“Every once in a while, you find a road that feels like it’s showing off.”
Big Sur is that road.
Here, mountains drop straight into the Pacific, fog drifts in like stage smoke, and every curve of Highway 1 feels like someone carefully arranged it for your camera roll. One moment you are rolling past cypress trees and coastal cliffs, the next you are staring at a bridge so dramatic it should have its own movie credit.
This self-guided Big Sur driving tour turns the classic Pacific Coast Highway drive into your own flexible road trip. You are in control of the stops and the soundtrack, while the audio quietly adds the stories behind what you are seeing. No bus schedules, no rush, just guidance when you want it and silence when you want to listen to the ocean.
Along the way, you glide over Bixby Creek Bridge with its soaring concrete arch, hear how storms and landslides shaped this rugged coastline, and meet the artists, writers, and dreamers who turned Big Sur into legend. You can wander Carmel’s fairytale cottages, walk the sand at Garrapata State Park, watch the surf crash near McWay Falls, and look for that famous purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach. Down the coast, the elephant seal rookery near San Simeon shows you just how huge these deep-diving animals really are, while towns like Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, and Pismo Beach add their own coastal charm to the journey.
Possible side effects: May include too many “pull over here” moments, a sudden urge to price out cabins with ocean views, and a strong belief that every future road trip should come with cliffs on one side and endless blue on the other.
Hello and Hola – Explore Big Sur in English and Spanish!
All languages are available to you when you purchase the tour.
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Know Before You Go
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.
Big Sur Map
Where To Start?
Starting Point Addresses:
Big Sur Highway – Northbound (Morro Bay to Monterey): CA-1, Morro Bay, CA
The tour begins on Highway 1 (Cabrillo Highway) near the intersection with San Bernardo Creek Road. From here, continue northbound on Highway 1 to begin the tour.
Big Sur Highway – Southbound (Monterey to Morro Bay): CA-1, Monterey, CA
The tour begins on Highway 1 (Cabrillo Highway) near the Edgewater Shopping Center in Sand City. As you approach, the shopping center will be on your left and the beach on your right. This is a suggested starting point. We are not affiliated with the shopping center or any nearby businesses, so their staff will not have information about this to
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 multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the 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 currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- 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
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Welcome
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Monterey & 17 Mile Drive
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Carmel-by-the-Sea
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Hansel and Gretel
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Fairytale Cottages
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Carmel Village and Beach
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Big Sur Geology
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Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
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Whaler's Cove and Museum
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Point Lobos Trail
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Birds of Point Lobos
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The Pacific Coast Highway
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Landslides
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Garrapata Beach and State Park
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Wildfires
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Calla Lily Valley
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Bixby Creek Bridge
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Hurricane Point
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Point Sur State Historic Park
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Andrew Molera State Park
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Big Sur
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Big Sur in Literature
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Buzzards Roost Viewpoint
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Pfeiffer Beach
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Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge
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Nepenthe
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Henry Miller
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Grimes Point Scenic Overlook
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Seal Beach Scenic Overlook
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Partington Cove
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McWay Falls
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Waterfall House
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Big Creek Bridge
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Big Creek Cove Vista Point
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Limekiln State Park
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Pitkins Curve Bridge
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Sand Dollar Beach
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Jade Cove
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The Mud Creek Landslide
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Nathaniel Owens Memorial Redwood Grove
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Salmon Creek Falls
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The California Gold Rush
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Ragged Point
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Ragged Point Inn
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California Condors
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Piedras Blancas Light Station
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Elephant Seal Vista Point
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Elephant Seals
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Hearst Castle
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Julia Morgan
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William Randolph Hearst
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Moonstone Beach Drive
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Nitt Witt Ridge
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Harmony
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Cayucos
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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!
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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 via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via 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: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
