Top Monterey & Carmel Private Sightseeing Tours

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 get to keep this information forever- it does not expire. You can go at your own pace, and choose where you want to stop and spend a little extra time.

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.

We are honored to be the #1 Whale Watching Company in Monterey Bay with a 99% success rate and offer: Two of the largest and most comfortable boats operating in Monterey – the 110 foot Princess Monterey and the 100 foot Atlantis Monterey. Heated cabins with large windows for easy viewing and comfort in any weather. Indoor and Outdoor seating with a 360-degree walk-around deck. Optional VIP Upper Deck seating is available for an additional per person charge upon check in if space is available. Vessels exceeding all United States Coast Guard safety requirements with full inspections and certifications. Professional Marine Biologist and Naturalists to narrate the experience. We cannot take children under 3 years old or pregnant women on our trips

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 Monterey’s famously scenic 17-Mile Drive along the Pacific Coast—and learn the stories behind the sights as you go—with this 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.

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.

Look for whales as they migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of California on this half-day 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. Get tips for great photo ops and learn all about the mighty creatures at one of California's most famous whale-watching destinations.

Enjoy an independent sightseeing tour by Sea Car 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 like Monterey’s historical center, and admire views of the ocean. The scooter car tells you where to drive, from Cannery Row and more.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the culinary delights of Carmel, just down the coast from Monterey, on this food and wine 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 wine. Limited to 16 people, this tour provides a small-group experience with personalized attention.

Look for whales during a boat tour from Monterey, the premier destination in northern California for winter whale watching. Learn about the majestic animals from a marine biologist or naturalist guide who shares detailed commentary about the whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea birds, and natural history of the region.

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.

Transportation by local driver guide using full size sedan car or SUV at additional cost. This is 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 state park of Coastal Redwoods, Nepenthe and McWay Falls and many other places. This is a private tour not a group tour.

Enjoy the sights, sounds and fragrances of an E-Bike tour of the Monterey coastline. Each E-Bike has it's own cell phone holder and the tour begins on your cell phone, download our App and follow the mapped line through the blue pins. Those pins trigger the audio portions of the tour where the narrator tells you more about where you are. The Scenic Tour is the most popular but if you have an interest in history, we also have the Historic tour, also included in the rentals.

Our wine/brew tours are for those that wish to experience award winning California wines and unique craft beer while travelling in a 1970 VW bus.

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.

There’s no place on earth like California, and this ultimate bundle gives you the complete Golden State experience! Cruise down the picture-perfect Pacific Coast Highway, spot some celebs in LA and hit the beaches in historic La Jolla. Or take time to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature at Lake Tahoe or Joshua Tree National Park. Plus, hack into the tech sector in Silicon Valley and cross the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran! California’s a huge, beautiful state, so why limit yourself to just one part of it? Within 30 min, we'll send you two things: a unique password and the app. Download the app onto your phone and enter the password. Then download the tour inside. When you arrive, go to the designated starting location to start the tour. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience. No expiration — The tour comes with lifetime validity! This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

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.

Experience in the scenic splendor of the California coast, its forested interior, and patchwork of agricultural fields on this self-guided audio driving tour along Highway 1. Start in charming Carmel-by-the-Sea and head north toward Monterey, all the way to Santa Cruz Beach. Along the way, drive through quaint towns like Fort Ord, Castroville, Moss Landing, Aptos, and Capitola.

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.

Explore one of America's most iconic coasts on a 2-day tour from San Jose to Los Angeles. On day 1, we'll drive through Northern California redwood country to see Big Sur, Monterey and Santa Cruz, stopping at Bixby Bridge, River Inn, Pfeiffer State Park and Nepenthe and other stops of interest. On day 2, we'll take the train to Los Angeles from your Monterey, Carmel or Salinas hotel (room expense not included).

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.