Big Sur is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful drives in California (if not the entire world). With a rugged coastline lining the west and towering mountains to the east, stunning views galore are guaranteed the entire length of the road trip. Even though the drive is relatively short at just 90 miles, a Big Sur road trip is all about the incredibly beautiful destinations and activities offered every mile of the way. Simply put, a Big Sur road trip is all about the journey rather than a destination! If you’re feeling overwhelmed while planning your Big Sur road trip, here’s an excellent route and itinerary you can follow. Not only will this itinerary have you seeing the very best of Big Sur, but you can also adapt the amount of time you spend at each spot to your needs!
The Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary
Carmel
Carmel is a small town with a village feel that makes for the perfect starting point of the road trip and an
Carmel’s picturesque vibes can be felt every step you take through its narrow cobblestone streets. With petite cottages draped in greenery and flowers, cute boutique shops offering all sorts of local goodies, and the sound of the waves crashing in the background, a visit to this quaint little town will have you wondering if you’ve stepped inside a storybook!
Time Required: 1 to 2 days
Bixby Bridge
Offering sweeping views of the California coastline, Bixby Bride is one of the most iconic stops to make on a Big Sur road trip. Its unique location offers views of the canyon on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, making it a must-stop to snap a picture and take in the views!
Time Required: A few minutes
Andrew Molera State Park
Compared to other parks along the Big Sur region, Andrew Molera State Park is quite untouched and thus offers an authentic immersion into the nature of the place (plus incredible vistas of Monterey Bay below!).
Even though you could easily decide to spend the day laying at the beach here, the best way to explore the park is by putting on your hiking shoes and hitting a trail (or several of them!). Meadows, hilltops, bluffs, and dreamy beaches are all examples of the views you’ll get to see while hiking through Andrew Molera State Park!
For a pretty easy trail full of both beach views and forest goodness, the Bluffs Trail is an excellent choice to test out your skills. If you’re eager for a challenge, you can continue further up to the Panorama Trail, which is a bit steeper but well worth the effort as it provides the most magical views of the coast down below!
Time Required: 1 to 2 days
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
A Big Sur road trip is all about ocean views, but there’s one place in particular with no coast that’s also worth checking out: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Located on the western slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains, this state park is all about hikes by the river surrounded by maples, redwoods, conifers, and other flora. If you’re a wildlife buff, this is probably the best place in Big Sur to spot fauna (keep your eyes out for bobcats, black-tail deer, and a huge variety of birds!)
Required: 1 to 2 days
Pfeiffer Beach
Pfeiffer Beach is one of the most unique places to visit while on your Big Sur road trip, especially if you
Pfeiffer Beach is located roughly two miles south of Pfeiffer State Park, but make sure you plan a bit more time to get there as the road can be a bit tricky to navigate. Once you get to Pfeiffer Beach, though, its beauty will make every twist and turn worth the effort.
Insider tip: Try to visit Pfeiffer Beach for sunset, when the last rays of the sun cut through Keyhole Arch, painting the most magical scene ever!
Time Required: Half a day
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is quite likely one of the world’s most beautiful stretches of coastline and a favorite stop for most Big Sur road trippers.
With the 80 feet McWay Falls crashing down from cliffs straight into the ocean, enchanting hidden beach coves, lush forests you can walk through, and the most incredible vistas Big Sur has to offer, Julia Pfeiffer makes for a grand finale to your Big Sur road trip.
Even though McWay Falls is usually the main reason most people visit the park, do try to spend at least an entire day exploring it to the fullest. On the menu of things to do are fabulous coastline hikes, walks through alluring forests, and even searching for the remains of an authentic shipwreck.
Required Time: 1 day
I hope this itinerary gave you a better outline of the must-do stops during your Big Sur road trip. The best thing about driving down this area of California is the fact that the locations are close to each other, so you can easily adjust the amount of time you want to stay at each place depending on how many days you have to dedicate to the trip!
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