17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
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Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 57 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel worth booking?
17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel is a 3-hour experience in Monterey & Carmel, United States, from $15 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 57 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (57)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $15 per person
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Explore the famous 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, Monterey with a self-guided audio tour! Learn about iconic landmarks like Lone Cyprus, Seal Rock, a
What you get
About this experience
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Explore the famous 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, Monterey with a self-guided audio tour! Learn about iconic landmarks like Lone Cyprus, Seal Rock, and Spanish Bay as you drive past. Discover the history behind Cannery Row, Monterey's Aquarium, and Fisherman's Wharf. Experience this ultimate scenic drive at its fullest. This self-guided audio tour allows you to explore Monterey with maximum flexibility and value. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
What's included
Included
- Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
- Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
- Self-guided audio tour through our easy-to-use mobile app.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
What you'll see and do
The Pacific Grove portion of our Monterey tour is now over; the famous 17 Mile Drive portion is about to begin. This is Monterey's most famous "attraction" and one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world. Note: The tour is over 16 miles long, with more than 35 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
10 minutes here
We'll embark on this scenic drive in downtown Monterey, near the historic Fisherman's Wharf.
5 minutes here
Our explorations along Monterey's Pacific Grove bring us to Cannery Row, immortalized by John Steinbeck.
Pass by without stopping
Our drive down Cannery Row ends at Monterey's second most famous attraction: the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is an optional stop, for those looking to get up close and personal with a huge variety of sea creatures.
Pass by without stopping
Our drive through Monterey continues along the Pacific Grove, heading closer to the top attraction: the 17 Mile Drive. Along the way, we see beautiful waterfront properties, the scenic Lovers Point Park, and the unmistakeable Kissing Rock.
Pass by without stopping
Our Monterey tour continues around the Point Pinos Bend, where we'll learn about the famous lighthouse.
5 minutes here
Keep an eye out for our next sight: the Kissing Rock! This isn’t really a rock. It’s actually a natural formation of two granite rocks that have fused together over time. Since they appear to be kissing, this spot was officially named “The Kissing Rock” in April 1970.
5 minutes here
Asilomar State Beach
The drive then takes us along Asilomar Beach, known for it's tidepools, which teem with life.
Pass by without stopping
Our first vista along the 17 Mile Drive portion of this Monterey tour is at Spanish Bay. We'll explore Monterey's history as we drive.
10 minutes here
Our 17 Mile Drive tour then brings us to Point Joe. Here we'll learn the story of two well-known shipwrecks… the St. Paul and the Celia. We'll also understand why this ocean is known as “The Restless Sea”!
Pass by without stopping
Point Joe
Point Joe is infamous as the site of numerous shipwrecks. From the outside, this stretch of beach looks like the entrance to the Monterey Bay harbor. In reality, the beach has a rocky underwater lining that unsuspecting ships often crashed upon. And Monterey’s foggy weather certainly didn’t help matters!
Pass by without stopping
China Rock
The next stop on our 17 Mile Drive tour is at China Rock. This was the exact site of a small fishing village from the 1800s. We'll try to spot the marks from 1800s cooking smoke caked into the rocks!
Pass by without stopping
Bird Rock Vista Point
This rock is a popular hangout spot for the local fauna when they want some downtime. Set in a small cove at one of the best vantage points in the entire bay, it’s home to harbor seals, sea lions, and of course many, many birds. If you’re visiting between November and March, you might even see the far-away spouts of migrating grey whales! Make sure your camera and binoculars are handy.
Pass by without stopping
Seal Rock Creek beach
This brings us to Bird Rock and Seal Rock, both always teeming with life. We'll learn how to spot the difference between seals and sea lions, and identify a couple of the most common birds of the area.
Pass by without stopping
Fanshell Overlook
As we continue to drive along the scenic 17 Mile Drive, we'll also be able to stop at the Fanshell Beach Overlook.
Pass by without stopping
Cypress Point Lookout
As we approach the 17 Mile Drive's most famous attraction, the Lone Cypress, we'll learn all about cypress trees -- and what makes them so resilient!
Pass by without stopping
As we drive, we'll pass Crocker Grove, which honors the man who almost single-handedly built the 17 Mile Drive. Crocker put in a lot of effort into beautifying the coastal drive while preserving its natural history and terrain.
Pass by without stopping
Lone Cypress
Finally we reach the Lone Cypress! The Lone Cypress stands dramatically at the edge of a cliff, shrouded in fog. Its roots are embedded in a rough outcropping on a granite hillside and it is framed by a backdrop of loud, crashing waves.
Pass by without stopping
Pescadero Point is legendary with fans of the paranormal. We'll hear all about the spooky tales of this stop.
Pass by without stopping
Pebble Beach
Our scenic tour of Monterey's 17 Mile Drive ends at the world-famous Pebble Beach, a paradise of pristine white sand and sensational coastal cliffs.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Monterey & Carmel
Start on Carmel Way just past the Carmel Gate entrance to 17-Mile Drive, with the entrance station behind you and a stone garage on your left. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the entrance station or nearby businesses. Audio starts automatically—check your email/text.
Meeting point
Monterey & Carmel
Start on Archer Street in Monterey near Archer Park Center, with the Park Center on your left and homes on your right. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the Park Center or nearby businesses. The audio starts automatically—check your email/text for setup.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Start on Carmel Way just past the Carmel Gate entrance to 17-Mile Drive, with the entrance station behind you and a stone garage on your left. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the entrance station or nearby businesses. Audio starts automatically—check your email/text.
Ends at
Start on Archer Street in Monterey near Archer Park Center, with the Park Center on your left and homes on your right. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the Park Center or nearby businesses. The audio starts automatically—check your email/text for setup.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Adventures with Action
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
Photos
Traveler reviews
57 verified traveler reviews for 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
This audio tour cannot...
This audio tour cannot link with Apple CarPlay or Google CarPlay. It only links with Bluetooth so you can hear it through your car speakers but can not see the map on your car’s screen. That was unexpected so you have to have your phone out the whole time if you want to see the map.
Response from the operator: Hi, at the moment, the full map and turn-by-turn navigation do not appear on Apple CarPlay, but the tour audio can still play through your car speakers via Apple CarPlay or Bluetooth. We've already requested full CarPlay map/navigation integration from Apple, and it's currently awaiting approval.
via Viator
loved it!
It was a little gloomy where we were so this was a fun way to enjoy the town without getting out to much
Response from the operator: Vanessa, thank you for taking my 17-Mile Drive GPS audio tour from Monterey and Carmel! I’m so glad it was a fun way to enjoy the area from the car, especially on a gloomy day when getting out too much wasn’t ideal. If you’re interested in more scenic drives, check out my California tours, including Joshua Tree and Lake Tahoe. Happy exploring!
via Viator
Best Trip Ever
The experience was absolutely amazing!! I'd recommend it to anyone!! It was great seeing all the different little things I would've missed on my own!
Response from the operator: Julia, I’m so glad to hear you had such an amazing experience with my 17-Mile Drive GPS Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel! It’s wonderful to know the tour helped you discover all the little details and hidden highlights you might otherwise have missed during the drive. If you’re interested in more scenic drives, check out my California tours, including Joshua Tree and Lake Tahoe. Happy exploring!
via Viator
Not the Best Experience
I could not get the app to recognize my movement so it was basically useless. I ended up using Google Maps and went solo
Response from the operator: Anthony, can you confirm that you hit “allow” for location permissions? That’s a necessary function for the tour and without it, the app won’t recognize your movements as you mentioned. Since you weren’t really able to take this tour, I’d be happy to exchange it for you.
via Viator
Didn't work properly.
Couldn't get app to work properly. Very confusing. Ended up turning it off and just following the signs beside the road.
Response from the operator: Holly, I’m really sorry to hear that my 17-Mile Drive GPS Audio Tour didn’t work properly for you. I’d love to understand what went wrong. Was the issue during setup, during tour download, or with the GPS audio not triggering? Starting from the recommended point and having the tour fully downloaded usually helps everything run smoothly. My team is always available to walk you through the setup step by step so you can have a seamless experience. Please feel free to reach out—I’m available daily from 9 AM to 6 PM EST and happy to help.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Monterey & Carmel.
How much does 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel cost?
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Prices start at $15 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Monterey & Carmel usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Monterey & Carmel is not rushed.
Is 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 57 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Monterey & Carmel, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel?
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Around 20 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Monterey & Carmel can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Monterey & Carmel and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Monterey & Carmel within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Monterey & Carmel?
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Monterey Bay is one of the best whale watching stretches in the world, alongside kayak tours over the kelp forest, 17-Mile Drive and Big Sur coastal runs, and Carmel wine walks. Boat size and naturalist quality decide the whale trips, and we score them accordingly. On Outty we rank every Monterey & Carmel experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr, Whale Watching Tour From Monterey, Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Monterey & Carmel?
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April to November for whales and calm seas. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Monterey & Carmel?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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