17 Mile Drive & PCH Highway1 Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle

Tour Details

Type
Driving
Duration
8 - 11 Hours
Audio Stories
192
Deep Dives
73

Welcome to 17 Mile Drive & PCH Driving Tours Bundle

Explore the famous 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, Monterey; drive on California’s most famous Pacific Coast Highway and its most scenic part – Big Sur.

About the 17 Mile Drive Tour

Drives you through the famous pebble beach and lone cypress. The starting point is Del Monte. The Ending point is Carmel-by-the-sea. There is an entrance fee which is not included in the tour.

We’ll embark on this scenic drive in downtown Monterey, near the historic Fisherman’s Wharf. Our explorations along Monterey’s Pacific Grove bring us to Cannery Row, immortalized by John Steinbeck.

This Cannery Row ends at Monterey’s second most famous attraction: the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is an optional stop for those looking to get up close and personal with a wide variety of sea creatures on the 17 Mile Drive audio tour.

Then brings us to Point Joe. Here we’ll learn the story of two well-known shipwrecks St. Paul and the Celia. We’ll also understand why this ocean is known as “The Restless Sea”!

Our journey into the Bird Rock and Seal Rock, both always teeming with life. We’ll learn how to spot the difference between seals and sea lions and identify a couple of the most common birds of the area.

Then we’ll make our way through the Crocker Grove, which honors the man who almost single-handedly built 17 Mile Drive. Crocker put a lot of effort into beautifying the coastal drive while preserving its natural history and terrain.

Our adventure continues through the Lone Cypress! The Lone Cypress stands dramatically at the edge of a cliff, shrouded in fog. Its roots are embedded in a rough outcropping on a granite hillside, and it is framed by a backdrop of loud, crashing waves. It’s perhaps the most intriguing site on the 17 Mile Drive audio tour.

About the PCH Tour

You can begin the tour in bustling SF. In no time at all, you’ll reach Monterey, which epitomizes California living with world-famous Pebble Beach, famous golf courses, and a prestigious aquarium.

Farther south along Highway 1 is the artsy enclave of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Then, the sound of barking sea lions carries inland at Point Lobos State Park, where rocky headlands are interspersed with jewel-like coves.

That’s when you hit Big Sur, the most scenic part of an already scenic road. Enjoy the views, waterfalls, and bridges as you drive.

At Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, an 80-foot waterfall cascades from the granite cliffs onto the beach. Before you get to San Simeon on the Pacific Coast Highway self-drive tour, pull off at Piedras Blancas Beach, where enormous elephant seals pack the beach in the winter months.

Before cutting inland to San Luis Obispo, stop to admire Morro Bay Rock and hunt for anemones in the tidal pools. Enjoy Santa Barbara’s quintessential downtown and then continue down to Ventura and Malibu.

Starting Point Address:

17 Mile Drive (Monterey to Carmel): Heritage Harbor Parking Garage,100 Pacific St, Monterey, CA 93940

17 Mile Drive (Carmel to Monterey): Ocean Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923

PCH Highway 1 Audio Tour (SF to LA): 522 Clarinada Ave, Daly City, CA 94015

PCH Highway 1 Audio Tour (LA to SF): 81-99 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

What You'll See

Customs House and Fisherman's Wharf
We'll embark on this scenic drive in downtown Monterey, near the historic Fisherman's Wharf
Cannery Row
Our explorations along Monterey's Pacific Grove bring us to Cannery Row, immortalized by John Steinbeck.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Our drive down Cannery Row ends at Monterey's second most famous attraction: the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is an optional stop, for those looking to get up close and personal with a huge variety of sea creatures.
Lovers Point Park
Our drive through Monterey contrinues along the Pacific Grove, heading closer to the top attraction: the 17 Mile Drive. Along the way, we see beautiful waterfront properties, the scenic Lovers Point Park, and the unmistakeable Kissing Rock.
Point Pinos Bend
Our Monterey tour continues around the Point Pinos Bend, where we'll learn about the famous lighthouse.
Asilomar State Beach
The drive then takes us along Asilomar Beach, known for it's tidepools, which teem with life.
Start the 17 Mile Drive
The Pacific Grove portion of our Monterey tour is now over; the famous 17 Mile Drive portion is about to begin. This is Monterey's most famous "attraction" and one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world.
Spanish Bay
Our first vista along the 17 Mile Drive portion of this Monterey tour is at Spanish Bay. We'll explore Monterey's history as we drive.
Point Joe
Our 17 Mile Drive tour then brings us to Point Joe. Here we'll learn the story of two well-known shipwrecks… St. Paul and the Celia. We'll also understand why this ocean is known as “The Restless Sea”!
China Rock
The next stop on our 17 Mile Drive tour is at China Rock. This was the exact site of a small fishing village from the 1800s. We'll try to spot the marks from 1800s cooking smoke caked into the rocks!
Seal Rock Creek Beach
This brings us to Bird Rock and Seal Rock, both always teeming with life. We'll learn how to spot the difference between seals and sea lions, and identify a couple of the most common birds of the area.
Fanshell Beach Overlook
As we continue to drive along the scenic 17 Mile Drive, we'll also be able to stop at the Fanshell Beach Overlook.
Cypress Point Lookout
As we approach the 17 Mile Drive's most famous attraction, the Lone Cypress, we'll learn all about cypress trees -- and what makes them so resilient!
The Crocker Cypress Grove
As we drive, we'll pass Crocker Grove, which honors the man who almost single-handedly built the 17 Mile Drive. Crocker put in a lot of effort into beautifying the coastal drive while preserving its natural history and terrain.
Lone Cypress
Finally we reach the Lone Cypress! The Lone Cypress stands dramatically at the edge of a cliff, shrouded in fog. Its roots are embedded in a rough outcropping on a granite hillside and it is framed by a backdrop of loud, crashing waves.
Pescadero Point
Pescadero Point is legendary with fans of the paranormal. We'll hear all about the spooky tales of this stop.
Pebble Beach
Our scenic tour of Monterey's 17 Mile Drive ends at the world-famous Pebble Beach, a paradise of pristine white sand and sensational coastal cliffs.
Pacifica
This area was explored in 1769 by Gaspar de Portolá of Spain, who also mapped the entire San Francisco Bay area. But the actual city of Pacifica wasn’t incorporated until 1957, almost 200 years later.
Pedro Point
The point is named for that rock farther offshore. That’s San Pedro Rock, and more adventurous sorts sometimes hike out there--but only during low tide.
Devil's Slide Bunker & Trail
Built during World War II, this bunker was meant to safeguard against a Japanese land invasion. Luckily, it never came to that. Because radar was still in its infancy, soldiers often watched for ships and planes the old-fashioned way.
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Gray Whale Cove State Beach is a California State Park between Pacifica, California, and Montara, California, by Highway 1 and approximately 18 miles south of San Francisco. It features a sheltered cove surrounded by abrupt cliffs, with trails connecting to nearby Montara Mountain and McNee Ranch State Park.
Montara
Montara is a census-designated place in San Mateo County, California, United States. The population was 2,909 at the 2010 census. Nearby communities include Moss Beach and Princeton-by-the-Sea.
Mavericks Beach
Mavericks is a surfing location in northern California outside Pillar Point Harbor, just north of the town of Half Moon Bay at the village of Princeton-by-the-Sea. After a strong winter storm in the northern Pacific Ocean, waves can routinely crest at over 8 m and top out at over 18 m.
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a small city on the California coast, south of San Francisco. A string of beaches along the bay includes Half Moon Bay State Beach. The Coastside Trail leads north to Pillar Point, near the huge waves of the Mavericks surf spot. Nearby, Montara Mountain rises in the protected Rancho Corral de Tierra area. The Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve is on the slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Hollow State Beach
Bean Hollow State Beach is a beach in the state park system of California, USA. It is located in San Mateo County near Pescadero. The beach offers fishing, picnicking and beachcombing. Visitors can explore tide pools with anemones, crab, sea urchins and other marine inhabitants.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pigeon Point Light Station or Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse built in 1871 to guide ships on the Pacific coast of California. It is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States. It is still an active Coast Guard aid to navigation.
Butano State Park
Butano State Park is a state park of California, USA, showcasing the secluded redwood-filled canyon of Little Butano Creek, a tributary of Butano Creek in the Pescadero Creek watershed. Located in San Mateo County near Pescadero, the 4,728-acre park was established in 1956.
Charquin’s Resistance: Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of California, located in Santa Cruz County, about 36 km northwest of Santa Cruz.
Ano Nuevo State Reserve
Año Nuevo State Park is a state park of California, USA, encompassing Año Nuevo Island and Año Nuevo Point, which are known for their pinniped rookeries. Located in San Mateo County, the low, rocky, windswept point juts out into the Pacific Ocean about 55 miles south of San Francisco and the Golden Gate.
Davenport
Davenport is a census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California. Davenport sits at an elevation of 259 feet. The 2010 United States census reported Davenport's population was 408.
Shark Fin Cove
A massive rock stands guard over a small cove full of geologic wonders just up the coast from Santa Cruz, only 0.7 miles south of the town of Davenport.
Coast Dairies State Park
Coast Dairies is a state park and BLM public land in Santa Cruz County, California, near the city of Davenport. Wilder Ranch State Park is south of the park. The new public lands protect a seven-mile stretch of coastline and about 7,000 acres of prime coastal lands.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a city on central California’s coast. Its long wharf, with eateries and shops, stretches into Monterey Bay. Nearby, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s vintage rides include the 1911 Looff Carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster. Downtown, Pacific Avenue has vintage clothing stores, cafes and galleries. Along West Cliff Drive, Natural Bridges State Beach is known for its bridge-shaped rock formation.
Santa Cruz Wharf & Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Wharf is a wharf in Santa Cruz, California, United States, known for fishing, boat tours, viewing sea lions, dining, nightlife and gift shops. The current wharf was built in 1914, the last of six built on the site, and is operated by the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Office.
The Mystery Spot
The Mystery Spot is a tourist attraction near Santa Cruz, California, opened in 1939 by George Prather. Visitors experience demonstrations that appear to defy gravity, on the short but steep uphill walk and inside a wooden building on the site.
Rio Del Mar State Beach
This bayfront strip of family-friendly sandy beach features ample parking & nearby eateries & shops.
Sunset State Beach
Sunset State Beach is a park and beach on Monterey Bay, in Santa Cruz County, California. It is operated by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Elkhorn Slough Reserve
The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is a nature reserve that is located at 1700 Elkhorn Road in Watsonville, California. The reserve encompasses the central shore of Monterey Bay and is approximately 100 miles south of San Francisco, California.
Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay is a bay of the Pacific Ocean located on the coast of the U.S. state of California. The bay is south of the major cities of San Francisco and San Jose. The county-seat city of Santa Cruz is located at the north end of the bay. The city of Monterey is on the Monterey Peninsula at the south end.
Approaching Monterey
Monterey is a city on California’s rugged central coast. Its Cannery Row, one-time center of the sardine-packing industry, was immortalized by novelist John Steinbeck. Today, it's a popular strip of gift shops, seafood restaurants and bars in converted factories. Also famous is Monterey Bay Aquarium, with thousands of marine animals and plants on display in underwater and interactive exhibits.
Welcome to Big Sur
Big Sur is a rugged stretch of California’s central coast between Carmel and San Simeon. Bordered to the east by the Santa Lucia Mountains and the west by the Pacific Ocean, it’s traversed by narrow, 2-lane State Route 1, known for winding turns, seaside cliffs and views of the often-misty coastline. The sparsely populated region has numerous state parks for hiking, camping and beachcombing.
Monterey & 17 Mile Drive
17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses, mansions and scenic attractions, including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees.
Carmel by the Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small beach city on California's Monterey Peninsula. It's known for the museums and library of the historic Carmel Mission, and the fairytale cottages and galleries of its village-like center. The Scenic Bluff Path runs from surf spot Carmel Beach to bird-rich Carmel River State Beach, with a scuba entry point. South lie the sea animals and whaling museum of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Carmel Village & Beach
Curving white sandy beach backed by cypress trees known for surfing, dog walking & sunsets.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Scenic coastal area features a variety of sea animals & wildlife, hiking, diving & a whaling museum.
The Pacific Coast Highway
State Route 1 is a major north–south state highway that runs along most of the Pacific coastline of the U.S. state of California. At a total of just over 656 miles, it is the longest state route in California.
Garrapata Beach & State Park
Garrapata State Park is a state park of California, USA, located on Highway 1 6.7 miles south of Carmel and 18 miles north of Big Sur on the Monterey coast. It is marked only with one sign on the west side of the road. Numbered turnouts mark each parking area. The 2,939-acre park was established in 1979.
Bixby Creek Bridge
Bixby Creek Bridge, also known as Bixby Canyon Bridge, on the Big Sur coast of California, is one of the most photographed bridges in California due to its aesthetic design, "graceful architecture and magnificent setting". It is a reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch bridge.
Point Sur State Historic Park
Point Sur State Historic Park is a California State Park on the Big Sur coastline of Monterey County, California, United States, 19 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel. The 1889 Point Sur Lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Andrew Molera State Park
Andrew Molera State Park is a relatively undeveloped state park on the Big Sur coast of California, United States, preserving land as requested by former owner Frances Molera.
Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge
Beginning in early January 2017, a landslide due to heavy rainfall punished Pfeiffer Canyon in Monterey County, Calif. By mid-February, the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge on Highway 1, which was built in 1968, was determined by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to be beyond repair and in need of replacement.
Grimes Point Scenic Overlook
Grimes Point Scenic Overlook is got one of the best views of the Big Sur coastline. It's easy to see what brings people to a place like Big Sur, even as remote as it is.
Seal Beach Scenic Overlook
Check out the overlook just a short ways down the road. This overlook is the aptly named Seal Beach overlook. If you haven't already guessed, you're likely to find seals on the rocks below that one!
Partington Cove
Partington Cove is a remote rocky cove below Partington Point in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. It has separate access with shoulder parking spaces along Highway 1 north of the main state park entrance.
McWay Falls
McWay Falls is an 80-foot-tall waterfall on the coast of Big Sur in central California that flows year-round from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, about 37 miles south of Carmel, into the Pacific Ocean. During high tide, it is a tidefall. The only other tidefall in California is Alamere Falls.
Big Creek Bridge
The Big Creek Bridge is a 589-foot-long, open spandrel, concrete deck arch bridge located on the southern portion of the Big Sur coast of California, along State Route 1 near Lucia. Opened for traffic in 1938, it crosses Big Creek Canyon on this scenic, mountainous coast.
Big Creek Cove Vista Point
Big Creek Cove Beach is under the Big Creek Bridge on Highway 1 along the Big Sur Coast. Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve is the land area adjacent to the creek and the California marine protected areas named Big Creek State Marine Reserve and Big Creek State Conservation Area.
Limekiln State Park
Limekiln State Park is a state park of California, United States, on the Big Sur coast. It contains four lime kilns from an 1887–1890 lime-calcining operation, plus a beach, redwood forest, and 100-foot Limekiln Falls. It is located 2 miles south of Lucia on State Route 1. The 711-acre park was established in 1994.
Pitkins Curve Bridge and Rain Rocks Rock Shed
See that strange-looking structure covering the road up ahead? That's the Rain Rocks Rock Shed. What's it there for, you ask? Well to keep the rocks off of course!
Avila Beach
Avila Beach is an unincorporated community in San Luis Obispo County, California.
El Matador State Beach
El Matador Beach is one of three beaches within Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. El Matador is the most popular of the three and the closest to Malibu. The parking lots for each beach are well-signed along Pacific Coast Highway in western Malibu.
Zuma Beach and Point Dume
Point Dume is a promontory on the coast of Malibu, California that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. The point, a long bluff, forms the northern end of the Santa Monica Bay. Point Dume Natural Area affords a vista of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Santa Catalina Island. Zuma Beach lies to its immediate northwest.
Malibu
Malibu is a city west of Los Angeles, California. It’s known for its celebrity homes and beaches, including wide and sandy Zuma Beach. To the east is Malibu Lagoon State Beach, known as Surfrider Beach for its waves. Nearby is the Spanish Revival–style Adamson House, with local history displays in its Malibu Lagoon Museum. Inland, trails weave through canyons, waterfalls and grasslands in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Welcome to LA: Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles. Santa Monica Beach is fringed by Palisades Park, with views over the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica Pier is home to the Pacific Park amusement park, historic Looff Hippodrome Carousel and Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Next to the pier is Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym established in the 1930s. In the city center, Bergamot Station houses several art galleries.

Preview the Tour

Stop 1 : Welcome

Stop 27 : Cypress Point Lookout

Stop 1 : PCH Welcome

Stop 3 : Pacifica

How It Works

Additional Information

What do we do?

Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!

Lifetime Validity

Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.

No Network Needed

The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.

Entry Ticket

This is not an entry ticket. The entrance fee into Pebble Beach Resorts and 17-Mile Drive is $11.25 per vehicle. Access to this exclusive neighborhood is available at five guard gates in Carmel or Pacific Grove. The receipt you receive is a voucher to be used like money. Present it to any of the shops or restaurants along the route when you make a purchase of $35 or more and the entry fee on the voucher is credited to your bill.

How many tours should I purchase?

Since this is a driving tour, you only need to buy one per car.

17 Mile Drive & PCH Highway1 Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle

Tour Details

Welcome to 17 Mile Drive & PCH Driving Tours Bundle

About the 17 Mile Drive Tour

About the PCH Tour

What You'll See

Customs House and Fisherman's Wharf

Cannery Row

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Lovers Point Park

Point Pinos Bend

Asilomar State Beach

Start the 17 Mile Drive

Spanish Bay

Point Joe

China Rock

Seal Rock Creek Beach

Fanshell Beach Overlook

Cypress Point Lookout

The Crocker Cypress Grove

Lone Cypress

Pescadero Point

Pebble Beach

Pacifica

Pedro Point

Devil's Slide Bunker & Trail

Gray Whale Cove State Beach

Montara

Mavericks Beach

Half Moon Bay

Hollow State Beach

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Butano State Park

Charquin’s Resistance: Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Ano Nuevo State Reserve

Davenport

Shark Fin Cove

Coast Dairies State Park

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Wharf & Boardwalk

The Mystery Spot

Rio Del Mar State Beach

Sunset State Beach

Elkhorn Slough Reserve

Monterey Bay

Approaching Monterey

Welcome to Big Sur

Monterey & 17 Mile Drive

Carmel by the Sea

Carmel Village & Beach

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

The Pacific Coast Highway

Garrapata Beach & State Park

Bixby Creek Bridge

Point Sur State Historic Park

Andrew Molera State Park

Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge

Grimes Point Scenic Overlook

Seal Beach Scenic Overlook

Partington Cove

McWay Falls

Big Creek Bridge

Big Creek Cove Vista Point

Limekiln State Park

Pitkins Curve Bridge and Rain Rocks Rock Shed

Avila Beach

El Matador State Beach

Zuma Beach and Point Dume

Malibu

Welcome to LA: Santa Monica