Top Monterey & Carmel Full-day Tours

Experience one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world on this self-guided audio tour along California’s iconic 17-Mile Drive. Travel from Monterey to Pebble Beach as you explore dramatic ocean cliffs, windswept cypress trees, and stunning coastal viewpoints. Along the way, discover the stories behind the landscape—from Cannery Row’s fishing boom to the return of sea otters that helped restore Monterey Bay. Visit famous stops like Bird Rock, the Lone Cypress, and quiet beaches where seals and seabirds gather. With GPS-triggered audio, stories play automatically as you drive, letting you explore at your own pace. Stop for photos, walks, or simply take in the views. This tour transforms a beautiful drive into a deeper, more memorable experience.

With a 99% success rate, this is how you up your odds of seeing whales on your visit to Monterey. On board one of the industry’s most comfortable boats, you’ll float out to a protected sanctuary to view humpback whales, gray whales, blue whales, killer whales, sperm whales, and other wild creatures, including dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions, otters, and more.

California’s Highway 1 is a scenic and beautiful route that many visitors and locals alike enjoy driving, mainly for the views alone. Skip a crowded bus tour and book this Big Sur PCH Highway 1 Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour instead that allows you to explore the area at your own pace in the comfort of your own vehicle. Listen to the audio guide as you drive and take in fun stories, too.

Go on a spectacular whale watching tour of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary with your experienced captain narrating the entire way. The boats range from 53’ to 70’, and they are equipped with bathrooms and plenty of seating. Your captain will guide you through the bay and find where the whales are playing. You just need to be ready and waiting with your eyes and cameras.

Drive the Pacific Coast Highway from Monterey to San Luis Obispo with a tour that plays from your phone as the coast unfolds. Choose when to start, where to stop, and how long to stay at each stop. Experience the dramatic beauty of Big Sur, one of California’s most iconic coastal regions, as you follow Highway 1 past towering cliffs, quiet beaches, redwood forests, and sweeping ocean vistas. Watch waves crash below Bixby Bridge, look for wildlife at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and take in the rugged coastline at Garrapata State Park and Soberanes Point. Stop at Hurricane Point for panoramic views, explore the redwoods of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and discover the purple sand and rock arches at Pfeiffer Beach before continuing south to San Luis Obispo Get stories, local tips, and easy GPS directions as you drive. It also works without cell service once set up, so you can enjoy Big Sur even when the signal drops. Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours

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.

Explore Pinnacles National Park with a tour that plays from your phone as you drive and hike. Start on the east or west side, follow clear GPS directions, and choose the stops that fit your day. This hidden California park feels wild and quiet. Walk past tall rock spires, dry hills, and giant boulders stacked in narrow canyons. Stop near the Pinnacles Visitor Center, Bacon Family Ranch, Peaks View Picnic Area, and Bear Gulch Day Use Area. Hike the Moses Spring and Rim Trail Loop, step into cool talus caves, and look up for California condors soaring above the cliffs. Your phone shares stories about the old volcano that made these strange peaks. It also points out trailheads, picnic spots, rest areas, and local tips along the way. Once set up, the tour works without cell service, so you can keep exploring even when the signal drops. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

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.

This Carmel Valley wine trolley tour stands out by offering tastings at three wineries, lunch, and beautiful views. Take a scenic ride from Monterey to Carmel Valley Village aboard a vintage trolley or high-top van. Visit well-known producers and get an introduction to lesser-known gems in the area with an insider's perspective from your guide. Have lunch at one of two spots nearby before returning to Monterey.

Drive through the streets of Monterey and Pacific Grove in a Sea Car, a 2-seat vehicle with GPS-enabled tour narrative. Skip renting a car and make your own way around Fisherman's Wharf, Lover's Point, and Cannery Row.

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.