Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour worth booking?
Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour is a 4-hour experience in Pismo Beach, United States, from $12 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (9)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $12 per person
Experience California’s spectacular Big Sur coast on a flexible GPS-guided audio driving tour between Santa Maria and Monterey. Stories play automatically as you follow Highway 1 in either direction through beaches, seaside towns, state parks and dramatic coastal scenery. Highlights include PISMO BEACH, MORRO ROCK, HEARST CASTLE, PIEDRAS BLANCAS, MCWAY FALLS, BIXBY CREEK BRIDGE, POINT LOBOS and CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA. Hear stories of Indigenous history, Spanish settlement, wildlife and the legendary Pacific Coast Highway. Travel whenever you like, stop for viewpoints or attractions and complete the route at your own pace. Download before you leave; no mobile data or signal is needed during the tour.
What you get
About this experience
Experience California’s spectacular Big Sur coast on a flexible GPS-guided audio driving tour between Santa Maria and Monterey. Stories play automatically as you follow Highway 1 in either direction through beaches, seaside towns, state parks and dramatic coastal scenery. Highlights include PISMO BEACH, MORRO ROCK, HEARST CASTLE, PIEDRAS BLANCAS, MCWAY FALLS, BIXBY CREEK BRIDGE, POINT LOBOS and CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA. Hear stories of Indigenous history, Spanish settlement, wildlife and the legendary Pacific Coast Highway. Travel whenever you like, stop for viewpoints or attractions and complete the route at your own pace. Download before you leave; no mobile data or signal is needed during the tour.
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
- HIGHWAY 1: one-way controlled traffic near Rocky Creek through November 30, 2026.
- Attraction Tickets
- Smartphone or tablet
- Transportation (use your own vehicle)
- Parking fees
- In-person tour guide
What you'll see and do
Santa Maria
SANTA MARIA. Begin your coastal journey and hear how this Central Coast city grew from its early name, Central City, into modern Santa Maria.
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Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve
Oceano Dunes, one of the most expansive coastal dunes remaining in California offers visitors countless activities, from camping right on the sand and horse-back riding, to more hair raising adventurous options.
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Santa Barbara Wine Region
This region has a rich wine-making history dating back to 1782 when Father Junipero Serra, a Spanish Roman Catholic missionary, brought grape vines from Mexico to California and planted them here.
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Arroyo Grande
We'll tell you about the Spanish settlers who were determined to make Arroyo Grande a prosperous ranch and farm community as the land features a rich environmental ecosystem.
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Grover Beach
The name was not always Grover Beach. D.W. Grover first gave the town the name ‘The Town of Grover.’ The rather peculiar name lasted until 1959, when the town residents finally voted to change it… to something even more peculiar....
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Pismo Beach
The name ‘Pismo’ comes from the Chumash language and translates to tar.. And guess what, there are tar-springs nearby!
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Now if you’re into Monarch butterflies, Pismo Beach is the place to be!
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Montana de Oro State Park
The oceanside park, Montana De Oro, a State Park that features seven miles of shoreline, streams, canyons and hills, providing nature-lovers with plenty of activities in a pristine setting.
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San Luis Obispo
If you like bubblegum... this is the perfect place for you.. ok, well it’s actually uhh.. previously chewed bubblegum, but still. We'll give you the story.
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San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
If you are looking to visit some beautiful Mediterranean gardens or just take a relaxing stroll, this is the perfect spot.
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Morro Bay
Visitors can drive right up to the base of Morro Rock, thanks to a causeway that connects it to the shore. It’s quite close to the highway and a wonderful place to stop and stretch your legs… and snap some great pictures.
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Cayucos Pier
So if you've always wanted to walk on one of those long piers you see in the movies, here is your chance.
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The Whale Trail
There are over 100 Whale trail sites, which mark the best locations for spotting whales, on the west coast. California has 19 of them.
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Harmony
In this habitat, you can find over two dozen mammal species, including mountain lions and badgers, over 100 bird species and hundreds of terrestrial plant-life.
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Cambria
So we're coming up to a small town that, if you are a history buff, may be a place you want to check out! Cambria’s history has been painstakingly preserved by a dedicated band of volunteers at the Historical Society.
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As with most areas set aside for conservation, this park includes many different habitats including conserving things that date back thousands of years. Inside Hearst San Simeon State Park’s 3,400 acres sits the Pa-nu cultural reserve.
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Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center
We’ve got a pretty awesome point of interest you may be interested in.... but only if you like watching incredibly huge and adorable sea creatures in their natural habitat of course.
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Hearst Castle
If you are looking for a museum unlike any other, you're in luck! The San Simeon area is home to the famous hilltop mansion known as Hearst Castle. If you have the time, we highly recommend you check it out
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Piedras Blancas Light Station
This lighthouse was built in the 1800s and originally stood over 100 feet tall.
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Los Padres National Forest
As you drive this amazing coastline, keep an eye out for the critically endangered California Condor. You never know, you might just get lucky and spot one of these majestic, and incredibly-rare birds.
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Fort Hunter Ligget
Fort Hunter Liggett is the largest reserve command-post in the country with over 165,000 acres of land. It's about 15 miles to the northeast of us, on the other side of those mountains.
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Jade Cove
Monterey Jade is an extremely hard stone that ranges in colors from deep greens, to turquoise, silvered greens, to black. The most common color is a grayish green.
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We'll tell you about a super small hamlet.. And well… as the old saying goes "don't blink or you'll miss it". The most identifiable feature is the Lucia Lodge, which you'll soon see on the oceanside.
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One of the 29 Marine Life Protection Areas you can find and explore in this region is the 22 square mile region you'll be driving through.
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Esalen Institute
Founded in the early 60’s by two Stanford grads, the Esalen Institute is a non-profit retreat meant to help people explore alternative forms of consciousness.
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Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Pismo Beach
The tour starts at either Santa Maria or Monterey, although you can start anywhere along the route. The specific point for Santa Maria is Highway 101 at E Betteravia Road.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour stops at either Santa Maria or Monterey, although you can start anywhere along the route. The specific point for Monterey is the Pacific Coast Highway #101 and Highway 68, the Monterey Salines Highway.
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
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An unforgettable adventure
It was an AMAZING DRIVE full of beautiful scenery on BOTH sides of the road. Abundant wildlife and walks alongside the Pacific Coast were memories that won’t fade away soon. The narrator of the trip made reference to much of what we passed by and gave valuable insights, historical information and fun trivia that made the drive PERFECT! I would add that when you get close to Big Sur you begin an 80 +/- drive with no cell service (80 miles with 25-35 mph speed limits).
Response from the operator: Thank you for the 5⭐ review! It’s wonderful to hear the Big Sur drive left such a lasting impression and that the narration helped bring the journey to life with insights and stories. We also appreciate you pointing out the long stretch without cell service — it’s a helpful tip for anyone planning the same adventure. The manual narration trigger option, explained in the tutorial, is useful during those low‑signal sections to ensure nothing gets missed. Thanks again for sharing your experience with us!
via Viator
Doesn’t work without reception on your phone
The app worked well when we were in cellphone coverage, and I did download the entire trip from Santa Maria to Monterey ahead of time. When we lost cell signal (which was for over 2 hours, half the trip) I couldn’t access the app to play the trip from where we were. We didn’t close the app but we did switch to the radio in between the locations and it kept signing us out and we had to log back in. So we missed half of the trip, it was very disappointing. The stuff we did hear was interesting, I wish the whole thing had worked.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the parts of the tour you were able to listen to. The tour is fully available offline once it’s downloaded. Landscapes like steep cliffs or limited sky view are some of the external factors that impact GPS signal - which will make the narration stop automatically playing. The Troubleshooting Tips at the beginning of the tour explain how to manually play the narration if GPS reception drops along the way. We’re sorry this interrupted your experience, and we appreciate you taking the time to let us know.
via Tripadvisor
Great drive
This was a really fun trip. The app was informative and funny, and we liked the trivia. Highly recommend
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the 5 ⭐ review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the drive. It’s great to hear the app’s mix of info, humor, and trivia made the trip even more fun. Thanks for letting us help make your drive more enjoyable 🚗😁 We really appreciate the recommendation!
via Tripadvisor
A little information and Dad Jokes
Good info, but would’ve liked more. Dad Jokes were silly, great for families.
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the 4 stars! We’re glad you enjoyed the drive and the mix of local info along the way. We keep the narration timed to the route so guests don’t miss any of the viewpoints or POIs as they’re driving, especially along the Big Sur coastline. The dad jokes definitely lean into the family‑friendly vibe, and it’s great to hear they landed for you. Thanks for taking the tour with us!
via Tripadvisor
Great and affordable add to road trip!
Loved the tour but had a little bit of trouble with the service after we hit a road closure and had to turn back. Otherwise we thoroughly enjoyed what we learned and highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thanks for the great review! We're so happy you found our tour to be a great and affordable addition to your road trip and that you thoroughly enjoyed what you learned. We're sorry to hear about the trouble with the service after hitting a road closure. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and feedback. We hope you'll join us on another tour soon!
via Tripadvisor
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
- 3
- 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 runsWhy this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Pismo Beach.
How much does Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour 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 Pismo Beach usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour 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 Pismo Beach is not rushed.
Is Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour 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 (3.7/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Pismo Beach, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving 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 Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour 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 Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour?
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Around 3 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 Pismo Beach 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 Pismo Beach and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving 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 Pismo Beach 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 Pismo Beach?
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Pismo Beach, CA packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Pismo Beach by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Pismo Beach experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Pismo Beach, California, Surf Lessons, 1-Hour Electric Bike Rental Pismo Beach, Guided E-Bike Tour of Pismo Beach, Shell Beach and Avila Beach. 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 Pismo Beach?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Pismo Beach, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. 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 Pismo Beach?
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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.
What is included in Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour?
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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; and Good mobile or WiFi connection needed for the initial download. Not included: HIGHWAY 1: one-way controlled traffic near Rocky Creek through November 30, 2026; Attraction Tickets; Smartphone or tablet; and Transportation (use your own vehicle). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour?
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The tour starts at either Santa Maria or Monterey, although you can start anywhere along the route. The specific point for Santa Maria is Highway 101 at E Betteravia Road. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour offered in?
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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 Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour?
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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 Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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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 Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Pismo Beach. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Santa Maria–Monterey Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour?
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Across 9 reviews averaging 3.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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