The Perfect Weekend Getaway
Big Sur
Cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway is a dream for most Americans (and non-Americans!). It is the idyllic road trip along coastal, windy roads amongst crashing, turquoise waves. What is not to love about that? In 2020, we drove down the Oregon coast on our babymoon. this time we wanted to explore other parts of the Pacific Coast Highway. We finally made the move and planned 3 days in Big Sur for our anniversary this past December. The cooler weather provided the opportunity to explore this stunning coast without overwhelming summer crowds. We recommend visiting in the off-season, but plan a trip to Big Sur any chance you get! Read on for our long-weekend itinerary down the Pacific Coast Highway.
Where is Big Sur?
Big Sur is found in Northern California along the famous Pacific Coast Highway (also known as Highway 1). It is known for its immense greenery and stunning cliffside views that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Big Sur is an iconic coastal drive and has been featured in many car commercials. You may also recognize the famous Bixby Bridge from the TV show Big Little Lies. Other than being one of the most spectacular drives we’ve ever completed, the coast has so much to offer. From adventurous hikes to high-end spa resorts, Big Sur has it all. The Pacific Coast Highway could make for a month long roadtrip, but for those who only have a long weekend, we wanted to share our 3 days in Big Sur itinerary. Read below for more on when to visit, how to get there, and where to stay!
Table of Contents
How to Get to Big Sur
Big Sur is a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. It is about a two hour drive south of San Francisco and 45 minutes south of Monterey. For those out-of-town folks, you can fly into either airport and drive down the coast. We highly recommend renting a car, because the drive is half the fun of the trip! Stunning coastal views all along the Pacific Coast Highway are what make Big Sur so incredible. The short drive from either city makes for a perfect 3 days in Big Sur itinerary.
It is about a two hour drive south of San Francisco and 45 minutes south of Monterey
When to Visit Big Sur
Big Sur has beautiful weather year-round, as expected in California. However, we enjoyed visiting during the off-season in December. It was a little on the chilly side (High’s in the 60’s, Low’s in the 40’s), but we loved that Big Sur and the coast was not swarmed with tourists. The accommodation costs were much more reasonable than compared to the summertime. We highly recommend a Fall or Spring visit if you prefer slightly warmer weather. If you don’t mind the cool nights, Winter is the perfect time to visit!
Where to Stay Big Sur
Deciding where to stay in Big Sur really depends on your budget and trip goals. There is everything from camping to luxury resorts along the coast. You can also find many budget-friendly hotels within the area. Below are some great accommodation options based on specific budgets for you to spend 3 days in Big Sur.
Budget-Friendly Accommodation $-$$
Modest Accommodation $$-$$$
Luxury Accommodation $$$-$$$$$
- Alila Ventana Big Sur
- Post Ranch Inn (Goals!)
Ventana Big Sur
Alila Ventana Big Sur is an incredible property right off of Highway 1 in the midst of the forest. For those on a tighter budget, staying on the main resort property may not be possible, but you can still experience some of it’s luxury. We were lucky enough to visit during the off-season and book one of their glamping tents. The tents are found on the same property as the campgrounds, but have their own section with private facilities. Glamping was the ultimate way to experience Big Sur! We’d highly recommend these accommodations for a short 3 days in Big Sur stay.
Glamping at Ventana Big Sur
Glamping guests used to have full access to the Ventana property and facilities, but since the Covid-19, this has been removed. Guests now have their own distinct area on the camping grounds, which includes a Bath House with heated floors and showers. They are able to purchase firewood bundles, s’mores and ice through guest services. We were a little bummed about not having access to the resort, but we honestly enjoyed every moment of our glamping setup that we probably wouldn’t have left anyway. The Sur House restaurant did allow us to purchase a dog meal to-go for Remi, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Boujee, we know, but much appreciated!
The Tents
The glamping tents themselves were very nice and had a lot of amenities. There was an electric fire pit on the deck, which was easy to light. Also, it included a second fire pit for real wood fires on the ground in front of the deck. We enjoyed using both fire pits! Our tent was a little bit of a walk to get to from the parking spot, but we didn’t mind the privacy of the woods, especially with a baby and a dog! It was peaceful and felt like we were the only campers around.
The deck also had cold/hot water and a sink, but there was no in between temperatures, so you had to be careful not to scold yourself. It was very nice to have hot water as we had a lot of baby gear to clean and sterilize. The inside of the tent had two nightstands, storage, and plenty of electrical outlets. We very much appreciated the heated blanket at night. Maya ended up sleeping with us instead of her travel crib, because it was a little too cold for her at night.
Overall, we loved our glamping experience and enjoyed the luxury of the tent. The nightly staff were very accommodating and even helped us get our fire roaring! Glamping at Ventana is the perfect accommodation for your 3 days in Big Sur. Shout out to the staff at Big Sur Smokehouse (right outside of the campgrounds) for hooking us up with plenty of mac & cheese and milk for Maya!
3 Days in Big Sur Itinerary
- Carmel-by-the-Sea, Soberanes Point, Bixby Bridge – Day 1
- Andrew Molera State Park, McWay Falls – Day 2
- Pfieffer Beach, Garrapata Beach, Point Lobos State Park – Day 3
Day 1
Carmel-by-the-Sea
The Town
Carmel-by-the-Sea is just one of those towns that you have to see in person to grasp it’s charm. From the moment we entered it’s downtown, we felt like we were in a Disney film. The cute, vibrant town is found among the coastal hills in the beginning of Big Sur. It is the perfect pitstop if you’re spending 3 days in Big Sur.
The town is filled with adorable shops, tons of restaurants, bakeries, and art shops. There are no chains to be found, which adds to it’s unique charm. Without franchises, you are fully supporting local business, which is something we feel very strongly about. The people are friendly and welcoming, as well as extremely dog-friendly. Don’t forget to bring your pup along! Remi enjoyed every bit of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
The Food
Ok, so we don’t typically visit the same restaurants more than once on vacay, but Carmel Belle had our hearts. We stopped here on our way through Carmel on day 1 because of it’s great reviews. Little did we know how awesome it would be! Not only is it very spacious, but the food and drinks were amazing and the vibe was super chill. They had a fire pit with tables surrounding it, which was the perfect treat on a cool winter day. Maya loved watching the flames as she grazed on avocado toast and a charcuterie board.
On the way back up the Pacific Coast Highway, we stopped back in Carmel Belle for more delicious coffee and lunch! The prices are a bit costly, but you are in California after all and this seemed to be very typical. Don’t pass through Carmel without stopping for at least a fresh juice or coffee from Carmel Belle!
Brad’s Barkery
We couldn’t mention the dog-friendly atmosphere of Carmel without giving a shout out to Brad’s Barkery. As the name suggests, it is a bakery for dogs. How cute! They have barkcuterie boards and all types of treats. Unfortunately, when we arrived, no one was at the shop. We reached out to them on IG and they came back right away, so we could get Remi treats. Talk about great customer service! PS – Thanks for the Remi dood IG shoutout!
La Bicyclette
Lastly, we can’t let you spend 3 days in Big Sur without mentioning La Bicyclette Restaurant and Carmel Bakery. First off, classic “us move” was to get ice cream at Carmel Bakery while waiting for a dinner table at La Bicylette. We highly recommend grabbing a scoop here and walking around town! We visited the two spots on our last day in Big Sur on our way back to San Francisco.
It’s one thing for a restaurant to have phenomenal cuisine, but it’s another to have fantastic service. We would highly recommend supporting this local joint if you have time!
(La bicyclette restaurant)
Our experience at La Bicyclette was phenomenal. They were very accommodating to us wanting to sit outside with Maya and the wood-fired pizza was outstanding! To top the night off, we met a couple next to us who happened to work at the restaurant. They were super friendly and chatted us up for most of the evening. After they left, we went to pay our bill and the couple had already paid for it without mentioning a word to us. It was such a kind gesture that we will never forget! It’s one thing for a restaurant to have phenomenal cuisine, but it’s another to have fantastic service. We would highly recommend supporting this local joint if you have time!
After spending some time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, head back South on the Pacific Coast Highway. You still will be checking out Soberanes Point and Bixby Bridge before heading to your hotel for the night. Save plenty of daylight, especially if going in the winter.
Wine Lovers: Stop at a local vineyard in Carmel Valley and pick up some vino for the rest of the trip! We stopped at Joullian Vineyards for a delightful Cabernet for our campsite. However, there are tons of wineries around. Just be sure to make a reservation for tastings ahead of time.
Soberanes Point Trail
Soberanes Point
Distance: 1.8 miles
Time: 50 minutes
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 311 feet
Soberanes Point was by far our favorite hike during our 3 days in Big Sur. Although we did not complete it in it’s entirety, we were able to appreciate the beauty from the views we had. On our first day, we were racing the sun and still wanted to make it to Bixby before dark. We enjoyed our casual stroll to this epic viewpoint of the coast. On the way back to San Francisco, we tried to complete the hike again, but the wind was fierce and we were worried about keeping Maya warm enough. However, every moment spent at this spot was surreal. There’s a reason couples are constantly seen taking wedding photos here!
Bixby Bridge
The Bixby Bridge is the iconic photo representing the Big Sur coast. It is a famous spot for tourists to visit and photograph during their time in Big Sur. It was originally made famous by the TV series Big Little Lies. You can find this gem about 18 miles South of Monterey. We suggest photographing this staple point during golden hour. Unfortunately, there was overcast on the day we stopped by the bridge, but it honestly made for a more eerie look, which we loved!
Be sure to avoid parking on the bridge itself or leaving any trash behind. Over the years, the Bixby Bridge has suffered from tourists not treating the surrounding area with care. We recommend parking on the right side of the road when coming from the North. If heading towards Monterey from the South, there is parking on the right side as well. Both sides have stunning views on the bridge and coastal backgrounds. Don’t forget to add this pitstop to your 3 days in Big Sur itinerary. It takes less than 10 minutes to stop and get a photo, if you’re in a rush!
Day 2
Andrew Molera Beach Trail to Creamery Meadows Trail
Distance: 2.3 miles
Time: 50 minutes
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 68 feet
Andrew Molera State Park
Andrew Molera State Park has a few different trails that you can wander. We decided to take the Beach trail down to the shore instead of the Creamery Meadow portion. The trail is an easy, long loop, but we ended up taking the same trail back for time purposes. We would consider the hike to be more of a walk to the beach. It is very doable with little ones. The only thing we were not ready for was the large creek crossing. In the beginning of the trail is a cold creek that you either have to cross barefoot or risk wearing wet shoes for the duration of the walk. We were lucky enough to have met another nice couple during the crossing who shared their towel at the end. Grateful to clean our freezing feet, we continued on the trail with dry shoes!
The beach was quiet this time of the year and quite beautiful. We made it there on a cool, overcast day, which was nice because for majority of the time, we had the beach to ourselves. The walk was a lovely start to the day and we’d recommend this if you’re looking for an easy trail with a scenic lookout. Enjoy a snack on the shoreline and continue on to the trail!
Nepenthe
Be sure to stop at the famous Nepenthe and soak up the coastal views with a cup of Joe. You can grab food upstairs on the outdoor patio or enjoy a spectacular latte at the bar downstairs. Sadly, Nepenthe was not dog friendly, so we grabbed coffee instead of lunch. The views from the lower patio were still incredible and the coffee was honestly the best we had the entire time in Big Sur.
“The views from the lower patio were still incredible and the coffee was honestly the best we had the entire time in Big Sur.”
(Nepenthe)
The restaurant does not accept reservations, so be prepared to wait for a table. We recommend trying to get a seat along the ledge as you will find unobstructed views. This destination would be perfect for a sunset dinner! Arrive early in case there is a long wait.
Lunch at COAST
We actually ended up at COAST because Nepenthe would not allow us in the restaurant with Remi. It ended up being a great experience and we were able to check out both spots! COAST had amazing views from the rooftop seating and the modern, rustic vibes were delightful. The cocktails and food menu was surprisingly impressive. We would definitely recommended checking out this gem on the way to McWay Falls!
Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park – McWay Falls
McWay Falls is a must see on your venture down the Pacific Coast Highway. It is a part of the Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park. The short 0.6 mile roundtrip walk to the falls from the parking lot makes it doable for anyone. We highly recommend checking out this stunning 80 foot waterfall at sunset. The way the sun glistens on the ocean is absolutely breathtaking. Expect a crowd on arrival, but don’t hesitate to visit at this peak golden hour! This sight is a must during your 3 days in Big Sur.
Remi clearly enjoyed the views of the water falling into the ocean on the beach. Unfortunately, the beach in inaccessible, but this adds to the waterfall’s uniqueness. Hopefully, you get lucky and have some quiet time to enjoy the falls without tons of tourists.
Day 3
Pfieffer Beach
This little gem was the most perfect start to our morning on our last day in Big Sur. We grabbed some coffee from Big Sur Bakery and headed out to the shore. Head out to Pfieffer Beach in the morning or for sunset for that perfect golden hour. We were only accompanied by one other person and their dog and it was very peaceful. Later in the morning, a few more people joined us, but it was still pretty quiet. We thoroughly enjoyed watching Remi run around the beach and encouraging Maya to take her first steps. The drone footage also came out amazing (check out more of our drone videography). Seeing the waves rumble through the rock arch was epic!
Visiting beautiful beaches is always on the top of our list of sights to see, even in the off season. There’s something special about beaches in the cool morning. Don’t be turned off by the crazy, narrow dirt road that leads down to this beach. You won’t want to miss this awesome spot during your 3 days in Big Sur.
Point Lobos State Park
The Point Lobos Loop
Distance: 6.7 miles
Time: 2 hr 46 m
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 741 feet
Point Lobos is a massive state park just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. On the way back up to San Francisco, we stopped here to check out some of the many trails the park has to offer. Although easy to walk, the park is large and completing the loop in its entirety is time consuming. We walked a couple of miles down the coast and headed back so we had time to stop in Carmel. It was a nice leisurely stroll with beautiful coastal views and lots of wildlife.
The Point Lobos Loop is 6.7 miles long and considered a moderate trail. The portion that we completed was easy with a few staircases. Overall, the trail is most likely ranked as moderate due to its length. By no means was this a technical trail. We didn’t even break a sweat after two hours of walking.
If you have time to kill and would like to enjoy an easy stroll, check out Point Lobos State Park. We wouldn’t say it’s an absolute must do, but it’s easy for people of all ages and physical conditions to complete at least a portion of the trail.
After a long day of walks and trails, we headed back north towards San Francisco, making sure to stop in Carmel along the way. We recommend grabbing a bite to eat, enjoying the fairytale town for a bit, and be on your way. Especially for those flying out the next morning. If we had more time, we planned to visit Pebble Beach and complete the 17-mile drive to Spanish Bay. Here we would have liked to visit The Bench for dinner, but did not have enough time. With a long drive back and an early flight, we decided to save that part for next time we return to Big Sur.
Final Thoughts
With a long weekend, you can absolutely spend 3 days in Big Sur and see much the beautiful coast has to offer. A full week would be ideal to see more and not rush the hikes, especially when traveling with children. However, you can easily enjoy your time with only a few days to offer. Below were our favorite parts of the trip and definitely shot be on your Big Sur bucket list.
Big Sur Must Do’s
- Soberanes Point Trail
- Pfieffer Beach
- McWay Falls
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Carmel Valley Wineries
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Kudos
Thanks for the heads up!