Monterey, Carmel & Big Sur Day Trip from San Francisco — 17-Mile Drive to McWay Falls
Difficulty
easy
Duration
10–12 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for anyone comfortable with a full day of minimal walking and short, easy strolls; no sustained hiking required.
Overview
Drive one of the world’s most famous coastlines on a private day tour from San Francisco: Monterey’s marine scenes, Carmel’s storybook streets, Pebble Beach’s Lone Cypress, the Bixby Bridge, and the dramatic McWay Falls. Expect 10–12 hours of curated stops, geology, and reliable photo opportunities.
Monterey, Carmel & Big Sur Day Trip from San Francisco — 17-Mile Drive to McWay Falls
Select participants and date
The ride out of San Francisco thins the city’s hum until salt and rock take over. Windows fog with ocean spray; the highway bends and reveals the coast in chapters — surfers framed on kelp-studded swells, a white lighthouse perched like punctuation, the Lone Cypress clinging to an island of granite. This private day tour stitches those chapters together into a single, full-day narrative: Monterey’s marine heartbeat, Carmel-by-the-Sea’s low-slung charm, the manicured cliffs of Pebble Beach and 17-Mile Drive, and the wild, vertical geometry of Big Sur ending at the McWay Falls overlook.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer for coastal microclimates
Mornings are often foggy and windy while afternoons can be sunny — pack a windbreaker and insulating mid-layer.
Bring cash or card for gate fees
17-Mile Drive sometimes charges an access fee; the tour usually covers it but keep a payment method handy for parking or small purchases.
Start early to beat midday crowds
Departing San Francisco in the morning minimizes time spent behind other tour traffic at popular overlooks like Bixby Bridge and Lone Cypress.
Wear comfortable shoes for short walks
Stops include boardwalks, short trails, and uneven viewpoints — supportive shoes make getting better photo angles easier.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- California sea otter
- Migrating gray whale (seasonal)
History
Monterey was California’s early commercial port and the site of the Spanish-era Presidio and Mission; Carmel was a center for artists and mission history under Father Junípero Serra.
Conservation
The Big Sur coastline is ecologically sensitive; stay on designated trails, respect signage, and know private roads like Pebble Beach rely on fees to fund habitat protection.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Monterey
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Windbreaker or waterproof jacket
Blocks wind and light spray during coastal stops and in Big Sur’s variable weather.
Daypack with water and snacks
Keeps essentials accessible during multiple short stops and town breaks.
Camera with wide-angle lens
Wide-angle lets you capture sweeping cliffs, Bixby Bridge, and McWay Falls in one frame.
Sturdy walking shoes
Provides grip and comfort for viewpoints, short trail sections, and uneven paths.