
Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl
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September 2026
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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 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl worth booking?
Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl is a 3.5-hour experience in Monterey & Carmel, United States, from $297 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (15)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $297 per person
This individual private day trip in a luxury car for you, one to 12 persons. The cost varies based on the number of people. We go Monterey, 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. Then on Big Sur Highway one to Point Lobos, Garrapa
What you get
About this experience
This individual private day trip in a luxury car for you, one to 12 persons. The cost varies based on the number of people. We go Monterey, 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. Then on Big Sur Highway one to Point Lobos, Garrapata State Beach, Rocky Point, and Bixby Bridge at your own pace. With a chauffeur driven car, you don't need to worry about which roads to take and spending time looking for suitable parking, rest stops etc. These trips are not on a large vehicle with many participants, fixed timed stops and narration. Just you with family or friends. An experienced local resident would be the driver guide for your personal requirements. This trip can be customized and is ideal for travelers seeking an exclusive and personal unstructured experience.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- 17 Mile Drive Fee
- All Fees and Taxes
- Local driver guide
- Air-conditioned Luxury Car
Not included
- Lunch
- Gratuity for driver
What you'll see and do
Pacific Grove
About a mile of seasonal flowers growing by the seaside. Old homes and B&B places. Monarch Butterfly Sculpture
50 minutes here
17-Mile Drive
Past Asilomar Beach enter 17 Mile Drive to view the ocean crashing into the rocks, various mansions and manicured golf courses, The Lone Cypress, Lodge at Pebble Beach. Photo stops etc conditions permitting.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Carmel
Next visit the idyllic small-town Carmel with its boutiques, art galleries and many restaurants.
Pass by without stopping
Point Lobos
Driving by Carmel Mission contunue on Highway One through Point Lobos.
Pass by without stopping
Bixby Bridge
Stop and take some pictures
15 minutes here
Garrapata State Park
Garrapata State Park
Pass by without stopping
Rocky point
Enjoy beautiful California Coast line from Rocky point.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
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
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Monterey, Carmel and coastal highway to Big Sur
Tina was a wonderful driver/ guide. Her years of experience both as a resident of the area and as a driver gave us the security we needed to relax and truly enjoy our surroundings. Her commentaries on the historic and current background of the sites and areas we visited made our trip that much more interesting. Time went by very quickly. Tina offered us many perfect stops for those photo ops and recommended some great restaurants during the rest of our stay in Monterey and Carmel. On a side note, the fires prevented us from traveling farther south than the River Hose in Big Sur, so we never got to really see the redwoods or take the 17 mile drive to Pebble Beach, which was a disappointment, but totally out of Tina’s control.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review! We are thrilled to hear that Tina’s experience, local knowledge, and hospitality made your trip so enjoyable and stress-free. It’s wonderful to know that her insider recommendations and commentary added that extra special touch to your time in Monterey and Carmel. We completely understand how disappointing it must have been to miss the redwoods and 17-Mile Drive due to the fires, but we appreciate your understanding that safety always comes first. We hope you get the chance to return in the future to complete that part of the journey and we would love to welcome you back whenever you do! :) Christina
via Viator
Excellent 17-Mile Drive and Highway 1 Tour
Chris was very knowledgeable and friendly. We got to see all of the key spots and had a memorable experience.
Response from the operator: Seeing the best of Highway 1 is always a treat, but having a knowledgeable guide like Chris makes it even better. We are so happy we could provide a memorable experience for you. Thanks for the 5-star review, and we hope the memories of those coastal views stay with you for a long time. Christina
via Viator
Our driver Tina was...
Our driver Tina was fabulous. Very knowledgeable. We highly recommend this excursion. Great time!!!!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the wonderful feedback. We're glad to hear that Tina gave you a fantastic, knowledgeable tour of Big Sur. We will share your kind words with her! Best, Christina
via Viator
Private Tour is not to be skipped!
Tina our driver was very knowledgeable and kind. She helped tailor the tour so we could see as much as possible in the short amount our time that we had. I would 100% recommend her and the company again and plan on having more time to see all the sights.
Response from the operator: Grateful for the 5 star review. It's so great to know that Tina's expertise and kindness tailored the Big Sur tour to perfection. We appreciate your high recommendation. Thank you for choosing us. Best, Christina
via Viator
17 mile drive
We would have like to have been in Carmel for longer. The driver didn't give time limits which would have been nice. We didn't get much information on the destinations we visited or pre warning on the places we visited. Apart from that the sites were brilliant and was nice to be driven about.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We appreciate you pointing that out. We will make every effort to improve our service in this area. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful Monterey scenery. Best regards, Ben
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $297 to $594
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Monterey & Carmel.
How much does Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl cost?
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Prices start at $297 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 Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl take?
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Plan for about 3.5 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 Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 15 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 Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl?
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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 Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl?
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Around 5 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 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Monterey, Big Sur, 17 Mile Dr. 3.5 hrs Private Tour 1 - 12 ppl 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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