Drive the famous 17-Mile Drive at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour that narrates geology, shipwrecks, and wildlife. Download once, use for a year, and stop where the view—and the audio—demand it.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You ease through the Carmel Gate, windows down to salt and cool fog that slides inland like a soft hand. The road hugs granite outcrops and manicured fairways; gulls argue overhead and the ocean keeps time with a slow, patient thunder.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–4 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required; mostly driving with short, optional walks to viewpoints and tidepools.
Wildlife
History
The route follows coastal land with deep Indigenous ties and later 19th-century commercial development; the Lone Cypress and Crocker Grove reflect waves of preservation and private stewardship.
Conservation
Tidepools and bird rookeries are fragile—observe from boardwalks or the shore, pack out trash, and respect posted closures; gate fees contribute to local maintenance and habitat protection.
Reserve your spot on the 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download before you go
Install the Action Tour Guide app and download the tour on Wi‑Fi—audio works offline afterwards.
Buy one per car
Purchase a single tour per vehicle—everyone in the car listens together, which saves money over per-person tours.
Mind the gate and parking
There’s an entrance fee at the Carmel Gate and limited pulloff parking at overlooks—plan stops and move on during busy periods.
Connect to your car audio
Use Bluetooth, AUX, or USB for clear narration; headphones work for short walks at overlooks.
Binoculars
Good for spotting seals, sea lions, shorebirds and distant whale spouts from overlooks.
Layered jacket
Coastal fog and wind make a windproof midlayer essential year-round.
Phone charger / power bank
Keeps your phone and downloaded tour charged through a 2–4 hour drive with stops.
Comfortable walking shoes
Useful for short, rocky walks to overlooks and tidepool edges.