Monterey & Carmel Explorer

57 Reviews4.39 out of 5 stars Based on 57 adventurer reviews collected by Top10Adventures© and TripAdvisor | San Francisco, USA

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11 to 12 hours (Approx.)
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Overview

This tour traverses the breathtaking scenery on the famous Pacific Coast Highway. Upon arriving in historic Monterey, you will have time to explore the fascinating sea creatures at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and stroll among the shops on Cannery Row. The tour will follow the coast through the beautiful little town of Pacific Grove on the way to the 17 Mile Drive. The drive finishes up at the enchanted town of Carmel-by-the-Sea where you’ll can explore the boutique shops on Ocean Avenue or be dazzled by the white sandy beach.

What's Included

  • 17-Mile Drive admission fee
  • Expert guide and commentary
  • Pickup and drop-off at a convenient location in Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf
  • Gratuity
  • Hotel pickup not offered
  • Meals
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Meeting Location

Meeting point
End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Pigeon Point Lighthouse (Pass By)

Pigeon Point Light Station or Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse built in 1871 to guide ships on the Pacific coast of California. It is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States.
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Whale City Bakery

Brief breakfast stop. Relaxed roadside cafe whipping up homestyle American fare morning til night, with live music shows.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Pacific Coast Highway (Pass By)

The Pacific Coast Highway is a section of State Route 1 (SR 1), a major north–south state highway that runs along most of the Pacific coastline of the U.S. state of California. At a total of just over 659 miles (1,061 km), SR 1 is the longest state route in California.
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Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay is a bay of the Pacific Ocean located on the coast of the U.S. state of California.
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Admission only included if option added upon checkout. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California. Known for its regional focus on the marine habitats of Monterey Bay, it was the first to exhibit a living kelp forest when it opened in October 1984.
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Cannery Row

Cannery Row is the waterfront street in the New Monterey section of Monterey, California. It is the site of a number of now-defunct sardine canning factories. The last cannery closed in 1973. Today it has many restaurants and hotels, several of which are located in former cannery buildings, and a few historic attractions. Some privately owned fishing companies still exist on Cannery Row, housed on piers located a short distance from the historic district frequented by tourists.
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard (Pass By)

Pacific Grove is a coastal city in Monterey County, California in the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated its 2013 population at 15,504. Pacific Grove is located between Point Pinos and Monterey, and known for its Monarch butterflies and turn-of-the century Victorian homes.
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17-Mile Drive

Although the route has changed since it opened in 1881, 17-Mile Drive is still exactly 17 miles long. More than 1.5 million visitors pass through 17-Mile Drive every year. Iconic Landmarks along famous 17-Mile Drive include The Lone Cypress, as well as Spanish Bay and Pebble Beach Golf Links.
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1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Spyglass Hill Golf Course (Pass By)

Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach is one of the most respected and revered courses in the world, annually co-hosting the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
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Pebble Beach Golf Links (Pass By)

Pebble Beach Golf Links is a public golf course on the west coast of the United States, located in Pebble Beach, California.
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Lone Cypress

The Lone Cypress is a Monterey cypress tree in Pebble Beach, California. Standing on a granite hillside off the 17-Mile Drive, the tree is a Western icon, and has been called one of the most photographed trees in North America.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Carmel by the sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small beach city on California's Monterey Peninsula. It's known for the museums and library of the historic Carmel Mission, and the fairytale cottages and galleries of its village-like center. The Scenic Bluff Path runs from surf spot Carmel Beach to bird-rich Carmel River State Beach, with a scuba entry point. South lie the sea animals and whaling museum of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Bird Rock Vista Point (Pass By)

Bird Rock Vista is stop #7 on 17-Mile Drive and a wildlife hot spot.
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Carmel Beach Boardwalk (Pass By)

Beautiful white sandy beaches.
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China Rock (Pass By)

One of the points on 17-Mile Drive.
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Cypress Point Lookout

Stop #10 on 17-Mile Drive is the wonderful Cypress Point Lookout which looks out, to the southwest, over a small, white sand beach making for an excellent sunset spot.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail (Pass By)

A mere 45-minute drive from San Francisco lies Half Moon Bay, an idyllic enclave and truly the perfect place to spend some time away from the big city.
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The Links at Spanish Bay (Pass By)

One of the many beautiful golf courses along 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach.
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Lovers Point (Pass By)

Lovers Point State Marine Reserve is one of four small marine protected areas located near the cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove, at the southern end of Monterey Bay on California’s central coast.
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Monterey Visitor Center (Pass By)

Tourist information center in Monterey, California.
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Seal Rock Creek beach (Pass By)

Seal Rock Creek Beach is a small sandy beach along the 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, CA. This white sand beach is at the mouth of Seal Rock Creek which flows intermittently. Just offshore is Seal Rock and a little to the north is Bird Rock.
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Sunset Point Overlook (Pass By)

Vista point in Del Monte Forest, California.
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Show 20 more stops

Additional Info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Meals are not included but available for purchase throughout the day.
  • California law requires tour guests to bring a car safety seat for all children under 8 years and under 4' 9" (1.4 meters) in height. Any guest that does not provide their child's safety seat at the time of the tour and does not inform the tour operator in advance may not be allowed to board the tour and will not be subject to refund.
  • Exact destinations & itinerary may differ due to weather, road conditions, and the guide's discretion.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-2402MONTCAR

Reviews

4.39
57 reviews

Average 4.39 out of 5 stars based on 57 adventurer reviews collected by Top10Adventures© and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
39
4 stars
9
3 stars
4
2 stars
2
1 star
3

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