Drive the Monterey Peninsula: 3-Hour Cannery Row & Pacific Grove GoCar Coastal Tour
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required—mostly sitting and short on-foot stops; be able to climb in/out of a low, open vehicle.
Overview
Swap bus crowds for an open-air yellow GoCar and spend three hours winding the Monterey Peninsula—Cannery Row history, Lovers Point panoramas, and tide pools that practically beg for a stop. This GPS-guided route puts coastal highlights and hidden gems at your own pace.
Drive the Monterey Peninsula: 3-Hour Cannery Row & Pacific Grove GoCar Coastal Tour
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You pull the bright-yellow GoCar out of the lot and the Pacific breeze hits first—salty, sharp, and insistently cool. The car’s narrator greets you with a friendly cadence; the open-air cockpit amplifies gull calls and the hiss of distant surf as you roll past historic wharves and low-slung warehouses that once canned the sea.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring a windproof layer
Open-air driving exposes you to strong coastal gusts—pack a windbreaker or light jacket even on warm days.
Check tide charts before stopping for tide pools
Low tide reveals the best tide-pooling at San Carlos Beach and Asilomar; plan those stops around minus to low tides.
Keep valuables stowed and zipped
The open design makes easy access to views—but also to theft; secure bags and cameras when parked or away from the car.
Reserve separately for multiple cars
If your group needs more than one GoCar, book each vehicle as a separate reservation to guarantee availability.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Sea otters
- Harbor seals
History
Cannery Row evolved from a late-19th-century sardine-processing district into a cultural waterfront after industry decline; John Steinbeck captured its working-class character in his writing.
Conservation
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects the bay’s kelp forests and migratory species—observe wildlife at a distance and follow posted rules at tide pools to avoid damaging sensitive habitats.
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Adventure Hotspots in Monterey
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Windbreaker or light shell
Blocks coastal gusts and keeps you comfortable in the open GoCar.
spring specific
Sunglasses with strap
Glare can be intense on water—strap prevents losing them during quick exits for photos.
summer specific
Binoculars
Helps spot whales, dolphins, and seabirds from shore or while parked at viewpoints.
fall specific
Small dry bag or zipped daypack
Keeps camera, wallet, and phone protected from spray and wind while driving.