After watching the sea lions jumping in front of the Fisherman's Warf, we drove through the
Cannery Row towards
Pacific Grove.
The famed
17-mile Drive is pretty, but not much different from other California's rocky coast, say Pacific Grove. No need to pay $8.75 unless you want to visit Pebble Beach (no beach though, just a golf course). If you do decide to pay the entrance fee, visit the China rock, the bird rock and the lone cypress.
South of the 17 mile drive is the charming town
Carmel, which has a large beach with free parking and many interesting houses.
The
Misson House is worth a stop over ($5, which probably can be avoided if going through the Catholic school area).
3 miles south is Point Lobos State Reserve ($9), large and wilder, can easily take 3 hours. The bird island trail is a must (you get to be very close to those rocks). The Sea Lion Point trail is very pleasant, with yellow flowers covering the hills now.
Hwy 1 along the Big Sur coastline is beautiful. Clouds move in and out. Stop and admire
Bixby Bridge (13 miles south of Carmel).
Take a stroll from the Sand Dollar Beach picnic area, and maybe go for a swim ($5 parking).
Visit the only waterfall directly plunged onto the ocean in the
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park ($8, 37 miles south of Carmel).
After watching the sea lions jumping in front of the Fisherman's Warf, we drove through the Cannery Row towards Pacific Grove.
The famed 17-mile Drive is pretty, but not much different from other California's rocky coast, say Pacific Grove. No need to pay $8.75 unless you want to visit Pebble Beach (no beach though, just a golf course). If you do decide to pay the entrance fee, visit the China rock, the bird rock and the lone cypress.
South of the 17 mile drive is the charming town Carmel, which has a large beach with free parking and many interesting houses. 
The Misson House is worth a stop over ($5, which probably can be avoided if going through the Catholic school area).
3 miles south is Point Lobos State Reserve ($9), large and wilder, can easily take 3 hours. The bird island trail is a must (you get to be very close to those rocks). The Sea Lion Point trail is very pleasant, with yellow flowers covering the hills now.
Hwy 1 along the Big Sur coastline is beautiful. Clouds move in and out. Stop and admire Bixby Bridge (13 miles south of Carmel).
Take a stroll from the Sand Dollar Beach picnic area, and maybe go for a swim ($5 parking).
Visit the only waterfall directly plunged onto the ocean in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park ($8, 37 miles south of Carmel). 
