12 Monterey & Carmel Tours from San Francisco, Compared

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,187 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $125Our pick

Ride from central San Francisco to Monterey and Carmel, with stops at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Bird Rock, the Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach. You get two hours in Monterey and one in Carmel, plus a guide-led coach ride along 17-Mile Drive. Guides have included George, Thomas, Don, Tom and Alvin. Aquarium admission and meals are extra.

“George was an excellent driver and guide with great communication throughout the tour. The mini bus was not comfortable as it was very bumpy and it certainly was not a luxury coach as advertised which was disappointing as it was a long day.”

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2.Monterey and Carmel Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 110 reviews · 11 hours · from $134

Travel from San Francisco down Highway 1 for a full day of Monterey, Cannery Row, the 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, and Carmel. The tour includes hotel pickup, a local English-speaking driver-guide, coach Wi-Fi, and entry to the 17-Mile Drive. Aquarium admission and meals cost extra. Past guides have included Danny, Patrick, and Doug.

“Our guide Doug was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable and very concerned about our overall comfort, enjoyment and safety. He went out of his way to make sure each of us saw the sights that were important to us. The bus that he was provided with however was less than ideal. First, he was a half hour late arriving at our morning meeting spot (due to the bus requiring servicing and gas). Then when we left the city going up hills on the freeway, the bus lost power and he could not get it above 20 mph. We pulled over for a couple unscheduled stops so he could communicate with…”

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3.Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Coast Explorer from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 77 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $134

This 11-to-12-hour day trip takes you from San Francisco to Monterey, along the 17-Mile Drive and on to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Expect coastal viewpoints, Cannery Row, the Lone Cypress and time to explore. The 17-Mile Drive fee is included; aquarium admission and meals are extra. Guide assignments vary, with past guides including Don, Danny, Danilo and George.

“George is well educated , fun and great tour guide , and safe driver for us ( the bus has its own toilet ) Go with this tour, Nice Monterey Bay area to look around, yummy food, awesome aquarium, 17 Miles scenic road trip and Cute Carmel 😍 ...”

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4.From LA: SF, Yosemite, Santa Barbara and Carmel 3-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 72 reviews

Travel from Los Angeles by air-conditioned bus for three days of California coast, city and park scenery. You’ll visit Santa Barbara, Solvang, Carmel and San Francisco, with Yosemite in summer or a Monterey-area coastal route in winter. Two hotel nights and a San Francisco bay cruise are included. Guide names can vary by departure.

“Our driver Henry was very accommodating to have my stroller out whenever we stopped. Roberto was AMAZING, Feng & the other female tour guide were AMAZING!!! They stopped plenty of times for bathroom breaks ( clean bathrooms ) and nice hotels!! Best tour I have ever been on.. Thank you to ALL my tour guides on our 3day trip, my mother had a blast!!!”

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5.Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 54 reviews · 10 hours

Ride from San Francisco in a private car with an English-, Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking guide. Choose your stops along Highway 1, from Santa Cruz and Monterey to Carmel and Big Sur. Guides Fred and Marciano have been praised for adapting the day, sharing local context and finding worthwhile photo stops.

“Our guide, Fred picked us up on time and accommodated our requests plus many other beautiful breathtaking stops not included on our wish list He was informative and kept us entertained during the long drive. It was the highlight of our trip to San Fransisco. The van was clean and comfortable, the ride was smooth and we felt safe. We arrived back at our hotel as scheduled. Excellent job, highly recommend!”

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6.Monterey, Carmel, 17 Mile Dr, Big Sur & Mcway Falls Pvt Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 12 hours Top rated

Spend a full day on California’s coast with a private guide and hotel pickup from San Francisco. Visit Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach, 17-Mile Drive and Big Sur, with McWay Falls as a highlight. Guide Pablo is known for adapting stops and pace to your group. The tour costs $890 for up to five people.

“The trip was amazing.Thanks to Pablo for organising it so well and making it a truly memorable one. His attention to detail and dedication made this trip truly unforgettable. It's a memory that will stay with me forever..I would highly recommend it”

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7.17-Mile Drive, Monterey Peninsula &Carmel Max 12 Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $118Best value

Take an approximately 11-hour trip from San Francisco in a group of no more than 12, stopping at Pigeon Point Light Station, Cannery Row and several landmarks on 17-Mile Drive. You get free time in Monterey and Carmel, plus included entry to Pebble Beach, Bird Rock and the Lone Cypress. Guides have included Leo, Peter and Antony.

“The tour guide is enthusiastic and responsible. The scene is beautiful. It's a nice experience and tour.”

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8.Monterey Peninsula, Carmel, 17-Mile Drive Max 12 Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 29 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $118

Travel from San Francisco in a group capped at 12, with stops at Pigeon Point Light Station, Cannery Row, 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, and Carmel Plaza. English is offered, and guides including Anthony Wen, Hao, and Mike have been praised for their humor and helpfulness. Vehicle size and the amount of commentary can vary, so confirm transport and any service fee before booking.

“Very good tour, fantastic scenery, Our tour guide is Antony , he is very funny and helpful, making the trip more enjoyable. Good memories, will recommend to my friends.”

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9.Carmel, Monterey and Big Sur Tour Private Tour from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 10 hours (approx.)

Leave San Francisco at 8:00 am for a private, roughly 10-hour coastal day with Dingo Tours. Your guide, who may be Fred, Marciano, or Brian, can tailor stops around your priorities. Expect ocean viewpoints and possible visits to Santa Cruz, Capitola, Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Bixby Bridge, and Big Sur. The group price is $985 for up to four people.

“The Bixby Bridge was awesome. The driver Fred was very friendly, informative and entertaining. The weather was excellent.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 10 hours (approx.)

Travel by private vehicle from San Francisco, Marin or Silicon Valley to Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel and Big Sur. The roughly 10-hour trip includes pickup and drop-off, a guide who can help tailor the day, and stops at places such as Bixby Bridge and Garrapata State Park. Pep and Effie are among the guides named by past customers.

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

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11.Carmel / Monterey Hwy 1 tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 9 to 11 hours (approx.)

Leave San Francisco at 8:30 am in a private, air-conditioned vehicle for a long coastal day in Monterey and Carmel. Your driver takes you along Highway 1 and through 17-Mile Drive, with time to explore town, stop for photos, and choose lunch or the Monterey Aquarium. Pickup and drop-off locations can be arranged.

“Seeing the coast line and the line cypress tree. Our driver was amazing and helped with getting us the best photos.”

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12.Private Tour to Monterey, Carmel, 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 11 hours (approx.)

A Taste of SF Tours offers an 11-hour private drive from San Francisco to Monterey and Carmel for up to six people. Your English-speaking guide can tailor stops, including a choice of up to two Silicon Valley campuses. The route includes 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach and a planned garlic-shop stop in Gilroy. Randy and Steve have led this tour.

“Randy our driver was excellent. Really knowledgeable and we were able to customise the tour which was great. Highly recommend”

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