Big Sur Self-Driving Audio Tour in California (Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway) in California booking from $16.99

Big Sur Self-Driving Audio Tour in California (Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway)

Overview

Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone can listen together!

Experience the iconic Big Sur road trip with a self-guided driving audio tour! As you drive, learn about the fairytale cottages of Carmel, the purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach, & the enormous elephant seals at San Simeon. Drive over Bixby Bridge, marvel at McWay Falls, & enjoy the rugged coastline along the Pacific Coast Highway / Route 1. Big Sur is the most scenic segment of the Pacific Coast Highway(a must-do road trip), which you can start in either Monterey or San Luis Obispo.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

City: California

Mon 12 May

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $16.99

Make a reservation

Mon 12 May

Starting at $16.99

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone

Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!

Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!

Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!

Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.

Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!

Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

What To Expect

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a state park in Monterey County, California, near the area of Big Sur on the state's Central Coast. It covers approximately 1,006 acres of land. The park is centered on the Big Sur River. It has been nicknamed a "mini Yosemite." Redwood trees are known to live up to 2,200 years. NOTE: This 125+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Big Sur in 2 - 3 hours Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Pacific Coast Highway

Next, we enter the world-famous Big Sur portion of the PCH. The Pacific Coast Highway, popularly known as PCH, Highway 1, or Route 1, is one the most scenic roadtrips in the US.

Partington Cove

Small, remote inlet & rugged beach reached by a dirt trail, wooden bridge & tunnel.

Garrapata State Park

The scenic drive takes us through Garrapata State Park, where we'll have the chance to stop and check out the Garrapata Beach. As we drive, we'll learn about the wildfires that often rage through forests like these.

Point Sur State Historic Park

We'll continue driving, while admiring and learning about Point Sur and the Point Sur Lighthouse.

Andrew Molera State Park

Our tour then takes us through the Andrew Molera State Park, another natural wonder of this drive. We'll also learn about Big Sur's literary fame.

Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach in the Big Sur area is definitely off the beaten path, but well worth the detour. Just south of Big Sur Station on Highway 1 is unsigned Sycamore Canyon Road which winds its way down to the shore.

Grimes Point Scenic Overlook

Grimes Point Scenic Overlook has got one of the best views of the Big Sur coastline. It's easy to see what brings people to a place like Big Sur.

Seal Beach Scenic Overlook

Our self-guided drive takes us to Seal Beach Overlook where -- you guessed it! -- we'll be able to spot some sunbathing seals.

McWay Falls

Another must stop is at McWay Falls. This stunning 80-foot-tall waterfall on the coast of Big Sur in central California that flows year-round.

Big Creek Bridge

Next, we drive over the Big Creek Bridge. This is a 589-foot-long, open spandrel, concrete deck arch bridge connecting this scenic, mountainous coast.

Big Creek Cove Vista Point

Big Creek Cove Beach is under the Big Creek Bridge on Highway 1 along the Big Sur Coast. Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve is the land area adjacent to the creek and the California marine protected areas named Big Creek State Marine Reserve and Big Creek State Conservation Area.

Limekiln State Park

Our tour continues to Limekiln State Park, featuring beaches, forests, and more.

Jade Cove

Jade Cove features a beach full of nephrite jade.

Ragged Point

The stretch of highway between San Simeon and Ragged Point is some of the most picturesque in the world. The roadway follows where the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, with jaw-dropping views around every twist and turn. As you drive, plenty of turnoffs offer moments for taking in the region’s grandeur. As you drive to Ragged Point, you will feel like a star in your own private car commercial on Highway 1.

Piedras Blancas Light Station

As we drive past the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, we'll have the option to stop and detour for a visit.

Elephant Seal Vista Point

Nothing beats the Elephant Seal Vista Point. The largest seal in the northern hemisphere, the Northern Elephant Seal migrates to the rookery, twice each year. While offshore, the elephant seal spends eight to ten months diving up to 5,800 feet deep for up to two hours. The remaining months of the year, they mate, birth, molt, and rest onshore between trips.

Hearst Castle

As we drive through San Simeon, we'll have the option to detour to Hearst Castle. Conceived by William Randolph Hearst, the publishing tycoon, it was built between 1919 and 1947.

Nitt Witt Ridge

The one with the blue paint and all the terraces? That’s Nitt Witt Ridge, a peculiar landmark here in Cambria. You might not be able to tell at first glance, but a lot of that house is built from trash. Seriously! It was built by an eccentric artist named Arthur Harold Beal who had an odd fascination with garbage. He actually worked as a garbage collector in the mid-1900s and used some of what he collected to build his home. There are beer cans, car rims, washer drums, you name it, built into the structure of the house. **

Morro Bay

Finally, we'll reach Morro Bay, San Luis Opispo, and Pismo Beach, where this segment of our PCH tour ends. You've now experienced the beauty of Big Sur!

Show 17 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (92)

O68ZZjohnk

Mar 2025

The guide needs to be updated to show the more recent closures on Hwy 1. Especially south of Monterey. Other than that, it is pretty good.

Response from Host

Mar 2025

John, it’s excellent you enjoyed my PCH: Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey and Morro Bay. I appreciate you pointing out the need for updated closure information. I’ve added a note reminding travelers to check for updates in advance, and I’ll take your suggestion to specify precisely which sections are closed in future updates. If you’re ready for more California adventures, check out my bundle with tours of Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and more!

CataniaG

Feb 2025

Good app but it should be stated that one should use earbuds as listening on speaker is not allowed. I tend to agree with them as this is nature at it's best and simply listening to the natural noise is amazing.

Response from Host

Feb 2025

Catania, I’m thrilled you enjoyed my PCH: Big Sur Driving Audio Tour from Monterey & Morro Bay! Using earbuds is an excellent tip for enjoying the tour while respecting the natural surroundings. Still, if you are with friends and family, you may need to connect to the car speaker so everyone can listen to the audio stories. If you're interested in more self-guided adventures, check out my California Bundle, which includes tours of Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and more! Happy exploring!

Flyer26276869933

Feb 2025

Really good tour, amazing views. Tour can be taken as per comfort. Scenic views and a complete guide and knowledge of Big Sur. Will try out other tours.

Response from Host

Feb 2025

Manu, it's great that you enjoyed my PCH: Big Sur Self-Guided Audio Tour. Combining breathtaking scenery and the freedom to explore at your own pace makes it a fantastic drive. If you're up for more scenic road trips, check out my California Self-Guided Driving Bundle featuring Malibu, Yosemite, and beyond!

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Big Sur Self-Driving Audio Tour in California (Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway)

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