Top Monterey & Carmel Walking Tours

As featured in the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle, CARMEL WALKS is the premier walking tour voted "best of" by Trip Advisor in 2024. You'll embark on a delightful 2-hour adventure with a lively, well-informed local guide through the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea—a village celebrated for its storybook architecture, scenic coastal beauty, and vibrant artistic legacy. Along the way, you’ll uncover hidden gems, hear the stories behind the town’s most colorful characters, and gain fresh insights into the culture that makes Carmel truly one of a kind. Meander through charming streets and secret passageways, explore award-winning galleries, lush gardens, and historic landmarks steeped in legend. The listed itinerary is just the beginning—plenty of unlisted delights are in store. Well behaved dogs are most welcomed on this fun walk too. Let us show you the very best of this whimsical village! You’ll leave inspired, enchanted, and—dare we say—feeling like a local.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Experience Cannery Row on a guided walking food tour featuring local seafood, wine, artisan treats, and Monterey history. Step into the pages of Steinbeck and explore the sights, sounds, and flavors of Monterey’s most famous waterfront street. You'll meander through Cannery Row’s historic blocks, learn little-known stories of John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts, and uncover fascinating glimpses into the area's past — from bustling sardine canneries to today’s vibrant marine life and kelp forests. Along the way, enjoy a curated lineup of tastings, including clam chowder, Baja fish tacos, local wine, artisan honey, handcrafted snacks, and sweet treats from beloved local businesses. You'll even raise a glass with a special toast to Monterey Bay. Whether you're a foodie, a history lover, or simply looking for a unique way to experience Monterey, this tour blends coastal charm, local culture, and unforgettable bites — all in one scenic afternoon.

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.

⭐ 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.

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.

Leave the mainland behind for the afternoon, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Monterey Bay, on this family-friendly whale-watching excursion. Grab a lifejacket and hop aboard: With your marine biologist guide’s assistance, you’ll look out for orca and humpback whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions, and much more as you cruise. As you go, take in the coastal views, and relax in the sea breezes.

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.

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.

No more generic walking tours—it’s time to take on Monterey with your crew via scavenger hunt. Your smartphone leads you across this historic Californian spot—solve puzzles, complete wild challenges, and take some incredible snapshots along the way. Rack up points as you explore from landmark to landmark, treasure to treasure, but you really can’t lose: No matter what, go home with epic photos of it all.