8 hours (approx.)
Daily Tour
6 people
English
This private tour of California's Pacific Coast is ideal for travelers who enjoy the convenience of guided tours and the freedom of independent travel. Your driver-guide will act as a guide but you can tailor the itinerary to suit your needs and interests. Focus on the views rather than the road when traveling along one of the country's most scenic routes.
1) From San Jose – Total time 8 hours. Driver guide will pick you up at San Jose Diridon Station at about 9:30 a.m. Driving through Silicon Valley and The Redwoods you reach the coast at Santa Cruz. Along Highway 1 you go through Aptos, Capitola, and agricultural area to Elkhorn Slough and Moss Beach. Soon you are in Castroville driving through miles of artichoke and strawberry fields. Along the coast you see sand dunes on the west and Salinas Valley with the coastal mountain range to the east. Salinas River empties into Monterey Bay. Past California State University of Monterey in what used to be Fort Ord through Marina and Seaside you reach Monterey and Carmel by 11:30.
Continue on Highway One through Point Lobos, Garrapata and Rocky Point to Bixby Bridge.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Further south you can wander in the Redwoods, have lunch at The River Inn or at Nepenthe or ask the driver to take you to any special place you want to see. By about 3:30 you return to Monterey. Time permitting you can take an alternate drive through 17 Mile Drive and see Pebble Beach.
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
This iconic single span concrete bridge built during 1940s is seen in many movies and commercials. You stop at both ends for views and taking photos.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included