Big Sur
is a nature-lover's heaven
Welcome to Big Sur
Big Sur is more a state of mind than a place to pinpoint on a map, and when the sun goes down, the moon and the stars are the area's natural streetlights. (That's if summer’s fog hasn’t extinguished them.) Raw beauty and an intense maritime energy characterize this land shoehorned between the Santa Lucia Range and the Pacific Ocean, and a first glimpse of the craggy, unspoiled coastline is a special moment.
Top experiences in Big Sur
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Big Sur activities
Monterey Bay and 17-Mile Drive 3-Hour Tour by Electric Bike
Meet 15 minutes before tour time of 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. at Big Sur Adventures on the porch of the American Tin Cannery, 125 Ocean View Blvd., Ste 122, Pacific Grove, CA. After we fit you with a helmet, we give a tutorial on the e-bikes and have everyone practice a bit before beginning our tour along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail towards Lover's Point Park. We start out at 10 mph and stop after a few minutes to share some history and to make sure everyone has the e-bikes down. At Lover's Point Park our slow introduction to the bikes on the Coastal Trail ends and we hop on the road where there is a 25 mph speed limit. Here we typically ride at 15-20 mph depending on the comfort level of the slowest rider. After about 1 mile, the road adds a separate bike lane that continues for most of our ride. We stop briefly at key viewpoints such as the John Denver Memorial, the Point Pinos Lighthouse, & Asilomar Beach, where our guide shares fun history of the area. We continue from there into Pebble Beach stopping at various viewpoints such as Spanish Bay & Bird Rock (where we take a restroom break). At Bird Rock, any riders not comfortable with riding 20 mph with traffic can hike a bit while the rest of the group continues on past Fanshell Beach and Cypress Point to the Lone Cypress and Ghost Tree. Our guide turns around there, but a few excited riders who love to ride fast will continue on a few more miles to Pebble Beach Lodge or Carmel. From there we ride steadily back, stopping at Bird Rock again for a restroom break. Typically we return to the Big Sur Adventures Shop 3 hrs after the tour start time, though if all riders agree through the trip, we often stretch that.
Hostel Hopper: 11 Day West Coast USA: L.A. to L.A.
ItineraryDay 1: Los Angeles To Lake Havasu and Colorado RiverPass By: Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAfter picking everyone up in Venice Beach, Santa Monica and Los Angeles we take off through the desert on our way to Lake Havasu and the Colorado River! Pass By: Mojave Desert, CaliforniaWe cruise through the desert on our way to Lake Havasu and the Colorado RiverPass By: Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City, ArizonaTonight we camp right next to Lake Havasu and the Colorado RiverMeals included: • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Tonight we camp next to Lake Havasu and the Colorado River! Day 2: Lake Havasu to Grand Canyon National ParkStop At: Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaToday we wake up next to Lake Havasu and enjoy a nice morning swim before heading off to the Grand CanyonDuration: 1 hourStop At: Grand Canyon South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaFree day to explore the Grand Canyon. Take a hike into the canyon, Explore the visitor centers or take the highly recommended optional helicopter ride over the canyon!Duration: 12 hoursStop At: Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaTonight we have dinner while sitting along the rim of the canyon watching the sunset!Duration: 2 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: camping at Grand Canyon VillageDay 3: Grand Canyon to Las VegasPass By: Williams Depot, Williams, ArizonaThis morning we break camp and heads towards Las Vegas where we will have 2 nights in a Casino on the Las Vegas Strip! Stop At: Angel & Vilma Delgadillo's Route 66 Gift Shop & Visitor's Center, Seligman, ArizonaOn our way to Vegas we stop off in Seligman to visit the Famous Snowcap on Route 66Duration: 30 minutesPass By: Las Vegas Downtown, Las Vegas, NevadaTonight we stay in a casino right on the stripMeals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Casino on the strip!Day 4: Las Vegas Free DayPass By: Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, Las Vegas, NevadaToday is free to recover and explore the city, maybe catch a show or relax by the pool. No meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Casino on the stripDay 5: Las Vegas to The Sierra Nevada Mountains and Death ValleyPass By: Las Vegas Downtown, Las Vegas, NevadaThis morning we take off from Vegas and head towards Death Valley National Park the hottest place on earth! Don't let that scare you because it's actually one of the most beautiful places imaginable. Tonight we will be camping up in the cooler temperatures of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and will be relaxing in a hidden hot springs star gazing tonight. It's amazing. Stop At: Badwater, Death Valley National Park, CaliforniaThis morning we take off from Vegas and head towards Death Valley National Park the hottest place on earth! Don't let that scare you because it's actually one of the most beautiful places imaginable. Tonight we will be camping up in the cooler temperatures of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and will be relaxing in a hidden hot springs star gazing tonight. It's amazing. Duration: 30 minutesPass By: Sierra Nevada, CaliforniaThis morning we take off from Vegas and head towards Death Valley National Park the hottest place on earth! Don't let that scare you because it's actually one of the most beautiful places imaginable. Tonight we will be camping up in the cooler temperatures of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and will be relaxing in a hidden hot springs star gazing tonight. It's amazing. Meals included: • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Tonight after the hot springs we camp in the Sierra NevadasDay 6: Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National ParkPass By: Sierra Nevada, CaliforniaThis morning we head off over the famous and crazy beautiful Tioga Pass (weather permitting) into the stunning Yosemite National Park for a day of exploring. You can hike, bike, walk around the valley floor, relax or work on your photography. There's no shortage of things to do here in this amazing landscape.Stop At: Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, CaliforniaThis morning we head off over the famous and crazy beautiful Tioga Pass (weather permitting) into the stunning Yosemite National Park for a day of exploring. You can hike, bike, walk around the valley floor, relax or work on your photography. There's no shortage of things to do here in this amazing landscape.Duration: 6 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Tonight we camp. Do you like stars? Because tonight you will see stars!Day 7: Yosemite to San FranciscoPass By: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, CaliforniaToday we leave beautiful Yosemite behind and head into one of our favorite cities in the world San Francisco. Pass By: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CaliforniaToday we leave beautiful Yosemite behind and head into one of our favorite cities in the world San Francisco. Meals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Next two nights will be in a hostel in San FranciscoDay 8: San Francisco Free DayPass By: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, Californiatoday is free to explore on your own. We know this city very well and can give you the best ideas to make it specialPass by without stoppingNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: hostelDay 9: San Francisco to Big Sur Stop At: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, Californiaincluded lunch in Santa CruzDuration: 1 hourStop At: Monterey Bay, Monterey, Monterey County, CaliforniaExplore the town of Montrey Duration: 1 hourPass By: Big Sur, Big Sur, CaliforniaTonight we camp amongst redwood trees in big surStop At: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, Californiasunset viewing of this amazing coastDuration: 1 hourMeals included: • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: camping in Big Sur in a Redwood ForestDay 10: Big Sur to Pismo BeachPass By: Big Sur Station, Big Sur, Californiacampfire breakfast amongst redwood treesPass By: Highway 1 Discovery Route, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, Californiacruise the amazing coastPass By: Pismo State Beach, Oceano, San Luis Obispo County, CaliforniaAfter slowly cruising down the California Coast and numerous photo stops and mini hidden hikes we camp along Pismo BeachMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: camp along pismo beachDay 11: Pismo Beach to Los Angeles Stop At: Santa Barbara Scenic Drive, Santa Barbara, Californiaexplore Santa Barbara Duration: 1 hourPass By: Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWe drop people off at hostels in Venice beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood and parts of LAPass By: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CaliforniaWe drop people off at hostels in Venice beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood and parts of LAPass By: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWe drop people off at hostels in Venice beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood and parts of LAMeals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.
Hostel Hopper: 11 Day West Coast USA: L.A. to L.A.
ItineraryDay 1: Los Angeles To Lake Havasu and Colorado RiverPass By: Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAfter picking everyone up in Venice Beach, Santa Monica and Los Angeles we take off through the desert on our way to Lake Havasu and the Colorado River! Pass By: Mojave Desert, CaliforniaWe cruise through the desert on our way to Lake HavasuPass By: Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City, ArizonaTonight we camp right next to Lake Havasu and Colorado RiverMeals included: • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Tonight we camp next to Lake Havasu and the Colorado RiverDay 2: Lake Havasu to Grand Canyon National ParkStop At: Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaToday we wake up next to Lake Havasu and enjoy a nice morning swim before heading off to the Grand CanyonDuration: 1 hourStop At: Grand Canyon South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaFree day to explore the Grand Canyon. Take a hike into the canyon, Explore the visitor centers or take the highly recommended optional helicopter ride over the canyon!Duration: 12 hoursStop At: Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaTonight we have dinner while sitting along the rim of the canyon watching the sunset!Duration: 2 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Camping at Grand Canyon VillageDay 3: Grand Canyon to Las VegasPass By: Williams Depot, Williams, ArizonaThis morning we break camp and heads towards Las Vegas where we will have 2 nights in a Casino on the Las Vegas Strip! Stop At: Angel & Vilma Delgadillo's Route 66 Gift Shop & Visitor's Center, Seligman, ArizonaOn our way to Vegas we stop off in Seligman to visit the Famous Snowcap on Route 66Duration: 30 minutesPass By: Las Vegas Downtown, Las Vegas, NevadaTonight we stay in a casino right on the strip!Meals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Tonight we stay in a casino right on the strip!Day 4: Las Vegas Free DayPass By: Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, Las Vegas, NevadaToday is free to recover and explore the city, maybe catch a show or relax by the pool. No meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Casino on the stripDay 5: Las Vegas to The Sierra Nevada Mountains and Death ValleyPass By: Las Vegas Downtown, Las Vegas, NevadaThis morning we take off from Vegas and head towards Death Valley National Park the hottest place on earth! Don't let that scare you because it's actually one of the most beautiful places imaginable. Tonight we will be camping up in the cooler temperatures of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and will be relaxing in a hidden hot springs star gazing tonight. It's amazing. Stop At: Badwater, Death Valley National Park, CaliforniaThis morning we take off from Vegas and head towards Death Valley National Park the hottest place on earth! Don't let that scare you because it's actually one of the most beautiful places imaginable. Tonight we will be camping up in the cooler temperatures of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and will be relaxing in a hidden hot springs star gazing tonight. It's amazing. Duration: 30 minutesPass By: Sierra Nevada, CaliforniaThis morning we take off from Vegas and head towards Death Valley National Park the hottest place on earth! Don't let that scare you because it's actually one of the most beautiful places imaginable. Tonight we will be camping up in the cooler temperatures of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and will be relaxing in a hidden hot springs star gazing tonight. It's amazing. Meals included: • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Tonight after the hot springs we camp in the Sierra NevadasDay 6: Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National ParkPass By: Sierra Nevada, CaliforniaThis morning we head off over the famous and crazy beautiful Tioga Pass (weather permitting) into the stunning Yosemite National Park for a day of exploring. You can hike, bike, walk around the valley floor, relax or work on your photography. There's no shortage of things to do here in this amazing landscape.Stop At: Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, CaliforniaThis morning we head off over the famous and crazy beautiful Tioga Pass (weather permitting) into the stunning Yosemite National Park for a day of exploring. You can hike, bike, walk around the valley floor, relax or work on your photography. There's no shortage of things to do here in this amazing landscape.Duration: 6 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Tonight we camp. Do you like stars? Because tonight you will see stars!Day 7: Yosemite to San FranciscoPass By: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, CaliforniaToday we leave beautiful Yosemite behind and head into one of our favorite cities in the world San Francisco. Pass By: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CaliforniaToday we leave beautiful Yosemite behind and head into one of our favorite cities in the world San Francisco. Meals included: • BreakfastAccommodation included: Next two nights will be in a hostel in San FranciscoDay 8: San Francisco Free DayPass By: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CaliforniaToday is free to explore on your own. We know this city very well and can give you the best ideas to make it specialNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: hostelDay 9: San Francisco to Big Sur Stop At: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, Californiaincluded lunch in Santa CruzDuration: 1 hourStop At: Monterey Bay, Monterey, Monterey County, CaliforniaExplore the town of Monterey Duration: 1 hourPass By: Big Sur, Big Sur, CaliforniaTonight we camp amongst redwood trees in Big Sur ParkStop At: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, Californiasunset viewing of this amazing coast Duration: 1 hourMeals included: • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Camping in Big Sur in Redwood Tree ForestDay 10: Big Sur to Pismo BeachPass By: Big Sur Station, Big Sur, CaliforniaCampfire breakfast amongst redwood trees Pass By: Highway 1 Discovery Route, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, Californiacruise the amazing coast Pass By: Pismo State Beach, Oceano, San Luis Obispo County, CaliforniaAfter slowly cruising down the California Coast and numerous photo stops and mini hidden hikes we camp along Pismo Beach Meals included: • Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerAccommodation included: Camp along Pismo BeachDay 11: Pismo Beach to Los AngelesStop At: Santa Barbara Scenic Drive, Santa Barbara, Californiaexplore Santa Barbara Duration: 1 hourPass By: Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWe drop people off at hostels in Venice beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood and parts of LA Pass By: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CaliforniaWe drop people off at hostels in Venice beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood and parts of LA Pass By: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWe drop people off at hostels in Venice beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood and parts of LA Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.
Premium Ebike self guided coastal tours- Scenic Carmel, 17-Mile Dr & Point Lobos
Arrive at our shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea 15 minutes early for check in. We will review the recommended bike route options based on where you want to go, what you want to see, and how much time you have. We will have you sign the waivers, and get you fitted on the proper bike. We will provide you with complimentary locks and helmets, optional baskets and backpacks are also available. We will spend as much time as needed to help familiarize you with the bike you will be riding so that you are comfortable and confident before you depart. We can provide you with a paper map, a Garmin GPS navigation system with preloaded routes, or you can download an interactive app. This area offers the most beautiful biking locations on the West Coast, with ideal biking weather year round. It can get chilly along the coast on windy or foggy days, so we recommend you dress in layers so you don't get cold. Our shop is in the heart of the most scenic biking area in the region- bike around our charming European style village of Carmel-by-the-Sea and enjoy the beautiful storybook cottages and gardens, bike along Carmel's famous Scenic Road, which is a one way 15 mile per hour road that hugs the coastline and offers some of the most beautiful ocean vistas you will ever see, stop at Carmel Beach, Carmel River Beach, Mission Ranch (owned by Clint Eastwood), Tor House (a stone castle overlooking the sea) or the Carmel Mission- whatever you fancy. We are just a few minutes from the Carmel Gate into Pebble Beach which provides access to the famous and extremely scenic 17 Mile Drive (no entrance fee for cyclists). Cycle over to The Lodge or The Inn at Spanish Bay and enjoy beautiful vistas and great oceanfront dining. See the Lone Cypress Tree, the famous 18th hole, stately old gated mansions, seals, deer, otters, whales... this is truly an amazing bike riding experience along a gorgeous stretch of roadway that is ideally suited for cyclists (part of the route has a designated bike lane). Another great option is to bike over to Point Lobos State Park (4.6 miles away via Scenic Road to Hwy 1), cyclist are allowed into the park with no entrance fee and it is extremely fun to get around the park to some of the best hiking and viewing areas when on a bike. Some cyclists also bike from here down to Big Sur- contact us for details. Depending on the duration of your ride, we can recommend very scenic places to stop for a bite to eat or light refreshments along your route, or you are welcome to bring a picnic or purchase one at several shops within walking distance of us (we can provide you with a basket). Some people eat at one of our many amazing restaurants here in town before or after their ride. Bikes are returned to the same location at the end of your ride, or (with advance notice and reservation) you can pay extra and do a one way ride where we pick the bikes up at the other end and you sort out your own transportation.
Canyon Country & Coasts – Las Vegas to San Francisco
Speckled with national parks, bustling cities, natural treasures, and must-see monuments, the Southwest – America’s great wide open – is a living postcard. On this trip, you’ll venture from Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon to the Pacific Coast of California, camp outdoors, and reconnect with the most picturesque side of this great country. Paired up with an attentive and knowledgeable CEO, this trip is perfect for nature-minded travellers eager to see the best of the Southwest in a short period of time.
Camping America's West
Think every trail in the Great American West has been blazed by now? Think again, partner. Spread across 21 glorious days, this trip takes you on an incredible loop from beautiful San Francisco and back again with stops in Yosemite, Las Vegas, San Diego, and LA along the way. In between, you’ll have the chance to take a dip in the Pacific, raft the Colorado River, hike the Grand Canyon, and stretch out under star-filled skies in the region’s top national parks. Three weeks of your life, a memory forever.