Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur private Day Trip from San Francisco

Badge of Excellence

San Francisco, USA

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

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Overview

Drive down the Pacific Coastal Highway on one of the most memorable and scenic routes from San Francisco. Big Sur, Monterey, and Carmel-by-the-Sea await to be explored with your personal guide. Get postcard-perfect snaps of the breathtaking coastline, search for marine life in Monterey Bay, and learn about the peninsula’s history. This private day trip offers a customizable itinerary, allowing you to travel at your own pace.

Ideal for groups, pay just one price for up to four people
Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off included for convenience
Wind along Highway One on the California coastline
Discover historical towns, wildlife, and cliffside views

What's Included

Private driver/guide
Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off
Bottled water
Snacks

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up from all locations in San Francisco, Marin or Silicon Valley.

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

17-Mile Drive

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Pebble Beach Golf Links

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Carmel Plaza

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bixby Bridge

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Carmel

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Garrapata State Park

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Not wheelchair accessible
The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions

Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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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)

Reviews

4.4

based on 18 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Wonderful Day Out in Scenic Northern Cal

Regina_S, Aug 2025

My friend and I had a great day out with our tour guide, Pep. Pep was very knowledgeable about the area with dome fun facts. She was also flexible on how we structured our tour. This tour was breathtaking and well worth it. The views and photos we got to take were stunning. I highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thanks Regina. I had a memorable day with you and your friend. I look forward to seeing you again on your next visit.

Make sure you get what you paid for.

Brenda_F, Mar 2025

Disappointed. Before arriving in San Francisco, I already knew I wanted to do this tour. However, at this time of the year it is only achievable by private tours rather than a coach option. We booked through Viator with what looked a great itinerary. However, with a couple of days to go still no confirmation or contact from the tour guide. Which was not a great start. So, we had to chase them. On the morning of the tour, they were late and then advised they would be using a different vehicle which turned out to be a good thing as the message the day before stated they would be driving a Tesla which would have been very cramped indeed and totally unsuitable for the duration and distance being covered. Once we eventually got underway the guide stated to explain the route she was intending to go. Before she got through her information, I challenged this route as she was suggesting go down through Silicon Valley on to Monterey. This was not we booked or paid for. I wanted to do the stops as per highlight on the Viator website and that is what we had booked and paid for. She then tried to explain this was a suggested itinerary on the Viator website and should only be used as a guide. No where on the website or any information does this suggest it is a guide. After a heated conversation she agreed to do the route as per my printout (luckily, I had printed this out and brought a copy with me) Unfortunately, this itinerary became a very whistle stop tour and we did have to miss out on the suggested 1 or 1 ½ hour stops. But at least we went down highway 1 following the famous coast road and not on the interstate as she would have had us doing. So please ensure you know your route and itinerary that you have paid for otherwise this day will get cut in to a very short day with only seeing 2 or 3 places. Rather than seeing the amazing views off highway 1.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

I understand your disappointment. You booked the tour on December 12, 2024. We updated the route on January 1, 2025. We discontinued that route she insisted on taking because it no longer meets the needs of our customers. This is what I was trying to explain to her but she did not want to listen. I had a splitting headache that morning and decided to hire another SUV driver. I was the tour guide. He arrived 15 minutes late as he lives in the East Bay and was caught up in the Bay Bridge traffic. I gave them 2 free hours to make up for the inconveniences that included attractions that were not on their obsolete printout. The other couple they were with were happier with the tour and gave us a tip as well.

Awesome time

Badri_K, Dec 2024

Awesome, extremely safe driving, Awesome providing details of the area. Would definitely book wirh same guide/resource and Viator

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thanks Keerthi. I had a memorable day with your wonderful family. Looking forward to your next visit in the summer. Happy New Year!

A wonderful thing to do In SFO

Bhavna_P, May 2024

It was a wonderful trip. And our Guide Effie made the trip more memorable. Though he was 72, he seemed nothing less than 27! Jovial and energetic! Thanks Alegro tours.

Response from Host, May 2024

Thanks Bhavna. Glad to hear that you had a fun time on the Monterery / Carmel tour. Hope to see you again on your next visit.

Great trip and wonderful guide

Kenneth_C, Mar 2024

Pep our driver/guide was excellent. We were able to tailor our trip to cover everything we wanted. Monterey, 17 mile drive, a stop off at Carmel and Bixby bridge. Stunning coast line

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thanks Kenneth. Hope to see you again on your next visit. Have a great weekend.

Good tour if you have limited time.

Naureen_R, Nov 2023

If you have limited time in San Francisco and want to go see Big Sur, don’t want to drive, then this is the tour for you

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thanks Naureen. I had a great time with your family. I will be more than happy to help you plan future trips. Happy Thanksgiving.

Remarkable tour

Mohammed_Y, Aug 2023

Carmel is a very nice village, beach in Monterey is very beautiful. Needs to spend more time in both villages.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thanks Mohammed. It was a delight sharing these experiences with your wonderful family. I look forward to seeing you again when your son graduates in 2025.

Lots of driving with beautiful scenery.

Nathaniel_W, Jul 2023

Beautiful scenery along CA1. Not so much on 101 or new CA1 bypass. If bringing children be advised this is 10 to 11 hours. We started in Tiburon. From SF it may be shorter. Bring games for kids!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

I had a great day with your wonderful family. There are a lot of attractions to cover on the Monterey / Carmel / Big Sur tour. Thanks Nate for all your support and generosity. Hope to see you again on your next visit.

Day tour from San Francisco to Big Sur

Tamas_H, Mar 2023

A great trip from San Francisco to Big Sur in a single day. Pep knew a lot and she was a considerate, interesting guide for adults. My people were complaining about the nasty weather in which we started and ended our trip. But Pep told us that the weather clears out on the shore and she was right. We could admire the breathtaking views Big Sur was offering, and enjoy a delightful lunch at a picturesque little restaurant in Carmel with a stroll after lunch.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks Tamas. The weather was not great. One has to make the best of the conditions they are faced with. You were a fun group and we hope to see you again in the future.

Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur

Connector733869, Jul 2019

This tour was very disappointing. We did not see most of the sites as promised and if we did see them, it was only a drive by. It took us 3 1/2 hours just to get to 17-mile drive. We did go have lunch at Pebble Beach but that pretty well left no time to see the other sites. Carmel looked like a beautiful town but did not get to walk around it at all and we would have like to do that. We stopped at the Lone Cypress tree vista for 5 minutes. We then went to Margarita Ville in Monterey and had a drink with no time to look around that town at all. We then got in the car for another long ride home. We felt we spent most of the day in the car. Our driver, Pat was very nice but seemed to be a nervous driver, constantly hitting the brakes and driving slow. We also stopped at the Google Campus for a bathroom break (which we did not ask for) and spent at least half an hour time there because it took so long to get to it and park and back on the highway. Overall, this trip either should not advertise so many stops or include more hours. We also had to pay for the extra hours it took us to get home.

Response from Host, Sep 2019

I am sorry to hear that you were disappointed. All tours are customized based on the interests of each client. We always provide a printed itinerary and clients can choose what they prefer to focus on. Normally, we take the coastal route or highway 101 S in one direction, and return through the opposite route. I asked them which route they preferred and they chose the Silicon Valley route. There was some traffic and we stopped at the Gooleplex which the guys were more interested in. It's better to plan to use a cleaner restroom than one at highway gas stations. We went to Pebble Beach for lunch. They spent 3 hours at lunch. After lunch drove through the 17 Mile Drive and stopped at the Lone Cypress. When we go to Carmel village, I asked them if they wanted to stop and walk around. I was a actually shocked to hear that they had no interest in stopping in Carmel. They skipped Monterey and said they wanted to go back. About 4:00 p.m, they said they wanted to stop for a drink. I thought they were kidding, but they were serious. So we stopped in Capitola at Magaritaville. They were in the restaurant for another 2 hours. The total time they spent in restaurants was 5 hours. We ended up in the middle of rush hour traffic. There had been an accident. I see a lot of accidents on highways almost daily. This is the more reason I drive carefully at the allowed speed limit. I don't believe in speeding and putting client's lives at risk. Additionally, I have never been in an accident. Some people like to speed. I get it. They had prepaid for 8 hours. This was 3 hours overtime. I gave them 2 free hours. I think it was fair. They were fun couples. and played great music. I wish things had turned out differently. We had a similar tour last week and covered a lot more attractions on the itinerary. This family listened to suggestions and used their time more efficiently. Thank you for being candid.

I don't even know where to...

Mikki E, Jul 2017

I don't even know where to begin...This was by far the WORST tour I have ever booked. Pep was our guide who was unorganized and at the end of the tour charged us an additional $302!!! If you want a tour that you do and see absolutely NOTHING - this is the tour for you! RIDICULOUS!

Response from Host, Aug 2020

I am sorry that Mikki feels that way. I actually don't think this is a credible review for 5 reasons. 1. Why did Mikki wait almost 3 years to write the review if they were upset? 2. They should have been more specific about the tour details if they have a valid claim. 3. I checked my records and I did not have a tour on that day. I do not recognize the name. 4. I always give clients discounts on hours above what they had prepaid, therefore $302 is unrealistic. 5. We rarely have tours around July 4th. This is our slowest week in summer. Most people prefer to have family celebrations at home. Thank you.