To say I’ve been blessed with the best girlfriends in the world is an understatement. Since college, we’ve made it a priority to plan trips every few months, no matter how spread out across the country we may be. This December, we were invited to Capitola, California, the dreamiest little beach town just south of San Jose. But rather than staying put, we packed up for a day trip down the coast to Post Ranch Inn for lunch in Big Sur. Think winding ocean roads, jaw-dropping views, and a reminder of how special it is to experience places like this with your favorite people. Come along as I share our day in Big Sur, plus the iconic stops, landmarks, and charming towns you can explore along the way.

The drive to Post Ranch Inn was about an hour, and of course we had a few stops planned along the way. Our first stop was Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Monterey, which is insanely beautiful as expected. There are scenic trails all along the Reserve and, if you’re lucky, you might even spot a few sea lions. It was the perfect place to stretch our legs, take in the views, and reset before getting back in the car for the next stop.

As big fans of Big Little Lies, we were especially excited for our next stop—the iconic Bixby Bridge. We parked just north of the bridge at the Castle Rock Viewpoint to hop out and take in the views (and, of course, snap a few photos). It was a quick pitstop before continuing south to Big Sur, but we made sure to blast the Big Little Lies theme song as we drove over the bridge for the full effect.

Finally, we arrived at Post Ranch Inn. I don’t know if it was the endless shades of green, the fog drifting perfectly through the trees, or the crispest air I’ve ever breathed, but the second I stepped out of the car, I was completely in love with this place.

We had a few minutes before our lunch reservation, so we decided to explore the property. They describe the luxury resort as “a careful blend of architecture and wilderness” and it was exactly that. It has around 40 unique rooms and suites, each with its own personality and panoramic views of either the ocean or the mountains. Obviously, I immediately took notes and will be back to stay for a longer visit in the future.

Now, onto lunch at Sierra Mar, Post Ranch Inn’s acclaimed restaurant on property perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The restaurant focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with many coming from the inn’s own chef’s garden and regional farms. We opted for the lunch prix-fixe menu (shown below) and we were completely blown away. Each bite got better and better as the meal went on. I still think about the Fogline Farms Chicken to this day.

The restaurant felt like a warm hug. It’s the kind of place where the design, service, views, and cuisine work in harmony, creating an atmosphere that is as memorable as the meal itself. I could have sat in this restaurant all day, but we enjoyed some dessert and cappuccinos and headed out for our next stop before home.

Since we were in the area, we couldn’t resist a quick shopping stop at Girl Boy Girl in Carmel. Their sweater selection was calling our names, and honestly, what’s a girls’ trip without a little shopping? A few sweaters (and maybe a pair of jeans or two) later, we headed to The Links at Spanish Bay for a quick drink.

Located just north of Carmel and around the corner from the iconic Pebble Beach, The Links at Spanish Bay is the perfect spot to end the day. We arrived just in time for the resort’s beloved sunset bagpipe tradition, where a lone piper plays along the coastline as the sun sets. Drinks and a show? Count us in.

The drive back to our home base in Capitola was fairly quick. The girls day in Big Sur was a success and we’ve been dreaming about returning ever since. I’m grateful to share these places with such amazing people. Where should we go for our next trip?