Tours/Monterey and Carmel/Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey
Viator · Private tour

Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey

4.0(4)Monterey and Carmel1 hour
VIATOR4.5(2)TRIPADVISOR3.5(2)

Description

Connect your smartphone to your vehicle's stereo and listen to a tour guide while you drive between San Francisco & Monterey! Follow the suggested route along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the world! Start anywhere along the route between Monterey & San Francisco. Tour experience is the same in either direction. Tour highlights include El Granada, Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio, Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, Shark Fin Cove & more. We'll point out must-see sights, state parks, and tourist attractions and give a historical overview of the area and its original inhabitants. With no time constraints, enjoy the freedom to stop anywhere and explore. Tour guide commentary will play automatically as you drive. No data is used during the tour. This audio guide will keep your group entertained and engaged! Many points of interest also have a fun multiple-choice trivia question about the sights. Trust the platform with over 75 tours & 25,000+ happy customers.

Tour Options

B/W Monterey & San Francisco

Itinerary

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Today, San Fran, as it’s colloquially known, stands as a hallmark of cultural diversity, technological innovation, and iconic landmarks.

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We'll tell you about this notoriously steep and rocky coastal route, with its storied history, going back to the Ocean Shore Railroad's ambitious plans to connect San Francisco and Santa Cruz.

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Montara, home to Montara State Beach, offers stunning views of cliffs that drop precipitously into the Pacific Ocean, creating a dramatic backdrop for all sorts of outdoor activities.

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Moss Beach is particularly known a protected area where tide pools are rich with marine life like starfish and anemones.

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An historic lighthouse that has been guiding mariners since 1875 and now serves as a ... we'll tell you what.

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You’ll pass by the coastal town of El Granada, known for its unique concentric-circular street layout and hear about the Pillar Point breakwater and it's gigantic waves called.... we'll tell you all about them!

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Hear about Half-Moon Bay's historic and quite "interesting" beginnings and it's a narrative of daring spirits and natural splendors that shape it today.

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You'll hear about San Gregorio, a booming town in the 1850's, and San Gregorio State Beach, renowned for its cleanliness.

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You'll see the California Coastal National Monument. But.. where??? I'm sure you're wondering. Well, we'll tell you!

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You'll hear about Pescadero, Spanish for "Fishmonger," a small town dating back to the 19th century now a mix of farming, tourism and ranching.

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Hear about how the Pescadero Marsh is vital habitat for a number of species, both migratory and native.

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You'll get to hear from someone who played a significant role in the lighthouse's history.

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As you cruise along scenic Highway 1, you'll hear about the stunning biodiversity and rich history of Año Nuevo State Park. The park’s main attraction is it’s .... we'll be sure to let you know.

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So what’s there to do in Davenport? Well, you could go to jail… seriously! Hear how....

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So if you’re into photography, or impressing your social media followers with epic views, we’ve got something special .. Shark Fin Cove!

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You'll hear about some parking areas along the highway for some pretty scenic beaches and their claim to fame.

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The park proudly hosts a collection of historic buildings, including an elegant Victorian home from 1897 and water-powered machine shop, echoing tales from a bygone era, breathing life into the rich history of the late 19th century.

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This 65-acre marvel stands as a testament to the relentless artistry of nature. Hear why.

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Santa Cruz's historic Boardwalk is a meeting point of nostalgia and modern excitement along the breathtaking Monterey Bay. It's been operating since 1907, and has two roller coasters that are National Historic Landmarks!

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Nestled on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a city full of eclectic-culture, scenic beaches, and cutting-edge technology. You'll hear some of its history and how it fares today.

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The fascinating town you'll be driving through, Aptos, is actually made up of several charming villages.

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Hear about the city of Watsonville, where the 'Ohlone nation' of Indigenous Californians first inhabited the land.

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This 7-mile-long tidal slough and estuary is a jewel in California's natural landscape.... we'll tell you why.

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This area holds the distinction of being the largest untouched salt marsh on the California coast, characterized by ... we'll let you know!

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A small town with a big reputation!

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If you're a salad lover, you're going to want to listen up.

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So it might surprise you to find that just a few miles off the coast lies an underwater chasm as big as the 'Grand Canyon'!

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City of Monterey, a 'jewel' of California's past!

Highlights

No time constraints, take as long as you like to complete the tour
Only 1 tour booking needed per vehicle
Flexible dates - tour is yours to keep and enjoy anytime on Tripvia Tours app
No signal required or data used during tour
Good mobile or WiFi connection needed for the initial download

What's included

Included
No time constraints, take as long as you like to complete the tour
Only 1 tour booking needed per vehicle
Flexible dates - tour is yours to keep and enjoy anytime on Tripvia Tours app
No signal required or data used during tour
Good mobile or WiFi connection needed for the initial download
Not included
**Recommended attractions may be closed/inaccessible due to season or reasons beyond our control.
Smartphone or tablet
Transportation (use your own vehicle)

Traveller Ratings

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Important Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(4)

J
janta629
November 10, 2025
I’ve used better tours.

Other audio tours automatically played as I neared each location. This did not. There was interesting information given but the silly voices were annoying.

Operator response

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry the automatic playback feature did not work for you, as we designed the tour to auto-play seamlessly at each location. This usually points to a minor issue with the initial download or the device's GPS settings. We are glad you found the information to be interesting. We also appreciate your comment regarding the vocal styles and will certainly consider that feedback in our next content review.

K
Kevin_N
October 21, 2025
Well worth the small investment

Simple and easy to use. I would skip the first two stops and start driving to stop 3 and just play the audio for stops 1 and 2 on the way. Otherwise it was excellent

Operator response

Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are delighted to hear that you felt the audio guide was "well worth the small investment" and that you found it both "simple and easy to use." Your feedback that the overall experience was excellent is exactly what we strive for. We hope you enjoyed your time on the trail, and we look forward to assisting with your next adventure!

L
loryg443
December 4, 2024
Fun bit of trivia to listen to while driving along the coast

Fun way to pass the time driving from San Francisco to Monterey. The app uses your current location to know what section to talk about, so wherever you are, it'll give the right tour guide details. We saw quite a few landmarks we'd never noticed before, and even stopped along the way a couple of times based on the info mentioned in the guide. When it's between speeches, the CarPlay reverted to the stereo, so we had something to listen to while waiting for the next landmark. Totally worth the $10.

Operator response

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! We're happy to hear that you learned something new on the tour. It's always our goal to provide insightful and interesting information about the history and culture of the area for a reasonable price.

S
Sequel_P
August 25, 2024
Lot of fun, but....

I loved the narration, really enjoyed what this was, but I wish the pinpoints/stops where actual sight seeing places. So you can learn about where you're going from stop to stop and be able to get out and explore and take photos. This was more about driving continuously and just listening. Having destinations would make it a more active experience.

Operator response

Wonderful to know that you loved the narration telling you about the many points of interest you passed on your drive. Thank-you for taking time to leave us this nice review and to share your thoughts on how we can improve the tour. More actual stops to check out and explore...on it!

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