Orange County to Big Sur- driving

[rentayenta]

We'll be driving from OC to Big Sur in about two weeks, on a Sunday. Any tips or must sees along the way? We are not in a hurry but would like to arrive by dark. Our flight into OC lands at 9:30 am.

 

[usnuzuloose]

We'll be driving from OC to Big Sur in about two weeks, on a Sunday. Any tips or must sees along the way? We are not in a hurry but would like to arrive by dark. Our flight into OC lands at 9:30 am.

Monterey is very nice, you have the aquarium , 17 mile drive, I think the price to drive 17 mile drive is 10.50. You can stop at Pebble beach and see the shops and go through the hotel and see the 18th hole and take pictures. They have a little market ( just ask and some one will tell you where it is ) walking distance, it has a deli where you can get sandwiches. You can go down Cannery Row. If you like antiques there is a big Mall on wave street near Cannery row.

Carmel is another nice stop. The Hoggs breath inn owned by Clint Eastwood has some good food. The white sandy beach area is a nice place to relax. They have many nice shops as well.

 

[rentayenta]

Monterey is very nice, you have the aquarium , 17 mile drive, I think the price to drive 17 mile drive is 10.50. You can stop at Pebble beach and see the shops and go through the hotel and see the 18th hole and take pictures. They have a little market ( just ask and some one will tell you where it is ) walking distance, it has a deli where you can get sandwiches. You can go down Cannery Row. If you like antiques there is a big Mall on wave street near Cannery row.

Carmel is another nice stop. The Hoggs breath inn owned by Clint Eastwood has some good food. The white sandy beach area is a nice place to relax. They have many nice shops as well.

Thank you. So Carmel is about 17 miles form Big Sur? I'm flying out of Carmel.

I like the idea of visiting Clint Eastwood's restaurant. Pebble Bach also sounds nice.

I'll have a day, alone, in Big Sure. Ideas on how to spend the day. DH is traveling there for work. I'm going with him so he doesn't have to drive the 7 hours alone, a little road trip. He starts work the next day and I'll have a day to explore. We'll meet back up at night and then I fly out the next morning.

 

[GrandBob]

Thank you. So Carmel is about 17 miles form Big Sur? I'm flying out of Carmel.

I like the idea of visiting Clint Eastwood's restaurant. Pebble Beach also sounds nice.

Yep, 17 miles from the village of Big Sur to Carmel, on the Monterey Peninsula. You'll actually be flying out of Monterey Airport (MRY). But the peninsula is a small area; all these communities are close together.

I saw Clint (along with Sandra Locke, which tells you just how long ago it was!) a couple of times at Hogs Breath in the early '80's. But while I think he still owns it, I don't believe he hangs out around there any more. You're more likely to see him at Mission Ranch, off Rio Rd in Carmel. But don't hold your breath there, either

I'll have a day, alone, in Big Sur. Ideas on how to spend the day. DH is traveling there for work. I'm going with him so he doesn't have to drive the 7 hours alone, a little road trip.

Will you actually be in Big Sur, or will you be in Carmel but passing through Big Sur? If in Big Sur, I highly recommend Pfeiffer Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches you'll find anywhere. But it does get windy.

Also, River Inn is a big hangout in the area. It's kind of cool, as you can sit in the river with your food or drink (the river is typically about 4 inches deep, and they put chairs out there for guests).

You can also check out the Henry Miller Library there. And there are a couple of cool art galleries.

Oh, and I always recommend lunch at Nepenthe's. Pricey, but views to die for.

HTH,
Bob

 

[GrandBob]

Yep, 17 miles from the village of Big Sur to Carmel, on the Monterey Peninsula

Oops, I meant to say it's about 26 miles. About 40 minutes by car, given the twists in the road.

We'll be driving from OC to Big Sur in about two weeks, on a Sunday. Any tips or must sees along the way? We are not in a hurry but would like to arrive by dark. Our flight into OC lands at 9:30 am.

But wait a minute! You're saying two weeks from yesterday, on a Sunday? So you're talking about April 27?

That's the day of the Big Sur Marathon. It's a huge deal. The road between Big Sur and Carmel will be closed from early in the morning until some time in the afternoon. There are a limited number of caravans conducted by the CHP to get back and forth. I found more details here. Additional details on the marathon here.

Are you or your DH running or working in the marathon? If not, I'd be very careful in your planning.

-Bob

 

[rentayenta]

Oh my gosh Bob, thank you for that vital piece of info. DH is working in Big Sur, I haven't a clue where we're staying but it in Big Sur as that's where the photo shoot is.

Thank you also for the ideas on how to spend my day. I'm looking forward to checking out the area even for a brief time. I fly out of Carmel/Monterey.

Going to check out all of the links.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Clint still owns it, he has a partner. His partner was in there the last time we went in. They say Clint comes in once in a while.

 

[rentayenta]

Clint still owns it, he has a partner. His partner was in there the last time we went in. They say Clint comes in once in a while.

Cool!


Any must eats on the way?

 

[GrandBob]

Any must eats on the way?

There is precious little between Cambria and Big Sur (the town). Plan accordingly. Either take food, or eat somewhere around SLO or Morro Bay, and plan your day so you don't need further food until Big Sur. Similarly, plan your gas! There's a gas station at the little town of Gorda, but it's famous for gas prices that are at least $1 per gallon higher than anywhere else. It's there to catch the unprepared, which included my sister and BIL one year

Once you get to Big Sur, there are a bunch of choices, including Nepenthe, River Inn (both covered above), Ventana, and Post Ranch Inn. Post Ranch has views from indoors (through picture windows) that are as good as those from Nepenthe's. It also has prices that are even richer than Nepenthe's. It's a high-end place.

HTH,
Bob

 

[rentayenta]

There is precious little between Cambria and Big Sur (the town). Plan accordingly. Either take food, or eat somewhere around SLO or Morro Bay, and plan your day so you don't need further food until Big Sur. Similarly, plan your gas! There's a gas station at the little town of Gorda, but it's famous for gas prices that are at least $1 per gallon higher than anywhere else. It's there to catch the unprepared, which included my sister and BIL one year

Once you get to Big Sur, there are a bunch of choices, including Nepenthe, River Inn (both covered above), Ventana, and Post Ranch Inn. Post Ranch has views from indoors (through picture windows) that are as good as those from Nepenthe's. It also has prices that are even richer than Nepenthe's. It's a high-end place.

HTH,
Bob

Thanks agin Bob. I told DH about the gas situation and he told me the motorhome has a 100 gallon tank.

We've decided to stay the night in Santa Barbara Sunday night to alleviate any of the Big Sur/Carmel marathon headache. We're going to eat at Trattoria Mollie.

We'll head to Carmel the following day. We are staying at La Playa Carmel. We're going to try AW Shucks for a mellow night. Love oyster happy hour.