1 / 5

big sur 5d

Five days of cliff-hugging highways, hidden waterfalls, and redwood silence — Big Sur done right, not rushed.

5days
19stops
DAY01

San Luis Obispo → Cambria

Overnight in Cambria
  1. 10:00
    San Luis Obispo· start
  3. 11:30
    Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
  5. 13:00
    Hearst Castle
  7. 17:00
    Cambria· overnight
First Night Eats
  • Sebastian's General Store · Tri-tip sandwich + craft beer in a 19th-century building. Post-Hearst fuel.
  • Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill · Sunset seafood on Cambria's driftwood-strewn beach. Crab cakes are solid.
  • Linn's Restaurant · Famous olallieberry pie. Get a slice to-go for tomorrow's drive.
Day 1 Budget
Gas from SLO
$45
Hearst Castle tour
$35
Cambria inn/guesthouse
$180
DAY02

Cambria → Pfeiffer Beach

Overnight in Pfeiffer Beach
  1. 08:00
    Cambria· start
  3. 09:00
    Ragged Point
  5. 11:00
    McWay Falls
  7. 16:00
    Pfeiffer Beach· overnight
Big Sur Fuel
  • Nepenthe · Ambrosia burger + million-dollar terrace view. Pricey but iconic.
  • Big Sur Bakery · Wood-fired pastries, great coffee. Grab breakfast before the crowds.
  • Sierra Mar at Post Ranch · Splurge sunset dinner — cliffside tasting menu if you're feeling fancy.
Day 2 Budget
Gas
$50
Julia Pfeiffer parking
$10
Big Sur lodge/cabin
$220
DAY03

Pfeiffer Big Sur → Andrew Molera

Overnight in Andrew Molera
  1. 09:00
    Pfeiffer Big Sur· start
  3. 13:00
    Partington Cove
  5. 16:00
    Esalen Institute
  7. 18:00
    Andrew Molera· overnight
Low-Key Eats
  • Big Sur River Inn · Burger and beer with your feet in the river. Classic.
  • Deetjen's Big Sur Inn · Cozy Norwegian cabin vibes. Breakfast only, but the granola is legendary.
  • Fernwood Resort · Casual BBQ, live music some nights. Local hang.
Day 3 Budget
Gas
$40
Esalen hot springs (if booked)
$50
Camping or inn
$180
DAY04

Bixby Bridge → Carmel Beach

Overnight in Carmel Beach
  1. 08:00
    Bixby Bridge· start
  3. 10:00
    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
  5. 14:00
    Carmel-by-the-Sea
  7. 17:00
    Carmel Beach· overnight
Carmel Eats
  • Rocky Point Restaurant · Last cliffside meal before Carmel. Oysters + view.
  • Casanova Restaurant · Romantic Carmel institution. The garlic soup is famous for a reason.
  • A.W. Shucks · Casual oyster bar on Ocean Ave. Good for a post-walk snack.
Day 4 Budget
Gas
$35
Point Lobos entry
$10
Carmel boutique hotel
$250
DAY05

Carmel → San Jose Airport

  1. 09:00
    Carmel· start
  3. 10:00
    Monterey Bay Aquarium
  5. 13:00
    Cannery Row
  7. 16:00
    San Jose Airport
Last Meals
  • Old Fisherman's Grotto · Touristy but solid cioppino. Views of the bay.
  • The Sardine Factory · Old-school Monterey. Get the ab if it's in season.
  • Alvarado Street Brewery · Craft beer + tacos before the airport. Local crowd.
Day 5 Budget
Gas to SJC/SFO
$60
Monterey Bay Aquarium
$50
Airport parking/shuttle
$30
Heads Up
  • Book Hearst Castle and Esalen way ahead
  • Pfeiffer Beach road is unmarked — watch for Sycamore Canyon
  • Point Lobos fills by 10am, go early