Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
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
4.8/5
Based on 37 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people worth booking?
Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people is a 8-hour experience in San Jose, United States, from $498 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 37 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (37)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $498 per person
This is a 8 hour private charter excursion by local driver guide using full size SUV up to 6 people and Mercedes Sprinter for 7 to 12 people. This is unique way of visiting one of the most scenic areas in the U.S. The dr
What you get
About this experience
This is a 8 hour private charter excursion by local driver guide using full size SUV up to 6 people and Mercedes Sprinter for 7 to 12 people. This is unique way of visiting one of the most scenic areas in the U.S. The driver guide will stop at places you wish to enjoy in Monterey, Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, River Inn, Pfeiffer state park of Coastal Redwoods, Nepenthe, and many other places. This is a private trip not a group tour.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Return trip by full size SUV OR Coast Starlight train from Salinas to San Jose Diridon Station
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Trasnsportation by full size SUV
Not included
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Gratuity
What you'll see and do
Santa Cruz
Driving through Redwoods to Santa Cruz then to Castroville.
Pass by without stopping
Garrapata State Park
View Garrapata State Park, Rocky PointContinue on Highway One through Point Lobos, Garrapata and Rocky Point to Bixby Bridge.
30 minutes here
Bixby Bridge
Picture stop at Bixby Bridge
30 minutes here
View Hurricane Point, Point Sur Lighthouse.
30 minutes here
Big Sur
View Big Sur River Inn or stop for refreshments and Nepenthe / Phoenix / Café Kevah overlooking Pacific Ocean
180 minutes here
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
For about an hour walk in the Redwoods.
120 minutes here
Monterey
Return through Monterey, Prunedale, Gilroy and Morgan Hill.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Jose
65 Cahill Street, San Jose
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
65 Cahill Street, San Jose
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- California Pacific Excursions
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 37 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
37 verified traveler reviews for Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great scenery and guide, but the itinerary is totally unrealistic
My wife and I took this excursion yesterday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. While we enjoyed the coastal scenery, we felt the structure of the trip was significantly flawed based on the advertised itinerary. The Highlights: Our guide, Juan, was the saving grace of the experience. He did a fantastic job during the first half of the trip around Monterey and the Bixby Creek Bridge. He was knowledgeable and showed us some truly beautiful spots to kick off the day. The Issues: The primary issue is the timing vs. the itinerary. Despite the 8-hour duration, we felt rushed and unable to experience the "Possible Stops (S)" or "Points of Interest (V)" mentioned in the itinerary. Missed Locations: We had zero time to explore Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (no hike/walk in the redwoods) and no time for Nepenthe / Café Kevah to gaze at the Pacific. We didn't even stop for lunch or refreshments, yet we still couldn't fit in all mentioned point of interests and stops. This is even with less than 5-minute "photo ops" toward the end. Inaccurate Planning: I guess, it is mathematically impossible to cover all the mentioned points (Monastery Beach, Garrapata, Bixby, Pfeiffer Redwoods, etc.) within 8 hours while departing from San Jose, especially if you want to actually "explore" rather than just look out a window. Final Verdict: It was a "good" trip because the scenery is world-class and Juan was excellent, but for this price point, the value isn't quite there. The organizers need to either extend the trip duration or trim the itinerary to be more honest about what is actually achievable. If you book this, expect a "drive-by" experience rather than an "exploration" experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your constructive and helpful review. Given that it was Good Friday, we encountered heavy traffic, and the journey took a total of 9 hours. For trips on weekends and holidays there are more travelers than usual. To truly 'explore' the area, it would require two days, which would involve spending a night or two on the Monterey Peninsula. We will review the itinerary and the time required for trips on weekends and holidays and advise future customers of possibilities. Best regards, Ben
via Tripadvisor
A mediocre tour of Big Sur Monteray coast McVay Falls from San Jose, Ca.
This tour is a scenic presentation, parts of the scenery was nice, but on the whole it was not a "wow" scene. Our tour guide is very accommodating, however our family felt the description lacked some history of most of the sites. Ben, tour guide spoke with a moderate Mexican accent, at times, not sure what he said. We passed great farm land, but now sure the kind of produce raised. The driver is not sure what is growing either. Most impressive was the city of Carmel, private homes looked unique in design, appears to be millionaire's and billionaire's home. Big Sur area wasn't impressive, but had lunch at a quaint restaurant conducive for that area, food was good.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review. The impression of the scenery varies depending on where the customers are from. Most of our customers from the U.S. mainland love Big Sur. However, someone from Hawaii might feel that their coastal areas are more impressive. The driver for this trip, Juan, has done this trip many times and the clients have been happy. The person you spoke with on the phone was Ben, the manager. You mixed up the names. It is indeed unfortunate that your expectations were different than the informal service that is good for most of our customers. Best regards, Ben
via Viator
Beautiful trip/very helpful guide!
The drive along the coast was beautiful, especially going through Carmel-by-the-Sea. Juan made every attempt to accommodate our schedule and let us see all the places we wanted to visit. We really enjoyed the trip!
via Tripadvisor
Our knowledgeable driver...
Our knowledgeable driver knew wonderful places to stop and added comments about the areas. Carlos pointed out all sorts of things we would have missed had we been without him.
via Viator
Gotta love S curves
This drive was full of S curves, but that didn't take away from the beautiful beaches and the rock formations. The Bixby bridge is almost a hundred years old and amazing. The stops give you such beauty.
Response from the operator: Along with S curves on the road that is literally carved on the cliffs there are beautiful beaches and sights. Thank you for giving us the opportunity of serving you. Best regards, Ben
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $498 to $996
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Jose.
How much does Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people cost?
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Prices start at $498 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Jose usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people take?
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Plan for about 8 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 San Jose is not rushed.
Is Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 37 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Jose, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people?
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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 Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people?
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Around 13 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 San Jose 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 San Jose and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people 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 San Jose 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 San Jose?
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San Jose mixes tech-history tours with the Winchester Mystery House, Santa Cruz Mountains wine trips, redwood hikes and easy day tours over to Monterey and San Francisco. On Outty we rank every San Jose experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Escape Game at Great Mall in Milpitas, 4 Hour Livermore Valley Wine Tour, Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour from San Jose. 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 San Jose?
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April to June and September to October. 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 San Jose?
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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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