If you want to witness open-air concerts during your time in San Jose, plan a day trip to Berkeley, which is just 45.8 miles (73.7 kilometers) from the city. The place looks a lot diffrent when I was young Now it's got a carnival feel! The scenarios is very beautiful ever part of hike there are some beautiful views of beach and water you can see. 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020, USA. We were in town for a flea market and decided to take a walk. If Santa Cruz was a Candyland board, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalkwould be its magical terminus. This unique destination is located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz. Driver guide will pick you up at San Jose Diridon Station at about 9:30 a.m. Driving through Silicon Valley and The Redwoods you reach the coast at Santa Cruz. Photo There is far too much to do in one day on this tour so choose what's most important to you and what to do when there. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is known as the crown jewel of the California state park system. It features over 600 species of animals and plants, and has large tanks and pools to display Californias marine life. It got us to buy food in the park with 20% off. We had an awesome time. Soon you are in Castroville driving through miles of artichoke and strawberry fields. As you start your Big Sur road trip down from San Francisco (after exploring Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea prior), youre first official stop should be Point Lobos!. Mobile toilet and washing facility are available next to the parking lot. Ben. Monterey Private Shuttle & Tours - Premiere Service Provider Shop a variety of pottery, plants, locally made honey, candles, soaps, and hand-crafted jewelry. Updated on November 20th, 2022. Tour guide makes a TON of difference, since there are no self tour, the people that run this had to think of a creative way to make this from a meh experience to a wonderful and interesting one. The Whalers Cabin Museum in Point Lobos is also worth stopping into if time permits and youre into geeking out on old world mariner artifacts. Their reserves are good, but being able to buy a bottle, sit on the lawn and eat lunch while the kids play on the grass is worth the visit. A few areas are required a smidgen of athletics but nothing major. Go Whale watching on Monterey Bay. We loved it! See Ticket Price for Tour that Includes This Activity. Beautiful. Awesome experience! Apart from being one of the best places to vacation, the Old Fishermans Wharf is one of Montereys most interesting historic places to visit. Plus, sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive updates, events, discounts and giveaways right in your inbox! Oleg Alexandrov 26478 Carmelo St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA. You can visit this unique area and see Monterey on a one-day trip or even stay a night. It was great! The crew was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and the tour itself was very comfortable despite increasing winds making for some chop. You can often see otters, sea lions and seals during your walk along the coastline, and explore the history of archeological sites including the small cabin at Whalers Cove that dates from the turn of the century. Well, when they had me sign the next bill, it was for $500. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time. The driver was great at sharing a little history along the driving route as well best places to take a quick walk and get the best pictures. Just around the city is the hub of start-ups and technology companiesSilicon Valley. Its part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, so take advantage of your SCUBA skills and go beneath the surface. We got soo many awesome pictures! We did the POST recommended one - waterfall trail, contour trail and then back on the Alec canyon trail, about 4.5 miles if you include hiking to the waterfalls for closer Vista points or touching the water. There are a couple of places where one is allowed to reach in to touch and feel the animals. Just walking along the wharf and taking in the beautiful scenery and lively atmosphere is an exciting venture in itself. Thanks so much for your nice comments. The direct drive from San Jose to Monterey is 72.1 mi (116 km), and should have a drive time of 1 hr 18 mins in normal traffic. At about 5:00 p.m. car transfer to Salinas station for Coast Starlight Northbound train to San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco arriving at about 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. It starts with downhill all the way and obviously uphill all the way back. We parked in the parking lot next to the docks. Best time to visit is now. The holiday feast seems nice but we didn't go with that because we didn't want to have time constraints. Overall the old fishermans wharf is still a good place to visit. We had the best time on our tour with Sanctuary Cruises. The city is not only a prominent technological hub but also a cultural gem in the Bay Area of California. 4701 Great America ParkwaySanta Clara, CA 95054(408) 988-1776. Cannery Row & Wave Streets 700 Cannery RowMonterey, CA 93940(831) 649-6690. For a day of fun for the whole family on your Santa Cruz adventure, carve out time to visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. We appreciate the chance to show you the Big Sur and the California Coast's most stunning region. The food served at Langar was delicious! Parking is free for the first hour. To this day, its considered to be one of the top amusement parks of its type in the world. Many good outlets(Wilson leather) have been closed after covid. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact, If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, wed be happy to help. They no longer display your photos on the screens. This town is an especially popular destination in the summer due to its scenic beaches and countryside attractions. Learn more 2 days (approx.) Catch sea otter and sea turtle feedings. Source: Do not miss visiting Muir Woods and explore the towering and some of the oldest trees on the planet, such as redwood sequoia trees. The exhibits are well maintained and have great quick facts about the animals posted right Infront. A winding route of about 74.9 miles (120.53 kilometers) will take you to Carmel-by-the Sea from San Jose. Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach. Cut-off times are based on the experiences local time. Any trip to Big Sur with your family will be incomplete if you do not drop by at the Carmel River State Beach. It was a long trip but right on schedule, and Ben was really helpful with, Our 3 days trip to Yosemite was fantastic! This is good place for shopping, only downside is that there are four blocks around the crossing. Mysticism aside, the Mystery Spot is actually a tilt-stimulated optical illusion, where the peculiar tilt of the floor helps in disorienting the visitor, making their perception of heigRead more. Bask in the sun at the shore of beautiful Crown Memorial State Beach. Click here to download the Clipper Card app on your smartphone and watch the video on how to use Clipper Card on your phone. I had lunch at the Pebble Beach Golf Course. Jutting out into Monterey Bay, it lies in between Main Beach and Cowell Beach, right next to the bustling boardwalk. Thank you so much for everything! Located a quick 15 minute drive from San Jose, in Santa Clara, California, is Californias Great America amusement park. Sprawling a length of 836 meters, the wharf is the longest on the whole of West Coast. *Cost for 2023 from Monterey or Carmel by Cadillac Escalade or similar SUV 6 hours. The tailgaters outside were so cool! Other than performing his duties flawlessly, he wasnt overly charming to get gratuity brownie pts, thats what impressed me the most! I personally like the time during sunset. Beautiful grounds for a picnic or some Instagram stuff if you're into that. Cost depends on availability and the prevailing rate at the hotel of your choice. I am not a wine connoisseur, so I won't pretend to know what I'm talking about. We are so glad that you enjoyed and had an amazing time in Big Sur with Carlos. Also, check website for museum information and upcoming stadium events, including 49ers home games, international soccer, college football, concerts, and more. Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea Tour from San Francisco & San Jose Do not miss shopping at Oxbow Public Market, which features an outstanding farmers market and cheese stores. The Great America amusement park is one of the top things in San Jose for people of all ages. One of the top things to do in Santa Cruz, you cant visit Santa Cruz and not spend a day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at least once. The organization this app provides has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. Gray-spotted dolphins and saw Casper the albino dolphin. It was pretty cold on Monday evening, and I was worried at first, but the heater and the heated mattress pads kept us warm. Tucked away on the rugged central shore of beautiful California, Monterey is another enchanting destination to explore. Santa Cruz has been a seaside resort since the mid-19th century. Please contact us if you are interested. The process to get on went pretty quick even if the line was long. The drumline is amazing! This will probably whet your appetite for more, so dont miss the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium as well.Evening On one side is the ocean and there is a lagoon across the sand. Also, explore Montereys street-side gift shops and relish delicacies at the restaurants serving savory seafood here. We were able to see so many animals. On the hunt . Technology enthusiasts should not miss visiting Tech Museum of Innovation which features an incredible display of technological exhibits. It is located in the same complex as the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara and the Santa Clara TechMart conference center. Keep in mind parking will come at a premium with many all day spots nearby for $15. Day 1: San Jose to Santa Cruz to Monterey. The area is quite tourist oriented, but the walking, biking and running trail is excellent. 2023 Team San Jose. The Monterey Aquarium is the centerpiece of the area studying the waters of Monterey Bay and tackling the oceans health problems. Having a private driver to tour my friend and I around was perfect because we didn't have worry about parking or getting tired about the drive back home, he took care of it! Owned and operated by Cedar Fair, it originally opened as Marriott's Great America in 1976 as one of two parks built and operated by the Marriott Corporation. Plan at least a quick stop here to explore. One of the romantic things to do in San Jose is going to the amusement park California's Great America. We had a wonderful experience! Stop at Moss Landing for birding to see several rare and endangered species and kayak the Elkhorn Slough alongside seals and sea otters. They feature great scenery that is perfect for painting, photography, picnic, and studying out. This is the best place to go in Santa Cruz for fresh seafood if you like your fish caught and cooked the same day! We saw awesome homes right a long the trail. I do know there are vacation packages and feeding opportunities for older children and adults but I have a 16 month old so haven't explored those options yet! Thank you. After some champagne and pics we all boarded the train and headed back to Roaring Camp, where we attended the reception in Bret Harte Hall. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Big Sur Monterey Tour includes: Transportation by driver guide using SUV. We found this to be a fantastic stop to enjoy the sunset as visitors here are a lot less compared to other stops along this Big Sur itinerary. The park has appeared in 1994 films Beverly Hills Cop III and Getting Even with Dad and features over 40 rides and attractions. Ben. Carlos was a terrific guide. By Jim Harrington | jharrington@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group. He was witty, humorous and knew all the places we need to visit. However, walking, wading, or swimming near Monastery Beach can be dangerous as many people have been swept away. Not much else to say other than its getting old and the bathrooms need updating, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA. Its a beautifully clean and tidy beach. The marina and boat rentals are operated by a concessionaire. It depends on when you visit! Famous thrills include the Giant Dipper, a 1924 wooden roller coaster, and the 1911 Looff carousel, both National Historic Landmarks. The Big Sur may stay in your memory for a long time. If its canceled due to poor weather, youll be offered a different date or a full refund, This is a private tour/activity. I highly recommend him and California pacific excursions. It is our honor to make this possible for you and your sisters. The view at the top of each hill was fantastic , the sign of green went on for miles. Car travel with minimal and short travel in Amtrak with everyone spaced out was a good option. Wonderful hidden gem of a zoo! Today it's a destination for shopping, dining, and Monterey's nightlife. Quite surreal for something in this area. Big Sur Monterey California Coast McWay Falls from San Jose price starts from $385.00. Youll also find here the very first Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Then head to the City of Monterey and experience Steinbecks famous Cannery Row now filled with unique boutiques and quirky souvenir shops. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is located on Cannery Row, where a sardine cannery once stood. The client opted to take the Town Car. The first designated stop on the Big Sur road trip is the Point Lobos State Park which is located just outside Carmel by the Sea.