The Perfect Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary For Best Camping

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss in California – it’s a coastal road trip to Big Sur with the best sights and a camping experience planned in your itinerary.

Having done road trips to Big Sur in both spring and fall, I will always recommend this place to anyone visiting California. Sunsets are spectacular here as you get an unblocked view of the Pacific Ocean, and the scenery stretches on for as far as the eye can see.

If you’re looking for a place to stop over on your California road trip, Big Sur camping could be a great choice! You’ll be a short drive away from the best views along the California coast, and get to explore this area at a slower pace. For example, you can hike down to the beach, or spend an extended time admiring the sunset without the pressure of heading back early to beat traffic.

Sounds good right? In this comprehensive Big Sur road trip guide, we’ll share all the details including what to see, best times to visit, camping options, and our 2-day itinerary recommendation.

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Where is Big Sur

Big Sur is located along the rugged California coastline and is a slice of paradise for nature lovers. Specifically, it is the coastal cliff sections between Carmel Highlands and San Simeon. One of the best ways to see and explore Big Sur is by driving down from the north side as many of the highlights are concentrated here.

How many days do you need for a Big Sur road trip

Big Sur is a popular destination for a day trip from the San Francisco as it is only about 140 miles away (around 3 hours). Personally, I think this makes it quite tiring as the total drive time for the day will be more than 6 hours, especially if you get into heavy traffic.

For our itinerary recommendation, we suggest spending 2 days road tripping to Big Sur to get a taste of the best sights and camping experience. This way, it makes for the perfect weekend trip or even as an addition to your classic California road trip itinerary.

If you’re looking to explore every part of Big Sur, including all the hikes and beaches, you can even extend this to 3 days to a week to slowly soak it all in.

Recommended 2-day Big Sur road trip itinerary

With that, let’s dive into our adventure to Big Sur, including exciting stops in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

You can also check out some of our experiences in Big Sur through my Youtube video.

Day 1 Morning: San Francisco to Big Sur – Bixby Creek Bridge and Garrapata Beach

When planning your morning drive to Big Sur, do expect some traffic as the route from San Francisco towards San Jose can be busy. Try to start your journey as early as 7am so you have enough time to drive slowly and reach in time for brunch or lunch at Big Sur.

I’ll be sharing more details on the best routes to take from San Francisco to Big Sur later on in this post, including notes about road conditions and safety.

Garrapata Beach

Located just 11 miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea, Garrapata Beach is a stunning long stretch of beach where you can sink your toes into the sand. There may also be some beautiful Calla Lilies and other wildflowers around the area during spring.

Parking: You can park at and access the beach via gates 18 or 19, which are numbered highway turnouts.

Bixby Creek Bridge

This is one of the most iconic views is Bixby Creek Bridge. Everyone’s going to be here, trying to get a photo with the historic bridge together with the dramatic backdrop because most people associate this bridge scenery with Big Sur.

Parking: It’s best to get here at off-peak times if possible, as parking at this viewpoint is quite limited. There’s a turnout on the right if you’re driving south, and a small parking lot up the slope on the left.

Make sure to also be careful when you’re crossing the road to see the bridge, as the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph and cars may not slow here.

Day 1 Late Morning: Brunch at COAST Big Sur

One of my favourite finds in Big Sur is this cafe called COAST Big Sur because of the cool building design and amazing atmosphere here. It opens from 11am to 4pm, serving brunch, ice cream, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. Although the price is a bit steep, just think of it as a premium for the amazing view.

The building reminds me of a submarine, and there’s even a sea view terrace that’s ideal for hanging out on a warm day. You can also purchase souvenirs at the store here, and perhaps even browse the gallery when it’s open.

Day 1 Afternoon: McWay Falls and Partington Cove hike

McWay Falls

You’ll find McWay Falls just 5 miles away from the cafe, where you can take a leisurely walk to the viewpoint. This spot always amazes me because how often do you get to see a waterfall pour right out onto the beach? The sea water is also a beautiful shade of turquoise here, which you can see and hear as the waves crash onto the beach.

Although you’ll need to access the viewpoint via the Waterfall Overlook Trail, I would consider it more of a stroll than a hike. This walk is perfect for post-brunch digestion and it only takes a few minutes to get to the McWay Falls viewpoint after going through a short tunnel.

You may not be able to access the whole trail if maintenance works are in progress, but you’ll still get a great view nonetheless. Unfortunately, you will not be able to access the beach due to safety concerns. Besides, it’s illegal to do so!

Parking: To get there, set your navigation to McWay Waterfall Trailhead or McWay Beach Parking Lot. This will bring you to the parking lot where it costs $10 for day use. When we were there on a weekend, it was based on integrity and there weren’t any rangers checking.

Partington Cove

After visiting McWay Falls, we’ll turn around and head back north towards Partington Cove for a short hike. The hike descends down into a cove through where you can enjoy the sea up close. This was also the place where heavy goods were delivered by steamers to carry out industrial activities in the past. Just make sure to wear shoes with good grip as the terrain may be a little uneven. Do cater around 45 minutes to 1 hour for this hike so you can explore all parts of the trail.

There might be temporary closures for the Partington Cove hike, but there’s no harm just checking it out since you’ll be driving past it anyway.

Day 1 Evening: Check in to campsite, stargaze and enjoy a campfire

If you’re a beginner camper, try to book a campsite with developed amenities like toilets, potable water, picnic tables, fire pit etc. There are many camping options to choose from, including public and private campgrounds. I’ve included a section below on the different campgrounds in Big Sur.

I’ve camped in Ventana Campground twice over the last few years and have always enjoyed the location and experience of sleeping under the coastal redwoods. You can purchase firewood at the front entrance for $14 per bundle which burns for about 2 hours. If you need to shower, you just need to purchase tokens that cost 25 cents for 5 minutes of hot water.

Our most recent campsite was #12, and there was space for only 1 vehicle. Take note that some sites are walk-in sites where you may need to walk a slightly longer path to get from your car to the campsite. This makes a difference because you’ll need to go back and forth a few times while you’re setting up camp. If you’re arriving at night, make sure to use a torch as some campsites are on elevated slopes and you don’t want to lost your footing.

Do also check out this article for a more detailed guide on how to plan a weekend camping trip, including a camping packing list for you to refer. Here’s all the gear we use regularly as well!

Finally, sit back and enjoy your dinner by the campfire. My camping dinner of choice is usually cup noodles with an egg! You can also bring beer, some extra skewers to barbecue, and marshmallows for extra fun.

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Day 2 Early Morning: Breakfast at campsite or Big Sur Bakery

One of my favourite camping activities is enjoying a breakfast platter – think scrambled eggs, hashbrown, bacon and coffee.

However if you prefer to eat out, check out Big Sur Bakery which opens at 8am daily (closed on Tuesdays). They have brunch menu items that you can enjoy with a cosy dining atmosphere. If you’re leaving from Ventana Campground, this will a convenient stop on the way to our next destination.

Day 2 Late Morning: Pfeiffer Beach Keyhole Arch

Pfeiffer Beach is another popular spot where people come to see the Keyhole Arch as well as the “purple sand” that is found all over the beach. The contrast of turquoise water against the purple sand is definitely a unique sight that’s worth checking out!

This location is more secluded compared to other places along Big Sur because you can’t access it from the highway. Instead, you’ll have to drive down a narrow Sycamore Canyon Road. Depending on the tide conditions, you may see the keyhole in this natural arch structure better during low tide.

Parking: It costs $15 for day use parking at Pfeiffer Beach Parking.

Day 2 Afternoon: Lunch at La Bicyclette

Next, we’ll say goodbye to Big Sur and drive 30 miles north to Carmel-by-the-Sea for lunch. It is a beautiful and charming town with European-style architecture. There’s so much to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea, so let’s try to make the most of the day.

I highly recommend dining at La Bicyclette as they have phenomenal seafood and we enjoyed every single dish we ordered. Later on we found out that this restaurant was Michelin-rated in 2019 and 2021, it’s not surprising at all!

It has a cosy interior decor with hanging pots, bicycles, and European aesthetic. Our server was very warm toward us and made it easy for us to understand the menu. La Bicyclette is also known for creating seasonal dishes, so we tried the lobster and shrimp pesto-base linguine. I also really loved the spinach gnocchi, also known as Parisian Gnocchi on their menu.

Day 2 Late Afternoon: Explore Carmel-by-the-Sea

It would be a waste to not explore the charming Carmel-by-the-Sea with its many gorgeous courtyards and passageways. A popular spot is Tuck Box Courtyard, which also has a restaurant that is open until early afternoon. Coffee lovers would be glad to know that there are several cafes in this town, such as Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co.

It’s easy to see why Carmel is such a popular place to hangout on the weekend, with the bustling and lively atmosphere in this unique town. The main shopping street is Ocean Avenue, with many boutique stores, cafes and galleries to check out. It also leads right to the sea, so when you’re done exploring the town, let’s head over to Carmel Beach.

Day 2 Evening: Sunset at Carmel Beach

On a clear day, you can see the sun dip below the horizon from anywhere along this long stretch of Carmel Beach. I love seeing the waves crash against the shore, against the backdrop of the sunset. It’s common to see people having a picnic on the beach, or sitting on foldable chairs as they admire the view. I recommend bringing a picnic mat to get comfortable if you don’t want to sit directly on the sand.

We were treated to beautiful bagpipe music by @thevalleypiper at Carmel Beach, which made the sunset experience really lovely. You can check out that Instagram page if you want to know about the next performance!

Parking: There is parking right at the entrance of Carmel Beach, but it gets really crowded especially on weekends. Not only is it tough to find a spot, you will have to deal with pedestrians walking on the roads without a care as they leave the beach. That might make your entry and exit quite tricky. Instead, I would suggest parking at any residential street if you want a less stressful time.

More amazing places to add to your Big Sur road trip

If you are planning to visit more places after Big Sur, I highly recommend stopping by these lovely destinations along Highway 1. These places are in order of distance as you drive from Big Sur and Carmel north, back towards San Francisco. They also make excellent destinations for San Francisco day trips.

• Monterey – Cannery Row, 17-Mile Drive and the iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Santa Cruz – lively boardwalk, surf culture and giant roller coaster
• Pescadero – quiet coastal town with local farm stands and the historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse
• Half Moon Bay – popular coastal retreat famous for pumpkin festivals, beaches and hiking trails

How to get to Big Sur

Big Sur is synonymous with California’s Highway 1, which is also the route you would take to get there. Our itinerary is centered around the north part of Big Sur which has most of the highlights and key attractions. Although you can drive through the whole section of Big Sur from either the north or south, road closures may impact your road trip itinerary.

Road closure updates (2024)

Landslides from seasons of bad weather can damage roads which take a long time to repair. As road works continue, you can check the status via the official Big Sur website. In order to get past certain sections of road closure, you may have to make a detour onto Highway 101 before rejoining onto Highway 1.

• North to south (closed beyond Lucia): From San Francisco to south Big Sur, the main route will be via Highway 101 before heading west via Highway 46 towards Cambria.
• South to north (closed beyond Victor Creek Bridge): From Los Angeles to north Big Sur, take the inland route on Highway 101, followed by Highway 68 that connects you to Highway 1.

Which route to take from San Francisco to Big Sur

Since we’ll be exploring the north part of Big Sur, any road closures further south won’t matter that much for this road trip itinerary. Here are a few ways to get from San Francisco to Big Sur:

1. Highway 101 -> 156 -> 1 (146 miles)
2. Highway 280 -> 85 -> 17 -> 1 (141 miles)
3. Highway 280 -> 85 -> 101 -> 156 -> 1 (153 miles)
4. Highway 280 -> 1 (147 miles)

Our experience with route #2

We took the most direct route which was via Highway 280 to 85 after San Jose, and then winding through Highway 17 before finally getting onto Highway 1 (route #2). However, I couldn’t help but feel nervous while driving through Highway 17 because of how congested it felt on top of the slow traffic.

After our trip I went to do a little more research and realised that crash accidents and heavy traffic are common on Highway 17. This is mostly due to the narrow winding roads with only 1-2 lanes. If you’re taking this route, the general advice is to stick to the speed limit and drive on the right lane.

Recommended routes from San Francisco to Big Sur – route #3 or #4

If I were to choose an alternative route, I would take Highway 280, switch to 101, then 156 towards Castroville before going onto Highway 1 (route #3). I prefer this to route #1 because my experiences driving on Highway 280 have been more pleasant than on 101 because of fewer cars (during peak period) and nicer scenery.

To experience more of Highway 1, consider switching from Highway 280 to 1 early on at Daly City (route #4). This way, you get to see Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and Pescadero on your way down to Santa Cruz.

Is the drive to Big Sur scary or hard

While the drive along the Pacific Coast Highway is known for its winding roads and steep cliffs, it’s manageable even at night. Take your time, drive safely, and enjoy the stunning coastal vistas during the day. The drive is part of the adventure!

I noticed that there were guardrails on most of the sharper bends, and plenty of speed advisory signs telling you how slow you may need to go. Even when I drove at night, I wasn’t too nervous because the roads were wide enough. The lanes on the bridge are usually narrower, but it’s protected on both sides of the straight road, so that’s fine.

If you ever get tired, you can use one of the many turnouts to take a break before continuing. Make sure to stay alert and keep your passengers safe!

Nearest airports to Big Sur

If you’re flying in, the nearest major airports are in San Francisco and Los Angeles. You may also check if there are flights to Monterey or San Jose since they are more convenient starting points for a road trip to north Big Sur.

What kind of car to rent for a Big Sur road trip

As the title of this article suggests, this is a road trip so we’re definitely going to drive! If you don’t have your own vehicle, renting a car is highly recommended to enjoy the scenic drive and explore the numerous viewpoints along the way.

If you’re planning to camp, you’ll need a car with ample trunk space for camping gear and sufficient clearance so you don’t need to worry about the uneven roads. Overall, you won’t go wrong with an SUV.

Convertible or classic cars could also be fun for a Big Sur road trip, especially if you’re visiting during the warmer months. You can find these through Turo, rentalcars.com, or Monterey Touring Vehicles.

I have also written an article that highlights some of the things you need to know when renting a car in California. Hopefully this helps you to have a smooth road trip to Big Sur!

When is the best time to visit Big Sur

The beauty of Big Sur is always going to be there in all seasons, but the best time to visit is during the spring and fall. These seasons offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and optimal camping conditions.

Big Sur in spring

As the weather clears up, spring brings wildflowers and opportunities for hiking and camping. Some of the flowers you can look forward to are calla lilies and California poppies. Temperatures range from 45 to 70 F (7 to 20 C).

Big Sur in summer

Summer would be the most crowded time of year, bringing with it congested traffic conditions. It is also common to have fog up till late morning, though you won’t get much rain in this season. Temperatures range from 50 to 70 F (10 to 21 C).

Big Sur in fall

The weather is still warm enough, though the crowds are much fewer as rainy season begins. Monarch butterflies also start to gather in places like Andrew Molera State Park as they migrate ahead of winter. Temperatures range from 40 to 70 F (4 to 21 C).

Big Sur in winter

You get the most spectacular sunsets in winter, along with minimal crowds. This may also be the best time to snag amazing hotel deals if you’re not comfortable camping during rainy season. However, winter camping in California is one of the things you need to try at least once! Do also check out some tips on cold-weather camping gear you might need.

Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy trying to spot grab whales migrating southwards, as well as sea otters and elephant seals giving birth. Be sure to check the weather forecasts for any rain and look out for road closure reports. Temperatures range from 40 to 60 F (4 to 15 C).

Where to camp in Big Sur

Big Sur boasts some of the most picturesque camping spots. Many of these public and private campgrounds are very popular and get booked quickly. I recommend reserving your spot in advance, especially during peak seasons or weekends.

We managed to get a spot at Ventana Campground for 1 night. Overall, we had a good experience for $80/night, and had access to clean bath houses with hot showers. They also sell firewood and ice at the front entrance if you need to get any.

Public Campgrounds

1. Andrew Molera State Park:
   • A more rustic option, Andrew Molera State Park has walk-in campsites, and it’s known for its beautiful coastal and meadow trails. However, its seasonal availability is limited to June to November only.
2. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park:
   • This state park campground is in a redwood forest and offers a variety of camping options, including tent sites and RV sites. It’s centrally located in Big Sur.
3. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park:
   • While this park doesn’t have traditional drive-in campsites, it offers hike-in camping and is an excellent choice for a more secluded experience.
4. Limekiln State Park (closed in 2023):
   • Limekiln State Park features redwood groves, historic limekilns, and coastal views.
5. Kirk Creek Campground:
   • This campground is perched on a bluff overlooking the ocean, providing stunning views. I heard that site #9 is the best, but is notoriously hard to book.
6. Plaskett Creek Campground:
   • Plaskett Creek Campground offers tent and RV sites and is situated near Sand Dollar Beach, which is known for its scenic views.

Private Campgrounds

1. Big Sur Campground and Cabins:
   • This campground provides both tent and RV sites, as well as cabins. It’s located along the Big Sur River and offers a peaceful setting.
2. Riverside Campground and Cabins:
   • Situated along the Big Sur River, this campground offers tent sites, RV sites, and cabins. It’s a family-friendly option with various recreational activities.
3. Fernwood Resort:
   • Fernwood Resort has a campground and cabins. It’s a private resort with amenities such as a general store and restaurant.
4. Ventana Campground:
   • Located within the Ventana Wilderness, Ventana Campground offers a more secluded camping experience.
5. Treebones Resort:
   • Treebones Resort offers a unique camping experience with a variety of accommodations, including yurts and campsites with ocean views. It’s a private resort with on-site amenities, such as a restaurant and the notable “Human Nest” that is really impressive.

Where else to stay in Big Sur aside from camping

If camping isn’t your preference, Big Sur also offers charming inns and lodges with panoramic views of the coastline. Some popular places include:

• Post Ranch Inn
• Ventana Big Sur
• Big Sur Lodge
• Big Sur River Inn

Where to eat in Big Sur

Indulge your taste buds at local eateries such as Nepenthe, renowned for its cliffside views, or Big Sur River Inn Restaurant for a delightful riverside dining experience. Don’t miss the chance to savor fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients. Here’s a summary of dining options in Big Sur:

• Nepenthe
• Big Sur River Inn Restaurant
• Deetjens
• Big Sur Deli & General Store
• Coast Big Sur (closed)
• Big Sur Taphouse
• Big Sur Bakery (closed due to fire damage in 2024)

Additional tips for a Big Sur road trip

• Pack layers, as temperatures can vary throughout the day.
• Bring essentials like water, snacks, and a camera for capturing the stunning scenery. Read this article for a list of the top 10 road trip essentials you’ll need.
• Check for road closures and plan your route accordingly.
• Embrace the unplanned stops – some of the best views may be around the next bend.
• Don’t forget to get gas before entering Big Sur.
• Consider combining a road trip to Big Sur with stops at Monterey and Carmel, with my suggested 3-day itinerary as reference.