I love planning vacations with my family -- the hotel bookings, the travel costs, and my favorite, the itinerary. This summer, I planned out a flexible 4-day trip in Big Sur that anyone can use.
1. Your destinations and places to go!
These are some of the most popular places to go according to TripAdvisor.
2. Your sample itinerary (4 to 7 days)!
Day 1
Attractions: Moss Landing State Beach, Cannery Row
Restaurant: El Torito (seaside view)
Day 2
Attractions: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Garrapata State Park, Bixby Bridge
Restaurant: Flaherty's Seafood restaurant (gluten free!)
Day 3
Attractions: 17-Mile Drive (impromptu), McWay Falls/Julia Pfeiffer, Henry Miller Library
Restaurant: Big Sur River Inn (gluten free!)
Day 4
Attractions: Pfeiffer Beach (go early in the morning otherwise you can't get in!), free time shopping, home
You can go in chronological order from the map above and book hotels a couple days before when they're cheapest (or make reservations months beforehand if you have the budget). However, every destination is within driving distance, so it is easy to make a flexible schedule; we were able to move destinations around and add impromptu trips.
Remember to take your time at each destination, especially if you have a whole day! There are many window shopping opportunities around these restaurants and interesting people to talk to. The area around Flaherty's had several art exhibits and unique shops.
3. Your insider tips and extra information!
Highway 101: as of 2018, some parts of Highway 101 are closed until further notice. Destinations below Julia Pfeiffer are most likely closed.
Hours/Parking: most attractions open at sunrise (8 a.m.) and close an hour before or at sunset (8 p.m. - 8:20 p.m). There is a $10 fee for parking.
Hotels: since there are a lot of tourists all year round, any hotel you type in is mostly reasonably priced and managed. I stuck with the lowest cost, and my family had no problems.
Food: bring snacks, especially if you'll be hiking. The seafood at the restaurants is wonderful, and Big Sur River Inn has willow tree chairs on a river so you can eat and dip your feet in the water simultaneously.
Weather: there's an ocean breeze even in the summer, so bring layers
Hiking Intensity: intermediate but flexible except at Garrapata, which has more rugged trails. Point Lobos has both rugged trails and smooth ones, and also the option to drive from point to point in case you get tired.
4. Your additional destinations if you have more than four days!
I always like to have extra places to visit on hand in case the unexpected happens and we can't visit a destination. Some include Point Sur Lightstation (guided tours on Wednesdays), whale watching from December to April, Nepenthe, and Sienna Marr.
