Big Sur Monterey Scenes Tour – California Coast 2 or 3 days – option to go Hearst Castle and to Los Angeles
Key Features:
Big Sur is one of the ten most scenic shore lines in the U.S. Along the California Pacific Coast Highway One south of Monterey is the iconic Bixby Bridge, Pigeon Point Lighthouse, The Coastal Redwoods at Pfeiffer State Park and the fabled Nepenthe. You may recognize some of the places from old Hollywood films such as The Sandpiper with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Currently some of the scenery can be seen on Big Little Lies on HBO. You can visit this unique area and see Monterey on a one-day trip or even stay a night.
- Scenic Monterey & Carmel By The Sea
- Big Sur, Coastal Redwoods and Bixby Bridge California Coast
- 2 Days / 1 Nights OR 3 Days / 2 Nights
- Can add extra nights
- Round trip from San Jose or Monterey and Carmel
- From San Francisco or Oakland at *additional cost.
- Option to go down to Los Angeles on day 2 or 3
- Option to add Hearst Castle at *additional cost.
- This is also available from Los Angeles in reverse
See our Instagram post for 2 days San Francisco to Los Angeles via Big Sur Monterey.
*Additional starting locations, times, and costs to go San Jose ( Diridon Station or Berryessa / North San Jose Station ) takes about an hour.
- San Francisco, 4th & King Station, 700 4th St at 8:00 a.m. ( Clipper card $21 round trip / $15 one way for Caltrain ). San Francisco, Powell Station to Berryessa / North San Jose Station by BART
- Emeryville ( San Francisco by Thruway bus), 5885 Horton Street at 8:10 a.m. ( $19 one way for Capitol Corridor Amtrak )
- Oakland, Jack London Square, 245 2nd St at 8:20 a.m. ( $19 one way for Capitol Corridor Amtrak )
Amtrak Capital Corridor Carry-On Baggage policy Watch the video on Amtrak HowTo Handle Baggage
Day 1: San Jose to Santa Cruz to Monterey. 154 miles
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 to Bixby Bridge.
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. Check in to stay the night.
CHOICE OF HOTELS:
Casa Munras Hotel, 700 Munras Avenue – historic downtown Monterey location.
Spindrift Inn, 652 Cannery Row – on Monterey Bay
The Monterey Hotel, 407 Calle Principal, Monterey, CA 93940
La Playa Hotel and Hofsas House many other hotels and inns in Carmel by The Sea
Day 2 – Free time in Monterey:
Choice of many activities. Rent a bike or walk and enjoy many paths in the historic town, The Cannery Row area and Pacific Grove. Drive or get a chauffeur driven car for a tour of Pebble Beach, 17 Mile Drive and Carmel by the Sea. Go Whale watching on Monterey Bay. www.montereywhalewatching.com Go Scuba diving or paddle renting a kayak. http://www.mbdcscuba.com/ www.adventuresbythesea.com Or just walk around the historic area and Fisherman’s Wharf and see museums, etc. www.seemonterey.com/resources/visitors-center Spend the day in Carmel by the Sea. www.carmelcalifornia.com/visitor-center.htm
Return from Monterey to San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco. 75 to 110 miles:
At about 5:00 p.m. car transfer to Salinas station for Coast Starlight Northbound train to San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco arriving at about 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Option to go to Los Angeles on day 2. 356 miles.
Transfer to Salinas to board Coast Starlight train leaving at 12:10. Going through agricultural area of Monterey County you go via Paso Robles to San Luis Obispo. Continue via the beautiful coast through Santa Barbara arriving in Los Angeles by 9:10 p.m.
Points of Interest:
Silicon Valley *Santa Cruz *Capitola * Gilroy – San Andreas Fault * Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing where Salinas River empties in to Monterey Bay * Strawberry and artichoke farms stretching miles. * Bixby Bridge * Big Sur whose famous residents include Henry Miller and Jack Kerouac. * Giant Coastal Redwoods. *Historic Monterey. *Carmel by the Sea. *Pebble Beach.
Rates : Big Sur Monterey 2 days Tour – Tour Code: SM1M
Available all year 2023 : Almost daily Round Trip or One Way Transportation and Big Sur Monterey trip:
Cost from San Jose hotels or Diridon Station at 9:30 a.m. The cost of the hotel in Monterey area is not included in the rate. From San Francisco or Oakland is additional $38 per person by train. Discount may be available. Please ask us for details
| 1 pax | ２ pax | ３ pax | ４ pax |
| $648 | $796 ($398) | $894 ($298) | $996 ($249) |
Cost from Monterey or Carmel ( hotel pick up and drop off included )
| 1 pax | ２ pax | ３ pax | ４ pax |
| $556 | $626 ($313) | $702 ($228) | $772 ($193) |
This cost is based on coach seating on the train with no access to dinning car. *A private room with complimentary meals on the train is available for an additional about $300 per room (the room can accommodate up to 2 people). This will give you the comfort and luxury experience. Watch this video on First Class Amtrak Coast Starlight in a Roommette.
*Plus hotel room from $100 to $400+ in Monterey or Carmel or Salinas. Cost depends on availability and the prevailing rate at the hotel of your choice. We can reserve the room for you or you can book directly.
Big Sur Monterey California Coast 2 days Tour includes:
Transportation from San Jose or Monterey and Carmel by experienced driver-guided tours of Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Highway #1, Bixby Bridge, Coastal Redwoods, Nepenthe, Train ticket down to Los Angeles or back to San Francisco or San Jose, Fuel charge, Tax. Additional costs payable direct are driver’s gratuity and other personal expenses.
See Big Sur Monterey One Day trip | 2 days Monterey Big Sur from Los Angeles
Transportation is provided by companies under contract to us. They are fully licensed by California Public Utility Commission. They carry required insurance and comply with USDOT and CHP safety requirements.
To check availability or have any questions, please contact us or submit the following request form. We will get back to you within 24 hours on weekdays 48 hours on weekends. There is no need to provide credit card information at this time.