United States / California / Monterey, Carmel & Big SurMonterey, Carmel & Big Sur
Bixby Bridge, Sea Otters and 17-Mile Drive
The Monterey Peninsula and the Big Sur coast south of it: the Monterey Bay Aquarium, sea otters in the kelp, Cannery Row, 17-Mile Drive past Pebble Beach to the Lone Cypress, storybook Carmel-by-the-Sea, Point Lobos, and Highway 1 over Bixby Bridge to McWay Falls. Landslides have closed stretches of Highway 1 south of Big Sur for long periods since 2023: check Caltrans before planning to drive through to Hearst Castle and Los Angeles; the inland US-101 is the reliable way south. Two and a half hours from San Francisco.
Highlights
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Sea otters from the Monterey coast path
- 17-Mile Drive and the Lone Cypress
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Point Lobos walks
- Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls
Things to do
- Monterey Bay AquariumMorning · 3h
- 17-Mile Drive and Carmel-by-the-SeaAfternoon · 3h 30m
- Big Sur drive to Bixby Bridge and McWay FallsMorning · 5h
- Point Lobos cliff walkAfternoon · 2h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: April – October
Worth knowing
Wildfire Season
Late summer and autumn are California's wildfire season: fires and smoke can close parks, roads and wineries at short notice, and dry autumn winds (Santa Ana, Diablo) bring power shut-offs. Check the CAL FIRE incident map and air quality (AirNow) each morning, and keep plans flexible.
Worth knowing
Winter Storms and Highway 1 Landslides
Winter storms trigger landslides on Highway 1 along Big Sur, which has had long closures south of Big Sur village since 2023. Check Caltrans QuickMap before driving the coast; Monterey and Carmel are reached by US-101 whatever happens.