Top Monterey & Carmel Walking Tours

Get your bearings in a new city easily with help from this Carmel-by-the-Sea Walking Tour. Prebook your tour and guarantee your guided walk on the day of your preference. See highlights of Carmel such as the First Murphy House, Church of the Wayfarer, Tuck Box, Hog's Breath Inn, and more, while you hear history and stories of the city from your guide.

Embark on a fun and informative ghost tour through the streets of Monterey with a local guide who can’t wait to share their favorite spooky stories with you. You’ll hear about a side of the city most tourists won’t as you walk through the town, from the Colton Hall Museum and Jail to the Larkin House. There will be plenty for history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts alike to learn.

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.

California’s warm climate and rich soils make it a great spot for vineyards. Learn from local sommeliers who will teach you how the region’s wines are crafted on this small-group wine-tasting and walking tour, while you sample some of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s best local varieties. Then, head out for a walk around the city, exploring popular highlights and hidden gems. This tour is offered in English and French to accommodate more guests.

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.

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.

Follow a delicious trail of local treats through historic Monterey on a small-group food tour that includes plenty of tastings for a full lunch. Committing to lunch at a single restaurant means missing out on the diverse cuisines that make Monterey food so interesting; try a little bit of everything as you go from neighborhood restaurants to frozen treats and California wine, learning about Monterey history along the way.

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’re looking to explore Point Lobos but find yourself short on time, this Point Lobos Nature Hike from Carmel-by-the-Sea fits in big highlights in just a little amount of time. A guide knows the best ways around the wooded and cliff-filled areas so you can see more of its beauty. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as otters, seals, deer, and sealions while you hike along with your small group.

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

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.

⭐ Top-Rated Vacation Photoshoots 2025 We’re not just photographers, we’re storytellers capturing your holiday exactly as it feels. With over six years of experience photographing travellers around the world, our small team specialises in authentic, natural photography that truly reflects your trip. In Big Sur, we combine creativity with local knowledge to show you hidden gems, secret angles, and the best light. You’ll not only get beautiful, professional photos but also insider tips to make the most of your time here. We’re proud to be recognised among the top-rated photography tours of 2025, trusted by travellers worldwide for our relaxed style and stunning results.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stroll along Monterey’s Cannery Row, and learn about its significance on this guided walking tour. Walk from the breakwater to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, all along the waterfront, and learn about the city’s heyday as the “Sardine Capital of the World.” Step inside the shoes of John Steinbeck’s characters and enjoy beautiful views of the bay during this 2-hour experience.

Join Secret Food Tours on a food tour through downtown Carmel by the Sea. You'll dine in several locally owned restaurants, trying some of their signature and unique dishes. Learn the story of a city that was started by artist for artists that grew into a top tier destination for shopping and cuisine from everyday travelers to celebrities worldwide. A city that’s known for its fresh fish and artists crafting their next project that you can see as you stroll by their shop. At the end of your food tour of Carmel by the Sea, you'll have sampled some of this city’s most delicious and notable dishes, gained a better understanding of its culture, history and who knows, you may just catch a glimpse of a local artist working on their next project as we walk by. Your Carmel by the Sea food tour starts here as you venture through hidden passageways. Within this quaint beach town that sits outside your everyday hustle and bustle. Unplug and open your palette

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.

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 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*

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 Real Monterey! Visit historic sites and adobes and hear fascinating tales of the people and events of Old Mexican California's Capitol. Skip the tourist spots and explore what most visitors miss – the hidden heart of Old Monterey. Wander through peaceful garden courtyards, peek into historic adobes and see Monterey’s "Plymouth Rock." Stand on the spot where the State of California was born and thrill to the rousing tale of “Sloat's Landing” – when one bold action changed the fate of an entire country. The best way to really get to know Monterey? Up close an on foot, with the Original Monterey Walking Tours.