San Francisco

Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive: Full Day Tour from SF

San Francisco, USA

Overview

Drive down one of the most scenic roads in California on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Cruise along the coast-hugging Highway 1, passing Pebble Beach on the iconic 17-Mile Drive. Enjoy free time to explore Monterey, where you can stroll down Steinbeck’s Cannery Row or visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Browse the ritzy boutiques of Carmel-by-the-Sea and get a glimpse of Silicon Valley’s tech campuses on the return drive to San Francisco.
  • Full-day trip from San Francisco to Monterey and Carmel
  • San Francisco pickup and drop-off included
  • Plenty of stops with photo opportunities along 17 Mile Drive
  • Have free time to explore Monterey's attractions, all at your own pace

What's Included

  • Day-trip to Monterey and Carmel
  • Entrance fee for the 17-Mile Drive Included
  • Transport by air-conditioned luxury motor-coach with a professional guide
  • 2 hours stop at Monterey Bay
  • 1.5 hour stop at Carmel by the Sea
  • Stops at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pebble Beach, Bird Rock and the Lone Cypress
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel Pick-up & drop-off
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting points

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End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Hop aboard your luxury coach in central San Francisco, cruise down scenic Highway 1 and let your guide handle the driving while you soak up views of the Pacific Ocean.

After curving around the Monterey Peninsula, stop in the coastal city of Monterey. Enjoy free time here to grab a fresh seafood lunch on the pier (own expense), browse the shops of Cannery Row, or visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Continue along the coast with a ride down 17-Mile Drive, home to the prestigious Pebble Beach Golf Course and the Lone Cypress tree. Listen for the barking clamor of Seal Rock with a stop along this low-lying coastal road framed by mansions and ocean vistas. Further along, visit the chic coastal community of Carmel-by-the-Sea, where you can browse high-end galleries and see remnants of a historic Spanish mission. 

Your full-day tour concludes with drop-off in the evening in San Francisco.

Pacific Coast Highway (Pass By)

Pigeon Point Light Station

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Davenport

20 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Monterey Bay (Pass By)

Cannery Row (Pass By)

17-Mile Drive

1 hour Admission Ticket Included

Bird Rock Vista Point

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Lone Cypress

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Pebble Beach Golf Links

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Carmel by the sea (Pass By)

Carmel Plaza

1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers

Cancellation Policy

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

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:Is there a restroom onboard the Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive tour?

A:Yes restrooms are on the bus. We also make stops to use the restroom during the tour.

Aug 2023

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
Anna_K
We had an amazing day on this tour. Dug (our guide and diver) was absolutely the best! Tip: sit on the right hand side (facing the travel direction) - this way the coast and all views will be much closer to you. We went on a week day in March, about 25 people on the bus, so it felt very uncrowded. Many beautiful stops and it feels that we saw so much. If you do not want to drive yourself - just take this tour to get the first taste / glimpse. It made me want to spend more time in this area :).

Reviews

4.0
1,895 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 1,895 reviews
Worth the trip
George_D, Mar 2024
The tour guide was funny. The drive and the views were beautiful. The coffee stop was the best in Davenport because the bakery was delicious.
Monterey/Carmel trip
Julie_A, Mar 2024
Excellent trip with informative and friendly driver/tour guide. Good stops for photo opportunities and good length of time in Montetey and Carmel.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for posting your opinion on our tour. I am incredibly delighted to see you had such a great experience with us
Excellent trip to Monterrey and Carmel
BogdanAlexandru_N, Feb 2024
Thomas was excellent, very knowledgeable and good driving. He split the time in Monterey and Carmel equally: 1h30 each which was good. Small group of 26 so very enjoyable. Plus the weather was perfect! A nice way to spend a day. The way back was a bit long, due to traffic, but mostly in SF due to the Chinese parade for the new year.
Scenic
Rinelda_H, Feb 2024
Very scenic, comfortable bus with great bus driver. I would highly recommend this tour. I don’t have any more to say about this tour.
Okay tour
KAREN_A, Jan 2024
Monterey is beautiful but this tour doesn’t allow enough time to visit the main attraction, the aquarium, as well as eat and shop in the city. Only given 2 hours. Viator should have a tour just for Monterey and leave off Carmel. The wasted hour in Carmel, with nothing really but high end shopping, could have been used in Monterey. The 17-mile drive was okay, pretty scenery, but not much else.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi KAREN_A, Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Monterey and Carmel tour. We appreciate your insights about the time allocation and the preferences for spending more time in Monterey. Your suggestion for a tour focused solely on Monterey is valuable, as it helps improve the overall experience for travelers. We hope you return for more tours in the future.
Unacceptable
Omar_g, Jan 2024
Well, the tour and the places we visited were 10 out of 10 but the tour guide (Danilo) was so rude and unrespecful! I took the Monterey 17 mile Carmel tour. It was a cold and rainy day, let’s start there.I in the tour there were several elderly people who were sick (cough or flu). Fast forward We were given 1.30 min to spend in Carmel, it started raining hard so most of the people at the tour decided to look for shelter in the bus but the driver wasn’t there which is ok because probably he was having a meal o whatever. When the free time was due and he showed up he asked us how it was and I was the only one who decided to speak up and say something. I said we didn’t appreciate the fact he didn’t care to come back to check on us when he for sure knew it was raining and freezing cold. He just started “laughing” and said “oh ok but I was on time!” And he also said he respected mi opinion while he continued “laughing” which I reply “how could you respect my opinion while you are making fun of me laughing about my comment?”. I am absolutely certain I won’t be taking any more tours with this company (this was my 3rd tour) and I’ll make sure my people won’t have to go through that when we are paying for a service while we are laughed at and made fun of for externing a comment! Unacceptable!
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi Omar_g, We're truly sorry to hear about your disappointing experience with the tour guide. It's crucial for tour guides to provide a respectful and considerate environment, especially when dealing with varied weather conditions and the well-being of the participants. Your feedback is valuable, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. If there's anything specific you would like to address or if you have suggestions for improvement, please feel free to let us know.
Great tour
Mark_D, Dec 2023
Great tour. We covered lots of ground. Two hours in Monterey was a good amount of time for lunch and shopping. One hour in Carmel was plenty of time to wander around. Our guide Danilo was excellent - friendly and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi Mark_D, We're thrilled to hear that you had a great tour and that you found the time in Monterey and Carmel well-spent. It's wonderful that Danilo, your guide, contributed to the positive experience with his friendliness and knowledge. We hope we get the chance to welcome you back for another tour in the future.
The tour guide was...
Kurtis_B, Dec 2023
The tour guide was friendly and amusing, the scenery was gorgeous and we had plenty of time to enjoy each stop.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi Kurtis_B, It's wonderful to hear that you had an enjoyable experience with a friendly and amusing tour guide, and that you had ample time to savor the gorgeous scenery at each stop. We appreciate your positive feedback and hoep to welcome you back soon.
Fabulous day trip!
Priya_S, Dec 2023
This day trip was well worth it! Danilo was very knowledgeable and super fun. It was such a beautiful drive and we loved the aquarium. Carmel by the sea was also such a cute little town.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi Priya_S, We're thrilled to hear that you found the day trip well worth it and enjoyed the knowledgeable and fun guidance from Danilo. The beautiful drive, the aquarium, and the charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea all contributed to your positive experience. We hope to see you back for more tours soon.
It was good one day tour....
SHRUTI_C, Dec 2023
It was good one day tour. But the itinerary needs to be changed. Spent too much time in Monterey and very less time in Carmel. 2 hours in Monterey wasn’t worth it. Carmel is beautiful and it seemed like a touch and go with just 1 hour. Left a bitter taste in mouth at the end of the tour.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Hi SHRUTI_C, Thank you for sharing your feedback about the tour itinerary. It's valuable to hear about the time allocation in different locations. Your input helps in refining the tour experiences for future travelers. We hope we get the chance to welcome you back for more tours.
The best!
Joy_A, Dec 2023
Our guide Thomas is amazing. He made the tour doubly enjoyable. He is very knowledgeable and has the best energy throughout the trip. The sites were picturesque. We had plenty of stops and ample time to enjoy the view and the place.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Hi Joy_A, We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing experience with Thomas! His knowledge and energy truly enhance the tour. We strive to provide picturesque views and ample time for enjoyment. Thanks for choosing Gray Line of San Francisco. We hope we get the chance to welcome you back soon.
Fantastic coastal day trip.
David_B, Nov 2023
Nice selection of stops and time in each place to enjoy them. Driver and guide was friendly, fun and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Helllo David_B, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the selection of stops and had a positive experience with the friendly, fun, and knowledgeable driver guide. We hope to see you back for more tours with us in the future.
Beautiful and much recommended! ❤️
Jayeeta_M, Nov 2023
It was an amazing trip! Monterey and Carmel are both little coastal towns with beautiful blue waters and cypress trees! The 17 mile drive was enjoyable with stunning views! Our guide Thomas was knowledgeable, polite & welcoming ! This team was punctual and we have enjoyed this beautiful trip! The bus was very comfortable and clean! Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hello Jayeeta, We're thrilled to hear that your trip to Monterey and Carmel was amazing. It sounds like you had a wonderful time exploring the coastal towns, enjoying the blue waters, and taking in the stunning views on the 17-Mile Drive. We're delighted that Thomas, our guide, provided a knowledgeable, polite, and welcoming experience. It's great to know you found our team punctual and the bus comfortable and clean. Thank you for the high 5-star recommendation, and we look forward to hosting you on more delightful journeys in the future.
Absolutely stunning
Monique_H, Nov 2023
This was an amazing day out. The rugged California coastline is beautiful. Our coach captain was very knowledgeable and very pleasant to talk to. Would definitely recommend this tour to friends.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hello Monique_H, We're delighted to hear that you had an amazing day exploring the beautiful California coastline. Having a knowledgeable and pleasant driver-guide can truly enhance the experience. Thank you for recommending the tour, and be sure to return for more tours soon.
It was all amazing and...
Robert_C, Nov 2023
It was all amazing and our driver was great! Loved the trip! The weather was great and our driver was very knowledgeable!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hello Robert_C, We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time on the Monterey, Carmel & 17-Mile Drive tour, and enjoyed the great weather. Having a knowledgeable driver surely adds to the overall experience. If you ever plan to explore more of Northern California, come back and allow us to serve you again.
Worth every penny!
Sidharth_S, Nov 2023
Lovely tour! Our guide DeNilo was very sweet and funny. Provided great insights about the location, history, interesting trivia. Loved the experience. Worth every penny!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Sidharth_S, I'm delighted to hear that you had a lovely tour with Danilo as your guide. It sounds like his insights, humor, and the overall experience made it worthwhile for you. If your travels bring you back to San Francisco, we hope you tour with us again.
An excellent full day trip.
EdwardChan, Nov 2023
Watching the sun set in Carmel-by-the-Sea is the highlight of this tour. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-see in Monterey. Do note that tickets to the aquarium are only available online. And if you have a foreign mobile number, there may be some complications in completing the purchase online. Fortunately, I was assisted by a very helpful staff at the aquarium and managed to get a ticket. The Pebble Beach stop (a golf resort) was just OK. Not a fan of golf. Our tour bus returned to Union Square at 8pm. It was a long day. I would recommend this tour to those who enjoy taking photos of spectacular scenery, although most of it may be in silhouette since you would be facing the afternoon sun. Final suggestion: sit on the right side of the bus, the ocean is on your right!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hello EdwardChan, Thank you for sharing your insights about the tour. It's great to know that the sunset in Carmel-by-the-Sea and the visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium were highlights for you. Your advice about obtaining tickets for the aquarium and choosing the right side of the bus is helpful for future travelers. Thanks again for sharing your review and be sure to come back soon for more enjoyable tours.
Wonderful experience ever
Adriana_P, Nov 2023
Wonderful experience with Gray line tour. You see so much in 1 day and they take care of you and take you to the best places around. Gorgeous highly recommend. Very professional all the tours.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hello Adriana_P, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! It's great to hear that you had the opportunity to see so much in just one day and that the tours were professional and took you to the best places. Your recommendation is much appreciated. We hope we get the chance to welcome you back for more tours in the future.
Creative Carmel
Ganapathi_N, Nov 2023
Overall the trip and the place experience was fantastic!. Weather was in favour of us so the shutter bug was active all time. Travelling through Grey line bus was sad experience. The bus isn’t clean and was stinking the toilet is sad, no phone charging points and overall an antique piece.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Ganapathi_N, We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience during your trip and enjoyed the favorable weather for some great photography. However, we're sorry to hear about the disappointing experience with the bus. Your feedback is valuable and will help improve future experiences. If you ever decide to explore again, we hope you choose to travel with us.
Professional kind driver complemented a great itinerary
Deirdre_M, Oct 2023
Carmel by the Sea was the highlight for me. A beautiful artistic quiet town with a relaxed vibe, easy walk to the ocean and a range of inviting restaurants and shops. Our driver Thomas added tremendously to the experience with detailed info along the way and flexibility in itinerary to optimise our trip. Unfortunately the bus had a mechanical fault and a fuel leak on two separate occasions during our trip. But Thomas calmly sorted out both issues and encouraged a positive atmosphere despite the additional workload both issues must have been for him. All the passengers unanimously applauded Thomas for all his hard work. Thomas is an asset to Grayline, I sincerely hope the company appreciates his professionalism. Thank you Thomas.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Hi Deirdre_M, Thank you for sharing your experience. It's wonderful to hear that you found Carmel by the Sea to be the highlight of your trip, and you enjoyed the artistic and relaxed atmosphere there. Thomas, your driver, seems to have made a significant positive impact on your tour with his detailed information and ability to handle unexpected issues with professionalism. We'll make sure to pass on your kind words to Thomas. Keep Gray Line in mind for your future travels.
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Likely to Sell Out

From $120.00

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 12 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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