C
Monterey and Carmel
Our tour guide was Brian. He was outstanding. We could tell that he truly enjoys his job. He was very knowledgeable about the area We truly enjoyed this tour
Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco
At a glance
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Price from
- $193 / person
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 43 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 14
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in San Francisco
Description
From the spectacular rocky ocean waves to the iconic towns, Highway 1 from San Francisco provides an experience you rarely find. This tour combines the best of California in one day. We begin in Monterey Bay, that has unparalleled sea life. You may even spot a whale! You will have time for coffee at Cannery Row. Next is the famous 17-Mile Scenic Drive (including a stop at golf resort Pebble Beach). There will be photo stops at the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, Lovers Point or Point Pinos. We visit the beach town of Carmel, home to celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, where you can visit quaint shops, artisinal bakeries and coffee shops. Lastly, we will see the Bixby Bridge and Hurricane Point, the iconic highlights of Big Sur. Depending on the time of the year, there may be a spectacular Northern California sunset over the ocean as we make our way back to San Francisco.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Enjoy a relaxing drive south past Silicon Valley and through Gilroy and Castroville, the garlic and artichoke capitals of the world before arriving in Monterey.
We arrive in Monterey along the awi-inspiring Monterey Bay. We will stop at the town’s famous Cannery Row to grab a coffee and fresh pastry at Steinbeck Plaza.
Drive along the rocky shores of Pacific Grove, known as “Butterfly Town USA” because of the thousands of Monarchs which migrate every year. ]We will drive down the private 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach -- famous vistas, exquisite homes, and maybe some local wildlife. Stops along the way may include Bird and Seal Rock and the Lone Cypress. And golf lovers will be able to stop at the famous 18th green at Pebble Beach.
Free-time in Carmel-by-the-Sea – a storybook village with artisan bakeries, exclusive stores and wine-tasting. You will have time to experience the charm of town that has attracted writers and film-industry luminaries for over 100 years.
Shoreline drive to Bixby Bridge and Hurricane Point. This is a great time for photo stops of these icons of Big Sur that many people will recognize from many films and television series.
Highlights
Hotel Pick UP (within our zones)
Entrance Fees For 17 Mile Drive
What's included
Included
Hotel Pick UP (within our zones)
Entrance Fees For 17 Mile Drive
Not included
Meals
Traveller Ratings
4.9
43 reviews
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How long does Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco take?
Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco lasts about 12 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco cost?
Prices start at $193 per person for this San Francisco experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyNU77eqTMIbkGOL7VGP0ano=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyNuyHci/h7sO6XlbdS4I2yg=.
What languages is Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 14 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(43)
2
Amazing tour and fully worth of the price!
Amazing tour. The tour guide Brian was great and very helpful with everything, shared a lot of local information about the places and helped us take amazing photos.
8
incredible tour with an even more incredible guide
We had such a great experience with Brian! English isn’t our first language, but he explained everything so clearly and made everything easy to understand. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and took us to some really special spots that we definitely wouldn’t have discovered or reached on our own. We learned a lot and got to see a completely different side of the area thanks to him. as first timers in this area - the tour made it even better! highly recommend
E
First timers do not miss!
A must do! BRIAN our tour guide is one in a million!! Not a detail left out..he takes pride in his job . Thank you for a wonderful experience.
1 people found this helpful
A
Take the tour!
I highly recommend this tour . The hotel pick up made it so easy . The van had big huge windows to see all the attractions. The best part was our guide, Brian. He grew up in Monterey and had a lot of interesting stories to tell. He was knowledgeable, kind and helpful.
A
Bryan was excellent and...
Bryan was excellent and very knowledgeable. He was also funny and helped us in taking pictures of our family so we could get everyone in the photos. This trip is definitely for older people not small kids or even teens they will get bored because they don’t appreciate it or at least mine didn’t
1 people found this helpful
J
Sooo wooorrth it!!!
We had a Wonderful Time! Brian our guide was professional and knowledgeable of the areas we visited. This one comes highly recommended for sure!!! #goodtime.
S
Great day out
Derek our driver and guide what a top bloke. Did everything to make our trip enjoyable. Plenty of info on sights, highly recommend this trip and Derek
N
Trevor is the perfect...
Trevor is the perfect driver/tour guide! I would give him 5/5 stars! He's jolly, optimistic attitude, transparent to us with the traffic situations, very accommodating always offering water and helping us with pictures, and he knows a lot of stuff about the places we went to. We enjoyed the Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea, Pebble Beach, Cannery Row and Monterey. Highly recommend this activity, and bring your family/friends.
M
Fantastic Big Sur Trip !!!
A fantastic trip out, with some amazing scenery and lots of photo ops . Timings for stops perfect as it kept you busy and didn’t feel you eere on the bus all the time. Just to say that Trevor was a fantastic guide, warm, helpful, knowledgeable & he was happy to engage with all the group and give it a personal touch. He also took some great photos for us all.
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