Monterey and Carmel Private Luxury Day Trip from San Francisco

Monterey•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

10 hours

Fitness Level

Minimal fitness required; mostly a seated tour with short walks at stops. Able-bodied travel recommended for quick walking and some beach access.

Overview

Skip the rental car and let a private luxury vehicle carry you along California's most cinematic coastline. This 10-hour customizable day trip from San Francisco takes in Monterey's waterfront, 17-Mile Drive vistas, and Carmel's village charm with room for tide pools, galleries, and wildlife encounters.

Monterey and Carmel Private Luxury Day Trip from San Francisco

Bus Tour

Sightseeing Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You step into a leather seat as fog thins over the Golden Gate, and the city slips behind you. The highway opens, the ocean keeps pace on your right, and the driver—part chauffeur, part local guide—charts a route that threads scenic coastlines, cypress-lined fairways, and small-town streets where history hangs in plain sight. By the time you crest the hills above 17-Mile Drive, the Pacific has already started to challenge you with wind and spray; waves dare you to lean closer for the photograph.

Adventure Photos

Monterey and Carmel Private Luxury Day Trip from San Francisco photo 1

Adventure Tips

Book Aquarium and Restaurant Tickets in Advance

Monterey Bay Aquarium and popular restaurants often sell out; reserve timed-entry and lunch spots before your tour date to avoid wait times.

Layer Up and Bring Wind Protection

Coastal temperatures can swing dramatically; a windproof shell and a warm mid-layer make beachside stops comfortable year-round.

Pack a Small Binocular and Camera

Wildlife viewing is frequent from shore and the vehicle; binoculars and a zoom lens will improve sightings of otters, seals, and distant whales.

Confirm Pickup Details and Accessibility Needs

The operator offers hotel and address pickup within San Francisco—confirm your exact pickup point and any mobility needs when you book.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Sea otter
Harbor seal

History

Monterey served as the capital of Alta California under Spanish and Mexican rule and later became a major sardine-canning center; Cannery Row still reflects that industrial past.

Conservation

Much of the coastline is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary; visitors are asked to observe wildlife from a distance and follow leave-no-trace practices to protect fragile kelp and intertidal zones.