Kona...day tripping

[SilverFoxLady]

Hi ....was looking for someone who has experienced renting a car in Kona and heading out for the day....

 

Any good tips on which way to go...and things not to miss....

 

Any great bar/restaurants by the sea anywhere.......

 

Thanks ...Ellie

[JudyOh]

Huggos is great, right on the water, celebrated our 40th anniversary there this October. Car rental is a little tricky here - you are anchored, so after tendering you have to call the rental company, they will send a van, but only the driver can go back to the airport to pick up the car, so that leaves everyone else just standing on the pier. The town is right at the pier and is nice to just wonder around. Two restaurants right by the pier (upstairs, outside, across the street from the water), both are very good.

[daWoods]

Down the coast from Kona is the Place of Refuge. Well worth the trip. Up the coast is some great scenery, most of the big resorts, and the road that crosses to the other side of the island and will take you to Waipio Valley, absolutely spectacular.

[Laura4cruise]

The Place of Refuge is a must-see, in my opinion. We had a lovely lunch at Huggo's. We visited Greenwell Coffee Farms--there are tons of coffee farms to see. We snorkeled at Kahalu'u Beach.

 

If you drive north there are some great beaches and the really luxe hotels where you could have a nice meal also.

 

Go south and you're heading towards the Volcano National Park. On the way there is Punalu'u Beach--that's a lovely spot but it's a long drive.