Will I have time to visit Monterey Bay Aquarium?

Yes. We spend about two (2) hours in Monterey, so you can use this time to visit the Aquarium. The entrance fee for the Monterey Bay Aquarium is not included.

What will I see on the tour?

On the morning drive to Monterey, you will see stunning Pacific Coast scenery along Highway 1. In Monterey, you will walk along historic Cannery Row to Old Fisherman’s Wharf or take the time to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In the afternoon, while cruising the famous 17-mile drive, you will encounter the Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and charming Carmel-by-the-Sea.

The Pacific Coast can be windy and chilly in the morning, so it’s best to dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals.

Bring a light water-resistant jacket, camera or phone, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, umbrella (if the forecast calls for rain), and cash or a credit card for purchasing souvenirs or snacks.

Is admission to the 17-mile drive included?

Yes. Admission to the 17-mile drive is included in the tour cost.

How much free time will I have in Monterey and Carmel?

You will have about two (2) hours of free time in Monterey and up to one (1) hour in Carmel by the Sea.

Will we stop at the Lone Cypress or Pebble Beach?

Yes. We will take the 17-mile drive from Monterey to Carmel, making a few stops for photos along the way. We will stop at both the Lone Cypress and at Pebble Beach unless there is a special event.

Do you pick up outside of San Francisco?

We offer a complimentary pick-up from two central locations in San Francisco. If you are staying away from the downtown area, we suggest taking a shared ride service or public transportation to Union Square.

Where is the stop for lunch? Are meals included?

The tour makes a stop on the way to Monterey where you may purchase some snacks. There are many nice options for food or drink in Monterey where we will spend approximately two (2) hours. Meals are not included on this tour.

Monterey and Carmel One Day Tour from San Francisco

Highlights
Description
Itinerary
Reviews
FAQs

Find beauty and history around every corner on this Pacific Coast adventure

Departure: From two major San Francisco hotels

Duration: 11 hours

Free Cancellation: With 24 hours advance notice

Ages: All ages

Ticket: Email and mobile accepted

Highlights

Scenic coastal drive along California Highway 1
Cannery Row and Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey
Photograph stunning beaches on the 17-Mile Drive
Visit Pebble Beach Golf Links
Explore enchanting Carmel-by-the-Sea

What's Included

Entry to the 17-Mile Drive
Pick up at two San Francisco locations
Local expert guide (English)

What's Not Included

Entry to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Meals or beverages
Guide gratuity (recommended)

Please note: This tour frequently sells out. Book as soon as possible to guarantee your seat.

Description

Monterey is an entertaining mix of wildlife, stunning coastline, and colorful history. You will walk in the footsteps of figures like Grapes of Wrath author John Steinbeck, who spent years living in and writing about this fascinating area.

Hug the Pacific Coast on Iconic Highway 1

After a pickup from a convenient hotel in San Francisco, the tour heads down California State Route 1 toward Monterey along the picturesque Pacific Ocean. Grab a photo with the rocky coastline as your backdrop!

Keep an eye out for sea otters playing in the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This underwater park stretches hundreds of miles along the coast and is home to hundreds of species of marine mammals, birds, and fish.

Explore Attractions in Historic Monterey, CA

In Monterey, you’ll have free time to visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Or take the time to stroll out to Lovers’ Point, check out the boutiques that line historic Cannery Row, or grab a cup of hot chowder on Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

Take in the Coastal Vibe on the 17-Mile Drive

Back on tour, you’ll be treated to more beauty on the 17-Mile Drive which winds its way through the Del Monte Forest between magnificent multi-million dollar homes, spectacular coastline and the Pebble Beach golf course. Catch a photo of the hardy Lone Cypress Tree.

Stroll the White Sandy Beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Your Pacific Coast experience will arrive in charming Carmel-by-the-Sea in time to check out the quaint shops on Ocean Avenue or get some white Pacific sand between your toes at the beach.

Things to Know About this Tour

Children under the age of 8 must have an appropriate child seat for the tour.

Itinerary

Expand All

8:00 AM to 11:30 AM - Join the tour from one of the two locations in SF
- Scenic Highway 1 drive along California’s Pacific Coastline
- Stops to capture magnificent photos of the rocky beaches
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM - Free Time to Explore Monterey
- Walk the boardwalk and explore Cannery Row and Old Fisherman’s Wharf
- Enjoy Monterey Bay Aquarium (entry not included) or walk around historic Monterey
1:30 PM to 4:00 PM - See the Beautiful 17-Mile Drive
- Cruise California’s coastline on the 17-mile drive
- Photograph the Lone Cypress near the Pebble Beach Golf Links
4:00 PM to 5:15 PM - Explore Charming Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Explore, dine, and shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Stroll along the famous white sand beach
5:15 PM to 7:00 PM - Return “All Smiles” to San Francisco
- Relax as the sun sets into the Pacific Ocean
- Conclude the tour at your pickup location

Times listed are approximations. Traffic and unforeseen events can cause delays.

What Our Guests Are Saying About Us

Excellent tour!

Read Full Review

Shubhankar Agarwal, Google

Excellent tour!

Excellent tour, covered all the major spots along California coast from Santa Cruz to Monterey to Carmel by the sea with important stops along the coast with appropriate time to take photos. Our tour guide Doug and Jason were pretty amazing and Doug has thorough knowledge and passion and he did an excellent job explaining all the important history on the tour. 17 Mile drive and pebble Beach were pretty amazing and beautiful. In Carmel, if you do not plan to shop, consider walking to the beach, it's a 0.5 mile walk slightly tedious walk (considering all the elevations) from the bus stop but it's worth it. In Monterey, aquarium will always be sold out when you arrive unless you dont book it prior, so 2 he is a little long, but considering it in life's lunch stop too, it totally makes sense. Apart from cannery row, consider taking a walk across lovers point trail in Pacific Grove which is just next to cannery row, it's pretty scenic.

Shubhankar Agarwal, Google

Perfect weather and an excellent tour guide!

Our trip to Monterrey and Carmel had perfect weather and an excellent tour guide in Frank. We had a small group so it was easy to ask questions along the way and stop at scenery highlights enroute.

Read Full Review

mikecC7271SR, TripAdvisor

Perfect weather and an excellent tour guide!

Our trip to Monterrey and Carmel had perfect weather and an excellent tour guide in Frank. We had a small group so it was easy to ask questions along the way and stop at scenery highlights enroute. Frank was very knowledgeable and very entertaining providing us very interesting information not only about our main two stops but about multiple locations along the way. Strongly recommend using Extranomical for your Monterrey tour.

mikecC7271SR, TripAdvisor

Loved this tour!

We learned so much about the area from Alex. He’s a charismatic guide with a sense of humor. We had beautiful views along the coast. Highly recommend!

Jessica Keehn, Google

Excellent tour.

Great photo opportunities during the ride. Plenty of time at each stop. The tour guide was very nice and a lot of fun

Charles Stoll , Google

We were pleasantly surprised with how nice everything was for the price

Quality coach bus, well planned tour, knowledgeable driver, beautiful sites. It was absolutely the highlight of our visit to the Bay area. Patrick the driver was amazing!

Karl Nichols , Google

Fun day, great service!

Read Full Review

Denise Hallbäck , TripAdvisor

Fun day, great service!

Really enjoyed going out of San Francisco and see more of California. The 17 mile Drive was amazing, Monterey was very pretty where you can have a nice lunch by the sea. Carmel was really cute, but a bit more "stuck up" than Monterey, another vibe basically, but equally pretty. If you want to see more of California when visiting San Francisco, this is a great tour. So recommend!

Denise Hallbäck , TripAdvisor

Would recommend this tour to friends and family!

Our tour guide Randall was an excellent, all-around guy who made our day special and unforgettable. He is a wealth of information, considerate, kind and a safe driver.

Aileen O., TrustPilot

Great Experience!

The driver/tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and well spoken on a number of topics. He made the trip very interesting! He also made a number of stops along the way that enhanced the experience.

sherik411, TripAdvisor

Excellent tour!

Read Full Review

Shubhankar Agarwal, Google

Excellent tour!

Shubhankar Agarwal, Google

Perfect weather and an excellent tour guide!

Our trip to Monterrey and Carmel had perfect weather and an excellent tour guide in Frank. We had a small group so it was easy to ask questions along the way and stop at scenery highlights enroute.

Read Full Review

mikecC7271SR, TripAdvisor

Perfect weather and an excellent tour guide!

mikecC7271SR, TripAdvisor

We were pleasantly surprised with how nice everything was for the price

Quality coach bus, well planned tour, knowledgeable driver, beautiful sites. It was absolutely the highlight of our visit to the Bay area. Patrick the driver was amazing!

Karl Nichols , Google

Fun day, great service!

Read Full Review

Denise Hallbäck , TripAdvisor

Fun day, great service!

Denise Hallbäck , TripAdvisor

Would recommend this tour to friends and family!

Our tour guide Randall was an excellent, all-around guy who made our day special and unforgettable. He is a wealth of information, considerate, kind and a safe driver.

Aileen O., TrustPilot

Great Experience!

The driver/tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and well spoken on a number of topics. He made the trip very interesting! He also made a number of stops along the way that enhanced the experience.

sherik411, TripAdvisor

Excellent tour!

Read Full Review

Shubhankar Agarwal, Google

Excellent tour!

Shubhankar Agarwal, Google

Perfect weather and an excellent tour guide!

Our trip to Monterrey and Carmel had perfect weather and an excellent tour guide in Frank. We had a small group so it was easy to ask questions along the way and stop at scenery highlights enroute.

Read Full Review

mikecC7271SR, TripAdvisor

Perfect weather and an excellent tour guide!

mikecC7271SR, TripAdvisor

Book With Confidence

Award-Winning Tours & Customer Service

Money Back Guarantee

2000+ 5-star Reviews

Worry Free Cancellation

Award-Winning Tour

460,000+ Happy Guests Since 2002

FAQs

Expand All

Will I have time to visit Monterey Bay Aquarium?

Yes. We spend about two (2) hours in Monterey, so you can use this time to visit the Aquarium. The entrance fee for the Monterey Bay Aquarium is not included.
What will I see on the tour?

On the morning drive to Monterey, you will see stunning Pacific Coast scenery along Highway 1. In Monterey, you will walk along historic Cannery Row to Old Fisherman’s Wharf or take the time to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In the afternoon, while cruising the famous 17-mile drive, you will encounter the Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and charming Carmel-by-the-Sea.
What should I wear?

The Pacific Coast can be windy and chilly in the morning, so it’s best to dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals.
What should I bring?

Bring a light water-resistant jacket, camera or phone, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, umbrella (if the forecast calls for rain), and cash or a credit card for purchasing souvenirs or snacks.
Is admission to the 17-mile drive included?

Yes. Admission to the 17-mile drive is included in the tour cost.
How much free time will I have in Monterey and Carmel?

You will have about two (2) hours of free time in Monterey and up to one (1) hour in Carmel by the Sea.
Will we stop at the Lone Cypress or Pebble Beach?

Yes. We will take the 17-mile drive from Monterey to Carmel, making a few stops for photos along the way. We will stop at both the Lone Cypress and at Pebble Beach unless there is a special event.
Do you pick up outside of San Francisco?

We offer a complimentary pick-up from two central locations in San Francisco. If you are staying away from the downtown area, we suggest taking a shared ride service or public transportation to Union Square.
Where is the stop for lunch? Are meals included?

The tour makes a stop on the way to Monterey where you may purchase some snacks. There are many nice options for food or drink in Monterey where we will spend approximately two (2) hours. Meals are not included on this tour.

Monterey and Carmel One Day Tour from San Francisco

Find beauty and history around every corner on this Pacific Coast adventure

Highlights

What's Included

What's Not Included

Please note: This tour frequently sells out. Book as soon as possible to guarantee your seat.

Description

Hug the Pacific Coast on Iconic Highway 1

Explore Attractions in Historic Monterey, CA

Take in the Coastal Vibe on the 17-Mile Drive

Stroll the White Sandy Beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Things to Know About this Tour

Itinerary

What Our Guests Are Saying About Us

Book With Confidence

Award-Winning Tours & Customer Service

Money Back Guarantee

2000+ 5-star Reviews

Worry Free Cancellation

Award-Winning Tour

460,000+ Happy Guests Since 2002

FAQs

Will I have time to visit Monterey Bay Aquarium?

What will I see on the tour?

What should I wear?

What should I bring?

Is admission to the 17-mile drive included?

How much free time will I have in Monterey and Carmel?

Will we stop at the Lone Cypress or Pebble Beach?

Do you pick up outside of San Francisco?

Where is the stop for lunch? Are meals included?

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