Welcome to the Big Sur Tour
Experience the iconic Big Sur road trip with a self-guided driving tour! Drive over Bixby Bridge, pull over at McWay Falls, and enjoy the rugged coastline on this segment of the Pacific Coast Highway/Route 1. As you drive, learn about the fairytale cottages of Carmel, the purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach, and the enormous elephant seals at San Simeon.
Discover the fascinating geologic history and environmental factors that make the Big Sur tour from San Francisco a must-do California road trip.
Starting the tour from Monterey
Embark on an adventure along the most beautiful coastline in the US! Begin your Big Sur driving tour in Monterey, California.
Next, you’ll check out the drive continues into the quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea, renowned for its picturesque beauty. On your Big Sur tour, we’ll check out several of its most famous fairytale cottages.
Next, we enter the world-famous Big Sur portion of the PCH. The Pacific Coast Highway, popularly known as PCH, Highway 1, or Route 1, is one of the most scenic road trips in the US.
Our journey into the scenic drive takes us through Garrapata State Park, where we’ll have the chance to stop and check out Garrapata Beach. As we drive, we’ll learn about the wildfires that often rage through forests like these.
Then we’ll now go to Bixby Creek Bridge! This 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.
Our adventure on the Big Sur self-guided tours experience continues through Pfeiffer Beach, which is well worth the detour. Just south of Big Sur Station on Highway 1 is unsigned Sycamore Canyon Road which winds its way down to the shore.
Nothing beats the Elephant Seal Vista Point. The largest seal in the northern hemisphere, the Northern Elephant Seal migrates to the rookery, twice each year.
While offshore, the elephant seal spends eight to ten months diving up to 5,800 feet deep for up to two hours. In the year’s remaining months, they mate, birth, molt, and rest onshore between trips.
Finally, we’ll reach Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, and Pismo Beach, where this segment of our PCH tour ends.
Please Note: Due to road closures, some parts of the tour are currently inaccessible. We recommend checking your route in advance to plan your visit accordingly.
Want all of our tours? Upgrade to Action+:
- An annual $99.99/year subscription offers access to over 200+ tours.
- Unlimited use throughout the year.
- Includes free access to new tours as they are released.
Big Sur Map
Where To Start?
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. We are working with Apple for a resolution.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
-
Welcome
-
Monterey & 17 Mile Drive
-
Carmel-by-the-Sea
-
Hansel and Gretel
-
Fairytale Cottages
-
Carmel Village and Beach
-
Big Sur Geology
-
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
-
Whaler's Cove and Museum
-
Point Lobos Trail
-
Birds of Point Lobos
-
The Pacific Coast Highway
-
Landslides
-
Garrapata Beach and State Park
-
Wildfires
-
Calla Lily Valley
-
Bixby Creek Bridge
-
Hurricane Point
-
Point Sur State Historic Park
-
Andrew Molera State Park
-
Big Sur
-
Big Sur in Literature
-
Buzzards Roost Viewpoint
-
Pfeiffer Beach
-
Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge
-
Nepenthe
-
Henry Miller
-
Grimes Point Scenic Overlook
-
Seal Beach Scenic Overlook
-
Partington Cove
-
McWay Falls
-
Waterfall House
-
Big Creek Bridge
-
Big Creek Cove Vista Point
-
Limekiln State Park
-
Pitkins Curve Bridge
-
Sand Dollar Beach
-
Jade Cove
-
The Mud Creek Landslide
-
Nathaniel Owens Memorial Redwood Grove
-
Salmon Creek Falls
-
The California Gold Rush
-
Ragged Point
-
Ragged Point Inn
-
California Condors
-
Piedras Blancas Light Station
-
Elephant Seal Vista Point
-
Elephant Seals
-
Hearst Castle
-
Julia Morgan
-
William Randolph Hearst
-
Moonstone Beach Drive
-
Nitt Witt Ridge
-
Harmony
-
Cayucos
-
Morro Bay
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Absolutely! The Pacific Coast Highway connects these two destinations directly, and it only takes about 20-30 minutes without traffic to get from one to the other. Read our blog to know more about driving.
Ragged Point might just be the most iconic spot in Big Sur, so it’s definitely worth a stop. Then there’s Pfeiffer State Park, which is packed with amazing hiking trails. And don’t be shy about stopping at any and every vista which catches your eye along the way!
Towering bluffs, dramatic coastal views, and the surprising remoteness of this region all make it a truly special place to visit. There’s a serenity in Big Sur that you simply won’t find anywhere else.
If all you do is drive, you can cruise through the entirety of Big Sur in about two hours. But you’ll definitely want to leave room for stopping at overlooks or hiking some of the coastal trails while you’re there!
Big Sur might just be the number one road trip destination in America, so it’s positively worth the drive! Coastal cliffs, crashing waves, and wilderness solitude make this a stop you won’t soon forget.
Big Sur is very remote, which means there’s very little cell service to be had. This can be a good thing if you prepare for it, as it’ll help you disconnect and really live in the moment for a while!
It’s hard to beat a summer in Big Sur, with those long days and warm nights. But if you’re looking to escape some of the crowds, try September or October. November marks the start of the rainy season, however, so you might not want to plan your trip so late in the year.
Layers are the name of the game in Big Sur. The wind whipping off the ocean can make it feel quite a bit cooler than it really is, so it’s best to be prepared!
December through April, you can see gray whales migrating off the coast of Big Sur. They’re even visible from overlooks along the Pacific Coast Highway itself, so spotting them is a breeze! Just remember to bring binoculars!
In addition to plentiful coastal birds and whales during the migration season (December through April), you’re likely to spot harbor seals and sea lions lounging on the beaches of Big Sur.
The picture-perfect town just north of Big Sur is called Carmel-by-the-Sea. Featuring a jaw-dropping number of art galleries, actual fairytale cottages, and a gorgeous white sand beach, this town is packed to the gills with charm!
Big Sur is much closer to San Francisco than to Los Angeles. It’s about a 3-hour drive from San Francisco, but a 7-hour haul from Los Angeles. If coming from LA, we recommend stopping off in San Luis Obispo halfway!
Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Valid for multiple visits up to 1 year after purchase.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated videos, text, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations to any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
