January 20 - 22 (3D2N): As part of my visit to Los Angeles this year, I decided to tackle the road trip of driving from LA to SF and visit many interesting sights along the way. One of the highlights when taking the scenic route (Pacific Coast Highway 1) was driving through Big Sur. I’ve consulted many travel blogs and compiled an itinerary that will allow you to hit all the main attractions in Big Sur over a 3-day road trip from LA to SFO.

Day 1

• Noon departure from Los Angeles

• Drive to Santa Barbara (~1.5 hr)

  • Stearns Wharf

  • Walk along State Street

  • The Red Piano

  • Paseo Nuevo Shopping Centre

• Drive to San Luis Obispo (~1.5 hr)

  • Dinner @ Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill

  • Check-in @ San Luis Creek Lodge

Day 2

• Walk around the town of San Luis Obispo:

  • Bubblegum Alley

  • Walk along San Luis Obispo Creek

  • Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

  • Mission Plaza

• Cayucos:

  • Brown Butter Cookie Co. (generous samples to try)

  • Cayucos State Beach

  • Cayucos Pier

• Nitt Witt Ridge @ Cambria ($10 tour admission; go for a photo outside the house if you are short on time)

• Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery @ San Simeon

• Big Sur:

  • McWay Falls ($10 parking or free on the side of the road; hike is easy and ~10mins RT)

  • Stop along various viewpoints

  • Lunch @ Ventana Inn & Spa (or Post Ranch Inn but must reserve ahead)

  • Pfeiffer beach (closed to tourist when we were there)

  • Bixby Bridge

• Carmel-by-the-sea:

  • Drive through Scenic Road for some beautiful houses

  • Walk along shops on Ocean Ave. (stop by Burns Cowboy Shop for some cool cowboy boots)

  • Sunset by Carmel River State Beach

  • Wine tasting @ Caraccioli Cellars ($20 tasting for 6)

• Monterey:

  • Beer & jenga @ Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill

  • Dinner @ Full Moon Mandarin Cuisine

  • Check-in @ Stage Coach Lodge

Day 3

• Drive to San Francisco Airport (~2.5 hrs)

• Noon flight back to NYC

Other points of interest & food

• Hike Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

• Point Lobos ($10 per vehicle)

• Carmel-by-the-Sea:

  • San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission

  • Tor House ($12 per adult for 1.25 hr tour)

  • Dinner @ Enzo

• Monterey:

  • Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard

  • Point Pinos Lighthouse ($4 per adult; closed Tues/Wed; opens 1-4pm)

  • Ramen @ Toribashi

• Hearst Castle