This iconic stretch of California’s central coastline is a must-see for locals and out of state visitors no matter how popular it is. As a Bay Area local, I’ve been lucky enough to explore Big Sur’s iconic essentials and lesser-known gems a number of times. This curated list shares my handpicked favorites in a mobile-friendly, easy to use format. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious or low-key experience immersed in nature, this guide has you covered. 


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🛌 Places to stay: boutique hotels + campsites
🍽 Places to eat: breakfast, lunch, and dinner options
🌲 Things to do: hikes, beaches, and wellness
🌊 Future updates including new places and deeper insights without paying more later! 

Big Sur, CA, USA

Insider’s Guide to Big Sur, California

This Map is all of my favorite hikes and some other scenic places located on the drive between Santa Barbara and Monterey/Big Sur. Each time I visit or do a new one, I'll add it to this map & update it. If you unlock it now, you'll continue getting my updates!

Each hike contains specific info about what to expect as well as coordinates and trail maps.

Hikes & views between Santa Barbara, Monterey, Big Sur

"List of cool viewpoints, hikes, parks, and nature destinations."

Mill Valley

Capitola

San Francisco

Boulder Creek

Stinson Beach

Inverness

Alviso

Half Moon Bay

Santa Cruz

Redwood City

Big Sur

Bolinas

Pacifica

Sausalito

Sunol

Morgan Hill

Pescadero

Monterey

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Los Gatos

Bay Area Views, Hikes and Experiences

If you're looking to embark on your dream California surf trip but;
- aren't sure where to go
- don't want to travel with your boards or wetsuits
- are looking for friends along the way - then look no further!

We have the perfect itinerary with all the classic coastal California road-trip stops, this itinerary will give you the full experience using Traveler Surf Club outposts as your surf destinations where you can rent high-quality boards, and wetsuits, get local knowledge on where to surf, then take a hot shower and continue on your way! 

This itinerary is tried and true by surf photographer Michaela Rabinov and surfers Danielle Black Lyons, Jenayl Peters, and Naomi Folta.

Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Malibu, CA, USA

Pacifica, CA, USA

California, USA

Traveler's California Surf Road Trip

Looking to take an epic California road-trip? This guide will take you through 7 California cities in 8 days, with the option to add on 2 days to your trip in San Diego.

Cities in the guide include:
- San Luis Obispo (day trip)
- Big Sur (3 nights & day trip to Monterey Bay)
- *hidden location* (day trip) 
- Pismo Beach  or Morro Bay (1 night) 
- *hidden location* (1 night)
- Santa Barbara & Montecito (2 nights) 
- San Diego (2 nights) 

This guide includes a mapped out itinerary that shares where to stay, places to eat, and things to do. It's mapped out so you won't feel rushed at each location, with carefully selected activities. 

Whether you are camping or staying at hotels, there will be recommendations to fit everyone's needs. 

This guide is family friendly & pet friendly accommodations are also included.

Have questions regarding your itinerary?
Email me at aly@alyandco.co !

Morro Bay, CA, USA

Solvang, CA, USA

Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA

Pismo Beach, CA, USA

San Diego, CA, USA

Montecito, CA, USA

Monterey, CA, USA

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, USA

San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

Santa Barbara, CA, USA

8 day California roadtrip out of LA (with a 2-day San Diego add-on option)

This is the ULTIMATE TWO-WEEK CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP.  I was born and raised in San Diego, California, and have spent years exploring all the corners of the Golden State.  I've distilled a lifetime of California adventures into this epic 14-day itinerary that will showcase the best California has to offer,  Grab your copy today!

The Ultimate California Road Trip

From the time I fell in love with the Beach Boys music, I have been an ocean loving girl. I longed to go to the California coast and live the life, surfing, and lying on the beach all day. But growing up in the Southern part of the United States that never was to be. I never lost either my love of the beach/ocean or my desire to see the California coast, but it was a long, LONG time before I could make that dream come true.  But finally I did, and believe me, it was all I hoped and imagined it would be. 

I traveled the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Pismo Beach exploring every little place that looked fun, interesting or just spectacularly scenic.  As you can imagine--I stopped a LOT.  In this guide I will share with you all of the wonderful places I discovered. You too can live the dream. I also include many of the photos I took at each place. 

California's Pacific Coast Highway--My Dream Finally Came True

Fall in love with the OTHER Bay Area! I spent 10 days exploring in and around Monterey and these were my top favorites to add to any Monterey Bay itinerary!

First Time Monterey: Top Places to Add to Any Itinerary

Pfeiffer Beach

My new favorite beach and a MUST for your day trip down to Big Sur. 

This beach feels so secluded and peaceful. Definitely one of the highlights of my trip! I loved the purple sand and beautiful rock formations - it feels like a scene from a Pirates of the Caribbean movie!

Entry fee to the beach is $15 per car. Try to arrive in the morning and on weekdays for this experience; the parking lot is small and once it's full, you'll be turned away at the gate to come again another day. 

This is a really cool spot in Big Sur. There is a fee to get in. Once you pay & enter, just follow the road to the end. The road was a little rough, but not too bad. You can definitely do it in a regular car. There's a short walk from the parking lot to the beach.

A lot of photographers like to take photos here. It's great for sunset. At a certain time in the year, the sun will set directly through the hole in the rock.

This is a gorgeous day use beach that is VERY hard to find if you don't have an inside tip (like we had) or great directions....I am including just that with this guide.  If you can, go at high tide so you can see the water coming through the rocks. Talk about your photo ops--WOW. 

Pfeiffer Beach is famous for its purple sand. It's located a ways off from the highway. Follow the road to the paid entrance to park and try to get here early. The wait to enter can get pretty long.

This beach has purple-tinted sand! It's also one of the more iconic spots in Big Sur. The parking lot can fill up, so if this is a priority for you, plan on arriving as early as possible. 

Favorite beach in Big Sur, cool rock formations, purple sand at times

Pfeiffer Beach

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