Postcards From A Big Sur Road Trip, California
Postcards From A Big Sur Road Trip, California
Planning a Big Sur road trip? We’ve got you covered. Here are the best things to do, see, and eat along the stunning coastal route from Monterey to Malibu.
Last summer hubby and I spent a couple of weeks exploring California, driving from San Francisco to LA. Part of this route was dedicated to a Big Sur road trip, where we scaled the twisty, turny clifftop roads and saw the most amazing sites.
So what is the Big Sur?
Big Sur is a section of Highway 1 that runs from Monterey to just north of Malibu, and driving it will make up a huge part of any California road trip. Not only is this cliff-edged coastal route incredibly long, it’s also packed full of vista (view) points. There are so many in fact, that you’ll want to keep your phone out at every twist and turn!
And although these vista points are marked out with signs, none of them are actually named. They’re all beautiful though, and I would try and stop off at as many as possible.
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Whale watching in Monterey
Monterey marks the start of our Big Sur road trip. This coastal gem is known for its incredible sea life, and we’d recommend booking a boat trip to see their whales. If you can, it’s also great to stay at a hotel on the coast to maximize your beach time 😊
Carmel beach
After Monterey, drive half an hour south to Carmel, a pretty chocolate box town on the Big Sur coast. There are galleries and cute boutiques to explore, and the beach has to be one of the frothiest and prettiest along the Pacific Coast Highway. Careful not to wade too far in though – this area has strong tides.
The main Big Sur route
After Carmel, drive further south to start the main stretch of Big Sur. Depending on what time you set off, there might still be some morning fog though. This happened to us, so unfortunately we weren’t able to see the Bixby Creek Bridge. The fog soon lifted though, which is when we took all these shots :)
Lunch at Nepenthe
There are a couple of places to eat along a Big Sur road trip, and Nepenthe is probably the one that gets mentioned the most. For good reason too – their food is good and their views are excellent. Finish up with some refreshing iced coffees and lemonades, and then hit the road again!
McWay Falls
One of the best stops on the Big Sur is McWay Falls, a waterfall that drops 80 feet from a cliff on to an untouched beach cove. It’s gorgeous, and a super easy 1/2 mile hike through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The hike is on even ground too, so is suitable for even very young children too.
A petting zoo and farm shop at Avila Valley Barn, San Luis Obispo
Avila Valley Barn is the go-to place for the freshest farm shop produce and a petting zoo area! We bundled up bags full of preserves, cakes and snacks, and then gave the goats a little pet on the way out. Super wholesome.
Avila and Pismo Beach
These beaches are right next to each other, and both are equally as pretty.
Overnight at Skyview Los Alamos
By now you’ll be a bit tired of all the driving, so stop off for a night at the lovely Skyview Los Alamos. Is this my favourite motel in California? Hell yes. Stretch your limbs in the heated pool, then wake up to a spot of breakfast overlooking the Los Alamos hills.
Walk along Butterfly Beach, Santa Barbara
If you’ve got time for one more stop before Malibu, then make it Butterfly Beach in Santa Barbara. This peaceful stretch of sand is lined with summer homes and luxury hotels, but for the most part feels like its all yours.
End your Big Sur road trip in Malibu
Now, even though the Big Sur technically ends before Malibu, I thought I’d include it in this write up. We loved stopping off here and drinking watermelon juices at the end of the pier. Later, we walked to the beach and watched surfers do their thing. Fun times.
There you have it, those are our favourite stops on a Big Sur road trip! Hope you have a great trip too :)
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