LA to Big Sur - 3 day itinerary

Question

Hi,

I just booked a last minute 2 week trip to California for end of June (flight land/departs from San Diego) for a family of 4, incl 2 tweens). Tentative plan is 4 days in San Diego, 4 days in LA, then 3 days in Big Sur/Monterey and then back to San Diego for 1 day.

Looking for feedback for the Big Sur/Monterey itinerary:

SUNDAY

-Drive from LA to Hearst Castle

-San Simeon for elephant seals

-Drive to Monterey and check into hotel

MONDAY

-Day trip to Big Sur and visit McWay Falls, Pfeiffer beach, Bixby Bridge, Garrapata State Park)

-Dinner in Monterey

TUESDAY

-Check out of hotel

-early start to Pinnacles Natl Park and visit Bear Gulch Cave Trail, etc

-drive down to San Diego

-check in to hotel in San Diego

How realistic is the itinerary? Anything else I should include? The primary reason I'm doing Big Sur/Monterey was for the PCH drive and stopping at scenic views. Open to any feedback/suggestions. Thank you!

Answer

Your proposed Big Sur/Monterey itinerary is doable, but it’s quite ambitious—especially with two tweens and factoring in driving times along the scenic but winding Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The main goal—experiencing the PCH and its iconic views—is well covered, and your planned stops hit many highlights.

Here’s a detailed look at each day and some considerations:

SUNDAY – LA to Monterey via Hearst Castle & San Simeon

The drive from LA to Monterey is long: roughly 6–7 hours without stops, but adding Hearst Castle (about 4–5 hours from LA) and San Simeon for elephant seals will add extra time. Expect a full day in the car, and with scenic stops and breaks, you may arrive in Monterey in the evening.

Consider booking a timed tour at Hearst Castle in advance to avoid long waits.
Elephant seals at Piedras Blancas are a quick stop—plan 30–45 minutes.
Pack snacks and drinks; dining options along PCH can be limited or crowded.
Be prepared for curvy roads and slow-moving traffic in some sections.

MONDAY – Big Sur Day Trip

This is a highlight day. Driving from Monterey south along Highway 1 through Big Sur is stunning but slow, especially with kids. Your planned stops—McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach, Bixby Bridge, and Garrapata State Park—are excellent choices and provide short walks or scenic viewpoints suitable for a family.

McWay Falls: Short, easy trail from the parking lot to the overlook.
Pfeiffer Beach: Sand and rock formations; parking can be tight, so arrive early.
Bixby Bridge: Quick photo stop; no long walk needed.
Garrapata State Park: You can do a short coastal trail or just enjoy viewpoints.

Tips:

Start early to avoid heavy midday traffic and ensure you have time at each stop.
Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen—services in Big Sur are limited.
Driving time round trip from Monterey to Big Sur is around 2–3 hours without stops; with stops, plan a full day (8–10 hours total including driving and sightseeing).

TUESDAY – Pinnacles National Park and drive to San Diego

Checking out early and driving to Pinnacles is a good plan. The Bear Gulch Cave Trail is relatively short (1–2 hours) and family-friendly. Keep in mind that from Pinnacles to San Diego is a long drive—roughly 7–8 hours—so this will be a full day. You may want to leave very early or consider a brief overnight along the route if your family prefers less driving in one day.

Bear Gulch Cave Trail: Suitable for tweens; short and partly shaded.
Plan for gas and food stops along US-101 or I-5 south; some stretches have limited options.
Traffic near LA or San Diego in the afternoon/evening can add delays—plan accordingly.

Additional Suggestions

If you have time and energy on Monday, consider a quick stop at Carmel-by-the-Sea for lunch or a stroll.
Check Big Sur road conditions before driving; landslides or roadwork occasionally affect PCH.
Make hotel reservations in Monterey early; summer weekends fill up quickly.
For the long drives, audio books, podcasts, or music playlists can keep the tweens entertained.

Summary

Your itinerary is feasible but very full. SUNDAY will be a long travel day, MONDAY is scenic but requires patience with driving, and TUESDAY is a long drive to San Diego after a morning in Pinnacles. If your family enjoys driving and sightseeing, it’s a memorable route. Otherwise, consider splitting TUESDAY with an overnight stop along the way or removing Pinnacles to allow a more relaxed pace.

LA to Big Sur - 3 day itinerary

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