big sur carmel, monterey itinerary

Read on for my favorite Big Sur activities, where to stay, what to do in Big Sur, and (most importantly), what and where to eat! Courtesy of La Playa Carmel / Expedia. Youll see a big yellow sign that says NARROW ROAD: NO RVs OR TRAILERS. Go down that road! 7. 3-day Big Sur itinerary. My favorite part about it, however, was that it was literally right over the ocean. Three types of whales frequent the Big Sur coastline: If youre visiting Big Sur in the winter months between October and December, youre in for a real treat tons of monarch butterflies! Majority of the famous viewpoints are on the coastal side, so it would be best if you drove north to south, that way you make right turns in/out of the viewpoints. Theres typically some traffic, so if youre just driving through, expect it to take at least 3 hours. Tour Details Departure: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, year-round. Big sur is definitely on my bucket list of places to travel to. This trail was amazing and we saw a cove with the most turquoise blue waters and baby sea lions down below. If you start at Big Sur, put your location in as San Simeon and then drive north from there. If you arent pressed for time I recommend spending the night in Carmel-by-the-Sea or at least exploring it for a few hours. It was quite busy at the time we arrived and we probably waited in line for 30 minutes-1 hour so make sure to add this in when planning your itinerary! One of my favorite parts of the park was all of the beautiful walking paths with wildflowers everywhere. As you start your Big Sur road trip down from San Francisco (after exploring Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea prior), youre first official stop should be Point Lobos! They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! Make sure to have these essentials on your list: The best time to visit Monterey and Big Sur is in the fall during the months of September to November or in the spring during the months of April to May. Where does the Big Sur drive start? Manage Settings My photographer heart would absolutely some of those vistas. If you can settle for not actually staying in Big Sur itself, consider heading up north to Carmel or Monterey for less-than-astronomical prices. Being Big Surs largest beach, as long as the tide is low, youll find plenty of space to lay your towel down and relax. Look out for them clustered in trees in the early morning, and flying around during the day. Take some time for a walk along the beach as its known to have purple sand! Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! There are so many places in this area to pick for dinner. We rode past Point Pinos Lighthouse and ended up on a trail to Asilomar State Beach. 1. Whether you are looking for a shopping trip, family getaway or romantic getaway we have just the travel itinerary for you! On the other hand, Big Sur is full of naturebeaches, hiking trails, and beautiful cliffside views. The inside had the most beautiful design and the outside was just as lovely with tables and benches everywhere and live music playing. Its about an hour north of Monterey, and its a great place to get lunch or do some shopping. Swimming is not recommended at this beach because there are a lot of rock formations that could cause harm if a strong wave pulled a swimmer the wrong way (and there were a lot of waves crashing through the rock formations), but you could also stay near the sandy area and dip your feet in the Pacific Ocean. Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, or with others, this year's Race for Open Space has something for you. This area is one of my favorites in CA. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Youll also be able to witness sea lions and harbor seals frolicking around on nearby rocks any time of year listen and youll hear them no problem! Bring a blanket and a cooler with your favorite sandwich to enjoy, which we wish we had done. Morning I really thought this was a great aquarium and I loved seeing all of the conservation efforts they had put into place. Want the scenic route? About 30 minutes into your drive is the first quick pull-off in your Big Sur itinerary. For a delicious Mediterranean style dinner, head over to Dametra Caf. If you have a map, you can plan out some of the places you want to stop before you head out! There are so many scenic look outs to stop at so feel free to stop as much as you want along the way! At an early hour, you might be too early for Nepenthe the restaurant upstairs, but Cafe Kevah down below has a delicious selection for brunch. . I totally agree, one of my favorite places to visit! Okay, so we just discovered this spot off the side of the highway on our last visit to Big Sur, and I cannot believe I never noticed it before! Our favorite thing to get: almond croissant. Depending on how hungry you are, appetizers are also available at the outside bar and inside the lounge. *Tidefall = a waterfall that drops directly into the ocean (I didnt know either). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You will definitely get beautiful views here! Here are my picks and notes, either personally tested by me, or recommended by fellow travelers: Be prepared to spend some big money for dining out in Big Sur. There was even a point in our war history where Point Lobos was part of secret military operations, too! I feel the need to say this since youll be getting back in the car to continue on the 1: if youre the driver, please be responsible and limit yourself to one drink at most. My favorites in that area include: Carmel Beach, Lovers Point Park, Pavels Bakerei, the 17 mile drive, and whale watching! Santa Cruz is a cute, funky surf town on the way to the San Jose airport. This 11 mile road is what those back in the day had to use before the famed Highway One was complete! Whether youre driving down the entirety of the California coast or just making the short drive from SF, youre in luck. McWay Falls McWay Falls is likely the most iconic and most-photographed spot in Big Sur. I was really excited to go here because I hadnt seen redwood trees since I was a little kid. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Monterey is definitely one of my favorite places in CA! We went on an amazing trail past a gorgeous river and into a meadow with giant redwood trees everywhere. Its an adorable amusement park right on the beach! In fact, I thought about being a Marine Biologist for awhile. This area is one of my favorite places in California to visit. Tip: Driving it can be challenging, but well worth it. Big Sur isnt too far from Monterey and you get all the nature with it. Alternately, it's possible to just take Highway 1 all the way, though this takes a long time, about a 4 hours and 30 minutes drive to Cambria. I have yet to try Big Sur Bakery although Ive heard many good referrals about all the food from wood-fired sourdough to buttermilk biscuits and gravy. It was the prime location for marine life spotting! Both are definitely worth getting out for and photographing. The region is 90 miles long and begins south of Monterey and Santa Cruz. Aww, thank you so much! We also went on the Cyprus Grove Trail and we loved that one too. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a popular favorite as well! In every way, shape, and form. This park also offers several other hikes depending on how long you would like to spend your afternoon here. Carmel is one of the most charming and quintessential towns I have ever been to. And if the two resort pools with panoramic coastal views didnt do it for you, I bet the spa treatments in outdoor cabanas overlooking the redwood forest will. By this time, youll likely be hungry, so stop in at the Big Sur Roadhouse for their famous avo toast, or other wraps or sandwiches. Details. While youre hiking, youll want to have closed-toe shoes with a good grip to keep yourself safe, literally speaking from experience. Ive already put my favorites up above throughout the Big Sur road trip itinerary, but here are some more! With that being said, Im planning out this Big Sur road trip itinerary from north to south. Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. It's $10.50 entrance per car to see the iconic views. The Post Ranch Inn is a Big Sur icon; the 100-acre property first opened in 1992, and in the years since, has cemented its spot as one of the top luxury hotels in . Winding turns. The path to get to the lookout for the falls is very short and flat. One of the greatest attractions to this park is McWay Falls, one of two tidefalls* in California. We loved the location and walked almost everywhere (except the places in Carmel and Big Sur). In addition, since California is still somewhat in a drought, the falls may be quite dry during the summer months. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Answer 11 of 11: Hello I'm hoping for some advice. It could take as little as 2 hours (if you dont stop at all), or 2 days if you make all the stops for the views, foods, and hikes. Not many out-of-towners know this, but coastal fog is another downside of a Big sur road trip during summertime; it can hang around as late as midday! The high season in this area is during the summer months, just after May and through August, so you may want to avoid these months if you dont want to be around the crowds. Cozy. Saving this guide for later! And trust me, theres enough things to do in Big Sur to fill an entire weekend and then some. View Full Itinerary At a Glance Called the most beautiful meeting of land and water on the face of the earth, Monterey Bay, the legendary Pacific coast and sun-drenched Carmel Valley mark a convergence of currents, cultures and creators that make the area one of the country's most fascinating places. There is so much to see, this is only the tip of it! You can easily follow along the road trip stops, doing every single one (my recommendation) or picking and choosing a few if you only have part of a day. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5, last Updated: June 6, 2022big sur california central coast pacific coast highway. This rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California is just begging to be explored. Its beautiful coastline views! (If you come between April-June, there are purple flowers all over the place in this area and Pacific Grove!). 17 Mile Drive is said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. I love the mixture of beautiful scenery, learning about new things, and getting outside and being active. (7/15/18), "It's such a kid-friendly area, and I just heard that the entire Hwy 1 is now opened." Morning Treebones Resort: Looking for something a bit different? Its such a unique spot on the coastline, and its only a .25 mile hike to get there! (7/16/18), "It just opened yesterday! The area was filled with flowers and they have gigantic succulents everywhere! 2. Total Distance: 217 miles ; One-Way Driving Time: 4 hours and 45 minutes ; Route: San Francisco Half Moon Bay Santa Cruz Monterey Carmel-by-the-Sea Big Sur San Simeon ; The drive between San Francisco and San Simeon is more appealing than one might imagine. FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. This Big Sur road trip will have you booking flights to California ASAP, promise! Here, youll find tips to help plan the perfect road trip for your Monterey and Big Sur itinerary. I repeat, the almond croissant is orgasmic. Yes! Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur! Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a . And I do love my crab from Phils! Head back north and drive into the quaint little town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Looks like you had a wonderful time too. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). Pace yourself its all beautiful. There is so much nature and the small city feels to explore in Monterey and Big Sur! Limekiln State Park may be juuust what youre looking for. They have a nice cafeteria there for lunch. Be aware that the trail is sometimes blocked off due to erosion, and you may not be able to get that picture perfect view. From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. Distance: 143 miles, 3 hours. Thankfully theres hot chocolate, tea, and/or coffee waiting for you. Eating fresh clam chowder is a must on any Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary! There is so much you can do and see while you are in Carmel. Besides the gorgeous views, the houses in Carmel are also some to steal your breath away with their eccentricities and quaint vibes. Most the attractions mentioned in this article are closed due to covid19. I love how comprehensive this is Monterery and Big Sur look like such BEAUTIFUL places ! Professional wanderluster and trip planning aficionado. READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco. The Whisky Club in Monterey hosts trivia on the first and third Thursday each . Today, he has a wholesale warehouse where he provides his delicious fresh-baked pastries to hotels and restaurants around the area. If seeing a whale is on your bucket list, Fishermans Wharf is where you need to be. We went on the Bird Island and China Cove trailhead first. On your first morning, wake up early and by 8 AM start your Big Sur itinerary by heading south on Highway 1. The location is so perfect in between Cannery Row and Fishermans Wharf and just a ten minute walk to the aquarium. There is memorabilia from the movies all over! Traffic is really bad, please use public transport or other forms to reduce as much as possible. " And plus, the water is chilly over here! You can do a day trip to Big Sur or Monterey, but it takes at least 2 days to explore both Monterey and Big Sur properly. Located just a smidge south of Pfieffer beach is Big Sur Bakery, which is actually a 1930s ranch-style home. Moon Monterey & Carmel - Stuart Thornton 2019-01-08 Quirky beach towns, deliciously fresh seafood, and dramatic hikes and drives: discover what the locals love with Moon Monterey & Carmel. We then stopped atPerkins Park spontaneously because of the unique Cyprus trees, the rocky shoreline and the purple flowers everywhere! As always, all opinions expressed are our own. As part of a longer visit we hoped to drive up to Cambria from Anaheim on 21 April, stay overnight then. There are twists and turns along the cliff, with most parts of the highway being only one lane in either direction. Win-win! Thx!! You managed to pack in so many must-see sights and unique experiences, all while keeping a great balance of relaxation and adventure. Theres also some hiking in the state park, with sea lions and starfish in the tide pools nearby. 3-Day Dog Friendly Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur Itinerary. Not happening. We won't recommend it if we didn't love it! Head to Henry Miller Memorial Library, and youll be nothing less than impressed. Carmel-by-the-Sea has one art gallery for every 34 residents. One weekend is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights of Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur along Highway 1. Another thing I loved about Carmel Beach was how dog friendly it was. Just take the drive slow, stay alert, and youll be ok. How long does it take to drive the Big Sur coastline? You'll most definitely wanna make a few stops along the way ( Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, and Carmel/Monterey are my favorites), so plan accordingly! Oh, and the bakery has public restrooms available, which is always good to know on a road trip without much service! I heard a few state parks in Big Sur are open now! Then head over to the Carmel Mission. Walking on the wharf doesnt take any more than 30 minutes if you just want to do a walk-through, but youd be missing out! Specialties: World-famous Breakfast served Daily 8:00am-noon; Dinner Friday-Tuesday starting at 5:30pm. Hungry? Monterey is a quaint, small town with attractions such as Fishermans Wharf and Monterey Bay Aquarium. This stop is a definite must on your Big Sur Itinerary. 4 Golfers. We so enjoyed our time on our Monterey and Big Sur road trip. Youll want an all-wheel drive for best mobility, but if all youve got is a regular sedan, go slow and you should be a-okay! You may even see an orca and/or dolphin off the coast! Definitely dont miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world. Fishermans Wharf is full of cute candy shops and tons of Clam Chowder restaurants! Not having lunch at the Big Sur River Inn. Nightly bagpipe performances have taken place every day since 1987 at Spanish Bay in Carmel. Hi Kate! General tips. 2023 Cultural & Theme Tours in Monterey & Carmel: Check out reviews and photos of the 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach's Historical Highlights. If the weathers lousy (as in thick fog drastically impeding the views), I honestly wouldnt bother with Nepenthe. Day 1: San Francisco to Santa Cruz. I had seen pictures of Mcway Falls for many years and had always dreamed of seeing them with my own eyes. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! You will arrive at Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. Next up on your Monterey itinerary is Cannery Row, a waterfront area with old buildings filled with shopping, restaurants, and fun activities such as escape rooms, arcades, and the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium. Its a cute town, and there is a long sandy beach. Keep that in mind when you head out on your road trip. If youre a fan of seafood, Cafe Kevahs Egg Benedict has Dungeness crab and is delicious; the regular egg benedict is also a top pick. Public school whose 1931 auditorium served as Carmel's primary artistic, civic . Seaside cliffs. The Bixby Creek Bridge THIS is the bridge that everyone thinks is the iconic Bixby, but its not! Ill receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which Ill totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. Thanks for stopping by! About this rental. And thankfully, the parking lot has bathrooms! It was so yummy! Most people start this iconic road trip in L . Thanks for sharing your journey with us! All the views all gorgeous on the coast, but these two have ample parking and suuuuuch great views of the coast all around! However, if you wait until the summer rush is over and visit during either September or October, youll experience less crowds and actually better weather! I saw sea otters, seals and dolphins! Big Sur Itinerary - Day 2: 1. You might recognize this bridge if you have seen Big Little Lies. Its one of the most iconic bridges in all of California and definitely one of the most photographed for its aesthetic. Description: This April, Big Sur Land Trust is hitting the trails once again for our annual fundraiser to save open space and care for the lands you love in Monterey County! I would love to go back! Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary Carmel-by-the-Sea Start your Big Sur Road Trip in the charming small town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Youll be driving on private land, so you cant stop to take tooo many photos, but since its usually not crowded, feel free to stop in the middle of the road if you must for some shots. Hi, Im Jess. If you are into golfing, the 17 mile drive also has the world famous Pebble Beach! I was in awe the entire time. Reading and seeing these photos makes me miss it a whole lot. Thank you! It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when. Then head to California Highway 1 to begin your Big Sur road trip! This shop was really cute and had lots of yummy treats and great customer service. Have dinner at Lallapalooza on Alvarado Street. Carmel-by-the-Sea is probably one of the quaintest seaside towns in the world, which makes it a good starting point for your Big Sur road trip. There is a lot to discover and experience on this route, with breathtaking coastal views, lovely beach towns, and . Fun fact: Bixby Bridge was built 5 years before the road was paved to connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo! I absolutely loved the houses in Pacific Grove. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car. Click here to skip back to the top. Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail is an 18-mile trail that runs from Pacific Grove up north to Castroville and alongside the old Southern Pacific Railway. This website is very helpful and gives a description of each stop so you can decide where you want to stop before you even get there. Also, there are two different viewpoints- one of the front side of the bridge and one of the back. Visitors pressed for time often make the drive from. However, you can also stop at a local restaurant for lunch too! Additionally, Big Sur is hard to reach and necessitates either a long drive out-and-back or loop to see the whole area. I recommend anywhere from 1-3 days in Big Sur, kinda depending if you wanna go on a few hikes or just see the typical tourist Big Sur road trip stops. San Francisco to Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea and Big Sur. The entire road is comprised of redwood groves, babbling brooks, rolling hills, and lots of no trespassing signs. There is usually a very long line before the opening hour (10 AM) and no reservations, so plan ahead! Yes and No. They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! Youve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Note that parking costs $10 to enter the park, but you can easily park on the side of the road (if you dont mind walking a far distance to get in). We pulled into this area where you can park and then pay to take a shuttle to the beach. If you are planning a road trip to the coast of California, this Monterey and Big Sur itinerary is a perfect option for you, and its so convenient as they are about 30 minutes apart from one another. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California! 6. Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), nows the time to visit! Here is the Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary I followed for a long weekend getaway! It will take you about 2 hours to drive right into Monterey. Thank you for sharing! Thank you for this helpful resource. Yes, youll definitely need to add these 2 to your list and drive along the 101 highway. When you visit Point Lobos, youll be amazed by its natural beauty, but please make sure to stay on trails as erosion is currently harming plants and wildlife in the area. That just means you'll have to go back! Afternoon Hang out on Fishermans Wharf a little longer after dinner and grab a dessert at the Monterey Bay Creamery (right next door to Abalonettis). Theyve also got some wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and avocado toast if youre still hungry after Big Sur River Inn. This can be easily done as a weekend trip out from the Bay Area or as part of a wider trip tracing California's coastline. Day 1: Big Sur Itinerary This Big Sur itinerary runs from north to south as we were leaving from Monterey. There is a $10 honor system daily charge, so bring some cash. Our other option is to do Monterey/Carmel on Tuesday (aquarium, 17-mile drive, etc), and then Big Sur first thing Wednesday morning (July 4th). Its more of a state of mind rather than a specific point on a map, encompassing about 90 sunny Californian miles down the Pacific Coast Highway. for current highway conditions before your drive. And plus, whats cooler than a cone from a bus? It was so delicious and the outdoor dining setting right over the ocean was such a dream. Its such a pretty area! That is a lot to fit into 2-days. Dont miss it its even surrounded by giant redwoods! In this quaint town, you will find a gas station, a few small hotels, convenience stores, bathrooms, and restaurants. Evening The airport is small and easy to navigate. Find a place to park and spend some time enjoying the many art galleries and boutiques. Many different types of vegetation can be found here as well such as wildflowers, shrubs, and fungi, but most importantly the Monterey Cypress which is local to the area. Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. We chose the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi I am Aubrie, thanks for stopping by! Point Lobos has a long history, dating all the way back to the mid-1800s, and hosted many groups including the Ohlone Native Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spaniards. Have a great rest of your day. It was moved to get away from the military garrison. I know it is a chain, but I had never eaten there before and thought it would be fun to try it out! Then head over to the American Tin Cannery Outlets and meet up with Big Sur Adventures for an e-bike tour of the coast. End of Big Sur Itinerary Turnaround: On your way back, you can choose to pull off and snap a few pictures of the beautiful ocean down below. Explore my other California guides here! You can also head to the water where you might be able to spot some marine life. I LOVE Big Sur and Monterey its just so beautiful. I got my ticket for the aquarium here. Then walk through the main entrance, purchase a $2 map and head out on your hike. Pfeiffer beach is best known for its amazing rock structures, sunsets and sometimes there is even purple sand! There are all types of shops including antique shops, fudge shops, oh and dont forget dog shops! Then walk across the street and indulge in a local favorite, Revival Ice Cream. Where we stayed: Pfeiffer Beach will be the second turnout, There are many more options for Monterey ranging from the, If youd like to stay in Big Sur, there is the, Blanket or lawn chairs for hanging out at the beach, Bike if youd like to explore Monterey by bike. So exactly where is big sur located? When booking your Monterey to Big Sur car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. There are definitely so many good spots for pictures that you cant get enough of! You can walk, jog, or bike on this trail. After we walked back from the aquarium to the hotel, we decided it would be fun to ride bikes over to Fishermans Wharf! We will be coming here mid-May and will definitely use your advice. Still dreaming of heading back and doing this Monterey , Carmel and Big Sur itinerary again sometime soon! It is definitely in a really romantic setting. The only downside to visiting in the summertime is that July and August are the foggiest months. Hours: 9 am - 6 pm (7 pm on Saturdays) daily at the Pacific Grove shops. Youll find plenty of sunny days over here! The people that worked there were friendly and gave us a map of the nearby trail and tips on places they recommended seeing. Stay and Play in Monterey. Once here, you can hike down to this spectacular crescent-shaped beach and relax. Channel Islands National Park Let me know how your travels go! I would love to go there one day, Hi Jade! When you are ready, continue on your drive towards Pfeiffer Beach. There are also hiking trails you can check out here, too, and if youre wanting a more rugged experience, camp out at the park. Treebones Resort features seven ocean view tent campsites, along with 16 yurts with great views of the Pacific at Cape San Martin! Theyre my two favorite spots in Point Lobos, and you wont find clearer waters. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for California CA Big Sur Carmel Monterey Coastline Postcard Old Vintage Card View at the best online prices at eBay! Bubba Gumps specializes in seafood- specifically shrimp and if you have ever seen Forest Gump- this place will be really fun for you! Tranquil. It was a quick ride to Fishermans Wharf and we set up our bikes with a lock on a bike rack. . Makes me miss San Francisco! The official name of the Carmel Mission is Mission San Carlos Borromo del ro Carmelo. Yes! The Bixby Bridge looked amazing. You could easily spend a few hours admiring the keyhole and rock formations on the beach. I ordered the Dungeness crab and N got fish and chipsalways so good. Youll be able to come back to a small town and enjoy a night on the town after you explore the nature scenes of Big Sur. This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well. You can always put your feet in if youd like! Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for. The road is narrow, so be extra careful when pulling over for the views (my advice only pull off in designated spots, theres plenty of them). Cannery Row is near where we dropped off our bikes so we just walked right over! Hi Elena! There is plenty to see and do in Monterey County outside of meeting room walls. Another favorite thing we like to do here is to stop at the first shop on the right (also didnt pay attention to its name), grab a little red basket, and have a go at the saltwater taffy. This was actually my favorite part of Fishermans Wharf. Pacific Grove is a small area right on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary about a 10-minute drive from Fishermans Wharf. Bixby Bridge was built in 1932 and is one of the highest suspending bridges sitting at 260 feet above the bottom of the canyon below. Big Sur, located along Central California coast, is one of the best places to visit on the West Coast of USA. If you are a morning person, you might want to head out earlier to avoid the other tourists.