Buckle up for this full day road trip itinerary packed with coastal activities. I did this road trip in April, which was lucky timing for "pupping" season (aka cute baby seals everywhere), but it was still a bit chilly out for a windows down kind of coast cruise.
Follow my footsteps to Carmel-by-the-Sea with this Google Maps List
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| Pescadero State Beach |
Stop 1: Half Moon Bay State Beach
On the way from San Francisco, this is a good first stop if you want to enjoy your morning coffee at the water before getting too far into the trip.
On the way from San Francisco, this is a good first stop if you want to enjoy your morning coffee at the water before getting too far into the trip.
Stop 2: Pescadero State Beach
This rocky beach was home to rolling fields of colorful ice plants, rocky shores, smoothed by the rough waves, and lots of vibrant star fish and sea urchins hidden in the rocks & easy to be spotted during low tide.
This rocky beach was home to rolling fields of colorful ice plants, rocky shores, smoothed by the rough waves, and lots of vibrant star fish and sea urchins hidden in the rocks & easy to be spotted during low tide.
Stop 3: Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Stop 5: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Could definitely spend a whole day at this one spot. The Carmelo Meadow Trail took us right to Whalers Cove where we spotted lots of Seals (it was pupping season in April), and lots of Sea Otters diving around.
Could definitely spend a whole day at this one spot. The Carmelo Meadow Trail took us right to Whalers Cove where we spotted lots of Seals (it was pupping season in April), and lots of Sea Otters diving around.
...more stops below
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| Pescadero State Beach |
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| Pescadero State Beach |
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| Seals at Point Lobos |
Stop 6: Pebble Beach 17 Mile Drive
I highly recommend the Pebble Beach 17 Mile Drive. And I liked taking it from South to North on the way back home at the end of our day. For this drive you pay an entry fee, get a map, and stop as many times as you choose along the way of this winding and beautiful private neighborhood. My all time favorite stop was Spanish Bay which had rock towers as far as the eye could see along the sand. It was like a forest of them, kinda creepy actually, but also breathtaking.
Stop 7: Old Fisherman's Wharf
In the heart of Monterey, you can't miss this opportunity to snack on the free chowder samples before dinner.
Stop 8: Dinner in Monterey
I recommend a short walk over to Alvarado Street to the Alvarado Street Brewery for a delicious dinner and drinks to close out a long day of driving and seashell collecting. I can vouch for the fish and chips being excellent, along with the pretzel and beer cheese appetizer.
I recommend a short walk over to Alvarado Street to the Alvarado Street Brewery for a delicious dinner and drinks to close out a long day of driving and seashell collecting. I can vouch for the fish and chips being excellent, along with the pretzel and beer cheese appetizer.
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| Spanish Bay |
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| Old Fisherman's Wharf |
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