This was a 2 day trip to Marina-Big Sur-Carmel-Santa Cruz. I have already been to these places quite a few times before and did not want to repeat the same touristy places yet again. Our friends came over from the east coast and we thought a trip to Big Sur would give them the right essence of California, well at least one aspect of California's beauty. Also, decided not to go to the same old places. So I started exploring for non-touristy stuff to do and non-crowded places to go to. Finally, I was amazed how many remote and pristine beaches to go to. The beauty of the coast and nature at its best, ocean carving it way into the land, the trip yet again was totally worth it.
So, the trip kicked off with one day going to San Francisco, my fav city by far and then to hit the highway 1 and go south.
Day 1:
1. SFO - Golden Gate
2.Muir woods outlook: Going little north to from the G-Gate ,this place is right on the highway 1 and have to hike ½ a mile to reach the vista point. Very beautiful view of the coast, 180-degree view of the sea and the coast. On a clear and sunny day, you can see the unending sea and the coast running along with it.
3. Natural Bridges State Beach-Santa Cruz: Going south
Natural Bridges State Beach is named for the naturally occurring mudstone bridges that were carved by the Pacific Ocean into the cliff that jutted out into the sea. The arches formed over a million years ago when a combination of silt, clay, and diatoms was solidified into a mixture of stone that formed the three original arches of the beach. Wave erosion carved the arches and then cut away the cliffs leaving only islands. Of the three original arches only the middle one remains. The outermost arch fell during the early 20th century and the inner arch collapsed during a storm in 1980.
It is an amazing photo op. We went to the beach after sunset…but I bet the sunset would have been pretty amazing from this beach. It a photographers retreat. You can spend hours to capture the never change arch ant he ever change waves hitting it and capturing the beauty of nature's carving.
PS: This beach also has a Monarch butterfly trial where you can see migrating butterflies resting during their journey. We went to the Butterfly sanctuary in Monterrey.
This was our hotel for next two days. Had an ocean view room, Very cozy with fireplace and patio overseeing the ocean. I left the patio blinds open so that I wake up with a view.(psst….then even offer breakfast in bed ;).They have a bonfire every night on the beach and on the moonlit night this is the beach you wanna be. This resort is located in the Marina state preserve. It all sand dunes going up to 15-20 feet above sea level. This is one of the two places you find such sand dunes on the California coast. The location is what is awesome….when you look at the map its almost in the center of the arch of the Monterrey bay….and when you go to the beach which almost looks like a private one because it is a nature preserve and has access from only a few places.
4. Sanctuary Beach resort
This was our hotel for next two days. Had an ocean view room, Very cozy with fireplace and patio overseeing the ocean. I left the patio blinds open so that I wake up with a view.(psst….then even offer breakfast in bed ;).They have a bonfire every night on the beach and on a moonlit night this is the beach you wanna be. This resort is located in the Marina state preserve. It all sand dunes going up to 15-20 feet above sea level. This is one of the two places you find such sand dunes on the California coast. The location is what is awesome….when you look at the map its almost in the center of the arch of the Monterrey bay….and when you go to the beach which almost looks like a private one because it is a nature preserve and has access from only a few places.
Day 2: The drive following 5 till 10 is a part of scenic byway suggested by http://byways.org/
5. Carmel scenic drive: Listed on the list of National scenic byways. This is again very scenic drive which goes through the coast and great beach.
6. Carmel River Beach, Carmelo Street, Carmel, CA
7. Carmel Mission: Considered to be a historic building, this is one of the first of the 19 missions that followed. The mission was under renovation when we visited. A must stop for a history buff like me. It always good to know the history of the place and the people who lived there and their lifestyle.
8. Bixby Creek Bridge: The bridge - the view - the small arch in the corner - Perfect. Stop at the vista point before crossing the bridge.
10. Mcfey falls:: Small hike but small falls falling into the sea.
PS: My husband and I love an art gallery on the way to these falls. It’s one of a kind. In a lovely house-like store, with a small stream passing beside it. The gallery consists of unique pieces from glass work to wooden musical instruments to crystal vases. Also, has a cafe but coffee is not so good.
9. Rocky Point Restaurant: It just 10 min before you hit the Bixby Bridge. Very easy to miss but a great café to stop by and look at the sunset provided it’s a clear sky. Below is the link.
http://www.rocky-point.com/
10. Back to Carmel.
This was our hotel for next two days. Had an ocean view room, Very cozy with fireplace and patio overseeing the ocean. I left the patio blinds open so that I wake up with a view.(psst….then even offer breakfast in bed ;).They have a bonfire every night on the beach and on a moonlit night this is the beach you wanna be. This resort is located in the Marina state preserve. It all sand dunes going up to 15-20 feet above sea level. This is one of the two places you find such sand dunes on the California coast. The location is what is awesome….when you look at the map its almost in the center of the arch of the Monterrey bay….and when you go to the beach which almost looks like a private one because it is a nature preserve and has access from only a few places.
Day 2: The drive following 5 till 10 is a part of scenic byway suggested by http://byways.org/
5. Carmel scenic drive: Listed on the list of National scenic byways. This is again very scenic drive which goes through the coast and great beach.
6. Carmel River Beach, Carmelo Street, Carmel, CA
7. Carmel Mission: Considered to be a historic building, this is one of the first of the 19 missions that followed. The mission was under renovation when we visited. A must stop for a history buff like me. It always good to know the history of the place and the people who lived there and their lifestyle.
8. Bixby Creek Bridge: The bridge - the view - the small arch in the corner - Perfect. Stop at the vista point before crossing the bridge.
10. Mcfey falls:: Small hike but small falls falling into the sea.
PS: My husband and I love an art gallery on the way to these falls. It’s one of a kind. In a lovely house-like store, with a small stream passing beside it. The gallery consists of unique pieces from glass work to wooden musical instruments to crystal vases. Also, has a cafe but coffee is not so good.
9. Rocky Point Restaurant: It just 10 min before you hit the Bixby Bridge. Very easy to miss but a great café to stop by and look at the sunset provided it’s a clear sky. Below is the link.
http://www.rocky-point.com/
10. Back to Carmel.
10. Back to Carmel.
Day 3:
11. Butter Fly Sanctuary:
This is one of the many places in California coast where Monarch butterflies stop for the winter while they are migrating to warm Mexico travelling from up north. Monarchs stay in the Monarch butterfly grove from October until February, when they continue their migration south.
You will find butterflies flying around on a sunny day and so nice of the locals those have planted nectarine plants in their garden to help the butterflies. This is such a sensitive echo system which is been preserved. Very quiet and peaceful place. The GPS took to butter Inn and we were doubtful if that was the correct place. But it is….you will see a small trail leading you to the butterflies.
Link to the Map:
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