Top Monterey & Carmel Architecture Tours

PLEASE NOTE: This is a self-guided audio tour Discover the seaside charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea—and enjoy an independent way to explore—with this self-led, smartphone audio tour. Upon booking, download the tour and set off at a time that works best for you. Your GPS-assisted tour works offline, and will guide you directly to the town’s top attractions, from local landmarks and art galleries to public parks and more. As you go, learn more about the town’s rich history.

Explore Carmel-by-the-Sea, a coastal village known for its storybook cottages, hidden courtyards, and artistic heritage, on a self-guided audio tour that plays automatically as you walk. Starting in the village center, you’ll follow a walkable route through charming streets, tucked-away passageways, and local landmarks. Along the way, visit places like the Tuck Box, El Paseo, the Carmel Art Association, and Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore, while uncovering the town’s history and its collection of whimsical architecture. You’ll also discover the courtyards, gardens, and small details that many visitors walk past without noticing. Explore at your own pace—pause for a coffee, browse galleries, or wander into a courtyard. The audio resumes whenever you’re ready, so you can take your time without keeping up with a group. This is a self-guided experience (no in-person guide). Download the tour in advance and use it anytime—it works offline and follows your location along the route.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a self-guided audio tour Explore the Carmel coastline on this self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour. Wind your way through the charming tree-lined streets of Carmel Point where you'll discover unique homes built on the one-time windswept treeless bluff. Take in stunning views of Point Lobos, Carmel Beach, and Carmel River State Beach. Along the way, learn about Carmel's famous houses, its flora and fauna, the movies filmed on the point, and the first softball league in the U.S.

Explore so many wonderful spots in Big Sur with this self-drive audio tour that goes down the Pacific Coast Highway, California’s Highway 1. Just download the app, then get the map and password, and your route is all there, marked for you. You can go at your own pace, and choose where you want to stop and spend a little extra time.

Explore Monterey’s famously scenic 17-Mile Drive along the Pacific Coast—and learn the stories behind the sights as you go—with this private self-led audio driving tour. Upon booking, download the tour and use it as many times as you like. The live GPS map will keep you on track, and the audio tour functions without Wi-Fi. See highlights like Cannery Row, Spanish Bay, Lone Cypress, and much more as you go.

Leave behind the awkward group walking tours and explore Carmel-by-the-Sea on your own, off the beaten path—but with a guide in your pocket. Using just your smartphone (the guide works offline), you’ll travel from Mary Austin’s Rose Cottage to the First Murphy House to the hidden Jane Powers Walkway and beyond. Stop and start as you like, learning about every nook and cranny you pass along the way.

Follow Highway 1 to the spectacular scenery of Big Sur—and enjoy a flexible, independent road trip experience—with this self-led smartphone audio tour. Once downloaded, the tour never expires, and you can use whenever suits you best. Set off from Carmel along the coast, discover famous vistas at the Bixby Canyon Bridge and Point Sur, and learn more about the region from the GPS-trigged audio commentary.

Look for whales as they migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of California on this whale-watching cruise from Monterey. Your naturalist guide shares commentary about the whales and their habitat as you search for gray whales (most common), humpback and blue whales, and other marine life such as dolphins and sea lions during your cruise.

Discover Monterey’s rich history on a self-guided audio tour that guides you from Cannery Row to Old Monterey. This immersive experience allows you to stroll the scenic waterfront, inspired by Steinbeck, while learning about the rise and decline of the sardine canneries. Explore significant landmarks like Colton Hall and the Custom House, and hear tales of the artists and seafarers who shaped this city. With GPS-triggered narration, you can uncover Monterey’s layered past at your own pace. - Self-guided audio tour with GPS-triggered narration - Explore historical sites like Colton Hall and the Custom House - Discover Monterey’s artistic and industrial heritage at your own pace

If you’d like to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Scenic Road but don’t want to be stuck in a group tour, try this Carmel-by-the-Sea Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour. This tour allows you to download the VoiceMap app on your smartphone and listen to the tour as you walk along the road at your own pace. Highlights include the Clinton Walker House - Frank Lloyd Wright, Carmel Beach Overlook, and La Playa Carmel Hotel.

Have a blast exploring Monterey with this app-led scavenger hunt and enjoy the magic. You’ll get to see the most entertaining sights in town, while learning about its history and culture, but you’ll have to answer trivia questions and solve challenges to unlock each new prompt. Enjoy this with a group of 10 or fewer people.

Explore the culinary delights of Carmel, just down the coast from Monterey, on this food and drink walking tour. With a knowledgeable foodie guide, you’ll learn about the history and gourmet culture of Carmel, an upscale enclave known for its charming architecture and cozy, small-town vibe, as you visit local eateries to sample locavore and ethnic dishes, chocolate, and cocktails or spirits. Limited to 16 people, this tour provides a small-group experience with personalized attention.

A history-saturated neighborhood and a literary landmark, Monterey’s Cannery Row is a must-see for fans of John Steinbeck and American literature—and this self-led walking tour offers a seamless, flexible way to discover. Upon purchasing, download the audio tour and use when and as often as you’d like. You’ll learn about the rise and fall of the local fishing industry, Steinbeck’s work, the neighborhood’s revival, and more.

Explore Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, Calif., with this self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour. Stop at three museums (with free admission) in the Monterey State Historic Park along the way, and learn about the area’s fishing industry history. Plus, visit filming locations for popular TV shows. The tour plays automatically at the correct location using your mobile phone’s GPS.