a copper tub, and a private patio with an outdoor shower.
We want to stay in our suite all evening, but dinner at the Bernardus restaurant, Lucia, awaits. We head to the bar, where my boyfriend’s family and two of our friends are waiting to meet us.
We all enjoy a drink before heading downstairs into the wine cellar for a private dinner. It’s a beautiful space, and the food, wine, and service are top-notch. From prawns to tuna and steak, we enjoy a feast as we catch up and toast with delicious local wine.
Day 3
The next morning our trip to Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey continues with a relaxing day at Bernardus. We luxuriate over breakfasts of huevos rancheros and blueberry pancakes in the restaurant’s bright dining room, then head out to take advantage of all the resort has to offer.
Carmel
Some people in our group play tennis and bocce ball, others swim in the pool and hot tub, and still more get spa treatments or drive into Carmel-by-the-Sea or Monterey. It’s sunny and warm, and it feels good to take advantage of the weather.
In the evening we meet for a drink at the bar before heading to dinner in Carmel-by-the-Sea. We’ve booked a table at a steakhouse called Seventh & Dolores, and we’re excited to dine here. The restaurant is spacious and the decor contemporary, and we enjoy everything from French onion soup to filet mignon.
Afterwards we walk down the street to a gastropub called Mulligan. We have drinks in the rustic bar as we take in the quirky decor and talk with a local and his adorable dog.
Day 4
The next morning our Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey itinerary sees us enjoy another breakfast at Bernardus before we head to the spa. This haven of tranquility has a garden-to-treatment philosophy with mindful services and wellness workshops aimed at total relaxation.
We’re booked in for 50-minute Swedish massages, and they’re as relaxing as we’d hoped they’d be. With long flowing strokes and essential oils, they whisk us off to a heavenly realm.
We follow the treatments with stints in the eucalyptus steam room, sauna, and outdoor warming pool. It’s pure tranquility, and it’s a great way to cap off our stay.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
After tearing ourselves away from the spa, we check out of our room at Bernardus and drive into Carmel Valley Village for a quick look around. This pint-size place is full of charm. With rustic tasting rooms, art galleries, and restaurants lining the streets, it’s a welcoming place to explore.
From the village we head to Carmel-by-the-Sea. This famous coastal town is known for its chocolate-box streets, independent boutiques, hidden courtyards, and historic feel. I spent countless weekends here as a child, and I always love coming back to see what’s new.
We spend an hour popping into shops, wandering down passageways and into covered shopping areas, and photographing all the cute storefronts we come across.
Monterey
Back in the car, we start making our way to San Francisco. But we have one last stop before we head north: Monterey. We’re having lunch at a local Mexican place called La Bahia, which has an extensive menu full of everything from quesadillas to tacos and burritos.
Lunch satisfies our appetites, and we stop on Cannery Row in Monterey afterwards. The waterfront restaurants are buzzing, and the shops and cafes leading to the iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium are busy with visitors.
We check out the scene, then point the car north for the drive to San Francisco. It’s been an amazing trip to Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey, and a great journey full of anniversary surprises.
Map of Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of all the places on my itinerary. You can find it here. If you click on the pins you’ll see the name of each one.
I hope the map helps you understand where things are relative to one another so you can plan a Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey road trip of your own.
Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey Road Trip Itinerary
If you get a chance to follow in our footsteps, I hope you enjoy your Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey itinerary as much as we enjoyed our time on this part of the California coast. From the landscapes to the beaches, hikes, shops, hotels, and restaurants, it will give you a good overview of what the area has to offer. Happy travels!
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