Things to do in Monterey County, Monterey County: The Best Sightseeing Tours

Explore Monterey Bay and the Central Coast in a GPS-guided Sea Car, cruising through town or along the Pacific on this 3-hour self-drive tour. Hop into your own 2-seater convertible that navigates itself and provides narration about landmarks along the way, including Monterey’s historical buildings and beautiful ocean vistas. The talking scooter car tells you where to go, from downtown, Lake El Estero and Cannery Row all the way to Pacific Grove’s butterfly sanctuary and Asilomar State Beach.

Inclusions: Rental of GPS-guided touring car, Orientation, Tank of gas, Helmet, Map

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Collision Damage Waiver for $12.00 (covers up to $500 in damages)

Leave the driving to a professional chauffeur during this 8-hour excursion by Luxury SUV to Monterey, Carmel, and Pebble Beach. As the Luxury SUV winds through the rolling hills along the Pacific Coast Highway and 17-Mile Drive. Customize your own itinerary or inquire about beach recommendations when scheduling your tour. Pricing is per group, based on a maximum of eight people. (Service start at the pickup location and finish on the same location. extra hours can be added for $85, paid by cash or credit card).

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off in San Francisco or South Bay, Private driver/guide, Bottled water and soft drinks, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Fuel surcharge and PUC licensing fees, Gratuities (18% included)

Exclusions: Lunch, Attractions Tickets (aquarium etc)

This self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour explores Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey California. It includes the Portola Plaza & Hotel, Custom House Plaza & Museum, the Pacific House Museum & gardens, and more. During this tour, we will explore the Monterey's Fisherman’s Wharf and fishing industry history. You will be able to explore three museums in the Monterey State Historic Park. There will also be numerous opportunities for shopping or dining. And we will be showing you some of the filming locations for Big Little Lies season 1, including the Blue Blues Café. This tour is ready whenever you are. It plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone’s GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which works offline. The tour begins at the Monterey History & Art Association Salvador Dali Museum also known as the Stanton Center and ends at the Pacific House Museum. There is a fee for the Salvador Dali Museum, but all three other museums are free.

Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, VoiceMap App for Android and iOS, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions: Smartphone and headphones, Transportation, Food and drink, Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

This self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour will explore the rugged Carmel coastline where you will have stunning views of Point Lobos, Carmel Beach and Carmel River State Beach. The tour winds its way through the charming tree-lined streets of Carmel Point where you'll discover a number of the unique homes built on this one-time windswept treeless bluff. Along the way, you'll hear about Carmel's famous houses, its flora and fauna, the movies filmed on the point, and the first softball league in the US. You'll come across some colorful characters from the past such as Jean Arthur and Robinson Jeffers. The tour is ready whenever you are. The tour begins and ends at the Walker House Cabin on the Rocks. So start your tour with the VoiceMap app, put your phone in your pocket, and let us direct you on this adventure of Carmel-by-the-Sea Carmel Point Walking tour. Happy Adventures!

Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, VoiceMap App for Android and iOS, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions: Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route, Smartphone and headphones, Transportation, Food and drink

Embark on a 4-hour whale watching tour. All trips are narrated by a naturalist or marine biologist guide, who will also spend one on one time with guests while on deck. Professional photographers are often sent to capture the spectacular sights seen from on board and are available to offer tips for your own photography.

Inclusions: Live commentary on board, Professional guide

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Food and drinks, Souvenir photos (available to purchase), Hotel pickup and drop-off

Monterey Bay is the premier destination for whale watching all year. Your daily 3-hour, whale watch trip is narrated by a marine biologist or naturalist who provides educational and interesting information about whales, dolphins, and a wide variety of marine wildlife. In addition to teaching you about the wildlife, your marine biologists and naturalists will provide information about the natural history of the local area and talk about conservation. 

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Food and drinks, Souvenir photos (available to purchase), Transportation to/from attractions

Electric Scooter Rentals (seated position, easy to drive) which feature App driven GPS self-guided tours of the Monterey Peninsula. We provide everything that is needed to go out and have fun. You can use our tour routes, freestyle your own route or a combination of both, we have a great outdoors experience to make new memories! Enjoy the wind on your face with an easy on, easy off vehicle. Let the Adventure Begin!

Inclusions: Electric Scooter, Helmet, Helmet lock, App Driven GPS Guided Tour, Cell Phone Charger, Cell Phone Holder, Ride Coaching

Exclusions: Auto Liability (we help you with this) $15 for a 24 hour policy, Parking Fees

This self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour will explore Cannery Row in Monterey California and the surrounding area as well as a number of hotels and historic sites. There's a separate admission charge for entrance to Monterey Bay Aquarium. On this tour, you'll hear how the area served as the industrial heart of Monterey in the first half of the 1900s. Its seemingly inexhaustible number of Pacific sardine attracted fishermen, investors and inventors from around the world seeking their fortune. But, (spoiler alert!) overfishing would decimate the industry by the 1950s. You will also discover the connection between John Steinbeck and this area as you meet some of the colorful characters that were immortalized in his novel Cannery Row and its sequel Sweet Thursday. Finally, you'll discover the incredible story of how Cannery Row quite literally rose from the ashes to what is now a welcoming waterfront of world-class hotels, wine rooms, restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, VoiceMap App for Android and iOS, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions: Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route, Smartphone and headphones, Transportation, Food and drink

This self-guided walking audio tour explores off-the-beaten-path areas of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You will walk through Carmel’s quiet and charming northwest side of town, which is home to artist Mary Austin’s Rose Cottage. Discover the hidden Jane Powers Walkway, named after an early Carmelite artist, and hear her fascinating story. You will visit Carmel’s historic Pine Inn where you might decide to visit the bar for a cocktail or a snack. There will be the opportunity to see First Murphy House, a museum of early Carmel history. Operating hours are Tuesday – Thursday 12pm to 3pm. Then the tour takes you to the north end of Carmel Beach where you will see the gorgeous Pebble Beach Golf Links. The tour passes by the early homes of Robinson and Una Jeffers where you will hear the story of this famous Carmel couple. The tour is ready whenever you are. It plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone’s GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which works offline.

Inclusions: Lifetime access to Carmel-by-the-Sea: Off the Beaten Path tour, VoiceMap Application, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions: Smartphone, Transportation, Food/Drink, Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Explore Monterey Bay and the Central Coast in a GPS-guided Sea Car, cruising through town or along the Pacific on a 1-hour tour. Hop into your own 2-seater convertible that navigates itself and provides narration about landmarks along the way, including Monterey’s historical buildings and beautiful ocean vistas.

Inclusions: Rental of GPS-guided touring car, Orientation, Tank of gas, Helmet, Map

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Collision Damage Waiver for $12.00 (covers up to $500 in damages)