Carmel-by-the-Sea Travel Forum

We will be leaving from LA to carmel, monterey,san francisco and napa. I want to know if we could stay in carmel and just travel to monterey and big sur. I believe we will be going up the 101 (scenice highway). How long does it take to get from LA to carmel?

I was thinking about staying at the candle light in. We will only be there one night. Are there any suggestions on things we must do if we have half a day on sunday-sunday night-and half a day on monday.

How far is it from carmel to San Francisco?

Thank for your help

hwy 1 is the most scenic route take that instead of 101. staying in carmel is a good location to stay in and visit monterey and big sur

Definitely agree on Pacific Coast Highway 1 being far more beautiful & scenic.
Carmel is fine, as is Monterey or Seaside, which may have more reasonable rates, to see both and Big Sur. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is spectacular, as is the 17-mile drive. About 120 miles and a perfect half-day drive. Enjoy.

First of all realize that while you are on Rte 1 (which is the scenic highway as was already pointed out) that in many places south of Carmel you will only average 30 MPH because of it winding along the coast. So if u are planning on going to Carmel, Monterrey and north to SF, it would really take up a lot of your time to go to Big Sur, as it is further south and not close to 101 (which is the faster highway).You would have to drive on Rte 1 for a long time.

Carmel is about 2-2 1/4 hours from SF if you go Rte 1 to Rte 17 (at Santa Cruz) to 101 or 280 North to SF.

What to do? You're in one of the most beautiful nature areas in the world! Walk around town of Carmel near the sea, go to Pt. Lobos State Reserve, Monterey Aquarium, Monterey Boardwalk and see the seals, if you're into golf take 17 Mile Drive through Pebble Beach Golf Course (you have to pay though), go up to Santa Cruz to the boardwalk with the wooden roller-coaster or the Monterey boardwalk, see if any whale sight-seeing ships are leaving from Monterey, etc etc.