San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive in Monterey & Carmel, United States
Monterey & Carmel, United States

San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive

Outty Ranking 53 3.4 · 5 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $12
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Outty Ranking

53/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.4/5

Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive worth booking?

San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive is a 2-hour experience in Monterey & Carmel, United States, from $12 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.4/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
53 / 100
Rating
3.4/5 (5)
Duration
2 hours
From
$12 per person

Turn the Pacific Coast Highway between San Francisco and Monterey into a flexible, self-guided road trip. GPS-triggered stories play automatically through your smartphone as you pass Devil’s Slide, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Pigeon Point, Año Nuevo, Shark Fin Cove, Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz and Elkhorn Slough. Start at either end, drive in either direction, pause for viewpoints and explore on your schedule. Pigeon Point’s grounds remain open, although the lighthouse tower is closed for restoration. Download before departure; no signal is required during the tour. Transportation, parking, attraction admission, a smartphone and an in-person guide are not included.

What you get

    About this experience

    Turn the Pacific Coast Highway between San Francisco and Monterey into a flexible, self-guided road trip. GPS-triggered stories play automatically through your smartphone as you pass Devil’s Slide, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Pigeon Point, Año Nuevo, Shark Fin Cove, Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz and Elkhorn Slough. Start at either end, drive in either direction, pause for viewpoints and explore on your schedule. Pigeon Point’s grounds remain open, although the lighthouse tower is closed for restoration. Download before departure; no signal is required during the tour. Transportation, parking, attraction admission, a smartphone and an in-person guide are not included.

    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 app
    • 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 admission
    • Parking fees
    • In-person tour guide

    What you'll see and do

    1. San Francisco

      SAN FRANCISCO. Begin a scenic Pacific Coast drive from this landmark city of neighbourhoods, hills and waterfront views.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. DEVIL’S SLIDE. Follow the dramatic former Highway 1 alignment above steep coastal cliffs and sweeping ocean scenery.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Montara

      MONTARA. Pass this coastal community, Montara State Beach and the northern reaches of the California Coast Ranges.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Moss Beach

      MOSS BEACH. Discover a quiet seaside community beside protected tide pools and rich marine habitat.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Montara Point Lighthouse

      MONTARA POINT LIGHTHOUSE. View the historic 1875 lighthouse that still marks this rugged stretch of coast.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. El Granada

      EL GRANADA. Pass the town’s distinctive circular street plan, Pillar Point Harbour and the nearby Coastal Trail.

      Pass by without stopping

    7. Half Moon Bay

      HALF MOON BAY. Explore a lively coastal town known for beaches, harbour scenery and a colourful local history.

      Pass by without stopping

    8. San Gregorio

      SAN GREGORIO. Pass the historic village and its broad state beach on a scenic stretch of Highway 1.

      Pass by without stopping

    9. CALIFORNIA COASTAL NATIONAL MONUMENT. Look across protected offshore rocks and islands that shelter wildlife along the coast.

      Pass by without stopping

    10. Pescadero

      PESCADERO. Pass a charming farming and ranching community with roots reaching back to the 19th century.

      Pass by without stopping

    11. Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

      PESCADERO MARSH NATURAL PRESERVE AND GREYHOUND ROCK. See vital wetland habitat and a dramatic coastal viewpoint along Highway 1.

      Pass by without stopping

    12. PIGEON POINT LIGHTHOUSE. View the historic tower from the open grounds while its interior remains closed for restoration.

      Pass by without stopping

    13. Ano Nuevo State Reserve

      AÑO NUEVO STATE PARK. Pass a renowned elephant-seal colony where viewing access varies by season and may require a permit or guided walk.

      Pass by without stopping

    14. Davenport

      DAVENPORT. Pass a compact coastal town known for dramatic beaches, local history and striking ocean views.

      Pass by without stopping

    15. Shark Fin Cove

      SHARK FIN COVE. Spot the fin-shaped sea stack that makes this secluded cove one of the coast’s most memorable viewpoints.

      Pass by without stopping

    16. COTONI-COAST DAIRIES STATE BEACHES. Trace a string of scenic beaches and rugged coastal landscapes beside Highway 1.

      Pass by without stopping

    17. Wilder Ranch State Park

      WILDER RANCH STATE PARK AND REDWOOD COUNTRY. See the historic ranch complex and nearby state parks that protect towering coast redwoods; the park is open, although its store is temporarily closed.

      Pass by without stopping

    18. Natural Bridges State Beach

      NATURAL BRIDGES STATE BEACH. See the wave-carved rock arch, tide pools and seasonal monarch habitat at this active state beach.

      Pass by without stopping

    19. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

      SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK. Pass the historic oceanfront amusement park and its landmark wooden roller coasters.

      Pass by without stopping

    20. Santa Cruz

      SANTA CRUZ. Discover an eclectic seaside city known for beaches, surf culture and a lively waterfront.

      Pass by without stopping

    21. Aptos

      APTOS. Travel through a collection of charming coastal villages with deep roots in Santa Cruz County.

      Pass by without stopping

    22. Watsonville

      WATSONVILLE. Pass an agricultural city shaped by Indigenous Ohlone history and the fertile Pajaro Valley.

      Pass by without stopping

    23. Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

      ELKHORN SLOUGH NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE. See a seven-mile tidal estuary renowned for birdlife, sea otters and protected wetland habitat.

      Pass by without stopping

    24. MOSS LANDING WILDLIFE AREA. Look across expansive salt marshes and productive habitat beside Monterey Bay.

      Pass by without stopping

    25. Castroville

      CASTROVILLE. Pass the small farming town celebrated as the Artichoke Center of the World.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Monterey & Carmel

    The tour starts at either Monterey or San Francisco, although you can start anywhere along the route. Tour experience is the same in either direction.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The tour stops at either San Francisco or Monterey, although you can start anywhere along the route. Tour experience is the same in either direction.

    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
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive in Monterey & Carmel, photo 2San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive in Monterey & Carmel, photo 3San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive in Monterey & Carmel, photo 4San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive in Monterey & Carmel, photo 5San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive in Monterey & Carmel, photo 6San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive in Monterey & Carmel, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    The guide

    1 mention

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Pace and timing

    1 mention

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    5 verified traveler reviews for San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
    2
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    1
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    irsh4 · August 2026

    Didn’t work

    Didn’t work. Was not able to get it to work in the car

    Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re sorry to hear the tour didn’t work for you in the car - that’s definitely not the experience we want anyone to have. The guide normally plays through your phone’s speakers, a vehicle’s Bluetooth connection (or other external Bluetooth speaker) so we’d really like to understand what happened. If you’re open to it, please reach out to us at info@tripvia.tours with a few details about your setup so we can look into this and determine what the issue may have been.

    via Tripadvisor

    janta629 · November 2025

    I’ve used better tours.

    Other audio tours automatically played as I neared each location. This did not. There was interesting information given but the silly voices were annoying.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry the automatic playback feature did not work for you, as we designed the tour to auto-play seamlessly at each location. This usually points to a minor issue with the initial download or the device's GPS settings. We are glad you found the information to be interesting. We also appreciate your comment regarding the vocal styles and will certainly consider that feedback in our next content review.

    via Tripadvisor

    Kevin_N · October 2025

    Well worth the small investment

    Simple and easy to use. I would skip the first two stops and start driving to stop 3 and just play the audio for stops 1 and 2 on the way. Otherwise it was excellent

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are delighted to hear that you felt the audio guide was "well worth the small investment" and that you found it both "simple and easy to use." Your feedback that the overall experience was excellent is exactly what we strive for. We hope you enjoyed your time on the trail, and we look forward to assisting with your next adventure!

    via Viator

    loryg443 · December 2024

    Fun bit of trivia to listen to while driving along the coast

    Fun way to pass the time driving from San Francisco to Monterey. The app uses your current location to know what section to talk about, so wherever you are, it'll give the right tour guide details. We saw quite a few landmarks we'd never noticed before, and even stopped along the way a couple of times based on the info mentioned in the guide. When it's between speeches, the CarPlay reverted to the stereo, so we had something to listen to while waiting for the next landmark. Totally worth the $10.

    Response from the operator: Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! We're happy to hear that you learned something new on the tour. It's always our goal to provide insightful and interesting information about the history and culture of the area for a reasonable price.

    via Tripadvisor

    Sequel_P · August 2024

    Lot of fun, but....

    I loved the narration, really enjoyed what this was, but I wish the pinpoints/stops where actual sight seeing places. So you can learn about where you're going from stop to stop and be able to get out and explore and take photos. This was more about driving continuously and just listening. Having destinations would make it a more active experience.

    Response from the operator: Wonderful to know that you loved the narration telling you about the many points of interest you passed on your drive. Thank-you for taking time to leave us this nice review and to share your thoughts on how we can improve the tour. More actual stops to check out and explore...on it!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 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
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Tripvia Tours, who run 38 experiences we rank across 19 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.7.

    See everything Tripvia Tours runs

    Why this scores 53

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)54
    Review evidence (18% weight)26
    Booking momentum (14% weight)19
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)79
    Local standing (8% weight)20
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Monterey & Carmel.

    How much does San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive cost?

    +

    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 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 San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive take?

    +

    Plan for about 2 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 San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.4/5 across 5 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 San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive?

    +

    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 San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive?

    +

    Around 2 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?

    +

    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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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, 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive?

    +

    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 app; No signal required or data used during tour; and Good mobile or WiFi connection needed for the initial download. Not included: Smartphone or tablet; Transportation (use your own vehicle); Attraction admission; and Parking fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive?

    +

    The tour starts at either Monterey or San Francisco, although you can start anywhere along the route. Tour experience is the same in either direction. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and Wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Monterey & Carmel. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about San Francisco–Monterey Self-Guided Pacific Coast Audio Drive?

    +

    Across 5 reviews averaging 3.4 out of 5, recurring themes include value for money, the guide, photo opportunities. Travelers feel they got more than they paid for. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

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