Attractions Nearby Big Sur, Day Trips and Excursions

(Big Sur, Monterey County, California - CA, USA)

Monterey County is brimming with quality attractions and Big Sur is just a short drive away from many of the best, a number of which are to be found around the neighboring Monterey Bay area and the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The coastal town of Pacific Grove and its beach-related attractions are located some 30 miles / 48 km north of Big Sur and has a population approaching 16,000 people.

You simply cannot holiday in Big Sur without leaving a day or two to come to the truly iconic Californian city of San Francisco, which is famous the world over for its bright-red Golden Gate Bridge and similar awesome attractions. Oakland, Salinas, San Jose and Sunnyvale are also within easy driving distance - the choice is almost endless.

Carmel-by-the-Sea (Carmel)

Carmel-by-the-Sea, better known as simply just Carmel, can be found just 26 miles / 42 km to the north of Big Sur, close to Monterey and Pacific Grove. Often described as a 'Bohemian retreat', Carmel can be reached in just over 30 minutes and contains a number of excellent attractions, including an unbelievable selection of around 100 individual art galleries. Also of interesting is the Carmel Mission and Museum, the Tor House and Hawk Tower, nearby Pebble Beach, and many surrounding vineyards and wineries.

Monterey

Monterey enjoys a very enviable situation, standing proudly alongside the very famous Monterey Bay, which boasts the title of being America's biggest marina sanctuary. There are a number of very worthwhile attractions spreading around this area, namely the Monterey State Historic Park, the Museum of Art, the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, and of course, the very family friendly Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is not to be missed under any circumstances. Also of note is the National Steinbeck Center, and the acclaimed Cannery Row district, where shops and restaurants abound.

Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove's attractions are somewhat diverse and include the sandy Asilomar State Beach, which can be reached along a narrow boardwalk and stretches for just over 1.5 km / 1 mile. Other highlights include the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, and also the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, which has become well known for being home to huge numbers of migrating butterflies.

Oakland

Oakland is an appealing city which has grown up across the water from San Francisco, being connected by a long bridge. The main attractions of Oakland tend to be based around the waterfront Jack London Square, which is an especially lively and appealing spot, located on the southern side of Broadway. For a taste of the past, the period architecture along the Victorian Row is well preserved, while for a bite to eat, the very authentic Chinese restaurants within the Chinatown district are hard to beat. Museum buffs will no doubt enjoy a visit to the outstanding Oakland Museum of California, or the African American Museum. Lake Merritt forms the very heart of Oakland and gives the city much character.

Salinas

Easy to reach and sited just an hour away, being around 47 miles / 76 km to the north of Big Sur and slightly inland from the sprawling Monterey Bay, Salinas is a good place to stop off on the way to San Francisco. Many concerts and seasonal events are regularly staged as the Salinas Sports Complex, at Sherwood Hall, and also at the California Rodeo Grounds. For shopping, the Northride Mall contains the region's biggest selection of shops. The John Steinbeck Museum completes the main attractions within Salinas and stands along the Main Street.

San Francisco

Built in the late 1930s, the Golden Gate Bridge is just one of an endless array of attractions that San Francisco has to offer, with others including the Aquarium of the Bay, Fort Point, San Francisco City Hall and also Fisherman's Wharf, where around Pier 39, large groups of sea lions can often be observed soaking up the Californian sunshine. San Francisco lies just under 150 miles / 241 km to the north of Big Sur and boasts so many exceptional sights, that you will need to plan your time carefully, since a trip to Alcatraz Island (the Rock in the Bay) can easily take half a day alone.

San Jose

Close to so many leading cities and tourist attractions, San Jose is often overshadowed and overlooked by sightseers. However, there really is plenty on offer within San Jose, with a number of firm family favorites, such as the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, the Winchester Mystery House, the Discovery Museum of San Jose and the Tech Museum of Innovation. Also of note is the San Jose State University (SJSU), which dates back more than 150 years and is the most historic of its kind on the entire western coast. Located to the north of Big Sur, San Jose is roughly 100 miles / 161 km and easily reached in under two hours by car.

Sunnyvale

A prominent city within California's Silicon Valley region, Sunnyvale is edged by both San Jose (south) and the San Francisco Bay (north). Golfers will likely enjoy a round at one of Sunnyvale's two public golf courses, while shoppers will find the recently revamped town center will not disappoint. Sunnyvale is to be found around 110 miles / 177 km to the north of Big Sur. To learn more about the town's history, pay a visit to the Murphy Park Historical Museum, which is run by the actual Sunnyvale Historical Society.