Discover the beautiful Asilomar Trail along the coast, explore charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, enjoy the stunning Big Sur vista points, walk among ancient redwoods at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and experience the lively atmosphere of Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf.
Asilomar Trail
We began our morning in Monterey with a walk along the beautiful Asilomar Trail by the coast. You can start walking from various spots along the road so feel free to park anywhere you see an open spot. The trail is a dirt path with pretty flowers, sand, and rocks by the sea. It can get windy, so bring a light jacket, and there’s no shade, so use sunscreen! Toby enjoyed sniffing around and feeling the sand on his paws as we walked.
Carmel-By-The-Sea
After our walk, we decided to visit the charming town of Carmel-By-The-Sea. It’s really cute with lots of small shops and places to eat. Finding a parking spot might be a little hard depending on when you arrive, but there are plenty of places to park on the streets. I usually find it easier to park on the streets south of Main Street.
There are many coffee shops and restaurants with places outside where dogs are welcome. We even found a restaurant that lets dogs come inside called Mission Bistro. They have a special menu just for dogs if you want to spoil your furry friend with some fancy food. Also, if you want to get some funny toys or nice clothes for your dog, there’s a big pet store, Diggidy Dog, that you can explore together.
Bixby Bridge / Hurricane Point
As the sun beamed overhead and the sky was crystal clear, we began our journey along the Pacific Coast Highway towards Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Our hope was that the morning fog had lifted by now, revealing the breathtaking views from the renowned vista points along the highway.
We hit the road around 1 PM, and to our delight, the fog had indeed dissipated, unveiling a truly spectacular drive. The Bixby Bridge vista point, renowned as one of the must-see spots, was bustling with activity. Parking spaces lined both sides of the highway, making it a prime spot for photos. Yet, due to the crowds, we opted to continue a bit further south to the Hurricane Point vista point. This spot was less congested and offered equally stunning vistas. It’s a definite recommendation for a stop!
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
After the vista points, we continued our southward drive until we reached the entrance of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Paying the $10 entrance fee, we parked in lot 1, though lot 2 is also available as an option. Both lots are conveniently positioned adjacent to the River Path trail, the sole dog-friendly trail in the park.
This trail is a brief dirt path, offering proximity to the enchanting redwood grove and campgrounds, providing ample opportunities to explore alongside your four-legged friend. While the trail itself is short, it offers a pleasant outing with your canine companion. An interesting feature is a stone step across a creek, adding a dash of adventure if your pup is feeling bold. Despite Toby’s aversion to wet paws, he managed to navigate this water obstacle, which added a delightful twist to our stroll. The sight of the unique California redwoods was truly awe-inspiring. These giants are exclusive to this region, making the encounter all the more special. Plus, it’s hard not to notice that Toby’s reddish-brown fur matches the hue of the majestic redwoods themselves!
Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf
After our adventure in Big Sur State Park, we retraced our route up the Pacific Coast Highway. Though it was around 5 PM, the fog was already making its return, making me thankful for my earlier decision to seize the opportunity for clear views at the southbound vista points.
We made our way to Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. I parked in the parking lot and paid for a couple of hours at about $2 per hour using an app. This bustling tourist hub offers family-friendly attractions and the sight of sea lions lounging and frolicking at the water’s edge. However, it’s worth noting that the pier area can be a bit cluttered, with discarded food and debris on the ground so watch out and make sure your pup doesn’t ingest anything they shouldn’t!
Several restaurants on the pier offer dog-friendly outdoor seating, like the Italian restaurant we picked. As I enjoyed a nice seafood pasta, Toby sat captivated by the sea lions – a truly novel experience for him!
