San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Quick answer
Is San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour worth booking?
San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour is a 11-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $15 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 11 hours
- From
- $15 per person
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Monterey with a tour that plays from your phone as you go. Follow clear GPS directions, hear local stories, and stop whenever the coast calls your name. Cruise past
What you get
About this experience
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Monterey with a tour that plays from your phone as you go. Follow clear GPS directions, hear local stories, and stop whenever the coast calls your name. Cruise past ocean cliffs, surf towns, beaches, and redwood groves as you make your way down Highway 1. See the Golden Gate Bridge, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Bay. Watch waves crash at rugged overlooks, look for sea lions near the shore, and learn why this road is one of California’s most loved drives. Along the way, hear fun stories about beach towns, old missions, shipwrecks, wildlife, and the people who shaped the coast. Your phone points out scenic stops, photo spots, food ideas, and short side trips, so you do not miss the best parts. The tour works without cell service once it is set up. You can start, pause, and replay it any time, and keep it for future trips. Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours
What's included
Included
- Pause, rewind, or replay anytime
- Lifetime access after purchase
- Built-in turn-by-turn route guidance
- Self-paced experience with no fixed start time
- Storytelling based on firsthand travel and research
- GPS-triggered audio with automatic playback at each stop
- Offline access after download
Not included
- Private Transportation
- Entrance Fees
- Parking Fees
- Meals & Refreshments
What you'll see and do
Pacifica State Beach
Start or end your PCH journey with the most scenic Taco Bell in the world, located right on Pacifica Beach. This is just an optional stop for fun.
10 minutes here
Devil's Slide Trail
This walking and biking trail is located on a disused portion of Highway 1. This 1.3-mile one way hike, or 2.6 mile round trip, is right along the cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean, offering stellar views of the coast. Benches along the road offer plentiful opportunities to rest and enjoy the view. There is a small parking lot on either side of the hike.
60 minutes here
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
A short but steep path leads down to a popular, sandy beach framed by cliffs on both sides.
30 minutes here
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
This family-friendly park invites people to explore and help preserve the shoreline. The park provides a self-guided walking tour that helps interpret the bluffs and the beaches, which include a number of tidepools. Just a 10 minute walk from the parking lot and ranger station takes you to the beach and tidepools.
60 minutes here
Pillar Point Harbor
One of the last remaining working fishing harbors in California. See what the local fishermen are up to, or grab a meal, a drink, or a souvenir in the shops and restaurants down by the harbor.
30 minutes here
Half Moon Bay is a popular day trip from the Bay Area. Main Street is full of enticing shops and restaurants, perfect for a break from driving or exploring beaches.
30 minutes here
Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail
The 11-mile Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail traces the shoreline along Half Moon Bay, with mostly easy paths and unobstructed views. We take you to access points, on either side of the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
60 minutes here
One of the wilder beaches on this stretch of PCH, San Gregorio features a log-strewn beach and a couple sea caves to explore. The sea caves are to the right, as you walk down to the beach.
30 minutes here
One of the tallest lighthouses on the west coast, Pigeon Point is an automated lighthouse with grounds open for exploring. There's also a hostel on the premises.
15 minutes here
Ano Nuevo State Reserve
Año Nuevo State Park is famous as home to a colony of elephant seals. The seals are visible by walking a moderately difficult, 3 mile round-trip hike. During the breeding season in the winter, the park runs guided tours which are the only way to view the seals. Besides the elephant seals, the park offers easy beach access, a visitor center with exhibits on marine wildlife, and historical buildings from the park's time as a dairy farm.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Cotoni-coast Dairies National Monument
This is one of the only onshore portions of the California Coastal National Monument, protecting open ranch land and small forests including some redwoods. From one trailhead, visitors can access a chain of three loop trails, starting easy and getting progressively more challenging.
60 minutes here
Shark Fin Cove
This unmarked cove right off Highway 1 includes a beach and a large offshore rock that resembles the fin on top of a shark. Cliffs surrounding the cove provide unobstructed views of the beautiful spot. Access to the beach is down a steep path.
10 minutes here
Natural Bridges State Beach
Rock formations with natural arches sit in the water just offshore this family-friendly beach. Next to the visitor center, a eucyalyptus forest is a popular winter destination for migrating monarch butterflies.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
West Cliff Drive
This beautiful road clings to the coast as it passes a residential area and a park that includes a surfing museum. Easy, paved pathways are perfect for strolling, enjoying the views of Monterey Bay, and for watching people surf down on Steamer Lane, one of the most popular surfing spots in the area.
5 minutes here
Santa Cruz Wharf
Seafood restaurants and tourist shops dominate this wharf stretching over 2,000 feet into the ocean. Sea lions often congregate in the timbers below, providing an appropriate maritime ambience. The wharf is located next to Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk, and is a more affordable place to park while exploring this busy part of Santa Cruz.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Old-fashioned fun abounds in this boardwalk amusement park open since 1907. The park is known for its giant corn dogs, saltwater taffy, arcade games, and the Giant Dipper, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the United States. The park is open year round, but some attractions have seasonal hours.
60 minutes here
Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
This heavily-forested park protects old growth and second growth redwood forests. Trails range from easy to challenging, though we suggest sticking to the trailhead at the very front of the park for the Old Growth Loop Trail and the Twisted Grove, where redwoods twisted over time to compensate for the ground shift from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which was centered in the park.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Moss Landing State Beach
Moss Landing is located at the mouth of the Elkhorn Slough estuary, which is known as a popular wildlife watching hotspot. Harbor seals, abundant birdlife, and best of all, sea otters can be viewed onshore. Nearby businesses offer kayak rentals and wildlife watching tours. On the other side of the dunes is the beach, where you may spot people surfing in the waves.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Francisco
San Francisco–Highway 1 southbound just south of the highway interchange with Highway 35.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Highway 1 southbound, east of Monterey near Exit 404 for Sand 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
- Shaka Guide Apps
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
- The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
- Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
- Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
- Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
- The route passes through Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, where you’ll find numerous dining and shopping options.
- Cell service can be inconsistent along portions of the coast.
- Many beaches and viewpoints require walking on uneven terrain.
- The average tour duration is approximately a full day.
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 11 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
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.
How much does San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour cost?
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Prices start at $15 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 San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour 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 San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 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 San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour?
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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 San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour 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 San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour?
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Around 0 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 San Francisco to Monterey Pacific Coast Highway Audio Tour 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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