Monterey

Day Trips

Travel along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. This full-day tour takes you along California’s stunning coast to experience the beauty of Highway 1. When you arrive at the Monterey peninsula, follow the 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach to visit the Lone Cypress, where your guide will stop for you to take photos of the rugged, beautiful coast. As your tour continues, visit Monterey city where you can walk down Cannery Row, or visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium (for an additional cost). From Monterey, your tour continues to the coastal town Pacific Grove, which features charming Victorian-era buildings; and the artsy Carmel-by-the-Sea, where you will visit the historic mission established in 1770. On the way back to San Francisco, drive through Silicon Valley, the tech capital of the United States; and, as you circle round the north end of San Francisco, catch a glimpse of the Seal Rocks in the distance.

Begin your adventure at the Monterey Coastal Recreational Trail, near the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Enjoy a great place to practice with the bike's throttle and to experience a low-level of pedal-assist. You'll soon forget the controls and begin to marvel at the breathtaking ocean vistas. See harbor seals on the beach near the Hopkin's Marine Station, where the sweeping vistas start. After a few minutes, arrive at Lover's Point Park (featured filming location for "Big Little Lies."). There, hop on the wide and scenic Ocean View Boulevard, and share the road with slow-moving cars for a short while. Make sure to stop at Kissing Rock, Pacific Grove's beautiful little sea arch. Take your own pace as you ride this scenic stretch of coastline. Pass the John Denver Memorial, Point Pinos Lighthouse, Asilomar Beach, and the Pacific Grove Links Golf Course. After Asilomar beach, experience the full power of the electric motor. Go full throttle as the road pulls inland and climbs a long hill to the entrance of Pebble Beach. Turn right on 17 Mile Drive, and take the bike path back down to the ocean. Scan the golf courses and yards for deer — you're sure to see a few along the ride. In Pebble Beach, ride past even more stunning vistas: Spanish Bay, Point Joe, Restless Sea, and China Rock. Make sure to stop at Bird Rock (public restrooms here) to watch the sea lions splash and sunbathe. Hop back on your e-bike and continue along the ocean to the Lone Cypress. To spot some sea otters, stop at Fanshell Beach Overlook and Cypress Point Lookout. Here the true mansions start. Follow the road that winds through 300-year-old Cypress Trees and some of the most expensive homes in Pebble Beach. Suddenly, break out into a clearing and see the Lone Cypress perched on its stony outcropping. Your next stop should be the Ghost Trees at Pescadero Point where a short walk brings you to a beautifully sculpted coastline. For a little "nurture," continue on just a little further to Pebble Beach Lodge for food, restrooms, amd shopping. From here, you can either ride back the same route, take a shortcut, or continue on to Carmel to explore its coastline and cottages.

Take a wine tour of California's Monterey County, one of the largest premium grape producers in the state. Learn about local wine production and taste sample some wines. Get picked up from your hotel and listen to some interesting commentary on your way out to the vineyards. Admire the beautiful Californian landscape as you tour a local winery. Let your guide teach you about Monterey and its history of wine production. Enter the tasting room for your chance to try 2 or 3 different wines. Enjoy a convenient drop-off at your accommodations after the tour.

Learn to surf in Monterey with experienced instructors. Receive all necessary equipment including wetsuits, comfort-fit booties, and a range of boards suited for all experience levels.  Choose between the following options: Private Single Lesson Benefit from one-on-one instruction so you can quickly learn and apply the fundamentals of surfing. Discover optimal positioning, paddling, and pop up form. Enjoy a demonstration on the beach, followed by plenty of practice time on the water. Knowledge of surfer etiquette, board selection, reading surf reports, and oceanography will also be discussed. After completing their first lesson, you should be able to rent or purchase equipment and surf with confidence. Private Group Lesson (2-4 people) Choose this option to learn to surf as a group with your family or friends. Enjoy a similar lesson structure as the private single lesson, where you will cover all the basics. Watch a quick demonstration on the beach followed by some extended time on the waves with instructor guidance and supervision. Large Group (5+ people) The large group option is a wonderful way for large parties to experience surfing and also have access to additional equipment. Receive training with additional instructors involved to facilitate safety, guidance, and supervision at all times. Spend most of the lesson in the water so all participants have a chance to practice on the waves.

The experience begins with check-in at the local partner’s office in Monterey and a short video and demonstration on how to use the electric scooters safety. Once you’re kitted out with your riding gear, hop onboard and set out onto the streets of Monterey where adventure awaits. The tour allows you the flexibility to follow the route on the app or explore the area according to your interests, taking any detour that looks appealing to you. On your scooter, follow the GPS driven app on your phone to a selection of different locations. The tour starts on Wave Streets, traveling towards San Carlos Beach and onto Breakwater Cove Marina where sea otters and sea lions are frequently seen frolicking among the jetties and the kelp forest tops. Stop by Hopkins Marine Sanctuary next, which is home to harbor seals soaking up the sun on the beach or nesting their young. Continue the tour to Lover’s Point, followed by Perkins Park, then see the great tide-pools that dot the shoreline and offer epic scenic views. Soak up the tranquility at Asilomar Beach, then head to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary where you can admire clusters of butterflies in the pine trees above. At the end of an unforgettable day of exploring, return the scooter to the starting point.

Begin your tour by traveling south on the famous Pacific Coast Highway, California Highway 1. Head to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. At your first rest stop in Davenport, you will have a chance to take a selfie with the whole Pacific as your backdrop.  At Monterey, you will have 2 hours on your own to explore. You can visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, rent a kayak or paddleboard, hike along the coast, or take a bike to roam. You can also stroll among the quaint boutiques and art shops along the historic Cannery Row. Grab a seafood lunch at Old Fisherman’s Wharf.  Enjoy another eyeful of Pacific beauty along the scenic 17-Mile Drive through Del Monte Forest and take photographs of the hardy Lone Cyprus Tree. This famous road winds its way by magnificent homes and the spectacular coastline, between the greens and tees of world famous golf courses, and among the last remaining forest of a rare species of the Monterey Cypress.  Your scenic drive finishes at Pebble Beach Village. Upon arrival in the enchanted town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, you can explore the boutique shops on Ocean Avenue and be dazzled by the white sandy beach. If there is time, you can visit the historic Carmel Mission. Then, it will be time to head back to San Francisco. 

Explore the Big Sur and Monterey areas of California at your own pace, and avoid the hassle of organized bus tours. Traveling by private car, enjoy the comfort of seeing the places you want to see without worrying about your departure or arrival time. Learn more about the famous landmarks with a reliable service, offering maximum security and, most of all, the best level of hospitality in the industry. Following a pick-up from your accommodation in San Francisco (pick-ups in other cities in the Bay Area are available on arrangement), get recommendations on the best places to stop to take pictures or explore further; you decide where you want to go. Take a scenic drive from San Francisco to Carmel and Big Sur via State Route 1, the north-south highway that runs along most of the Pacific coastline of California. Travel the forested road of 17-Mile Drive. Discover the Mission District and Monterey Bay Aquarium. See all the sights of Fisherman's Wharf. Drive down to the Big Sur Bixby Creek Bridge, and marvel at the flora and fauna of Poit Lobos State Reserve south of Carmel before your return to San Francisco.

Learn about the Salinas Valley agricultural industry during a 3-hour outing with a guide. See workers harvest vegetable fields and pack different crops and learn about these processes from your guide. Start your experience with a convenient pickup from your accommodation. Hop aboard an air-conditioned van and set off on your adventure. Stroll through the Pezzini Farm on a guided walking tour. Learn about irrigation, planting, and the rules of organic farming. Hear about the 40 different crops Pezzini Artichokes farm produces, including lettuce, broccoli, artichokes, spinach, asparagus, strawberries, and grapes. Before you leave, enjoy a deep-fried artichoke heart or a delicious artichoke cupcake. Throughout your tour, learn about the Monterey Bay region's wine, agriculture, fascinating history, and beautiful environment.

Experience Monterey like a local exploring the twists and turns of its iconic highway, 17 Mile Drive. Cruise along this scenic route that hugs the California coastline from Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove up to the Monterrey Peninsula. Enjoy this door-to-door experience with Evan, an agricultural scientist and specialist in viticulture (grape growing). Learn about Monterey's wine culture as well as fun facts about its history as you stop at points of interest such as Lover's Point Park, Bird Rock, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Have your camera ready for the drive through scenic Carmel-by-the-Sea and travel back in time standing in front of the 200-year-old Lone Cypress, one of the most photographed trees in America. After a half day of sightseeing, the tour will conclude at your hotel or accommodation in Monterey.

Rent a motorcycle to explore California’s Big Sur in an unforgettable way. Begin your adventure in the Monterey area after your motorcycle delivery to your local hotel.  Head out on your adventure to explore Cali’s diverse landscapes, whether you choose 24-hour or 48-hour hire. Ride a 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 400abs, selected for its ease of operation by novices and more experienced riders alike. Appreciate the Pacific Coast as you hit the road, or head inland to explore the canyons and mountainous terrain. Enjoy the freedom to choose what you see. Even meet fellow motorcyclists on the way.