San Francisco to Monterey 1-Day Tour

1 Day
  • San Francisco
  • San Francisco
  • Optional
  • None
  • None
  • Air-conditioned van or coach bus

Overview

Coastal Elegance of California: Monterey, Carmel & Pebble Beach
Indulge in a VIP-level coastal escape along California’s most scenic shoreline. With professional service staff, a guaranteed small group of no more than 12 guests, and a thoughtfully curated itinerary, this journey blends dramatic ocean views, marine wonders, and European-style romance.

Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach

Tour Highlights

Exclusive Small Group Experience
VIP Service: Enjoy attentive, professional service throughout the trip, ensuring comfort, flexibility, and a truly personalized travel experience.
Small Group Guarantee: With a maximum of 12 travelers, experience premium pacing and an intimate atmosphere.

17-Mile Drive: Pacific Coast Masterpiece
Iconic Coastal Scenery: Travel along the legendary 17-Mile Drive, where rugged cliffs meet the vast Pacific Ocean.
Lone Cypress Tree: Admire the solitary cypress standing proudly against ocean winds — a symbol of resilience and natural beauty.
Nature’s Art Gallery: Black volcanic rocks, rolling waves, and ice-leaf sunflowers blend together to create a breathtaking coastal tableau.

Monterey Bay Aquarium: Wonders Beneath the Sea
Immersive Marine World: Step into one of the world’s most renowned aquariums, home to diverse marine life and mesmerizing underwater habitats.
Ocean Discovery: Learn about the mysteries of the sea and experience the magic of marine ecosystems up close.

Carmel-by-the-Sea: European Romance
Carmel Square & Town Stroll: Wander through charming streets lined with art galleries, boutique shops, and cozy cafés.
Artistic Atmosphere: With its storybook cottages and artistic soul, Carmel feels like a Monet painting brought to life — romantic, relaxed, and inspiring.

Pebble Beach: World-Famous Fairways
Golf Legend: Visit the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, a must-see for golf lovers worldwide.
Dramatic Coastal Views: Enjoy sweeping vistas of Carmel Bay, where emerald fairways meet rugged ocean cliffs.

Why Choose This Tour?

VIP Small Group Travel: Personalized service and a relaxed pace for an elevated experience.
Iconic California Coastline: From dramatic cliffs to charming seaside towns, see the very best of the Monterey Peninsula.
Perfect Blend of Nature & Culture: Ocean wonders, artistic romance, and legendary landmarks in one unforgettable day.

Experience California’s coast at its most elegant and enchanting — where every view feels like a masterpiece.

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Departure date

Daily Departure

*Minimum 2 people

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Departure location:

08:00 Departure Union Square Macy's;291 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102;
08:30 Departure San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront;1800 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010;

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Return location:

Union Square Macy's;291 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102;
San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront;1800 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010;

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Itinerary

  • One
    Day

    San Francisco - Monterey

    Departing early from downtown San Francisco, we travel south along the breathtaking Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) toward the stunning Monterey Peninsula. This coastal gem is truly a paradise: discover fascinating marine life at the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium; enjoy the dramatic scenery of the 17-Mile Drive, where blue ocean vistas meet rugged cliffs, rocky reefs, and windswept pine trees; savor fresh seafood at Old Fisherman’s Wharf (at your own expense); admire the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links as it gracefully hugs the coastline, offering sweeping views over Carmel Bay and the Pacific Ocean. We’ll also spend time in the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, an inviting place to stroll, relax, and soak in its unique artistic atmosphere.

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    Itinerary:

    San Francisco → Pigeon Point Lighthouse → Monterey Bay and Lovers Point (Pass By) → Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium (Optional) → 17-Mile Drive → Bird Rock Vista Point → Lone Cypress → Pebble Beach → Carmel Plaza → San Francisco

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    Pigeon Point Light Station

    Standing proudly atop a coastal cliff on California’s Central Coast, about 50 miles south of San Francisco, the 115-foot-tall Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States. Since 1872, it has faithfully guided mariners along these dramatic shores.

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    Cannery Row

    Cannery Row is a historic waterfront street in Monterey, California, once lined with bustling sardine canneries that defined the area’s identity. The final cannery closed in 1973, marking the end of an era. Originally known as Ocean View Avenue, the street was officially renamed Cannery Row in 1958 in honor of author John Steinbeck and his iconic novel of the same name. In the book’s opening lines, Steinbeck famously described it as “a poem, a stink, a cacophony of noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.”

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    Monterey Bay Aquarium (Optional, $65.00)

    Located on California’s Monterey Peninsula, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the world’s most renowned aquariums, welcoming nearly two million visitors each year. Set right along the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium draws directly from the ocean itself, making the surrounding waters an integral part of its exhibits. It is home to more than 6,500 species and over 300,000 marine animals. Beyond its impressive marine life displays, the aquarium also offers engaging environmental technology exhibits, a man-made beach, and habitats for resident seabirds, creating a rich and immersive coastal experience.

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    17-Mile Drive

    The 17-Mile Drive is a scenic route that winds through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on California's Monterey Peninsula. Much of the drive follows the Pacific coastline, offering views of renowned golf courses, grand estates, and natural landmarks such as the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest, home to Monterey Cypress trees.

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    Bird Rock Vista Point

    Bird Rock Vista Point is a popular scenic attraction celebrated for its striking geological formations and rich natural ecosystem. The area features a collection of distinctive rock formations and rugged peaks, each with its own unique shape, coming together to create a dramatic and unforgettable landscape. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities—including hiking, camping, rock climbing, and horseback riding—making it an ideal destination to fully immerse in the region’s natural beauty and diverse ecology.

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    Pebble Beach

    Pebble Beach is a coastal community on the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey County, California. Known for its residential charm with primarily single-family homes, it is also a renowned resort destination, featuring world-class golf courses such as Cypress Point Club, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and Pebble Beach Golf Links.

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    Lone Cypress

    The Lone Cypress is a Monterey cypress tree located in Pebble Beach, California. Perched on a granite outcrop along the 17-Mile Drive, it is considered a Western icon and one of the most photographed trees in North America. The tree is estimated to be up to 250 years old.
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    Carmel Plaza

    Situated in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Plaza offers a relaxed yet sophisticated shopping and dining experience. The plaza features a curated mix of unique fashion boutiques and well-known national brands, along with specialty restaurants, gourmet food shops, a wine tasting room, and wellness studios, making it a delightful place to shop, dine, and unwind.

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Cost Includes

  • Transportation (The type of vehicle used will base on the number of guests on the day).
  • Ticket: Pigeon Point Lighthouse, 17-Mile Drive, Bird Rock Vista Point, Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach.
  • Bottled water and snacks.

Cost Excludes

  • Meals and beverages.
  • Attraction admission fees (Prices may change without prior notice; tickets must be purchased through the tour guide).
  • Service fee (Minimum of US$15 per person per day. Children and infants occupying a seat are also required to pay the service fee).
  • Personal expenses not included in the "Fee Included" section.

FAQs

Important Information Before Booking

1. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult to join the tour. Unaccompanied minors or children are not allowed to participate in the tour.

2. Please make sure to provide accurate and complete information at the time of booking, including full name, gender, valid contact details (preferably a mobile number for timely communication), correct flight information, or pick-up location. Any losses caused by incorrect information provided will be the sole responsibility of the customer.

3. Hotel room types may vary, such as rooms with one King/Queen-size bed or two Double-size beds. Each room can legally accommodate 2 to 4 guests, including adults and children. Hotels may require a security deposit upon check-in, and guests must cooperate with the hotel’s policy. While we guarantee the number of rooms, we cannot guarantee specific room types or locations. Hotel check-in time is generally after 3:00 PM.

4. Tour participants must purchase attraction tickets from the tour guide and may not bring their own tickets or use City Passes. Admission fees and meals may change due to updates from the attraction providers and are subject to the prices announced on the day of the visit.

5. The tour operator reserves the right to adjust the order of the itinerary if needed to ensure smooth tour operation. No scheduled attractions will be removed from the itinerary.

6. During the tour, the tour guide or driver may adjust the order of visits, the time spent at attractions, or meeting times based on weather, traffic, or other factors to ensure the tour proceeds smoothly.

7. In case of temporary closures of attractions or holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year), the guide will make suitable adjustments such as exterior viewing or substitution with other attractions to maintain the richness of the tour. Opening hours and visitor limits at attractions and national parks may change due to the pandemic. If the itinerary is affected, it will be considered a force majeure situation, and we appreciate your understanding.

8. Children under 8 years old are required to use a child safety seat while on tour. We offer a rental service at $10.00 per person per day. Please make a note during booking if you need one so we can prepare in advance. If not notified in time, guests will be responsible for any fines or violations. If the tour uses a chartered bus on the day of travel, the safety seat is not required and the fee will be refunded.

9. Many attractions on the itinerary require guests to have a basic level of physical health. Disabled passengers should contact us in advance to learn about available accommodations. If not informed in time, we cannot guarantee wheelchair-accessible buses or special seating arrangements.

10. The company is not responsible for damage to or loss of luggage, handbags, or personal belongings. It is recommended that guests purchase relevant personal travel insurance for international trips.

Important Information Before Departure

1. To ensure a smooth and complete tour experience, all guests are responsible for strictly adhering to the meeting times given by the tour guide. The vehicle will not wait more than 10 minutes past the scheduled time and will depart promptly. While we strive to offer timely service, we cannot guarantee on-time arrivals or pick-ups in the event of uncontrollable factors such as weather, traffic, mechanical issues, strikes, government shutdowns, war, or terrorist activity. Any resulting delays, missed connections, or additional expenses (e.g., flights, trains, buses, or other travel arrangements) due to such circumstances are the sole responsibility of the traveler.

2. To facilitate smooth tour operations, the company reserves the right to transfer guests to a different vehicle and assign a different driver and guide during the journey if needed.

3. To expedite check-in and registration, we recommend having a valid photo ID and being ready to present either a printed or digital copy of your itinerary.

4. This is a group tour product. If you decide to leave the group mid-tour, please inform the tour guide in advance and obtain their approval. You’ll be required to sign a departure agreement. Any unfinished portions of the itinerary will be considered voluntarily forfeited, and no refunds will be issued.

5. Complimentary activities included in the itinerary are subject to change. If such activities cannot be offered due to weather, traffic, or other uncontrollable factors—or if a guest cannot participate due to personal reasons—no refunds will be provided. Your understanding is appreciated.

6. Under U.S. federal law, smoking is strictly prohibited on the tour bus. Most hotel rooms also enforce a no-smoking policy. Hotel staff are trained to detect smoking, and security may document violations. If evidence of smoking is found, a cleaning fee of at least $250 per night will be charged to the guest. The tour company bears no responsibility for this charge. If you need to smoke, please use designated smoking areas.

7. Pets and animals are not permitted on any part of the group tour itinerary.

8. For tours that include airport pickup service: Only one complimentary airport pickup is provided per booking within the specified time range. If a delay due to weather, flight changes, or other circumstances prevents the arranged pickup, guests will need to arrange and cover their own transportation.

Cancellation Policy

In the event that unforeseen circumstances such as weather, war, strikes, or other force majeure factors prevent the tour from proceeding as planned, the company reserves the right to adjust the itinerary. Admission fees for affected attractions will be refunded (excluding complimentary or optional activities). However, the tour fee will not be refunded.

The cancellation policy is as follows:

a. If the tour is canceled or rescheduled 21 days or more before departure (inclusive), the full tour fee will be refunded. However, any additional bookings such as hotels, flights, or other services are subject to the refund policies of the respective providers.

b. If the tour is canceled or rescheduled between 11 and 20 days before departure (inclusive), 50% of the tour fee will be deducted from the refund.

c. If the tour is canceled within 10 days before departure (inclusive), or if the participant fails to join the tour on the departure day, it will be considered a voluntary forfeiture. No refund will be issued for the tour fee paid.

d. If a participant withdraws from the tour or misses any part of the itinerary due to personal reasons (e.g., missing travel documents, tardiness, illness, or accidents), no refund will be provided, nor will alternative compensation be offered.