Right this moment I need to share my Massive Sur itinerary with you. This stretch of the California coast has every little thing from boulder-studded seashores to waterfalls and redwood groves. Taking a Massive Sur street journey is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do when visiting California, and I’m excited to share about the most effective issues to do in Massive Sur. Learn on for my journey itinerary and map.
Massive Sur Itinerary
Massive Sur sits alongside a 90-mile (144-kilometer) stretch of California’s Central Coast. It’s bounded by Carmel within the north, San Simeon and Hearst Fort within the south, the Santa Lucia Mountains within the east, and the Pacific Ocean within the west.
The legendary Pacific Coast Freeway runs down the stretch of it, providing guests entry to every little thing from state parks to nice mountain climbing trails, distinctive inns, and picture-pretty seashores.
I’m house in San Francisco, and I’m heading right down to Massive Sur with three pals on a street journey.
This space is without doubt one of the most stunning locations in California, and we’re excited to go to and uncover the spectacular pure surroundings it has to supply. Learn on for our Massive Sur itinerary.
Massive Sur Itinerary: Day 1
We go away for our journey within the morning. We’re taking the coastal route, and it’s round a 3-hour drive from San Francisco to Massive Sur. We determine to take our time and make a number of stops alongside the best way, aiming to reach at our lodge in Massive Sur within the late afternoon.
Ano Nuevo State Park
After driving by Half Moon Bay and Pescadero, the primary cease on our itinerary is Ano Nuevo State Park. It’s the world’s largest mainland breeding colony for the northern elephant seal.
We spend a pair hours on the park, strolling out to the seaside to see the large animals sunbathing within the sand dunes.
Davenport
From Ano Nuevo our Massive Sur street journey itinerary continues with a lunch cease in Davenport. We tuck into crab truffles and native fried artichoke hearts at Whale Metropolis Bakery as we take within the traditional American diner environment round us.
Moss Touchdown
Quickly we’re off once more, and our journey continues by Santa Cruz to Moss Touchdown. This space is known for its produce stands, as there are loads of farms round.
We will’t assist pulling over at one of many roadside stalls to purchase contemporary native cherries and strawberries for our journey. It’s exhausting to consider how cheap they’re, to not point out how candy and scrumptious they style.
Massive Sur
Again within the automotive, we drive by Monterey and Carmel, two of my favourite locations in California. We cease within the latter for gasoline, as petrol costs in Massive Sur are sky-high and filling stations few and much between.
As we proceed south, homes and cell phone reception recede into the gap because the shoreline will get more and more gorgeous. We will’t take our eyes off the views.
Quickly we cross the well-known Bixby Bridge and drive alongside cliffs above seashores dotted with boulders. We’re formally in Massive Sur, and it’s so stunning I can hardly consider it’s actual.
Treebones Resort
Once we attain the southern finish of Massive Sur, we arrive at our lodging. Treebones Resort is known for its glamping choices. From luxurious yurts to tree homes and a nest, there’s loads of distinctive lodging on provide right here.
We’re staying in yurts, which in our case are spacious round tents on raised platforms. They arrive with huge beds, sinks, and decks with Adirondack chairs.
The resort itself has stunning ocean views, an natural backyard, a yoga pavilion, a pool and sizzling tub, and a well-known sushi restaurant. We even spot rabbits and listen to native sea lions barking as we stroll alongside the paths.
After settling in, we sit right down to a 3-course dinner in The Lodge Restaurant. It makes a speciality of native, seasonal components, a lot of that are grown on-site within the backyard.
Every little thing from pizzas to scallops and miso black cod goes down a deal with, and on the finish of the meal we toast to an important first day in Massive Sur.
Massive Sur Itinerary: Day 2
The following morning our Massive Sur itinerary continues with a day of exploring the southern a part of the area.
Soda Springs Path
Leaving our lodging, we drive south to Soda Springs Path. This mountain climbing path within the hills above the Pacific Ocean options huge oak timber, fairly wildflowers, and nice views of the California coast.
We spend a while mountain climbing right here, and we love every little thing from the waterfalls to the plush environment.
Wild Flowers in Might
After the hike, we drive north to a spot we discovered on Google Maps referred to as Wild Flowers in Might. This spot is thought for its purple wildflowers and orange California poppies, each of which blanket the panorama above the seashores in Massive Sur.
We cease to take photos and admire the surroundings, which is gorgeous with all its brilliant colours. Afterwards we hop again within the automotive for the following leg of our Massive Sur itinerary.
Sand Greenback Seashore
It takes place at Sand Greenback Seashore. This crescent is the longest unbroken stretch of sand in Massive Sur. It’s an important place to get outside and take in the surroundings.
We pay to park within the lot throughout from Plaskett Creek Campground, then stroll down a path and descend a set of steps to get from the clifftop to the sand. We get postcard-perfect views of the coast and native surfers alongside the best way.
Once we arrive on the seaside we settle in and revel in a picnic lunch of every little thing from contemporary fruit to smoked salmon and charcuterie. Afterwards we stroll alongside the shore, stopping to take a look at a cave on one finish and large rock formations on the opposite.
Sand Greenback Seashore Hike
From the seaside we hike again as much as the car parking zone and take one other stroll. Paths information us alongside a flat stretch to the sting of the cliffs, the place we absorb views of seashores, coves, and boulders beneath.
Surprisingly, we additionally get cell phone reception right here (it’s one of many few locations we discover it on the journey).
Sushi Bar at Treebones
Afterwards, our Massive Sur itinerary continues again at our yurts. We get pleasure from a glass of wine on the out of doors bar earlier than having dinner on the well-known Wild Coast Sushi Bar at Treebones.
The omakase expertise is about in an intimate indoor-outdoor house with eight seats and sundown views. Dinner is a 14-course tasting menu that options contemporary seafood and locally-harvested herbs.
We get a front-row seat because the chef prepares every little thing from nigiri sushi to temaki hand rolls on the counter. It’s a very memorable expertise.
Massive Sur Itinerary: Day 3
The following morning our Massive Sur itinerary continues as we take a look at of Treebones and drive up Freeway 1 to the northern a part of Massive Sur. We’re staying right here for the following two nights, and we are able to’t wait to find extra of the realm.
McWay Falls
Heading up the Cabrillo Freeway previous Limekiln State Park and over Massive Creek Bridge, we make our solution to McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. That is essentially the most well-known waterfall in Massive Sur.
We park alongside the street, strolling down a path and thru a tunnel within the park to get to the vista level. The falls pour straight down a cliff to a seaside in a cove, and the result’s pure magic.
Partington Cove
Talking of coves, the following cease on our Massive Sur itinerary is Partington Cove. This small inlet simply north of McWay Falls was used as a loading level for ships within the nineteenth century.
We park subsequent to the freeway close to the unmarked entrance (I’ve put the precise location on the map beneath), then descend the winding path right down to the waterfront.
Passing by a redwood grove, we make our means by an extended tunnel to get to the cove. It’s a lovely hidden house, and the coastal fog provides a component of thriller.
Henry Miller Memorial Library
Again within the automotive, we drive north to the Henry Miller Library. This nonprofit arts heart options an out of doors sculpture gallery, a bookstore, and an open-air efficiency venue that each one pay homage to the late author Henry Miller.
The store is about in Miller’s former house, and it’s filled with books by each Miller and well-known writers like Jack Kerouac. The out of doors space is used for live shows, and the entire place appears like a throwback to California’s hippie previous.
The Phoenix Store at Nepenthe
Simply north of the Henry Miller Library, the Phoenix Store at Nepenthe is the following cease on our Massive Sur street journey itinerary. Based in 1964, it has a variety of eclectic presents for the physique, thoughts, and spirit.
This place is stuffed with house items and clothes from around the globe. We spend time searching the wares and taking within the ocean views, ultimately shopping for every little thing from jigsaw puzzles to sizzling sauce, shirts, and purses.
Massive Sur Bakery
Leaving the shop, we drive a brief distance north to our lunch cease at Massive Sur Bakery. This roadside restaurant serves hearty California delicacies and nice wood-fired pizzas. We order on the counter and settle in for lunch at an out of doors desk within the sunshine.
Throughout us are open-air artwork galleries, present retailers, and gardens filled with succulents.
Glen Oaks Massive Sur
Lunch is scrumptious, and it fuels us for the following cease on our Massive Sur itinerary. This one is at our lodging for the evening, Glen Oaks.
Glen Oaks is a Massive Sur lodge identified for its luxurious cabins within the redwoods. Initially a Fifties motor lodge, it now gives high-end lodging in stunning pure environment.
We examine into our cabins, which include out of doors hearth pits and all of the components for s’mores, to not point out snug beds and comfy seating areas.
After placing our baggage down, we take a stroll across the property and right down to the Massive Sur River, which is on the premises. There are redwoods all over the place, and footbridges over the water. There’s even a marriage occurring.
Massive Sur River Inn
Within the night we drive over to Massive Sur River Inn, the realm’s first lodge and restaurant. It’s well-known for having Adirondack chairs proper within the stream. We order drinks on the bar and take them right down to the water, sipping them because the river runs over our toes.
Dinner at Deetjen’s
For dinner we drive over to Deetjen’s Massive Sur Inn, a singular Thirties lodge and restaurant nestled among the many redwoods. Deetjen’s Restaurant is low-lit and filled with eclectic knickknacks. Strolling inside appears like stepping again in time.
We get pleasure from a dinner of contemporary beet salads, vegetable risotto, steak, and paella. Paired with nice wine and glorious service, it’s our favourite meal of the journey.
Again at our lodge, we mild up our hearth pit, roast marshmallows, and revel in s’mores beneath the celebrities. It’s the proper solution to finish the third day of our street journey.
Massive Sur Itinerary: Day 4
The following morning our Massive Sur itinerary continues with breakfast at Massive Sur Roadhouse, our lodge’s restaurant. We tuck into doughnuts and plates of huevos rancheros at an out of doors desk with a fireplace within the center.
Andrew Molera State Park
After breakfast our day begins with a brief drive to Andrew Molera State Park. This comparatively undeveloped space options 4,800 acres (1,942 hectares) of various coast vary terrain.
It has 15 miles (24 kilometers) of mountain climbing trails and plenty of coastal scrub, wildflower-studded uplands, and seashores alongside the Massive Sur coast.
We pay to park within the lot, then head off on an 8-mile hike alongside the Creamery Meadow Path, Ridge Path, Panorama Path, Spring Path, and Bluff Path. The route takes us as much as the highest of a excessive hill with stunning views of the coast beneath.
Alongside the best way we come throughout every little thing from redwoods to a driftwood waterfall and a Pacific gopher snake.
On the finish we discover ourselves on the seaside at Andrew Molera State Park. With huge rocks and plenty of wooden, it’s an atmospheric place for a picnic.
We’ve introduced sandwiches from Massive Sur Deli, and we tuck right into a late lunch because the wind whips up the waves in entrance of us.
Fernwood
Within the night we head over to Fernwood, a campground and resort established in 1932. Its bar is internet hosting a dwell music evening on the out of doors terrace, and we sip drinks as we hear beneath the redwoods.
Nepenthe
Later we drive to dinner at Nepenthe, one of the crucial well-known eating places in Massive Sur. Set on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, its out of doors terraces and indoor eating room are standard locations to eat within the space.
We arrive proper at sundown, absorbing the views as we tuck into salads and mains. The meals isn’t the most effective we’ve had on the journey, however the environment is tough to beat.
Massive Sur Itinerary: Day 5
The following morning is the final of our Massive Sur journey. We’ve a breakfast of French toast on the Massive Sur Roadhouse earlier than testing of our lodge and heading north to make our means again to San Francisco.
Bixby Bridge
However we nonetheless have one cease left on our Massive Sur itinerary: Bixby Bridge. This well-known construction is without doubt one of the most photographed locations in Massive Sur. Accomplished in 1932, it’s one of many highest bridges of its form on the earth.
We pull off the street and stroll over to the point of view on the north aspect of the bridge. The views of the arch and the shoreline are breathtaking, and we’re pleased to finish our journey on such a constructive be aware.
Again within the automotive, we take the quick path to San Francisco. Two-and-a-half hours later, we’re within the Metropolis by the Bay and Massive Sur appears like a dream.
Massive Sur Map
Massive Sur Itinerary
We totally loved our Massive Sur itinerary and the 5 days we spent on the California coast. From the pure landscapes to the hikes, seashores, retailers, and eating places, it gave us an important overview of what the space has to supply.
We additionally loved seeing each the northern and southern elements of Massive Sur. The landscapes had been completely different, and it was nice to spend a pair days in every place to expertise the highlights and never should drive lengthy distances on daily basis.
I hope this weblog publish has impressed you to go to Massive Sur and see the area for your self. It’s one of the crucial well-known stretches of shoreline on the earth for good motive, and a California street journey is the proper solution to see it. Glad travels!
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