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Things to do in Pebble Beach, California

Our most recommended things to do in Pebble Beach, California

From San Francisco: Monterey and Carmel Day Tour

1. From San Francisco: Monterey and Carmel Day Tour

Discover the scenic coastline of California on a day trip by air-conditioned bus from San Francisco. Visit the Monterey Peninsula, Cannery Row, and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Travel scenic California’s Pacific Coast Highway 1 to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, famous for its spectacular ocean views, abundant wildlife, and historical past. Stop at Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck, where there are great shops and restaurants overlooking the Pacific. Next, travel through the famous 17-Mile Drive and see Pebble Beach Golf Course. Photo stops will be made along this gorgeous drive.  Your tour continues to Carmel by the sea where ample time is given to walk through this charming town dotted with lovely shops, and beautiful architecture.

Pacific Coastal Highway Tour to Monterey & Carmel

2. Pacific Coastal Highway Tour to Monterey & Carmel

Travel along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. This full-day tour takes you along California’s stunning coast to experience the beauty of Highway 1. When you arrive at the Monterey peninsula, follow the 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach to visit the Lone Cypress, where your guide will stop for you to take photos of the rugged, beautiful coast. As your tour continues, visit Monterey city where you can walk down Cannery Row, or visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium (for an additional cost). From Monterey, your tour continues to the coastal town Pacific Grove, which features charming Victorian-era buildings; and the artsy Carmel-by-the-Sea, where you will visit the historic mission established in 1770. On the way back to San Francisco, drive through Silicon Valley, the tech capital of the United States; and, as you circle round the north end of San Francisco, catch a glimpse of the Seal Rocks in the distance.

Monterey: 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour

3. Monterey: 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour

Soak up the beautiful coast of Northern California on a guided e-bike tour through Pebble Beach on the famous 17 Mile Drive. Ride on powerful eBikes which make climbing the region’s hills and inclines a breeze. Watch for deer, sea lions, and flocks of sea birds as we roll past famous golf courses with fairways overlooking the ocean. Feel the soft, white sands at the Spanish Bay Beach and smell the sagebrush mixed with the sea air. Snap a photo of China Rock, Bird Rock, and the Lone Cypress Weave through the Del Monte Forest of 300-year old Cypress trees, and take a minute to imagine yourself in one of the luxurious mansions along the path. Stop for a quick break at the Pebble Beach Lodge where you can enjoy coffee and gelato while gazing over Carmel Bay and Point Lobos. Your local guides will share their knowledge of the area’s unique ocean wildlife and iconic landmarks throughout the tour.

Monterey: Electric Bike Rental with GPS Guided Tours

4. Monterey: Electric Bike Rental with GPS Guided Tours

Discover the best of Monterey at your own pace and enjoy an eco-friendly way to sightsee with this electric bike rental. Choose from 2 different GPS-guided tours: a scenic or historic tour, or follow your own route and create your own adventure. Choose from electric-assist or full throttle modes to help you see more of the area. You could visit the Great Tide Pools and get a close-up view of creatures hiding among the rocks. Explore Lover's Point area and beach, and let the sand fill in between your toes. Stop at the various turnouts along the coast to catch a glimpse of whales during migration. You can also bike to Asilomar State Beach and watch the surfers find their perfect wave. Find your way into Pebble Beach and marvel at the golf courses, the coastal drive, and the famous 17-Mile Drive.

San Francisco: Monterey and Carmel Tour

5. San Francisco: Monterey and Carmel Tour

Begin your tour by traveling south on the famous Pacific Coast Highway, California Highway 1. Head to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. At your first rest stop in Davenport, you will have a chance to take a selfie with the whole Pacific as your backdrop.  At Monterey, you will have 2 hours on your own to explore. You can visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, rent a kayak or paddleboard, hike along the coast, or take a bike to roam. You can also stroll among the quaint boutiques and art shops along the historic Cannery Row. Grab a seafood lunch at Old Fisherman’s Wharf.  Enjoy another eyeful of Pacific beauty along the scenic 17-Mile Drive through Del Monte Forest and take photographs of the hardy Lone Cyprus Tree. This famous road winds its way by magnificent homes and the spectacular coastline, between the greens and tees of world famous golf courses, and among the last remaining forest of a rare species of the Monterey Cypress.  Your scenic drive finishes at Pebble Beach Village. Upon arrival in the enchanted town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, you can explore the boutique shops on Ocean Avenue and be dazzled by the white sandy beach. If there is time, you can visit the historic Carmel Mission. Then, it will be time to head back to San Francisco. 

Scenic 17-Mile Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

6. Scenic 17-Mile Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Experience the ultimate scenic drive between Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach on a self-guided tour in your vehicle. Take advantage of the flexibility to set your own pace, stopping to take in the many sights and views along the 17-Mile Drive. Start by downloading the app that will function as your personal guide, audio tour, and map all in one (download instructions received via email after booking), then begin your self-guided adventure. You'll embark on this scenic drive in downtown Monterey near the historic Fisherman's Wharf. Discover Cannery Row, the delightful waterfront street bordering Pacific Grove. Optionally, stop at the Monterey Bay Aquarium to get an up-close look at a large variety of sea creatures (entry not included). Take in the views from Point Joe, the rocky southwestern end of Spanish Bay, also known as the Restless Sea. Journey to Bird Rock and Seal Rock, and try to spot seals, sea lions, and local birds. Next, you'll continue through Crocker Grove to the Lone Cypress, which stands dramatically at the edge of a cliff against crashing waves. End your tour at the world-famous Pebble Beach, a paradise of pristine white sand and sensational coastal cliffs. The audio tour is curated by local guides and creative writers and is narrated by professional voice artists. Along with written descriptions, most tour stops have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or building interiors.

Monterey: 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour

7. Monterey: 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour

Experience one of the most famous scenic drives in the world with a live GPS route and auto-playing narration for a complete hands-free and fully guided driving experience along the 17-Mile Drive. Simply download the app and drive hands-free like Google maps. On approaching an attraction, it’s photo pops up and you will hear its audio story, just like having a local guide sitting with you. The tour is developed by local tour guides, curated by creative writers, narrated by professional voice artists and put together using an award-winning platform. At Point Joe, stop and listen to the audio guide to learn about the European explorers that first came to this part of the coast. Later, drive past Bird Rock, where you can see Brandt's cormorants, pelicans, and California sea lions sharing the rock. At your next stop, get to see the harbor seals at Fanshell Overlook and learn about their pupping season from your guide. As you continue your drive, learn about the history of the 5000-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees and listen to the intriguing story of a 250-year-old Lone Cypress that isn't entirely alone. Finally, stop at the Lodge at Pebble Beach and rest at one of the public areas or putter around in one of the many charming shops in the area. 

From San Francisco: Private Monterey Tour with Pebble Beach

8. From San Francisco: Private Monterey Tour with Pebble Beach

The road from SF to Monterrey takes 2,5 – 3 hours, and if you wish, we can pass by the headquarters of Oracle, Facebook, Google, and Apple. It is the old capital of N. California, located on the Ocean coast a quarter way down the Pacific Highway between SF and LA. We will spend 2-3 hours here and will gladly advise you on what to do here. Fisherman's Wharf is famous for restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, and art galleries right on the Wharf. Monterey Bay Aquarium It is one of the largest in the world. Stingrays, starfish, jellyfish, tunas, sharks, sea horses, and other sea animals. It has over 600 species, 200 exhibits, and 80,000 plants and animals. Its terraces open up marvelous views of the Bay. If we are lucky, we will have a chance to meet a school of dolphins or a drifting whale. It has three floors; each has aquariums of various shapes: a large cylinder that is as tall as the room's height with scuba divers swimming with fish and sea otters; a sea tunnel; several huge Jelly Experience aquariums illuminated in ultramarine colors. The water flows slowly and is filled with giant bright jellyfish. Canneries produced sardines, fish fat, and fertilizers. The street name, formerly a nickname for Ocean View Avenue, became official in January 1958 to honor John Steinbeck and his novel Cannery Row. Steinbeck described the street as "a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream." A permanent exhibition of Spaniard Salvador Dali, one of the XX century's premier and most celebrated surrealist artists, is near Fisherman's Wharf. It is his first permanent exhibition on the West Coast and the most extensive private collection in the US. It contains unique and unprecedented art, including original etchings, mixed media, lithographs, and rare sculptures. Next, we will have a 17-mile picturesque ride through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, connecting Monterrey and Carmel. We will make several stops at the most scenic locations and take pictures. Down the road, we will see some: - Lone Cypress, one of the most photographed trees in the world; - cypress forest, the silent guards of the Pacific Ocean; - famous golf courses; - stunning Spanish Bay Beach and Stillwater Cove; - beautiful oceanfront and mansions; -deer walking through the golf courses; -Pebble Beach, the World's Golf Capital Carmel is a charming and picturesque town, a must-visit place for all travelers who explore California. This cozy town is famous for its natural landscapes, rich art history, marvelous beaches, fine restaurants, and shops. It is where the San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo Mission was founded, the 14th out of 21 missions in California. From our guide, you will find out unique facts about Carmel. Many art galleries, boutiques, and coffee shops will make you fall in love with that town by the Ocean. We will spend about an hour in Carmel and head back to SF.

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What people are saying about Pebble Beach, California

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 292 reviews

A wonderful tour, scenically wonderful. The bus driver Thomas was fantastic. He told a lot about the sights and the landscape and gave good tips. Although the day was long, it was definitely worth it. We don't want to miss the day.

Roman is hands down one of the best tour guides I have ever toured with! We will be back to do a tour of Yosemite with him.

Jenn did a great job keeping 9 of us in line and safe. I would highly recommend this e-bike tour.

ben was very knowledgeable and literally came out of his way to personalize the tour for us…

Great driver and guide. The coast is beyond spectacular. Really great tour.