Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria
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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
4.1/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria worth booking?
Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria is a 4-hour experience in Los Angeles, United States, from $12 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (14)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $12 per person
Hook your smartphone up to your vehicle's stereo and listen to a tour guide while you drive! Follow the suggested route along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the world! Start anywhere along t
What you get
About this experience
Hook your smartphone up to your vehicle's stereo and listen to a tour guide while you drive! Follow the suggested route along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the world! Start anywhere along the route between Los Angeles & Santa Maria. The tour experience is the same in either direction. Pass the famous Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Carpinteria, Getty Villa Museum & some of the world’s most famous beaches. We'll point out must-see sights, parks, tourist attractions & recreation areas & give a historical overview of the area and its original inhabitants. With no time constraints, enjoy the freedom to stop anywhere & explore. Tour guide commentary will play automatically as you drive, using an easy to navigate GPS map. No data is used during the tour. This audio guide will keep your group entertained & engaged. Each point of interest has a fun multiple-choice trivia question about the sights. Trust the platform with over 75 tours & 25,000+ happy customers.
What's included
Included
- No time constraints, take as long as you like to complete the tour
- Only 1 tour booking needed per vehicle
- Flexible dates - tour is yours to keep and enjoy anytime on Tripvia Tours.
- No signal required or data used during tour
- Good mobile or WiFi connection needed for the initial download
Not included
- Smartphone or tablet
- Transportation (use your own vehicle)
- Attraction Tickets
- **Recommended attractions may be closed/inaccessible due to season or reasons beyond our control.
What you'll see and do
Loyola Marymount University
The product of a merger between Loyola College and Marymount College, the school is institutionally committed to Roman Catholicism.
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Marina del Rey
If you love boats, this is the ideal spot for some boatwatching. Developed in the 1950’s, the marina has become North America’s largest man-made small-craft harbor.
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Venice
Welcome to the Los Angeles neighborhood of Venice, home of Venice Beach and the Venice Canals!
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Santa Monica State Beach
You’ll be passing by a couple of pretty spectacular beaches. The Will-Rogers State Beach and the famous Santa Monica Beach.
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The Getty Villa
If you’re into Italian villas filled with ancient Greek and-Roman artifacts, the Getty Villa Museum is a must-see attraction! We'll also tell you about the affluent Pacific Palisades neighbourhood.
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Tuna Canyon Park
A couple of amazing parks and home to hiking-trails through native forests complete with stunning views of the coastline and beaches.
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Malibu
There's a lot-to-do in Malibu!! Long hailed as the city of sun, surf and sand, Malibu City spans 21 miles of beautiful California beach.
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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
A fantastic 30 mile-long stretch of land running from the coast inland in what's known as a Mediterranean climate ecosystem.
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The City of Malibu, which we’ll be driving through, has a long and storied past. The historical Adamson-House is a great example, and a must-see for history-buffs.
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Zumba beach
We'll introduce you to the famous Zuma Beach with its broad and sandy beach and the popular filming location, Point Dume.
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El Matador State Beach
Just one of Malibu's beaches, the El Matador is studded with massive, unique rock-formations.
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Nicholas Canyon Beach
Hear about the Chumash people who lived here almost 8,000 years ago and had an extensive trading system throughout California.
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Just off the coast, the reef is one of Malibu’s coastal scuba-diving sites offering a wonderland of things to see. We'll tell you all about it.
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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
You'll be driving by inland-bluffs, which are actually the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountain range.
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Point Mugu State Park
Here you'll find miles of hiking-trails, canyons and great views of one of the highest peaks in the Santa Monica Mountains, Boney Mountain.
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Point Mugu Missile Park
If you visit the park, you’ll see all kinds of missiles like the Polaris, the first U.S. submarine-launched ballistic missile.
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Port Hueneme
As the name suggests, there is a port on the shores of the city. In fact, it's the only deep-water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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Oxnard
California supplies over 85 percent of US strawberries, with a third of that coming from right here in the Oxnard valley.
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At 84 miles long and draining several mountain watersheds, the Santa Clara is the largest natural river system in Southern California.
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Ventura County Coast
The county you'll be driving through, is home to roughly 825,000 Californians, most of whom live within the coastal plains at the foot of the Topatopa Mountains. We'll tell you why it's so popular.
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Mission Basilica San Buenaventura
Located in the heart of downtown Ventura, we'll give you some of history of this still active Catholic parish, museum and tourist-attraction.
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Emma Wood State Beach
This section of the Pacific Coast Highway takes us right past a couple more scenic beaches in Solimar & Emma Wood-state-beaches.
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We'll tell you a bit about earthquakes and how the point was created.
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You'll hear the interesting story behind a very small island connected by a very long pier. That’s Rincon Island and the Richfield Pier!
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The locals are very protective of these bluffs. So far they have raised $6.9 million in trust to create the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature-Preserve.
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Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Los Angeles
The tour starts or stops at either Los Angeles or Santa Maria, although you can start anywhere along the route. The specific point for Los Angeles is the Pacific Coast Highway #1, at the Los Angeles International Airport.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour starts or stops at either Los Angeles or Santa Maria, although you can start anywhere along the route. The specific point for Santa Maria is the Pacific Coast Highway #101, just south of the city.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tripvia Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
14 verified traveler reviews for Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Interesting facts shared.
Once we were on the PCH the "tour guide" would just start talking as we approached a point of interest. I had expected turn by turn directions, which it does not provide. We did use our personal GPS from the airport to the PCH then it just worked in the background. Interesting facts were shared. I am glad we used it.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the wonderful review! We're happy to hear the tour worked smoothly in the background as you drove the PCH, and that the content made the trip more interesting. We’re also glad you chose to let us guide you along your journey! Safe travels! 🚗
via Tripadvisor
Great information on a lovely drive
This was a nice drive on the PCH with good information about the area and history. We are definitely glad we purchased it for our drive. We were planning to stop at Santa Barbara but after buying it (while driving) we went all the way to Santa Maria. We would definitely buy another one from them.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the wonderful review. We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the drive along the PCH and that the tour added even more to your trip - even inspiring you to continue on to Santa Maria. If you'd like to keep your road trip adventure going, the next stretch north from Santa Maria to Monterey (Big Sur) is a beautiful continuation and part of our four‑part Pacific Coast Highway series! We’re so glad you joined us for the journey. 🚗🌞
via Tripadvisor
Unable to get this one...
Unable to get this one working for me so it was a wash. Normally can get viator apps to work well maybe I’m just not understanding how this one works, but I wasn’t able to use it.
Response from the operator: We understand your disappointment and would like to make it right. Please contact us directly so we can discuss how we can make things better for you.
via Viator
Geography Lesson
This was like being in 6th grade social studies/ecology class. Extremely boring with facts pretty much limited to land formations and geography. The quizzes were trite. Overall not what I was hoping to hear. No humor or fun facts about the area.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the experience didn't meet your expectations. We strive to make our content engaging and informative for all ages. We'll take your comments into consideration as we work to improve our tours.
via Viator
Made the trip more interesting even if you know some of the areas!
Made the trip fun with little facts and trivia questions along the way! Even if you're familiar with one of the POI, it the story behind it might not be something you know. It was great that gps automatically played when you're coming up on the new spot. Little quirky to get back on track if you don't want to stop at the POI and want to continue on. Definitely worth it for the price!!
Response from the operator: Thanks for the wonderful review! We are delighted that our audio tour made your trip fun! Thank you for sharing your positive thoughts.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 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
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Los Angeles.
How much does Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria cost?
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Prices start at $12 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Los Angeles usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria take?
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Plan for about 4 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 Los Angeles is not rushed.
Is Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Los Angeles, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria?
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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 Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria?
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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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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Los Angeles rewards travellers who cluster their bookings by geography rather than by theme. Studio tours and Hollywood walks sit inland, the Malibu and Santa Monica coast runs west, and Griffith Observatory and the canyon hikes work best at dawn or dusk. We weight transport clarity in the ranking here: whether pickup is included changes an LA day more than the tour itself. On Outty we rank every Los Angeles experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hollywood Sign 2.5-Hour Tour with Comedians and Their Dogs, Los Angeles Hollywood Sign Hike: Front, Behind, and Expert Guide, Los Angeles Original 90-Minute Walking Tour to The Hollywood Sign. 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 Los Angeles?
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March to May and September to November, for clear air and open canyon roads. 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 Los Angeles?
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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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