WEST COAST OF THE USA STAGE 11: SAN DIEGO - LOS ANGELES - MONTERREY

Penultimate day of the route along the West Coast of the United States, and often day! The beating was fat, 10 hours of highway, 6 lane highways, crossing the mega city of The Angels, to pass theBig sur along the cut sections of the coast road, coffee, hamburger and gas stations. But it's what makes us cool: road and blanket! Or what is now called roadtrip, of course. From San Diego to Los Angeles and from there to Monterrey, almost 500 miles!

As said, we spent the day on the asphalt, but we had time to visit the beautiful coastal city of Monterrey, already very close to San Francisco. We tell you more about this area of ​​California!

We left San Diego very early to skip the miles almost two at a time, we took advantage of the “HOV Lane” or “carpool” lanes destined for cars with two passengers or more to haggle the traffic of Los Angeles and we put ourselves in Monterrey in about 10 hours.

If you have not visited yet The AngelsIt is a good opportunity to leave the route and stay here for a couple of days, visit the Santa Monica Pier, spend a day at Universal Studios, step on the stars of the Walk of Fame, or gossip among the mansions of Beverly Hills.

→ Here are 40 things to see and do in Los Angeles

The Big Sur is an area of ​​California roughly between CarmelY San Simeon (about 90 miles) The scenic road that goes through it, the SR1 route, is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Since it was completed in 1937 it has been closed on numerous occasions due to landslides of rocks or the floor itself, the last time in 2017 after some terrible storms. Its reopening is planned for 2018.

→ You can stay informed about the sections cut on this website

It is a road that runs to the edge of the Pacific Coast, leaving the mountains of Santa Lucia on the other side, with peaks above 1,000 meters, such as the 1,571 meter Cone Peak, a few kilometers from the ocean. This natural environment and its beauty have made it a protected area, with limits for the development of infrastructure and buildings. Maybe this is one of his charms.

It has several very interesting national parks and several small popular beaches accessible to the public but not too suitable for swimming due to its strong currents and cold waters. However, your visit is highly recommended, even if it is to take a step or shoot some photos.

But, what are the best stops on Route SR1 in the Big Sur? Here we tell you 12:

1. Carmel-by-the-Sea

It is the northernmost city of our tour of the Big Sur. It is a very peculiar enclave because it was founded as a village for artists. Today we can see that cultural and alternative environment with which he was born and grew up.

A fundamental visit in Carmel is the Mission of San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, a church founded by Spaniards in the year 1770 and still preserved intact.

2. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

For California parks, it is the jewel in the crown. This nature reserve runs alongside the ocean, like many of its trails, which are worthwhile. There is also some cool beach and possibility to see marine animals!

The visit can be done by car crossing the park on its main road and visit the best viewpoints, or doing one of the many trekkings that the place offers. Admission is $ 10 (per car) and will allow you access to the rest of California's national parks on the same day. Be careful because it can be worth it to someone we will see next.

→ More information on this website

3. Tick Beach

Although it is a point that is often overlooked, Garrapata Beach can be considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Big Sur. Although it is not entirely recommended for the bathroom, its spectacular beauty makes you surprised. And if you're lucky you can see sea lions, seals and whales.

4. Bixby Creek Bridge

It is the postcard of the Big Sur, the icon of the SR1 as it passes through this area of ​​southern California. The bridge was inaugurated in 1932 and since then it has been photographed thousands and thousands of times. The reason is simple: it is wonderful!

Bixby Creek Bridge

5. Point Sur Lighthouse

This lighthouse, at Point Sur State Historic Park, has fought storms and winds since 1889. Today you can join a 3-hour tour around the park and visit the lighthouse for $ 12 per person. If you prefer to see it from outside, park your car and enjoy the magnificent views.

6. Pfeiffer Beach

It is another of the most impressive frames of the route through the Big Sur. Although access is through a winding road, it will be worth going down to this beach to get in front of Keyhole Rock, a natural arch in a rock, where the sun sneaks into the sunsets of the winter months. If you go north of the beach you will find another peculiarity: the sand is purple! Admission is $ 10.

7. Post Ranch Inn

Spending the night hanging directly on the cliff is not exactly a cheap treat, but you can always approach to take a look from this place to the breathtaking views. And if you're hungry, the Sierra Mar Restaurant offers those views but also with a delicious dinner. Another option in this area is the nearby Nepenthe Restaurant.

8. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

The really interesting thing about this park is theMcWay Falls, a waterfall that falls directly to the beach! You already have another postcard photo for the collection! The entrance to the park costs $ 10 per car (you know, it allows you to enter all the state parks of California in one day), although if you just want to photograph the waterfall you can park your car along the road and walk 1 km to the viewpoint. If you want to go down to Pfeiffer Beach the price is $ 5.

McWay Falls Waterfall

9. New Camaldoli Hermitage

It seems that for a while this part has become fashionable competitions between banks with the best views. Well, one of those who would have to be in those classifications is the one in the New Camaldoli Hermitage monastery. Besides its panoramic view, this place is famous for the fruit cakes prepared by the Benedictine monks! A cake facing the Pacific Ocean, in a most relaxing environment, has to be a sin!

10. Limekiln State Park

This park has some interesting sites, to begin with it gathers some old furnaces that were used there by the 19th century. But it also has a forest of impressive redwoods and a 30-meter waterfall (Limekiln Falls). So take some of its trails to explore history, forests and beaches.

11. Sand Dollar Beach

It is the largest stretch of beach in the Big Sur and is popular because the cliffs rise in front of it at its southern end. The price to enter is $ 10. Be careful because it closes at 6 pm!

12. Piedras Blancas Light Station

To end our tour of the Big Sur we arrive at this beautiful lighthouse from the 19th century. It is also an area where colonies of elephant seals live quite numerous.

Elephant Seals in San Simeón

Monterrey is a small and charming town on the Pacific coast that apparently doesn't have much to stand out for, beyond a relaxed life and great beaches. But nothing is further from reality, Monterrey has the honor of having been the heart of the beginning of American pop culture and for its contribution to the "Summer of Love", with the legendary "Monterey Pop Festival" of 1967.

We are going to propose a few things to do in Monterrey so you can enjoy your visit:

- You can a round for Cannery row, the nerve center of the city move. In this avenue parallel to the coast are the majority of trendy restaurants and cafes (yes, at extremely expensive prices!), Souvenir shops and some historic buildings.

- One of those buildings is theCannery Row Antique Mall, a shopping center inside an old cannery.

- In the same Cannery Row you can go to the tiny McAbee Beach. Although it is not the best to bathe if you will have a nice view of the Bay of Monterrey.

McAbee Beach Monterrey

- Although it does not have the atmosphere or the size of San Francisco, the Old Fisherman's Wharf de Monterrey is worth a visit. If you're hungry and your wallet allows it, it's a good place to try some of the local fish specialties. If you are hungry but your wallet does not allow it, spend a few times to try the free samples of the restaurants.

- From here the tours to see the whales at bay. We did not do it, but yourself!

- Enjoy the surrounding beaches, such asCarmel beach, Asilomar State Beachor Del Monte Beach.

- Rent a bike and travel the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, a popular 18-mile paved route where the old South Pacific railroad ran. The tour is always parallel to the coast and you can stop to see beautiful views and the occasional sea lion sunbathing.

Sea lions, in the Bay of Monterrey

- The trail route reaches up toCastroville, a small town known as "the world capital of the artichoke". So you know, try a good plate of artichokes to see if the fame is really well earned.

- There is another interesting tour in Monterey but this time to walk, the so-called “Path of History". Follow the yellow markings of the sidewalk to discover some of the historic buildings, such as the California's first Theater of the year 1846, the Custom house it is the oldest government house in California and the first historical monument of the state, the Soberanes House of Mexican origin, or the house Cooper-Molera Abobe which was built in 1820. More information here.

- Another interesting area to visit on foot is Pacific Grove, with its historic buildings and Victorian houses. Here you have the walking map.

Victorian houses in Pacific Grove

- And if you don't feel like walking, take the Free trolley which runs through downtown Monterrey and stops at many interesting places in the city.

- In the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Every year from October to February the migration of monarch butterflies takes place, a spectacle!

- Drive on the 17-Mile Drive, one of the most impressive scenic roads in California. It is part of the SR1 that runs through the Big Sur area.

- If you like golf you can not stop playing some holes in the golf courses Pebble beach. They are on the route of 17-Mile Drive! But you don't need to be passionate about this sport to enjoy the place, the entire coast of Pebble Beach is impressive, although the most legendary place is the Lonely cypress!

Lone Cypress, in Pebble Beach

So far our recommendations of what to see and do in Monterrey. Now you just have to write them down and enjoy them!

* Photos obtained from shutterstock

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