Top Monterey & Carmel Sightseeing Tours

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.

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.

Discover the natural and manmade beauty of 17-Mile Drive on an electric bike tour from Pacific Grove. The e-bike allows you to cover more ground without getting worn out. The tour is great for the whole family, with the option to ride tandem with children weighing up to 120 lbs (54 kgs). Along the way, learn about the area from your guide and make stops at impressive viewpoints.

Discover a new side of Monterey—and get up close and personal with its wetlands and wildlife—on this family-friendly boat tour. Pick between morning and afternoon tour times, and hop aboard your electric-powered catamaran. The boat offers up-close views of the Elkhorn Slough, an estuary that’s home to animals ranging from sea lions and otters to bird species and more. Learn more as you go from your naturalist guide.

Discover the scenic beauty of 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach with a guided electric bike tour with a small group. Starting in Carmel-by-the-Sea, follow your guide along the winding road, with stops at iconic landmarks and viewpoints. Along the way, learn interesting facts and history about the area from your guide.

Comfortably cover a lot of ground with this e-bike tour through charming Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ride from the bike shop in downton to the town’s fairy-tale cottages and down the Carmel coastline along Scenic Drive. See landmarks such as the Tor House, Carmel River State Beach, Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch, and the Carmel Mission in under three hours.

Take an unforgettable boat ride in Monterey Bay to spot local marine wildlife, from humpback whales to Great white sharks to dolphins. This whale-watching adventure takes you to one of the best spots in the state to spot some of these majestic creatures. Sail over Monterey Bay Canyon, which is a nutrient-rich area known for attracting all kinds of underwater wildlife.

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.

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.

World class private tour, completely controlled by you! Embark on an unforgettable adventure along the stunning Big Sur coastline with our exhilarating driving tour! Feel the ocean breeze caress your face as you journey through breathtaking cliffs, winding roads, and towering redwood forests. Explore hidden gems as you stop to marvel at jaw-dropping viewpoints, pristine beaches, and cascading waterfalls. Let the rhythm of the waves guide you as you savor delicious coastal cuisine and immerse yourself in the bohemian charm of quaint seaside towns. Commentary by Bill Devoe, a local legend! This tour has been written by a local, who knows the very best spots of Big Sur.Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the Pintours App. With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

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 Joshua Tree National Park and Palm Springs at your own pace with two self-guided driving audio tours in one package. GPS-triggered narration plays automatically as you follow the recommended routes, providing historical background and local insight without a group schedule. Download in advance and use offline for flexible touring. With lifetime access, this bundle is suitable for extended stays or return visits to the area.

Looking for the perfect way to wind down after a busy day in Monterey? Skip the crowds on land and set sail into the sunset on this relaxing evening cruise. Enjoy a drink as you travel across the bay, and soak up unparalleled ocean views. There's even the chance to spot marine life such as sea lions, otters, dolphins, and whales. With great music and a laidback captain at the helm, it’s the perfect way to end your day on a high note.

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.

Enjoy an immersive nature experience—and give yourself the best chance of spotting whales and other marine wildlife—on this half-day boat tour of Monterey Bay. Monterey is the premier destination in Northern California for winter whale-watching, and your naturalist guides know the best places to spot them. Along the way, learn about the majestic animals, and look out for whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea birds, and more.

Enjoy an independent sightseeing tour by GoCar to discover Monterey Bay and the Central Coast at your own pace. Aboard a 2-seater, GPS-guided convertible that navigates itself, you can cruise along the Pacific shoreline or through town. Listen to recorded commentary about attractions such as Monterey’s historical center, and admire views of the ocean. The GoCar tells you where to drive, from Cannery Row and more.

Sophisticated and glamorous, Carmel-By-The-Sea sits on the Pacific just two hours south of San Francisco. The town isn’t all ritz, though—11 fairytale cottages line the hilly streets like something from a children’s book. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll escape the crowds and explore the houses at your pace, led by a knowledgeable guide right in your pocket.

What makes this Big Sur tour truly unique is our over 25 years of unparalleled expertise in guiding educational adventures through the majestic Monterey County, offering you a deep dive into the natural wonders of the Big Sur coast and fascinating insights into the ancient redwood trees that define this region. Our carefully curated itinerary ensures you experience the best, from a brief stop at an iconic 1932 concrete bridge offering spectacular coastal views, to the quirky charm of The River Inn where you can refresh and see the famous chairs in the Big Sur River. Prepare for an awe-inspiring moment at the highest viewpoint on Highway 1 in California, providing a spectacular 180-degree panorama of the dramatic coastline, before culminating your journey with a visit to the historic Big Sur Lodge for an intimate, guided nature walk in an old-growth redwood forest, complete with a unique Big Sur River crossing.

This is a private charter excursion by a local driver guide using a luxury sedan, full-size SUV, and Sprinter for 4 or 5 hours. The cost varies by group size. It is a unique way of visiting one of the most scenic areas in the U.S. The driver guide will stop at places you wish to enjoy in Monterey, Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, River Inn, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park of Coastal Redwoods, Nepenthe. *Option to add McWay Falls, and many other places. This is not a group tour. We accommodate up to 12 people.

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.

Discover the scenic beauty of 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach on this family-friendly guided electric bike tour with a small group of just ten people. Starting in Monterey, follow your guide along the winding road, with stops at iconic landmarks and viewpoints. Along the way, learn interesting facts and history about the area from your guide.

Experience our Private Excursion tailored exclusively for you! Embark on a serene journey through the picturesque landscapes of USA as you make your way to the heart of the city. Upon your arrival, meet your seasoned tour guide, ready to lead you on an enchanting tour of Big Sur McWay Falls California Coast. Discover the awe-inspiring allure of Monterey, marvel at the grandeur of Big Sur, and capture iconic moments at landmarks like Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, McWay Falls, and many more. Our excursions are meticulously designed schedule. We'll greet you directly at the hotel and ensure you return with ample time to relax and relish your day. Leave the details to us as we escort you on an extraordinary adventure, crafting memories that will stand the test of time!

Enjoy a 3 - 4 hour sailing cruise on the Monterey Bay. This Marine Mammal and Wildlife Safari is a private guided tour and can accommodate up to 6 people. Whale sightings are NOT guaranteed. However, this tour is designed to give ample time to find and view whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea otters, and the many varieties of Marine Birds that call the Monterey Bay their home.