Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
3.4/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey worth booking?
Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey is a 2-hour experience in Monterey & Carmel, United States, from $12 per person. It scores 54 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
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 3.4/5 (5)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $12 per person
Connect your smartphone to your vehicle's stereo and listen to a tour guide while you drive between San Francisco & Monterey! Follow the suggested route along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic drives in
What you get
About this experience
Connect your smartphone to your vehicle's stereo and listen to a tour guide while you drive between San Francisco & Monterey! Follow the suggested route along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the world! Start anywhere along the route between Monterey & San Francisco. Tour experience is the same in either direction. Tour highlights include El Granada, Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio, Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, Shark Fin Cove & more. We'll point out must-see sights, state parks, and tourist attractions and give a historical overview of the area and its original inhabitants. With no time constraints, enjoy the freedom to stop anywhere and explore. Tour guide commentary will play automatically as you drive. No data is used during the tour. This audio guide will keep your group entertained and engaged! Many points of interest also have 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 app
- No signal required or data used during tour
- Good mobile or WiFi connection needed for the initial download
Not included
- **Recommended attractions may be closed/inaccessible due to season or reasons beyond our control.
- Smartphone or tablet
- Transportation (use your own vehicle)
What you'll see and do
San Francisco
Today, San Fran, as it’s colloquially known, stands as a hallmark of cultural diversity, technological innovation, and iconic landmarks.
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We'll tell you about this notoriously steep and rocky coastal route, with its storied history, going back to the Ocean Shore Railroad's ambitious plans to connect San Francisco and Santa Cruz.
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Montara
Montara, home to Montara State Beach, offers stunning views of cliffs that drop precipitously into the Pacific Ocean, creating a dramatic backdrop for all sorts of outdoor activities.
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Moss Beach
Moss Beach is particularly known a protected area where tide pools are rich with marine life like starfish and anemones.
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Montara Point Lighthouse
An historic lighthouse that has been guiding mariners since 1875 and now serves as a ... we'll tell you what.
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El Granada
You’ll pass by the coastal town of El Granada, known for its unique concentric-circular street layout and hear about the Pillar Point breakwater and it's gigantic waves called.... we'll tell you all about them!
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Half Moon Bay
Hear about Half-Moon Bay's historic and quite "interesting" beginnings and it's a narrative of daring spirits and natural splendors that shape it today.
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San Gregorio
You'll hear about San Gregorio, a booming town in the 1850's, and San Gregorio State Beach, renowned for its cleanliness.
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You'll see the California Coastal National Monument. But.. where??? I'm sure you're wondering. Well, we'll tell you!
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Pescadero
You'll hear about Pescadero, Spanish for "Fishmonger," a small town dating back to the 19th century now a mix of farming, tourism and ranching.
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Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve
Hear about how the Pescadero Marsh is vital habitat for a number of species, both migratory and native.
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You'll get to hear from someone who played a significant role in the lighthouse's history.
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Ano Nuevo State Reserve
As you cruise along scenic Highway 1, you'll hear about the stunning biodiversity and rich history of Año Nuevo State Park. The park’s main attraction is it’s .... we'll be sure to let you know.
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Davenport
So what’s there to do in Davenport? Well, you could go to jail… seriously! Hear how....
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Shark Fin Cove
So if you’re into photography, or impressing your social media followers with epic views, we’ve got something special .. Shark Fin Cove!
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You'll hear about some parking areas along the highway for some pretty scenic beaches and their claim to fame.
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Wilder Ranch State Park
The park proudly hosts a collection of historic buildings, including an elegant Victorian home from 1897 and water-powered machine shop, echoing tales from a bygone era, breathing life into the rich history of the late 19th century.
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Natural Bridges State Beach
This 65-acre marvel stands as a testament to the relentless artistry of nature. Hear why.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz's historic Boardwalk is a meeting point of nostalgia and modern excitement along the breathtaking Monterey Bay. It's been operating since 1907, and has two roller coasters that are National Historic Landmarks!
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Santa Cruz
Nestled on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a city full of eclectic-culture, scenic beaches, and cutting-edge technology. You'll hear some of its history and how it fares today.
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Aptos
The fascinating town you'll be driving through, Aptos, is actually made up of several charming villages.
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Watsonville
Hear about the city of Watsonville, where the 'Ohlone nation' of Indigenous Californians first inhabited the land.
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Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
This 7-mile-long tidal slough and estuary is a jewel in California's natural landscape.... we'll tell you why.
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This area holds the distinction of being the largest untouched salt marsh on the California coast, characterized by ... we'll let you know!
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Castroville
A small town with a big reputation!
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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
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 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
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
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
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
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
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
Why this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Monterey & Carmel.
How much does Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey 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 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 Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey take?
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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 Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 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 Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey?
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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 Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey suitable for kids and families?
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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 Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey?
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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?
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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 Monterey & Carmel and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey 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 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?
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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, Elkhorn Slough Wildlife 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?
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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?
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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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