Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 82 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco worth booking?
Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco is a 11-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $139 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 82 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (82)
- Duration
- 11 hours
- From
- $139 per person
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 am
What you get
About this experience
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
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
- Free Wifi on vehicle
Not included
- Guide Gratuities
- Meals
What you'll see and do
Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay is a bay of the Pacific Ocean located on the coast of the U.S. state of California.
60 minutes here
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Admission is not included. 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.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
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.
60 minutes here
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.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach Golf Links is a public golf course on the west coast of the United States, located in Pebble Beach, California.
Pass by without stopping
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.
15 minutes here
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.
60 minutes here
Bird Rock Vista Point
Bird Rock Vista is stop #7 on 17-Mile Drive and a wildlife hot spot.
Pass by without stopping
Carmel Beach Boardwalk
Beautiful white sandy beaches.
Pass by without stopping
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.
15 minutes here
Lovers Point
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.
Pass by without stopping
Monterey Visitor Center
Tourist information center in Monterey, California.
Pass by without stopping
Seal Rock Creek beach
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.
Pass by without stopping
Vista point in Del Monte Forest, California.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Francisco
7:50 AM pickup. Please check your email confirmation from Extranomical Tours or contact the provider to confirm your pick-up details.
Meeting point
San Francisco
7:30 AM pickup. Please check your email confirmation from Extranomical Tours or contact the provider to confirm your pick-up details.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
7:50 AM pickup. Please check your email confirmation from Extranomical Tours or contact the provider to confirm your pick-up details.
Ends at
7:30 AM pickup. Please check your email confirmation from Extranomical Tours or contact the provider to confirm your pick-up details.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Extranomical Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Meals are not included but available for purchase throughout the day.
- Exact destinations & itinerary may differ due to weather, road conditions, and the guide's discretion.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 82 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
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
82 verified traveler reviews for Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful Monterey and Carmel
A beautiful trip. Monterey was beautiful , 7mile drive offered amazing views of the shoreline and beyond. Wish we had more time in Carmel by the Sea to explore the beach. The hour given isn’t enough for getting a bite to eat, view the beach and shop for trinkets. All in all was a scenic day. Driver Don with GreyLine was great, lots of insight.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We're so glad Don's care, organization, and dedication made your experience so enjoyable. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments. We hope to see you again soon!😊
via Tripadvisor
12hrs in California
We were picked up 40mins late. The excuse was traffic restrictions because of a road race. It then took more than an hour to get out of SF. This could have been planned for by the tour company. The bus was not in a great state of repair. It had a cracked windscreen a bad seat and damaged bodywork. The guide/ driver was pleasant enough but did not offer a "guided tour" and only spoke occasionally on the long trip to Monteray and on the two hour trip back from Carmel. Our stops in Monteray and Carmel were only 30 mins and 120 mins. If you see this tour as a long journey to Monteray and back with about 3.5 hrs in the towns and Pebble Beach Drive it could be for you. We were quite disappointed.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that your Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Coast experience did not meet expectations. We understand how frustrating the delayed pickup and extended travel time must have been, especially when it affected the overall pacing of the day. We also regret that the vehicle condition and level of guiding did not reflect the standard we aim to provide. Your comments regarding communication, timing, and overall experience have been noted and will be reviewed carefully with our operations team. While we’re glad to hear your guide was pleasant, we understand that the overall experience felt disappointing and not as immersive as expected. Feedback like yours is important in helping us improve both planning and guest experience delivery. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, and we’re sorry the tour did not live up to your expectations.
via Viator
A day in Monterey
Beautiful sightseeing coast, with Monterey Bay and restaurants , the awesome beaches and golf areas, very far from Sah Francisco, I recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you so much for the 5 stars! We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed the beautiful coastal scenery around Monterey, Carmel, and the Pacific Coast, as well as the beaches, golf areas, and dining spots along the way. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on another adventure soon!
via Viator
Beautiful coastal trip
Loved this trip. Beautiful scenery down the coast and enjoyed all the stops. So much to see and do. Loved Monterey and Carmel by the Sea
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing this! We’re really glad you loved the trip and got to enjoy the beautiful coastal views and all the stops along the way. Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea are such special places—happy to hear they stood out to you. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to see you again on another adventure soon!
via Viator
Best Bus Tour
Don is an excellent tour guide. He is very knowledgeable. Took us to Monterey, Pebble Beach and Carmel all beautiful places. He gave clear instructions where the bus would be parked so no one could get lost. I highly recommended him for your adventure. Job well done Don. Thank you!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed exploring Monterey, Pebble Beach, and Carmel with Don. It’s great to hear that his knowledge and clear guidance made your adventure smooth and memorable. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 29
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.
How much does Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco cost?
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Prices start at $139 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Francisco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco take?
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Plan for about 11 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 Francisco is not rushed.
Is Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 82 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco?
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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, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco?
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Around 29 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 Francisco 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 Francisco and add a light layer if any part of the 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco?
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San Francisco packs Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa and the bay into day-trip range, which makes booking order matter more than anywhere else in the US. Alcatraz sells out weeks ahead, wine-country vans fill on weekends, and the best food walks in the Mission and Chinatown cap at a dozen people. Our ranking favours small groups and guides who live in the neighbourhood they walk. On Outty we rank every San Francisco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz, Chinatown, North Beach, Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History. 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 Francisco?
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September and October, the city's real summer, once the fog season breaks. 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 Francisco?
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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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