See Monterey, 17-Mile Drive, and Carmel with an optional aquarium visit
12 Hours
17-Mile Drive, Hotel pickup
Ride down California’s coast from San Francisco to explore Monterey, Pebble Beach’s 17-Mile Drive, and Carmel by the Sea. Choose the aquarium option for time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or stay on Cannery Row.
Our standard 24 hours in advance cancellation policy
Plan for hotel pickup between 6:30 and 7:00 AM from many downtown and waterfront San Francisco areas. You return at about 6:30 PM, but timing can change with traffic and weather.
Yes—hotel pickup is available within the tour’s pickup zones at select hotels in San Francisco, including many downtown and waterfront areas. Your guide confirms your pickup time the day before, and you may wait up to 20 minutes at pickup due to traffic or other delays.
You spend about 2.5 hours in Monterey. If you choose the aquarium option, you can use any or all of that time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium; if you don’t, you can explore Cannery Row instead.
With an impressive track record and guides who clearly love what they do, this operator delivers exceptional Yosemite day trips from San Francisco. Tour guides like Trevor, Kurt, Viktor, Peter, Steven, and Calder earn consistent praise for their extensive knowledge of the park, personable approach, and ability to make the long journey fly by. They know the best spots for photos without the crowds and time their stops perfectly to maximize your experience. The comfortable Mercedes Sprinter vans come equipped with WiFi, charging ports, water, and even educational videos during the drive. Expect a long day (14+ hours), but reviewers say it's absolutely worth it. Guides keep groups well-hydrated, include extra treats like stops at local farms or visits to the giant sequoias, and adapt plans when weather demands it. One minor hiccup involved pickup location confusion at a BART station with multiple zones, suggesting travelers confirm exact meeting spots beforehand. Overall, this company turns what could be an exhausting day into an unforgettable adventure with guides who genuinely care about creating memorable experiences.
We had a blast! This was a bucket list item for us, and it was everything we hoped for. Peter was an excellent tour guide, and we would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is thinking of doing this same tour.
Allyson Knox
April 2, 2026
We had a blast! This was a bucket list item for us, and it was everything we hoped for. Peter was an excellent tour guide, and we would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is thinking of doing this same tour.
Allyson Knox
April 2, 2026