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.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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.
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.
Wildlife
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.
Reserve your spot on the 10 Hour Monterey & Carmel Private Tour in a Luxury Vehicle today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
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.
Windproof shell
Blocks ocean spray and stiff coastal breezes during stops
Comfortable walking shoes
Required for cobbled village streets, beach sand, and short trail sections at viewpoints
Binoculars or compact spotting scope
Makes offshore whale and nearshore wildlife sightings much clearer
Portable charger
Keeps camera and phone powered for long days of photos and navigation