Big Sur Monterey and Carmel Tour From San Francisco

Recommended by 97% of travelers

San Francisco, USA

Popular pick

Booked 10+ times last week!

12 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.8

· Pamela_M ·

Jun 2026

Steven was an excellent guide! He made the trip a lot of fun and had great information to share. The scenery along the coast was incredible. This is a must-do if you are in Northern California. I’m glad someone else was doing the driving so I could sit back and take in the amazing views! I would highly recommend this trip!

· Simone_H ·

Jun 2026

WOW. This tour, guided by Steve was truly magnificent. Visually spectacular, comfortable ride, plenty of CLEAN stops and a wealth of knowledge and humour to go with it. Highly recommend this tour.

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Overview

What's Included

Hotel Pick UP (within our zones)
Admission Fee - Entrance Fees For 17 Mile Drive

Meals

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time
.6:30 am

Itinerary

Silicon Valley (Pass By)

Cannery Row

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Pebble Beach

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Carmel

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Big Sur

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Ciara_S

I've been on several guided tours, and this company takes the cake as the best tour company. I was lucky to go to two of the tours they provided during this trip and I was blown away at their communication, knowledge, and well thought out itinerary. Both Brian and Kurt were exceptional guides who pointed out fun facts and histories of locations we passed by. Music and movies provided were informative and fun. They even brought binoculars and telescopes for us to use to spot animal life. They took the best photos on our phones for us too. I can't recommend them enough! Book the trip.

Reviews

4.8

based on 38 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Bryan was excellent and...

Angela_W, Aug 2026

Bryan was excellent and very knowledgeable. He was also funny and helped us in taking pictures of our family so we could get everyone in the photos. This trip is definitely for older people not small kids or even teens they will get bored because they don’t appreciate it or at least mine didn’t

Great day out

Stuart_P, Jul 2026

Derek our driver and guide what a top bloke. Did everything to make our trip enjoyable. Plenty of info on sights, highly recommend this trip and Derek

Trevor is the perfect...

Nielisa_R, Jul 2026

Trevor is the perfect driver/tour guide! I would give him 5/5 stars! He's jolly, optimistic attitude, transparent to us with the traffic situations, very accommodating always offering water and helping us with pictures, and he knows a lot of stuff about the places we went to. We enjoyed the Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea, Pebble Beach, Cannery Row and Monterey. Highly recommend this activity, and bring your family/friends.

The tour was spectacular!...

Agnes_B, Jul 2026

The tour was spectacular! Trevor was such an amazing guide and very flexible! We would definitely go back for more!

Fantastic Big Sur trip

Kathryn_D, Jul 2026

Our tour guide Derek was amazing! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire tour enjoyable and stress-free. We learned so much and had a fantastic time. Thank you for making our trip so memorable. Derek also offered to take our photos.Highly recommended!

Big Sur Day Trip From San Francisco

Michael_S, Jul 2026

We had a fun time on the Big Sur/Monterey/Carmel from San Francisco tour. Our guide’s name was Trevor and he was very personable and did a great job making sure we were able get enough time at all the stops. I definitely think this tour is worth booking since it’s a convenient way to see the amazing coastline outside of San Francisco without worrying about the driving!

Brian experience

Prashanth_T, Jun 2026

Brian is highly energetic and cooperative to work with each of the traveller. Sets up cameras and telescope for the group!

Great Experience!

Louise_B, Jun 2026

It’s a long day depending on where you start. We lucked out and had Beautiful Weather. Our guide Steve is really good at what he does. I would recommend having coffee only at the first stop. The lunch stop offers a better experience. That said, Tidal Coffee in Monterey has excellent coffee and serves a huge breakfast burrito that’s plenty enough for two.

WOW. This tour, guided by...

Simone_H, Jun 2026

WOW. This tour, guided by Steve was truly magnificent. Visually spectacular, comfortable ride, plenty of CLEAN stops and a wealth of knowledge and humour to go with it. Highly recommend this tour.

Definitely do this!!

Pamela_M, Jun 2026

Brian was so courteous...

Jenny_B, Jun 2026

Brian was so courteous and great. From Bixby to San Francisco fun tour. Would recommend for a whole day excursion.

Just Do It

Derek_L, Jun 2026

Brian’s by far the best tour operator we have dealt with. He communicates start to finish the plans for the day. He also provides insight only a local would know. We intend to hunt him down for other tours in the future. We were able to grab outstanding pictures thanks to Brian knowing the right spots that were not overly populated.

It was an absolute...

Erisha_B, Jun 2026

It was an absolute amazing experience. Stephan was great and I would highly recommend this tour if you wanna see the best top view around Big Sur!!

Excellent Tour!

Winifred_F, Jun 2026

Don’t miss this tour! It’s the best! Brian was an excellent tour guide, he knew all the best spots and had wonderful stories about each town. I had the best experience and got to pick sea shells too!

A Great Tour to Big Sur with Our Friend, Kurt!

Lynn_K, May 2026

Kurt was a great driver and guide. He used our names when visiting with us. He took great care of all his passengers and shared lots of information about sites as we made our way to Bixby Bridge. He watched the time for our stops closely, so we wouldn't be late getting back to because of heavy traffic. He sgar d his strawberri s and cherries when we stopped at a fruit stand. He's a great guy!

Best small group tour

Aakanksha_S, May 2026

I researched a lot before booking this tour, turned out to be a great decision. Small group, hotel pick-ups, perfectly curated comprehensive itinerary, beautifully managed. But the best part was Brian - he was so nice & helpful. Created a great environment throughout the tour, played fun music and knowledgeable documentaries and turned into a photographer as well. This one is a no brainer - just book it. Zero complaints.