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The Ultimate California Coast Road Trip: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore (Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Barbara)
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items The ultimate California coast road trip guide from San Jose to Santa Barbara! We spent 5 days driving down the coast, then another 10 days chilling and exploring Santa Barbara and Montecito. I did the research and explored so you don’t have to. (I ha...
Map
Sections
5
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Pacific Grove / Monterey Bay
Big Sur
Santa Barbara / Montecito / Carpenteria
Road Trip Vlogs
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming little coastal town with white sand beaches, cute shops, wine, and beautiful scenery. This list has the hotel I stayed at plus a few other options, restaurants, and the nearby hike we loved. It’s definitely relaxed and sleepy, but a gre...Earthbound Farm Stand was a highlight before driving down Big Sur!
Tickle Pink Inn is just outside of downtown Carmel, which I actually preferred. It feels a little more peaceful and tucked away, sitting at the top of the hills with beautiful views everywhere you look. The service was great, with sparkling wine delivered to our roo...
Tickle Pink Inn
This place is crowded for a reason. They do comfort food really well. I got the shrimp pasta and I’m still thinking about the butter sauce. The fish and chips were also really good, and we shared the broccolini. Put your name on the waitlist and go w...
NORA'S CARMEL
Carmel Beach is a beautiful white sand beach and the perfect place to walk after dinner. It was pretty chilly when I went, but still so pretty, and the waves were really calm. Definitely worth walking down for sunset or just to take in the views.
Carmel Beach
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a must. We did a few of the easy trails throughout the park and there are beautiful coastal views everywhere. The scenery can look completely different depending on the tide and time of year, which makes it even more interesting. They also have t...
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Earthbound Farm Stand is not far from everything in Carmel and 100% worth the drive inland. It was so sunny when we went, and you could easily spend a few hours here drinking coffee or wine in the garden, exploring the property, picking flowers, or just grabbing a quick s...
Earthbound Farm Stand
I didn’t get a chance to stop at Mad Dogs & Englishmen, but it’s such a cute coffee shop right downtown and an easy stop if you’re exploring Carmel in the morning. Definitely one I’d add to the list for coffee before walking around town.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop & Coffee Bar
I didn’t get a chance to try Stationæry, but it was highly recommended to me for brunch. Definitely one I’d keep on the list if you’re looking for a cute breakfast or brunch spot while you’re in Carmel.
Stationæry
I didn’t get a chance to stay at Bernardus Lodge & Spa, but if you’re feeling boujee, add this one to the list. It’s tucked away in Carmel Valley with beautiful grounds, a spa, pool, great food, and more of a luxury wine country feel. Definitely ...
Bernardus Lodge & Spa
La Playa Carmel is a cute boutique hotel much closer to the downtown area, so it’s a great option if you want to be able to walk around town and down to Carmel Beach. I didn’t stay here, but it was definitely on my list when I was looking at hotels.
La Playa Hotel
Pacific Grove / Monterey Bay
Pacific Grove was one of my favorite stops for the cute hotel, good casual eats, coastal walks, and things to do like the aquarium and Lovers Point. It feels brighter, more chill, and less boujee than Carmel, and I honestly loved the vibes. I’d do 1–2 days max and bring layers because it’s chilly even in the summer!
Seven Gables Inn is SO dreamy. We stayed in the Crespi Room and had the best ocean view. It feels like staying in your grandma’s adorable Victorian home in the best way. So cute, bright, and cozy. Pacific Grove felt much brighter and more open to me ...
Seven Gables Inn Monterey Bay, A ...
Super casual affordable Mexican spot with really good tacos and quesadillas. Just walk in, grab a beer or agua fresca and some tacos, then head out and explore the rest of town. Easy, quick, and good.
La Bahia Mexican American Restaurant - Monterey, CA
Monterey Bay Aquarium was really neat and something I had to see at least once. I only needed about an hour here, and at around $65 per person it’s definitely a pricier experience, but I thought it was fun and worth doing. Go early before all the kids get there and on a w...
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Cute pizza spot with some of the best sourdough pizza, decent cocktails, and REALLY good gelato. Get the dark chocolate gelato, I’m still thinking about it. You can walk here from Seven Gables Inn, which made it the perfect easy dinner spot for us.
Rudolfo's
Ad Astra Bread Co. was on my list, but I didn’t get a chance to make it there. Their sourdough and pastries looked SO good, so definitely one I’d save if you’re looking for a bakery stop while you’re in Monterey.
Ad Astra Bread Co - Monterey, CA
Lovers Point Beach was right across from our hotel and such a pretty spot to walk around and see the super clear, calm water. You might even spot a whale! I wish I would have brought binoculars. It’s also a cute place to bring a picnic, sit by the wa...
Lovers Point Beach
Big Sur
Big Sur is the iconic stretch of California coastline with huge cliffs, ocean views, and winding Highway 1. For me, it was more of a drive-through destination, and honestly the views might be even better driving south to north! I didn’t feel the need to sta...
McWay Falls is a beautiful waterfall that kind of sneaks up on you, so make sure you’re ready to pull over! Check with the state park before your drive since access to some landmarks and trails can change. My best advice for Big Sur is honestly to no...
McWay Falls
Henry Miller Memorial Library had super weird, slightly creepy vibes to me, BUT I had to pull over to stand among the massive coastal redwoods. Such a cool contrast from all the ocean and cliff views along the drive and worth a quick stop just to see...
Henry Miller Memorial Library
Post Ranch Inn is actually the dreamiest place ever. I didn’t stay here, but if you’re looking to really use up some Amex points or just completely ball out, this is THE luxury resort in Big Sur. The views and property look insane, and this would be ...
Post Ranch Inn
Alila Ventana Big Sur is another super nice resort I didn’t get a chance to stay at, but I’ve heard the spa is amazing. If you’re looking to completely disconnect in the mountains and make the resort the destination, this would be a cool place to sta...
Alila Ventana Big Sur
Pfeiffer Beach is one of the more unique stops in Big Sur, known for its huge rock formations, Keyhole Arch, and purple-ish sand. It takes a little more effort to get to than the roadside overlooks, so plan extra time if you want to stop here. We dro...
Pfeiffer Beach
Ginger Root for Long Car Rides
Portable Charger
Portable Charger
Hearst Castle was SO worth it. We did the Grand Rooms Tour, which is the standard tour, and it was only around $35 per person. It’s just a little out of the way, so we stayed one night in Cambria specifically so we could stop here the next morning before continui...
Hearst Castle Tour
Santa Barbara / Montecito / Carpenteria
I spend a lot of time in Santa Barbara + Montecito every year, so this area is very familiar to me and one of my favorite California destinations. This list has Airbnbs and cute hotels I love, my go-to places to eat, shops, workout studios, beaches, ...
Hotel Californian has great service and one of the best locations right by the beach. They have great restaurants and cocktails attached, cozy robes, and one of the few pools in Santa Barbara with an ocean view. My move is an iced cold glass of white...
Hotel Californian
Bettina is such a cute Montecito dinner spot. Get a pizza and one of their honey cocktails, which are SO good. It has a great indoor-outdoor vibe, and there’s ice cream right next door for dessert. An easy, fun dinner if you’re spending the evening i...
Bettina Pizza
Rori’s has a bunch of locations around the area and is such a cute, popular spot for ice cream. They also have dairy-free options, which I love. Perfect little stop for something sweet after dinner or while you’re walking around.
Rori’s Artisanal Creamery
Mony’s is my favorite casual burrito spot in Santa Barbara. We usually end up going back multiple times in one trip! I love the fish burrito, and they have tons of different salsas to try. They also do bowls if you want a lighter option.
Mony's Mexican Food
Flor de Maíz is right next to Hotel Californian and one we go back to all the time. I love the quality of their margaritas, and it’s also a great spot to casually sit at the bar for happy hour. They have a really nice patio and good upscale Mexican f...
Flor De Maiz
Pacific Health Foods is a small local grocery store, but they have a healthy kitchen in the back that is SO good. I love the strawberry date smoothie, and they also get fresh sourdough bread delivered daily. Such a good little stop if you’re explorin...
Pacific Health Food
Dart Coffee has a few locations around Santa Barbara, and I love stopping in for an Americano because they have really good espresso and such a good vibe. I ALWAYS get a coconut donut too. They seriously have the best donuts.
Dart Coffee Co
This was one of my favorite little things we stumbled upon at the wharf! It’s about an hour cruising around the water, and you can do a daytime or sunset ride. Pro tip: I actually think the view from the main level is better than up top, so save your...
Celebration Cruises of Santa Barbara
Routine is a newer Lagree studio and this class was HARD. I was sore for days after! The instructors are young and fun, the music is good, and the whole studio has great energy. Such a good workout if you want something challenging while you’re in to...
The Routine, a Lagree Fitness Studio
Took my first private surfing lesson ever, this is a beach only for beginners and foam boards, which helped me feel more comfortable in the ocean! I caught 10 waves. 🌊
Private Surfing Lessons
Road Trip Vlogs
All of my California road trip blogs in one place with more details on where we stayed, what we ate, what we did, and everything I’d recommend (or skip) along the way.
Ep 1. Austin → Carmel-by-the-Sea
bucket list road trip down the california coast 🌊 ep. 1: austin → carmel-by-the-sea
Ep. 2 Carmel-by-the-Sea → Pacific Grove
bucket list road trip down the california coast 🌊 ep. 2 carmel-by-the-sea → pacific grove
Earthbound Farm Tour Vlog
Earthbound Farm Tour: Carmel Valley, California
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Hearst Castle Tour
Hearst Castle Museum
Big Sur Vlog