San Francisco to Monterey 1-Day Tour

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

Overview

Monterey and Scenic Coastal Exploration

Experience the stunning beauty of California’s rugged coastline with a journey through iconic destinations and picturesque landscapes.

Carmel-By-The-Sea
Carmel-By-The-Sea

Tour Highlights
17-Mile Drive
Scenic Coastal Route:
Take a breathtaking drive along the renowned 17-Mile Drive.
Witness dramatic ocean views, rocky cliffs, and lush greenery.
Stop at famous landmarks, including Pebble Beach and the iconic Lone Cypress, one of the most photographed trees in the world.


Monterey
Coastal Charm:
Explore the vibrant city of Monterey, rich in history and coastal allure.
Visit Fisherman’s Wharf, filled with shops, seafood restaurants, and stunning bay views.
Learn about Monterey's history as a major fishing and whaling port.


Carmel-by-the-Sea
Quaint Elegance:
Discover the storybook-like village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, known for its charming architecture and art galleries.
Stroll through boutique shops and quaint streets or enjoy a peaceful walk along the beach.


Why Choose This Tour?
Immerse yourself in unparalleled coastal beauty along California’s famous Pacific shoreline.
Enjoy a mix of historic exploration, natural wonders, and artistic inspiration in one unforgettable trip.
Ideal for travelers seeking a relaxing yet enriching experience of California’s scenic and cultural treasures.
Reserve your spot today and experience the magic of California’s majestic coastline!

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Departure date

Friday, Sunday

*Minimum 2 people

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Departure location:

06:30 Departure Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Francisco Airport;250 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030;
07:15 Departure 99 Ranch Market San Jose;1688 Hostetter Rd, San Jose, CA 95131;
07:30 Departure Union Square Macy's;291 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102;
07:30 Departure 99 Ranch Marketing Warm Springs Plaza;46551 Mission Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539;
08:00 Departure Courtyard Oakland;988 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607;

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Return location:

Returning location same as departure location;

The returning location is the same as departure location. The returning time depends on the actual itinerary, weather, and traffic of the day. Pleases ask the guide on the last day of the tour for more information.

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Itinerary

  • One
    Day

    San Francisco - Monterey

    Monterey is a city in Monterey County, situated on the southern shore of Monterey Bay along California's Central Coast. Today, one of its notable attractions is the Monterey Fisherman's Wharf.

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    Itinerary:

    Cannery Row → Fishermans Wharf → 17 Miles Drive → Lone Cypress → Pebble Beach → Carmel-By-The-Sea

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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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    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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    Fisherman’s Wharf

    Fisherman’s Wharf features a variety of seafood restaurants, from casual open-air clam bars to upscale indoor dining with scenic bay views. Alongside Cannery Row, it’s one of the few places in Monterey where visitors can shop for souvenirs, with restaurants nestled among gift shops, jewelry stores, art galleries, and candy shops. The wharf also serves as a departure point for whale watching tours and fishing trips, while sea lions are often seen resting on pilings, buoys, and nearby boats.
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    Carmel-By-The-Sea

    Carmel-by-the-Sea is a city in Monterey County, California, founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916. Located on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel is renowned for its natural beauty and vibrant artistic heritage. In 1906, the San Francisco Call highlighted the community of "artists, writers, and poets at Carmel-by-the-Sea," and by 1910, it noted that 60 percent of the homes were built by residents dedicated to the aesthetic arts.

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Cost Includes

  • Transportation (The type of vehicle used will base on the number of guests on the day).
  • Admission ticket of 17-Miles Drive.

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.