Monterey & Carmel Tour with Optional Monterey Bay Aquarium
12 Hours | Round-Trip Transportation
Aquarium | Carmel | 17-Mile Scenic Drive
Small groups. World Class Town.
World Class Aquarium.
The coastline south of San Francisco unfolds in dramatic fashion, where the land meets the Pacific in a continuous display of cliffs, surf, and character-filled towns. Traveling this stretch is less about the destination and more about immersing yourself in one of California’s most distinctive coastal landscapes.
This tour is a chance to experience the abundance of the coast with a special visit to Monterey and its world class Aquarium, the rugged wave-filled California Coast and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
After a drive from San Francisco through farms and historic towns, we arrive in the town of Monterey. The town was the center of fish canning in the first part of the 20th century. At one point, the 30 canneries were canning over 1.4 million cases of sardines annually!
The town is also home to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Perched on the edge of the Bay, the Aquarium offers an up-close look at one of the most biologically diverse marine environments in the world. Immersive exhibits feature sea otters, jellyfish, and living kelp forests. A visit combines wonder, education, and a strong commitment to protecting ocean life.
The tour continues along the waterfront through Pacific Grove and then into the 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. The drive of oceanfront estates and sweeping Pacific views define this stretch of road. Photo stops are available at landmarks such as Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, Lovers Point, and Point Pinos.
Our final stop is Carmel-by-the-Sea, a picturesque seaside town that has been a destination for artists, free-spirits and film industry folks for over 100 years. Visitors can wander through one-of-a-kind shops and enjoy baked treats or coffee from the many locally owned cafés along the way.
As we head back toward San Francisco, the coastal route provides sweeping ocean scenery and memorable photo opportunities. At certain times of year, the journey is capped off by a dramatic sunset over the water.
Aquarium Ticket (optional)
Cannery Row
Scenic 17 Mile Drive
Hotel Pickup / Dropoff
Sample Itinerary
| 6:30 – 7:00 am | Pickup from your San Francisco hotel in most downtown and waterfront areas including Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and Lombard, among others. |
| 7:00 – 9:30 am | Enjoy a relaxing drive south past Silicon Valley and through Gilroy and Castroville, the garlic and artichoke capitals of the world. We then arrive in Monterey, passing its Fisherman’s Wharf and arriving at world-famous Cannery Row. |
| 9:30-10:00 am | Grab a coffee and fresh pastry in Cannery Row’s Steinbeck Plaza. |
| 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Plenty of time to enjoy the Aquarium. Whether its jellyfish, otters or whale bones, you will be amazed, educated and inspired. |
| 12:30 – 2:00 pm | Drive along the rocky shores of Pacific Grove, known as “Butterfly Town USA” because of the thousands of Monarchs which migrate every year. Your guides know the best, local spots for viewing sea otters and can take time for tide-pooling and seeing local starfish and hermit crabs. We will drive down the private 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, California for famous vistas, exquisite homes, and maybe some local wildlife. Stops along the way may include Bird and Seal Rock and the Lone Cypress. |
| 2:00- 3:00 pm | Carmel by the Sea, a relaxed coastal atmosphere with charming boutiques and inviting bakeries. This beloved seaside town is a favorite retreat for artists, creatives, and longtime residents alike. |
| 3:00 – 6:00 pm | Traveling north along California’s Highway 1, we make our way back towards San Francisco. Along the drive we will drive through Santa Cruz in search of the perfect sunset to top-off our day. |
*Tour times are approximate
What you can expect with Best Bay Area Tours
You get to learn more: From the time of morning pickup at your San Francisco hotel to drop off in the late afternoon, your guide shares anecdotes and history about the places you get to visit on this full-day experience.
You’ll be entertained: What’s the point of doing a tour if you can’t have fun? Every aspect of your tour has been carefully thought out so you get the most out of your visit to the Bay Area.
You get a truly local experience: Best Bay Area Tours is owned and operated by San Francisco locals. We create intimate, relaxed experiences that allow you to truly get to know all the beauty and bounty of the region.
FAQs
How long is the tour?
The tour is 12 hours long. We begin pick up at almost all SF hotels at 6:00 and plan to return at approximately 6:00. We ask guest to be flexible in case of traffic and weather.
How far is Monterey from San Francisco?
Depending on traffic, a straight shot with no stops can take 2.5 hours.
Is the entrance to the Aquarium included in the price?
Yes it is. And our deal with the Aquarium lets guest jump the ticket line.
How much time will we have at the Aquarium?
We are in Monterey for 2.5 hours, and guests can spend any or all of their time at the Aquarium.
Are there photo stops along the coast?
Absolutely. The coast is too spectacular not to stop.
What should we wear?
With the unpredictable fog on the California Coast, the weather can change drastically on a dime. Therefore (on this tour and on any day in San Francisco) we recommend wearing layer so you can be ready for anything.
Is this tour suitable for children and seniors?
Ablosutely. This is tour for the whole family.
Is food included in the tour? What food options are available?
Because of the wide range of guests, we do not include food in the ticket price. Before the Aaquarium opens, there will be time for coffee and pastries. There are restaurants all along Cannery Row in Monterey and there is a cafeteria in the Aquarium. There are also cafes in Carmel. Passengers are welcome to bring their own food.
Our Cancellation Policy
Parties of 4 persons or less, fully refundable up until 24 hours ahead of departure time. Within 24 hours of departure time, non-refundable.
Parties of 5 more subject to a 20 percent cancellation fee up until 24 hours prior to departure time. Within 24 hours of departure time, non-refundable.
Failure to confirm your pick up and/or no shows are non-refundable.
Tour Pricing
| Adults | Children (17 and under) | |
| Tour Price (with Aquarium) | $249 | $229 |
| Tour Price (without Aquarium) | $184 | $179 |
Always Small Groups
We don’t do big bus tours. We create intimate, relaxed experiences that allow you to truly get to know the Bay Area and its surrounding region.
Best Bay Area Tours Reviews
4.9 Stars (out of 5) from 896 Google Reviews
K S
★★★★★
This tour was fantastic! It was the perfect balance of guidance and free time. Had we tried to visit the park on our own, we would not have got to everything we were able to hit on this tour. Brian was a fantastic guide…
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and shared a lot of interesting stories and facts that made us appreciate the park more. We are looking forward to coming back for another tour!
M U
★★★★★
Brian was an excellent guide. Extremely knowledgeable about the sites and history. He kept the drive fun and interesting, and he set up telescopes for us to spot climbers on El Capitan. It is clear that he loves his job and…
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has a passion for nature and the parks. This just makes the experience all the more enjoyable, and Brian works hard to ensure everyone has the best experience possible.
The entire process of working with the tour company was fantastic. They kept us updated on meeting times and locations, and they were very understanding and accommodating when 2 Uber drivers and 1 lift driver cancelled on us. Brian redirected us to one of the later pick up points to ensure we didn’t miss the tour and miss out on this fantastic experience.
C P
★★★★★
Excellent tour from start to finish. Our guide was informative and enthusiastic! He even made the morning drive out enjoyable with an excellent playlist! Yosemite was breathtaking. We had multiple stops and never once felt…
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rushed. If you only have one day to spend in the park, this is the trip for you!