Scenic Big Sur cruise day.  This is an iconic stretch of west coast highway constructed in the early 1920’s.  There aren’t any pull outs large enough to accommodate us all, but feel free to stop and take pictures or grab a souvenir at one of the general stores, or coffee at the Big Sur Bakery.  Pfeiffer Beach is a fantastic spot to walk on the sand and see this unique stretch of coast up close.  If we get split up, we can all meet up again in San Simeon.  If you want to hike or have dinner in Big Sur (Nepenthe is a great spot, a former Henry Miller hangout), you can always join up again in the morning.

 

Big Sur is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California between Carmel and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. It is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery. Big Sur has been called the "longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States", a sublime "national treasure that demands extraordinary procedures to protect it from development", and "one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world, an isolated stretch of road, mythic in reputation"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur

 

Established in 1978, Farmers Market in San Luis Obispo is 5 blocks long in the center of downtown. There’s lots to eat and snack on, plus several restaurants and places for a drink.  We’ve outgrown the bank parking lot unfortunately.  It will be easier for most to park at their hotel and walk or take the Downtown Trolley over.  The Trolley connects most of the hotels with the Farmers Market for 50 cents.  Dogs are not allowed at the market.

https://visitslo.com/thursday-night-farmers-market-san-luis-obispo/

https://visitslo.com/things-to-do/attractions-and-entertainment/trolley/san-luis-obispo-downtown-trolley/

 

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9:30-10:00am: Morning Meet Up:

Starbucks in Carmel, about 15 minutes south of PG.

 

There’s a Chevron across the street, the next gas is about 120 miles away.  There is "emergency" gas in Big Sur, but last I checked, it was literally the most expensive gas in the nation.

 

The Safeway grocery store (same parking lot as Starbucks) is huge and has everything you can think of for a picnic lunch.  Let's stock up there for when we get to the beach later.

 

Starbucks

3650 Rio Rd

Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

93923

 

10:00am-12:00pm: Big Sur Highway 1 Cruise

 

1:00-2:00pm: William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach

750 Hearst Castle Rd

San Simeon, CA

93452

Large parking lot with beach access and public restrooms.

 

It's about an hour to San Luis Obispo from here, so the folks who are camping can arrive early and have some time to relax and the hotel folks can do the same.  It's a short driving day, with a late moring start and a late afternoon arrival, which is a nice break on day 7!

 

There are a lot of options for dinner in SLO, but check out the farmers market.  It's right in the restaurant zone:

San Luis Obispo Farmer’s Market (6-9pm)

Higuera St.

San Luis Obispo, CA

93401

https://visitslo.com/things-to-do/attractions-and-entertainment/trolley/san-luis-obispo-downtown-trolley/

 

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Hotel:

Ave Inn Downtown

345 Marsh St

San Luis Obispo, CA

93401

 

Montana De Oro CA State Park is a fantastic spot if you can get a reservation.  Keep checking, there’s often cancellations.