Buckle up for this full day road trip itinerary packed with coastal activities. I did this in 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 of you want to enjoy your coffee before getting too far down the road, otherwise, not my favorite stop so may consider skipping if crunched for time.
Stop 2: Pescadero State Beach - This rocky beach was home to stretching view of colorful ice plants, colorful rocks, smoothed by the rough waves, and lots of vibrant star fish and sea urchins hidden out in the rocks easy to be spotted during low tide.
Stop 3: Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Stop 4: Lunch in Santa Cruz at Zoccoli's Delicatessen and drinks at Lupulo
Stop 5: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Could probably spend a whole day at this one spot. But 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.
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| Pescadero State Beach |
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| Pescadero State Beach |
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| Seals at Point Lobos |
(Seal Video)
Stop 6: 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 has cairns 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 Monterey to snack on the free chowder samples before dinner.
Stop 7: Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey to snack on the free chowder samples before dinner.
Stop 8: For dinner in Monterey, walk over to Alvarado Street to the Alvarado Street Brewery for a delicious dinner and drinks to close out a long day or driving and seashell collecting. 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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