Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive: Full Day Tour from SF
4.5
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About
Running along the Pacific coastline in California, Highway 1’s route involves plenty of twists and turns. Rather than dealing with the stress of driving it on your own, take this Monterey and Carmel tour that allows you to keep your eyes on the spectacular views. It includes round-trip transportation from San Francisco, and you can even add an optional admission ticket to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 45 per group
Duration: 11h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Enjoy a road trip down Highway 1: One of California's most famous routes
- Choose to stroll Cannery Row or to explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Round-trip transportation makes exploring seamless
- Plenty of stops with photo opportunities along 17 Mile Drive
- Day-trip to Monterey and Carmel
- Entrance fee for the 17-Mile Drive Included
- Transport by air-conditioned luxury motor-coach with a professional guide
- 2 hours stop at Monterey Bay
- 1 hour stop at Carmel by the Sea
- Stops at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pebble Beach, Bird Rock and the Lone Cypress
- Entry/Admission - 17-Mile Drive
- Entry/Admission - Bird Rock Vista Point
- Entry/Admission - Lone Cypress
- Entry/Admission - Pebble Beach Golf Links
What's not included- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel Pick-up & drop-off
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Start your guided tour to Monterey with a pickup in central San Francisco. Once you board your vehicle for the day, relax on the drive. Your guide takes you down the California coast for views of the Pacific Ocean and beachside mansions. Your first stop is in Monterey where you have some free time to stroll Cannery Row or visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Next, take a trip down 17-Mile Drive, and stop to admire the Pebble Beach Golf Course, all while soaking up the coastal scenery. Afterward, it’s on to Carmel-by-the-Sea for some more free time before the drive back to San Francisco.
- Start:Multiple meeting point options.
- Option 1478 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USAUnion Square Departure Location 478 Post St. Arrive by 7:25 AM to check-in Bus Departs at 7:40 AM Although there is no physical location, you'll find Encore Café situated right next door. For boarding the bus, simply head across the street to meet our representative and board the bus.
- Option 22805 Leavenworth St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USAGray Line Fisherman’s Wharf Departure Location 2805 Leavenworth St. Arrive by 7:45 AM to check-in Bus Departs at 8:00 AM Although there is no physical location, you'll easily spot Pomegranate Café directly across the street. Simply wait there, and our representative will meet you.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2660SFOMON- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- Is there a restroom onboard the Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive tour?
- Yes restrooms are on the bus. We also make stops to use the restroom during the tour.Answered Aug 2023
The tour operator has provided the following answers to customers’ questions.- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2660SFOMON
From AU$204.78
AU$192.49
per adult
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Itinerary
- Pass byPacific Coast Highway
- 1
- 2Pass byMonterey BayCannery Row
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Pass byCarmel by the sea
- 7
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About the operator
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- Matttrent1010 contributionsA lovely time.Had a great time on the Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour! The small group made it feel really relaxed and personal, and everything was super smooth from start to finish. The tour page mentioned a max of 40 people, but there were only about 11 of us, so there was plenty of space on the bus. Muir Woods was absolutely stunning - walking among the giant redwoods was such a peaceful experience. We had plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed, which was perfect. You could definitely spend much longer there if you wanted to go deeper into the trails. I took a bit of a risk and wandered pretty far, but it was totally worth it. After that, we headed to Sausalito, which had beautiful waterfront views and a really laid-back vibe. I liked that we had the option to take the bus or ferry back, which added some flexibility. I chose the ferry since I knew I wouldn’t get another chance to take one on this trip. The only downside was that the charging ports on the bus didn’t work. It wasn’t a big deal for me as I also had multiple powerbanks with me, so I didn’t bring it up, but something to keep in mind. Overall, a great mix of nature and coastal charm - definitely worth it if you can make the time within your trip!Written 14 March 2025
- peterjj_19880 contributionsGreat nature tourFor those who want to experience California's nature without the long drive to Yosemite. The tour also stops at the Golden gate Bridge allowing for great pictures.Written 11 March 2025
- WendyLLasithi0 contributionsSuperb day out with a superb guide and driver.What a superb day we had, Danilo was a great guide and driver, so knowledgable. Muir Woods is just breathtaking we had a wonderful time and then we went to Sausalito for the afternoon and opted to take the ferry back. We had a lovely lunch overlooking the bay. We would definitely recommend this tour for anyone wanting to visit the woods.Written 11 March 2025
- HSCondo0 contributionsSafe driver and an excellent storyteller on Muir Woods Tour.Our driver, Kevin, captivated the entire bus with insights about points of interest along the way to Muir Woods. These included historical and cultural events that profoundly shaped the development of San Francisco and Sausalito. We also delved into the construction of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the significance of John Muir’s conservation efforts. Throughout the drive, Kevin’s engaging and articulate narration made the journey an enriching and informative experience.Written 10 March 2025
- Dorene f0 contributionsHighly recommendOur guide Michelle was relaxed and full of information. She did an amazing job of keeping the group engaged and was a great communicator and guide.Written 10 March 2025
- VacaSunCH0 contributionsNot a good value for what you get.What you ar paying for with this tour is the ride out to Muir Woods and Sausalito. Our bus driver was very nice and gave us some histrorical highlights of the area. There is no tour of Muir Woods or Saucalito. The bus takes you there, where you have 1.5 hour to enjoy the park. then to Sausalito. There were three of us. We could have taken a Lyft for about $110 round trip. $15 each to get into the park - with more time in the park. This was not a great value. Having said that the Muir Woods are gorgeous and a must do when visiting SF.Written 10 March 2025
- Tarnz0 contributionsHIGHLY RECOMMENDED!What a great day and value for money! We went to 5 wineries in the end, with each having their own wonderful wines and lovely people taking you through. Outstanding views from some and others have quaint little endearing features. We stopped for lunch in Sonoma, which was gorgeous! Got picked up at 9am and back around 6pm, with new friends made along the way. Highly recommend it!Written 9 March 2025
- Happiness210906782320 contributionsWine CountryThe wineries were amazing and the wine some of the best! The timing was perfect on an all day tour. We all had a great time and meet people from different countries.Written 8 March 2025
- J5294FRandreas0 contributionsWonderful day out!Don was an amazing tour guide with great stories, local information, current events, history, etc The vineyards made sure we were entertained as we learned about their origins, products and future. Highly recommend.Written 4 March 2025
- Sole E0 contributionsGreat wine tour!Everything was perfect. Don our guide was amazing! The first vineyard was the best of the trip, a then also pretty like the second one.Written 4 March 2025
- 852kcs0 contributionsFam trip to Muir Woods and SausalitoGreat guide! Wonderful time and perfectly coordinated. Taking the ferry back past the Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz was awesome.Written 1 March 2025
- jeffgN9733RM0 contributionsGreat wine country adventure!!Wonderful trip to wine country. Don was well versed on the area and provided valuable information that enhanced the experience. Highly recommend!Written 28 February 2025
- Rhian M0 contributionsAbsolutely breathtaking magicalYosemite is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, including towering granite cliffs, majestic waterfalls, pristine alpine meadows, and ancient sequoia groves. The park's iconic landmarks like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls attract millions of visitors each. We had a very special time walking and holding handsWritten 27 February 2025
- Steven C0 contributionsNapa valley wine tourThis tour is excellent from start to finish. Our tour guide, Don, was relaxed and informative, telling us things as we went along. The tour itself was setup pretty well, visiting 2 wineries in the morning, then lunch, then the 3rd winery. Each winery went into depth of the wine making process and was very well done. A good day out, would definitely recommend.Written 27 February 2025
- alvarosB8578OW0 contributionsGreat tour!The tour is great if you want to know about the background of the main tech companies in California, our Tour guide explained great and it was very interesting.Written 27 February 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.5
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Henry S
43 contributions
We had a great day on the Pacific Coast with our guide Danilo.
The scenery was epic and we went to all the stops from Monterey to Pebble Beach to Carmel. We were even lucky enough to see two sea otters in Pacific Grove!
The drive was long and not helped by the air con failing, but Danilo did his best to try and sort the situation.
Be aware that this is quite a large tour and so there is the possibility of other customers affecting your trip, sometimes negatively. We had to move seats as a customer was playing music loudly without headphones, singing loudly, and eating unbelievably loudly directly behind us... This is all out of the tour's control so it has not affected the review score, I'm just making it known so that maybe in the future the driver could tell people to only play music with headphones on!
Thank you!
The scenery was epic and we went to all the stops from Monterey to Pebble Beach to Carmel. We were even lucky enough to see two sea otters in Pacific Grove!
The drive was long and not helped by the air con failing, but Danilo did his best to try and sort the situation.
Be aware that this is quite a large tour and so there is the possibility of other customers affecting your trip, sometimes negatively. We had to move seats as a customer was playing music loudly without headphones, singing loudly, and eating unbelievably loudly directly behind us... This is all out of the tour's control so it has not affected the review score, I'm just making it known so that maybe in the future the driver could tell people to only play music with headphones on!
Thank you!
Written 11 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Henry! We’re glad you enjoyed the epic scenery and Danilo’s efforts to make the day memorable. We appreciate your feedback on the air conditioning and will consider your suggestion about managing noise on the bus. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Written 16 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fraser N
Glasgow, UK240 contributions
July 2023
Took this tour during a visit to California, departs from close to Union Square in San Francisco and is a full day tour. Fantastic drive down the Californian coast with a very informative driver who takes the time to point out all the sights!
Plenty of stops for coffee and toilet breaks along the way.
Main stops are Monterey which is a busy place with lots to see and do, some people went to the Aquarium but it was very busy and time is tight especially when there are so many other things to see. We took in a classic car show and had lunch and wandered the shops! Fab place to visit and could have spend longer there! Drove along 17 mile drive which is very exclusive and you have to pay to access although this is included in the tour price. Plenty of stops for photo's and to see the local wildlife. A stop at the exclusive Pebble Beach Golf Resort was great although if you're going to buy anything here you will need plenty of cash!
Last stop was Carmel which is a lovely quaint town spoiled by tourists! I know thats why I was there too but it was so busy! Greta shops for a wander and the beach is jus fabulous! Again not enough time to rally explore on the tour but wouldn't want to try and find a parking space here as it really was busy!
This is a full day trip and we were all exhausted by the time we got back to San Francisco which is the main reason for 4 stars instead of 5 that and feeling abit rushed at points during the day
Plenty of stops for coffee and toilet breaks along the way.
Main stops are Monterey which is a busy place with lots to see and do, some people went to the Aquarium but it was very busy and time is tight especially when there are so many other things to see. We took in a classic car show and had lunch and wandered the shops! Fab place to visit and could have spend longer there! Drove along 17 mile drive which is very exclusive and you have to pay to access although this is included in the tour price. Plenty of stops for photo's and to see the local wildlife. A stop at the exclusive Pebble Beach Golf Resort was great although if you're going to buy anything here you will need plenty of cash!
Last stop was Carmel which is a lovely quaint town spoiled by tourists! I know thats why I was there too but it was so busy! Greta shops for a wander and the beach is jus fabulous! Again not enough time to rally explore on the tour but wouldn't want to try and find a parking space here as it really was busy!
This is a full day trip and we were all exhausted by the time we got back to San Francisco which is the main reason for 4 stars instead of 5 that and feeling abit rushed at points during the day
Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Fraser N,
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your full-day tour along the California coast! It's great that you found the drive and your informative driver's narration to be fantastic. We're pleased you had the opportunity to explore Monterey and take in the sights, and that the inclusion of the 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach Golf Resort enhanced your experience. Your feedback about Carmel's charm and tourist traffic is appreciated. We understand that the pace can be tiring, and we'll take your comments into consideration. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to have another chance to provide you with an even better experience in the future.
Written 23 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ann Marie W
27 contributions
June 2024 • Friends
Wonderful day starting with our arrival at the bus stop where the rep confirmed our reservation. Our bus driver, Danny from Honduras, was professional, personable, knowledgeable, courteous, animated, friendly, welcoming to all passengers, excellent with time management, and a very skilled and safe driver. The views along the way were breathtaking and Danny allowed us plenty of time for photos. The weather cooperated and was beautiful with comfortable temps. The cost was well worth the price of this trip. I would highly recommend this tour.
Written 26 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Ann! Thank you for your glowing review! We're delighted you had a wonderful day with Danny, our skilled and friendly driver. It's great to hear you enjoyed the breathtaking views and ample photo opportunities. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back soon!"
Written 27 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Travel It Up
52 contributions
Don was a good tour guide with a wealth of knowledge. However, he failed dearly with regard to prioritizing the safety and comfort of his guests.
The passenger entry door to the mini bus failed in the morning when leaving San Francisco. It failed again on the way back on highway 101.
He seemed more concerned in the morning than when returning to San Francisco. On the way back on the highway, he drove too fast, which caused the door to come open to begin with. He passed several opportunities to pull over or exit the highway to fully close the passenger entry door.
Additionally, we stopped in Davenport on the way to Monterey...on the northbound side of Highway 1 with no bus parking.
It seems like the better choice would have been to stop in Santa Cruz at the Safeway or similar, where the parking situation is better. Otherwise, one wrong move in traffic and you're toast.
Also, why is there a bathroom break 10 minutes after leaving Fisherman's Wharf but not one on the way back to San Francisco from Carmel? There's essentially 3 bathroom stops on the way to Monterey, but none on the return trip. Maybe cut the Hilton Union Square restroom stop out for a bathroom stop on the return trip.
--
The tour itself is actually pretty good. The scenery seen on the way to Monterey is wonderful. Sit on the right if you want endless ocean views. Sit on the left for more landscape views.
We stopped at Pigeon Point Lighthouse prior to Davenport, which offers scenic ocean views.
There's plenty of good lunch spots in Monterey. Order quick service to get the most out of your time (about two hours). Maybe defer the aquarium to another visit or skip altogether? $65 for adults and $50 for kids and seniors older than 70.
We covered about 8-9 miles of 17 Mile Drive (oceanside portions) and left after visiting the Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach Lodge.
We got enough time in Carmel to scope the shopping scene out and see the beach (about an hour and change).
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Overall, with a guide that prioritizes safety and comfort, this tour can be five stars. The drive to Monterey / Carmel is very scenic for nature lovers. The itinerary provides enough time to enjoy the sights seen on the tour.
The passenger entry door to the mini bus failed in the morning when leaving San Francisco. It failed again on the way back on highway 101.
He seemed more concerned in the morning than when returning to San Francisco. On the way back on the highway, he drove too fast, which caused the door to come open to begin with. He passed several opportunities to pull over or exit the highway to fully close the passenger entry door.
Additionally, we stopped in Davenport on the way to Monterey...on the northbound side of Highway 1 with no bus parking.
It seems like the better choice would have been to stop in Santa Cruz at the Safeway or similar, where the parking situation is better. Otherwise, one wrong move in traffic and you're toast.
Also, why is there a bathroom break 10 minutes after leaving Fisherman's Wharf but not one on the way back to San Francisco from Carmel? There's essentially 3 bathroom stops on the way to Monterey, but none on the return trip. Maybe cut the Hilton Union Square restroom stop out for a bathroom stop on the return trip.
--
The tour itself is actually pretty good. The scenery seen on the way to Monterey is wonderful. Sit on the right if you want endless ocean views. Sit on the left for more landscape views.
We stopped at Pigeon Point Lighthouse prior to Davenport, which offers scenic ocean views.
There's plenty of good lunch spots in Monterey. Order quick service to get the most out of your time (about two hours). Maybe defer the aquarium to another visit or skip altogether? $65 for adults and $50 for kids and seniors older than 70.
We covered about 8-9 miles of 17 Mile Drive (oceanside portions) and left after visiting the Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach Lodge.
We got enough time in Carmel to scope the shopping scene out and see the beach (about an hour and change).
--
Overall, with a guide that prioritizes safety and comfort, this tour can be five stars. The drive to Monterey / Carmel is very scenic for nature lovers. The itinerary provides enough time to enjoy the sights seen on the tour.
Written 15 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi ThisGuy! Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We're glad you enjoyed the tour itself and the beautiful scenery. We take your concerns about safety and comfort seriously and will address them with the guide and tour operations team to ensure improvements are made for future guests. We appreciate your input and hope to provide you with a better experience next time.
Written 16 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Msdriftwood
Lancaster, NY14 contributions
Our driver was apparently a substitute at the last minute. He claimed he used to do this tour a lot when he was younger. He was very interesting at first as we drove around the city and he told us about various landmarks. But it quickly became apparent that he said whatever popped into his head including comments about wrong turns, issues about not sure where he was going, and his concerns about traffic. This made for a very tense and unenjoyable ride. He made wrong turns several times, once he left a passenger behind and then blamed us for not telling him sooner even though he did a head count. He told us we could not use the bathroom on the bus which - having a bathroom on the bus was one reason I booked this tour. At one point we complained about it being too cold on the bus and he said there’s nothing he could do about it. We were supposed to have 2 hours at Monterey Bay and only had an hour and 15 minutes. We were supposed to have 3 stops at Pebble beach and we only had one. We spent a lot more time on the bus because he made wrong turns. At one point he pulled into a site seeing spot and couldn’t turn around so he had to back out onto a street which was nerve wracking and took forever. On the way to Monterey we were sitting on the side of the bus that didn’t face the ocean and we thought oh well on the way back will get to see it. On the way back he took a different route which wasn’t anywhere near the ocean and got stuck in many traffic jams. Once we cleared them he drove 75 mph to make up time which was very scary. I was going to contact the tour company with these complaints but couldn’t figure out how to do that so it’s all in the review.
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Msdrift! I’m truly sorry to hear about your experience. This is not the level of service we aim to provide. Your feedback is invaluable, and we’ll address these issues with our team immediately. Please contact us directly so we can make things right and ensure a better experience in the future. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Written 6 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leia_Solo2012
Leicester, UK33 contributions
July 2024 • Family
Contacted Gray Line directly when booking tour to ask if we could remain in Carmel with our luggage, which they agreed to. Contacted them again before the trip to ensure there was space for luggage which they confirmed there was.
Morning of tour we check out from hotel, go to pick up point, and on arrival of the bus get told there isn't enough space for luggage. Luckily the bus wasn't full so our luggage was able to be stored (just about), but staff were rude and unhelpful, acting like it was our fault. Not a good start to what should be a nice relaxing day.
Tour guide was impersonal and relayed information like he was reading from a script, didn't seem to care if we were listening or not. (A stark difference to the tour guide experience with Incredible Adventures San Francisco, who were brilliant.)
Wouldn't use Gray Line SF again and would think twice before using elsewhere in the world.
Morning of tour we check out from hotel, go to pick up point, and on arrival of the bus get told there isn't enough space for luggage. Luckily the bus wasn't full so our luggage was able to be stored (just about), but staff were rude and unhelpful, acting like it was our fault. Not a good start to what should be a nice relaxing day.
Tour guide was impersonal and relayed information like he was reading from a script, didn't seem to care if we were listening or not. (A stark difference to the tour guide experience with Incredible Adventures San Francisco, who were brilliant.)
Wouldn't use Gray Line SF again and would think twice before using elsewhere in the world.
Written 12 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Leia! Thank you for sharing your experience. We sincerely apologize for the miscommunication regarding your luggage and the way our staff handled the situation. It’s disappointing to hear that the tour guide didn’t meet your expectations. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will address these issues to improve our service. We appreciate your honesty and hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future.
Written 14 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Johann Precht (Österreich)
36 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
If you have a lot of time during a stay in San Francisco, it is definitely worth considering exploring the Pacific Highway towards Monterey. We chose a day trip by coach and in this way got to know the varied 150 km to the southernmost point in Carmel. The first 50 km are picturesque cliffs, which our bus driver Danilo drove past at high speed. We continued to the headland "Pigeon Point" with a lighthouse - a photo stop is essential. Then he left us for a second breakfast coffee in a small, uninteresting place called Davenport with a bar on the main street. A little later we crossed the "hippie domain" of Santa Cruz and subsequently a lush and intensive agricultural region.
Then finally Monterey - actually an interesting city, where Danilo left us to ourselves for two hours in the tourist mile "Cannery Row" with little useful information.
Then the finale of the excursion: We completed the 17 Mile Drive through the luxurious nature reserve and the dream beaches of the millionaires' villas, spent half an hour at the legendary Pebbles Beach golf course and finally an hour in the exclusive seaside resort of Carmel, where Danilo once again left us to ourselves for 90 minutes without any useful instructions. At least he described the way to the "noble beach" - always straight ahead!
Then we went back non-stop in a three-hour evening drive with a silent Danilo back to San Francisco.
How interesting this trip could have been with a competent tour guide...
Then finally Monterey - actually an interesting city, where Danilo left us to ourselves for two hours in the tourist mile "Cannery Row" with little useful information.
Then the finale of the excursion: We completed the 17 Mile Drive through the luxurious nature reserve and the dream beaches of the millionaires' villas, spent half an hour at the legendary Pebbles Beach golf course and finally an hour in the exclusive seaside resort of Carmel, where Danilo once again left us to ourselves for 90 minutes without any useful instructions. At least he described the way to the "noble beach" - always straight ahead!
Then we went back non-stop in a three-hour evening drive with a silent Danilo back to San Francisco.
How interesting this trip could have been with a competent tour guide...

Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vielen Dank für Ihre detaillierte Bewertung und Ihr Feedback zu Ihrer Monterey, Carmel & 17-Mile Drive Tour. Es tut uns leid zu hören, dass Sie mit den begrenzten Kommentaren und den selbstgeführten Teilen der Reise nicht ganz zufrieden waren. Wir leiten Ihr Feedback an das Team weiter, um sicherzustellen, dass zukünftige Touren noch besser gestaltet werden. Vielen Dank, dass Sie sich entschieden haben, mit Gray Line auf Tour zu gehen.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
William M
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
The tour to Monterey/Carmel/17 mile drive was a nightmare. The tour guide spoke broken English at best and kept repeating himself. The tour bus broke down over 100 miles from our return stop on the side of the highway and the guide gave no guarantee of when we would be picked up. We had to call for an Uber on our own and pay for it on our own and request for reimbursement on our own ( the tour company never offered ). The tour company refused to refund any amount of the tour cost and only reimbursed the Uber fees. This tour is not worth the time or risk.
Written 21 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel I
34 contributions
Danny, was a second-to-none Tour Guide! He kept us all entertained the entire day we were on the Bus and was also very informative!
For anyone visiting San Fran, if you are looking to escape the City for a day, I'd highly recommend this Tour to anyone who loves majestic scenery! I hope you get Danny as your Tour Guide.
Monterey Bay, Carmel by the Sea plus the drive along the 17 Mile is absolutely incredible and scenic! We also got to stop and peruse Pebble Beach Golf Club, for anyone who likes to Golf. We also learned a new acronym for the Game; "Gentlemen out Ladies first" 😎
For anyone visiting San Fran, if you are looking to escape the City for a day, I'd highly recommend this Tour to anyone who loves majestic scenery! I hope you get Danny as your Tour Guide.
Monterey Bay, Carmel by the Sea plus the drive along the 17 Mile is absolutely incredible and scenic! We also got to stop and peruse Pebble Beach Golf Club, for anyone who likes to Golf. We also learned a new acronym for the Game; "Gentlemen out Ladies first" 😎
Written 25 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear W2614BQ,
We appreciate that you wrote this detailed review and it made our day!
Thank you for sharing your feedback and thank you also for the kind words about our tour guide, Danny. Our team works hard to give you the best experience.
We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Written 27 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cldcldmrdsld
Seattle, WA8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We had a fantastic trip to San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Monterey with our family. 2 teenagers.
4 nights in San Francisco: Al Catraz night tour, Fisherman’s terminal, China town, biked Holden Gate Bridge, Haight and Ashbury area, Golden Gate Park, and Museum of modern art. Then rented a car and drive to Santa Cruz. In the summer they can get boardwalk ride tickets for $19,95 for unlimited rides 5pm-9pm. Way better than Disney. Did Red Woods one day, watched surfers, and watched sea lions at the pier for hours. They are amazingly entertaining. Drive to Capitola for the day and loved the cute town and beach there. Colored houses. Gayles bakery is a must stop. Drive to Monterey and stayed one night and went to the aquarium and did 17 mile drive. Spent the afternoon in Carmel. Fantastic easy trip perfect for teens!
4 nights in San Francisco: Al Catraz night tour, Fisherman’s terminal, China town, biked Holden Gate Bridge, Haight and Ashbury area, Golden Gate Park, and Museum of modern art. Then rented a car and drive to Santa Cruz. In the summer they can get boardwalk ride tickets for $19,95 for unlimited rides 5pm-9pm. Way better than Disney. Did Red Woods one day, watched surfers, and watched sea lions at the pier for hours. They are amazingly entertaining. Drive to Capitola for the day and loved the cute town and beach there. Colored houses. Gayles bakery is a must stop. Drive to Monterey and stayed one night and went to the aquarium and did 17 mile drive. Spent the afternoon in Carmel. Fantastic easy trip perfect for teens!
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It sounds like you had an incredible trip to San Francisco and its surrounding areas! Your itinerary is packed with amazing experiences, from the iconic Alcatraz night tour and exploring neighborhoods like Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown to biking across the Golden Gate Bridge, visiting cultural spots like Haight and Ashbury, and enjoying the beauty of Golden Gate Park. Thank you for sharing your fantastic journey, perfect for teens and anyone looking for a diverse and exciting vacation.
Written 13 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tienen guías o audioguías en español, cuanto dura el recorrido total.
¿incluye el almuerzo?
Written 19 March 2023
La empresa tiene un guía que habla un poco de español, pero creo que es toca toca la suerte es loca. No incluye el almuerzo, te dan la libertad de almorzar lo que desees. Espero te sirva!
Written 20 March 2023
would there be time to go to the monterey bay aquarium on the stop in monterey?
Written 21 August 2022
No as the line was long to get in. If you got in, you'd have to do a speedy walk through then you wouldn't have time for lunch and enjoying the town. I as well wanted to do the Aquarium but knew there was just no time. Sorry!
Written 22 August 2022
Do you require proof of covid vaccination?
Written 3 July 2022
No we was not asked for proof of vaccination
Written 5 July 2022
Would I be able to stay in Monterey rather than going back with the group?
Written 1 June 2022
I think so but you will have to find your way back yourself. Best to call the gray line tour bus contact
Written 3 June 2022
We stayed in Seal Cove Inn, Half moon area which is about 35 minutes from San Francisco and hired a car to travel further down the coast. Monterey, Carmel and 17 Mile drive is about 2 1/4 hours away. At 17 mile drive you have to pay a toll I think it was about $11? But well worth the $$.
Written 14 April 2022
Hi! Do you only schedule this trip on Wednesdays and Saturdays now?
Written 24 October 2021
Are you allowed to bring your own food and drinks on the tour bus? Are masks and vaccine cards required?
Written 20 August 2021
Yes to both questions, but the bus makes stops at excellent food sources. Save room for the best produce you will EVER buy from a stop in the Salina Valley. Face masks are required at all times on the bus and by CA law, now again when indoors. Take the trip, it is beyond description, and hope you get Antonio as your driver/guide. A perfect gentleman with unsurpassed knowledge of the areas he will take you, Enjoy!
Written 21 August 2021
Is there a restroom access on the bus?
Written 18 July 2021
Yes a very small porta potty. However, the driver will make plenty of junp on jump off stops for personal time and scenery so take full advantage of them there will be public bathrooms to use on those stops so dont worry.
Go and have a nice day😁
Written 18 July 2021
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