Located on the Pacific Coast of Central California, Giant Sur is a beautiful trip spot stretching 90 miles alongside California Freeway 1. It is likely to be fast nevertheless a Giant Sur road journey packs an infinite punch full of unbelievable environment, plenty of state parks, culinary delights, and pleasant seaside communities.
It’s no marvel the Giant Sur Freeway Journey is normally rated as top-of-the-line road journeys on this planet. With sea stacks and waterfalls, mountaineering trails, and ocean cliffs, that is seemingly one of the beautiful places we’ve been to within the US. It’s worth spending better than solely a day driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco alongside this route. Take your time to see the sights and you will wish to hold the night.
Giant Sur Freeway Journey Itinerary
Now we now have put collectively a Giant Sur Freeway Journey itinerary highlighting all the prime viewpoints on California Freeway 1, immediate motels, and prime factors of curiosity. The Giant Sur drive might merely be carried out as a day journey from San Francisco, nevertheless there could also be loads to see, that we advocate spending not lower than 4 days driving alongside this stretch of the Pacific Coast Freeway 1.
Giant Sur is meant to be taken slowly, so profit from the journey, pullover if you probably can, or adjust to a backroad to wherever it goes. Take pleasure in!
Remember: Parks in Giant Sur are repeatedly altering with openings and closures. Preserve up to date on the California Authorities Site proper right here. Freeway 1 moreover usually has closures so you may wish to adjust to this Site all through your Giant Sur itinerary for updates on any points.
The way in which to Get to Giant Sur
To Get to Giant Sur from San Francisco, adjust to US 101 to 85 South after which merge onto 17 South until you come to freeway 1. You may then adjust to Freeway 1 all one of the simplest ways to Monterey the place you may begin your drive alongside the Giant Sur shoreline of the Pacific Coast Freeway.
Our Giant Sur Freeway Journey itinerary follows a route from north to south, nevertheless it could be driving south to north from L.A. The official Giant Sur drive begins in Carmel by Sea persevering with south to San Simeon. When you want to exploring all of the items alongside California Freeway 1 you probably can be taught our Full California Freeway Journey data proper right here: The Closing California Freeway Journey Itinerary
The two closest airports to Carmel by the Sea are San Francisco and San Jose Airport (they’re solely half-hour apart, so it doesn’t matter which on you fly into nevertheless San Jose is the closes). We advocate flying into San Francisco and spending only a few days inside the metropolis you possibly can start your road journey by driving all through the Golden Gate Bridge! Study our data at 72 Hours in San Francisco – A Native’s Info to the Metropolis
We picked up our rental car on the airport and had the freedom to find the city by car sooner than shifting on to Giant Sur. You probably can’t really get to Giant Sur if you don’t drive. There are some excursions and day journeys nevertheless if you don’t have your particular person car, we extraordinarily advocate renting a car to experience Giant Sur to the fullest. Consider rental car prices at RentalCars.com for quotes on vehicles.
Giant Sur Freeway Journey – Elements of Curiosity
Upon getting made your technique to Carmel, we advise making a base each proper right here or in Monterey. Carmel is just a few minute’s drive from Monterey and there are various points to do in every communities.
Now we now have entire posts dedicated to the entire points to do in Monterey and Carmel nevertheless let’s break down only a few points to see in every communities to start the road journey off correct. When you want to be taught further about them, you’ll be able to achieve this at Points to do in Carmel by the Sea, California, and 20 Good Points to do in Monterey, California
1. Monterey
Monterey is a trip spot in its private correct and is a inconceivable place to go to in California. I consider the very best appeal to Monterey is the Monterey Bay Aquarium which is dedicated to evaluation and conservation to guard wildlife inside the waters offshore. It has interactive reveals and an open sea exhibit displaying tons of of species of marine life. It is positioned on Cannery Row which is a historic avenue full of procuring and consuming locations.
When strolling alongside Cannery Row, you’re feeling as if you stepped once more in time proper right into a John Steinbeck novel. This has saved the feel of when it was the sardine capital of the world. We moreover advocate getting on the water, you probably can go whale watching, kayaking and see the resident sea lions and sea otters. Study further: 20 Good Points to do in Monterey, California
2. Carmel by the Sea
The first official stop on our Giant Sur road journey itinerary is Carmel by the Sea. It is a beautiful seaside group that’s seemingly one of the distinctive communities within the US. Clint Eastwood was the mayor of this beautiful seaside metropolis and there are various points to do in Carmel to keep up you occupied for a day or two. Carmel actually does actually really feel like a storybook with fairy story cottages, art work galleries, and delightful ocean views.
We stayed at The Hideaway which had stunning rooms and was positioned solely a half a mile from the seashore. It was centrally positioned in downtown Carmel so we might stroll to consuming locations at night making it a wonderful base for the north portion of your Giant Sur road journey. TripAdvisor / Reserving.com
3. 17 Mile Drive
There is a road journey inside a road journey proper right here the place you probably can take a detour to see 17-Mile Drive. We rented an e-bike to see this drive. It was an efficient method to steer clear of guests and to have the power to stop the least bit the well-known viewpoints along with the Ghost Tree and the Lone Cypress.
This stretch of road goes by way of the distinctive group of Pebble Seaside the place there are world-class golf applications, a great deal of seashores, and scenic views. Study all about our time proper right here: 17 Mile Drive – What to See on the Scenic Drive of Pebble Seaside
4. Stage Lobos State Park
The first designated stop on the Giant Sur road journey is the Stage Lobos State Park which is positioned merely exterior Carmel by the Sea. That is seemingly one of the picturesque stops alongside the Giant Sur road journey positioned inside the north end of the drive. There are mountaineering trails primary out to scenic views, and it is a scuba diving mecca for folk desirous to find the underwater sea kelp forests. Nonetheless Stage Lobos State Pure Reserve is usually a chook lovers’ paradise. Worth: $10 per automobile.
Whale Watching and Historic previous
Ensure that to check out Whalers Cove to be taught regarding the 1800s whaling and abalone enterprise. Whales migrate by way of this route of the Pacific Ocean and it was as quickly as an enormous whaling area. It’s darkish certain, nevertheless essential to review all historic previous. This small cabin was as quickly as residence to Chinese language language Fishermen and has now been remodeled proper right into a museum.
To go to Stage Lobos State Park there is a $10 cost per automobile. You’ll uncover that you simply simply’ll be paying $10 heaps on the Giant Sur road journey as there is a $10 cost per automobile to enter State Parks. For many who plan on visiting numerous the parks, we advocate a State Park Go.
5. Garrapata State Park
One different one in every of many many California state parks positioned alongside this drive exterior of an metropolis center is Garrapata State Park. This was thought of one in every of our favorite stops and it’s seemingly one of many biggest free points to do in Giant Sur. With mountaineering trails primary out to sea cliffs, Garrapata State Park offers beautiful views of rock formations off the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
Located in Northern Giant Sur, you’ll uncover the pull-off between mile markers 17 and 18. As soon as we had been there hardly anyone else was strolling the mountaineering trails. We felt like we had extraordinary views all to ourselves.
Remember: Most of Garrapata State Park stays closed as a result of the 2016 Soberanes Hearth nevertheless the primary 1.25 miles of the trail is open. Worth: Free
6. Bixby Creek Bridge
The Bixby Creek Bridge (usually merely often called Bixby Bridge) might be essentially the most well-known of factors of curiosity alongside our Giant Sur Freeway journey and is a spot that you will want to not miss pulling over to snap some photos. It’s been featured in quite a few films and most simply these days, The Bixby Bridge was entrance and center inside the assortment Giant Little Lies. On the opening of each episode, the Bixby Creek Bridge is featured.
The Bixby Bridge is a scenic stop alongside the Giant Sur shoreline with pull-offs on each side. It’s seemingly one of the photographed spots inside the area and with good goal. The bridge stands 260 toes above a deep canyon and was inbuilt 1932. It truly is a feat of engineering and is worth making a stop to soak up the attractive views up the coast.
- There is no cost to park on the Bixby Bridge, nevertheless parking is proscribed. We went at daybreak and nobody else was there. We stopped as soon as extra at sunset and in mid day and positioned it robust to hunt out parking.
7. Andrew Molera State Park
In case you’re looking out for an prolonged sandy seashore in your Giant Sur drive, Andrew Molera is an efficient stop. Moreover it’s the greatest of the assorted State Parks alongside this road journey so be prepared to walk. For a satisfying journey, take the seashore path strolling alongside a 1-mile prolonged route (1.6km) to the seashore the place you’ll ought to wade by way of the waters of the Giant Sur River. When the water is extreme, the park locations up seasonal footbridges.
8. Stage Sur lighthouse
Persevering with north, make your technique to Stage Sur Lighthouse, part of the California State Park system. What was as quickly as an essential beacon of navigation for ships touring by way of the treacherous waters of the Pacific Ocean of the Central California Coast, can at current be thought of on a guided strolling tour. Courting once more to 1889, it offers beautiful views from its coveted perch.
9. Giant Sur River Inn & Restaurant
Thought-about one in every of our favorite stops on our Giant Sur road journey was the Giant Sur River Inn and Restaurant. Located on the Giant Sur River, guests can settle down on the Adirondak Chairs (or as residents of Ontario, Canada want to identify them – Muskoka Chairs) and profit from the peace and solitude.
This inn was the first restaurant and lodge inside the area and is a must-stop. Courting once more to 1888, the property was initially owned by early homesteader Jay Pheneger after which supplied to Michael and Barbara Pfeiffer. (I knowledgeable you the Pheiffer’s obtained spherical).
Ensure that to peruse the memorabilia hanging on the partitions of the restaurant. It’s moreover an excellent place to replenish on the gasoline station, resolve some meals on the traditional retailer and seize and ice cream on the ice cream truck. This is usually a staple inside the area and an excellent place for lunch in your Giant Sur drive or to decide on up some snacks for the road on the Frequent Retailer. Don’t overlook to grab an ice cream there as correctly. It is to die for.
10. The Giant Sur Roadhouse
The Giant Sur Roadhouse was a wonderful stop for lunch with meals constructed from native substances and a farm-to-table menu. The meals was inconceivable, nevertheless we moreover cherished the relaxed ambiance. Sure, the rich and well-known frequent this spot, nevertheless it doesn’t actually really feel snooty or unwelcoming. In reality, it nonetheless has that hippie vibe that made it so specific inside the first place.
11. Pfeiffer Seaside
Thought-about one in every of our favorite places to go to in Giant Sur was Pfeiffer Seaside. Located merely south of Giant Sur Station, Pfeiffer Seaside was a bit robust to hunt out, nevertheless happily, Viktor Elizarof wrote a wonderful Photos Info proper right here to help us uncover it!
The way in which to get to Pfeiffer Seaside: Take the cut-off at Sycamore Canyon Freeway and drive the rugged two-mile monitor all the way in which right down to the seashore. Proper right here you’ll uncover the attractive Buck Seaside and Keyhole Arch rock formation. Pfeiffer Seaside has an prolonged sandy seashore that might be a beautiful stroll at sunset with great views. It’s a big seashore with extreme sand dunes and the place Sycamore Canyon Creek empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Keep in mind to take a stroll all one of the simplest ways alongside the seashore the place you’ll uncover the purple sand that made Pfeiffer Seaside well-known. The purple shade was created from the manganese garnet rocks found inside the sea cliffs. There is a $10 entrance cost to Pfeiffer Seaside.
12. Stop in at Nepenthe
This coast has drawn artisans for a few years and no place reveals that better than Nepenthe. Sitting extreme atop a sea cliff wanting over the Pacific Ocean and Santa Lucia Mountains, this has been the go-to spot for poets, vacationers and artists.
There’s nothing larger than sitting on its exterior terrace to take a look at the sunset and film who else has liked these views. It was as quickly as owned by Rita Hayworth and Orsen Wells. Keep in mind to peruse the Phoenix Retailer that features native artists.
13. Ventana resort
We stayed a night in every Monterey and Carmel nevertheless we moreover stayed two nights at Ventana Resort. There’s tenting and totally different lodging alongside the route as correctly. Ventana Resort is expensive nevertheless as well as they provide tenting and Glamping so there are cheap selections Study further about Ventana proper right here at Glamping in Giant Sur – Luxurious inside the Redwood Forest
Two Sides to Ventana
Ventana Resort – We camped inside the luxurious tented camp among the many many redwoods of Ventana resort after which spent the night in thought of one in every of its luxurious suites. When you want to actually really feel what it’s want to reside like movie stars, splurge for a night on this place. It makes for a wonderful base to find all the very best points to do in Giant Sur as correctly. Study: Glamping in Giant Sur – Luxurious inside the Redwood Forest
Ventana Giant Sur An Alila Resort is an costly hold in Giant Sur with decadent suites which have exterior showers, scorching tubs and hammocks. In case you are attempting to splurge merely as quickly as in your life, hold proper right here. Taylor Swift and Mark Zuckerberg have stayed at this resort.
14. Glamping at Ventana
A further cheap to get pleasure from Ventana is to camp together with your particular person RV amongst its redwoods or book a night inside the Glamping Tents. We stayed in one in every of many tents they normally supplied all of the items from scorching water bottles to cooking utensils and all of the items we needed to make SMores. You might also us the providers when tenting on the campground and profit from the consuming locations. Attempt totally different tenting places in Giant Sur at these 15 campgrounds alongside the route.
15. Submit Ranch Inn
Submit Ranch Inn is one different place to stay on you Giant Sur road journey. It is previous unbelievable resort with private suites, infinity swimming swimming pools, and ridiculous luxurious. (albeit fairly less expensive than Ventana) However if you’ll splurge wherever in your life, it could as correctly be on this luxurious drive in California. Profit from the lifetime of a movie star for a night or to as you’ve gotten enjoyable an anniversary or huge day.
16. Henry Miller Memorial Library
The Henry Miller Memorial Library honors the creator who was a long-time resident. It moreover choices resident artists with reside performances, and books available on the market by native writers and it showcases native artists with rotating reveals. It is open Wednesday by way of Saturday. Go to the site for events.
17. McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Located inside the south of the Giant Sur at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is McWay Falls. It’s seemingly one of many hottest points to do in Giant Sur. To not be confused with Pfeiffer Giant Sur State Park (we’ll get to that in a minute), Julia Pfeiffer State Park was named after Julia Pfeiffer, an early pioneer inside the area. Take a quick half-a-mile hike (800 meters) to most likely essentially the most beautiful waterfall tumbling into the ocean.
McWay Falls is probably going one of the photographed web sites in Giant Sur and with good goal. This good little cove plunges 80 toes/24 meters from a granite cliff. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a beautiful place for daybreak or sunset. How do everyone knows? We went for every!
Worth to see McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park – You guessed it, $10 per car. For daybreak, we took a possibility and didn’t pay. Nobody was there that early/
18. Redwood Forests of Pfeiffer Giant Sur State Park
I’ve to say, the Pheiffer’s obtained spherical! (not in one of the simplest ways you are contemplating). The Pfeiffer Giant Sur State Park takes you to the southernmost place of the California Redwoods. Get off the coast and hike by way of the redwoods to Giant Sur River. Therea are 38 miles of trails at Pfeiffer Giant Sur and in addition you’ll uncover among the many oldest and largest redwoods inside the area proper right here.
For many who take the George Path, you’ll be able to see a recreation of early homesteader John Pfeiffer’s 1884 cabin. Uncover this half to witness the Santa Lucia Mountains rising from the Giant Sur River Gorge and get misplaced on this 1,000-acre shield. Worth: $10 per automobile.
19. Limekiln State Park
Can’t get enough of Redwoods? When you want to do some tenting, Limekiln State Park has campgrounds at Limekiln Creek and at a seashore. Examine regarding the historic previous of Giant Sur proper right here as you uncover the Eighties enterprise of lime harvesting. Once more then lime was taken from the ocean cliffs and processed in lime kilns fuelled by the massive redwoods. Boy am I glad they stopped this enterprise. Although they didn’t have numerous a variety, the lime and the redwoods had been exhausted and left in ruins. Nonetheless nature has grown once more throughout the iron-and-stone kilns connects.
20. Sand Buck Seaside
Only a bit farther south is the longest seashore in Giant Sur, Sand Buck Seaside. Along with being the longest seashore, it is a in model spot for shopping. There is a shut by campground so for those who want to spend some time on the seashore, you probably can prepare retailer merely down the road. Sand {{dollars}} might be found on the seashore at low tide making this a popular tide pooling spot. Merely make it possible for to look and don’t contact.
There is a $10 cost per automobile to go to Sand Buck Seaside.
21. Ragged Stage
In case you’re looking out for a break, stop in on the Ragged Stage Inn and Resort which sits extreme on a sea cliff. Located north of San Simeon, Ragged Stage was as quickly as part of the Hearst Ranch. The Ramey family prepare retailer proper right here inside the Nineteen Fifties and it has been handed all the way in which right down to generations as at current the great-grandchildren run the resort and restaurant. Even for those who’re not staying at Ragged Stage, make it possible for to get pleasure from a meal and take inside the views of the California Coast. Ensure that to stop at Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve to see the resident elephant seals.
22. End at San Simeon
San Simeon is the place the Giant Sur Freeway Journey ends nevertheless the Pacific Coast Freeway continues on to Los Angeles. It’s possible you’ll make a base proper right here as there are various points to do. That’s residence to Hearst Fortress, there are seashores, mountaineering trails, and like this whole road journey, a great deal of marine life and pleasant views of the Pacific Ocean. You probably can take excursions of Hearst Fortress starting at $30.
Study These totally different posts to help plan your Giant Sur road journey
The place to Eat On Your Giant Sur Drive
Ventana
Unimaginable Prix Restore meals and great consuming overlooking the Pacific Ocean from extreme atop sea cliffs. We even seen whales inside the distance all through our breakfast proper right here. (make it possible for to hold your binoculars). This place is busy for dinner so reservations are advisable.
Nepenthe
Nepenthe is probably going one of many hottest places to eat as a consequence of its superior view. With views of the Santa Lucia Mountains to the Pacific, make it possible for in order so as to add it to your Giant Sur itinerary. We cherished our meal and the ambiance of Nepenthe and intensely advocate having dinner proper right here.
Are there Funds Inns in Giant Sur?
Most likely not, this area caters to the luxury market till you are tenting. The historic Giant Sur River Inn is the closest to cheap nevertheless it’s nonetheless costly. Nonetheless, ti doesn’t attain the 1000’s of {{dollars}} per night of the Submit Ranch in or Ventana.
Fernwood Resort is usually a superb risk with various tenting, cabins, and a motel.
Tenting in Giant Sur
Don’t worry, if you don’t want to lay our a fortune on a room for a night, there could also be a great deal of tenting alongside the Giant Sur road journey. Some in model campgrounds are Pfeiffer Giant Sur Campground, Giant Sur Campground and Cabins, and Riverside Campground and Cabins.
In case you’re looking out for cheap lodging, check out motels in Monterey and Carmel by the Sea. They’re good places to make a base whereas in your road journey.
Lease a Car – California is a state for driving so rent a car in your Giant Sur drive. You probably can look at car rental prices at RentalCars.com
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Constantly Requested Questions
There is no harmful time to go to Giant Sur. Being California it could be explored year-round. The peak season is from April to November with crowds being heaviest in July and August. September to November continues to be beautiful and fewer crowded and winter is an efficient time to hunt out presents on lodging. We went in Would possibly and June and had few crowds and the local weather was fairly with sunny days and chilly evenings.
You probably can see the entire viewpoints and factors of curiosity in sometime, nevertheless we advocate a 3 day Giant Sur itinerary to truly uncover it and to do the entire hikes, profit from the consuming locations and motels.
You probably can drive to Giant Sur from Los Angeles or San Francisco. It is in model to make a base in Carmel by the Sea or Monterey. It is a five-hour drive from Los Angeles and is 2 hours and half-hour from San Francisco.
There is no specific begin line for a Giant Sur itinerary, nevertheless the drive is normally thought-about to start out in Carmel by the Sea for those who’re coming from San Francisco and ends near the San Carpóforo Creek inside the north of San Simeon.
And these are the very best points to do in Giant Sur along with most likely essentially the most beautiful places to go to. In case you’re planning a go to to California, you may need to check out this stunning stretch of freeway alongside the Pacific Coast.
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