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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.

Within 30 min, we'll send you two things: a unique password & an app. Download the app, enter a password, & download the tour. When you arrive, head over to the first stop. Stick to the route & speed limit for the best experience.

No expiration — The tour comes with lifetime validity!

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check covid rules & opening hours before your visit.
City: Monterey & Carmel
Sun 23 Feb
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You can choose the date already on the booking website
Starting at $14.99
Sun 23 Feb
Starting at $14.99
Make a reservation
What's Included
Flexible Planning
Family-friendly
Works Offline
Live GPS Map
Email, Chat, Call Support
Audios, Images, and Text
Additional Info
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • How it works: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions. Download the Action Tour Guide app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. To begin touring, go to the Starting Point and launch the Action tour guide app. The audio starts automatically. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience. Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
  • Good value: Purchase only one tour for the entire vehicle instead of taking the bus and paying for each person. You will see a significant saving. Connect your phone to car speakers by a wire or bluetooth. Enjoy the tour by listening together as you drive.
  • Flexible Schedule: Once the app/tour is on your phone, you can use it any day and at any time. You can use it over multiple days. And, also use it on your next trip here. This tour never expires.
  • Preview the tour: You can use it before the trip at home (highly recommended), use it during the trip, and use it after you come back.
  • Don't miss a thing: You will get everything with the app - a complete itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated audio stories, story script, images, videos, deep dives, hidden gems, exciting locations, recommendations for hikes, adventure, activities, treks, and stop-by-stop direction.
  • Private tour: You can use it in your car or rental car. No worries about groups or crowds. Start the tour app on your phone. And it will direct you step by step. You can stop for as many breaks as you like. Take a break for Instagram photos, and take a break for lunch/snacks. Go on a hike. The tour will wait for you and start when you start again. You can even do the tour over multiple days. Go at your own pace.
  • Easy to use: The stories play themselves as soon as the GPS is activated. It requires no use of your hands at all. You can get HELP by calling, chatting, or emailing any time of the day.
  • Offline: There is no need for a cell signal or Wi-Fi while touring. App’s GPS map works offline.
  • Expiration/go again: The tour will last for the rest of your life on your phone. It is available for use on any day of your next trip.
  • Use pictures for a photo book: Create a photo book using clean (no crowd) app images of each spot to make a memorable trip. All the photos and the correct sequence is ready in the app for you to use.
  • Social media: Share clean (no crowd) images with friends/family.
  • Devices supported include iPhones with iOS 13 & above, Android phones with version 9 & above and all cellular-enabled tablets & iPads.
  • Face masks required for travellers in public areas
What To Expect
1
17-Mile Drive
Our Big Sur adventure begins in Monterey, California.
2
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.
3
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.
4
Partington Cove
Small, remote inlet & rugged beach reached by a dirt trail, wooden bridge & tunnel.
5
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.
6
Point Sur State Historic Park
We'll continue driving, while admiring and learning about Point Sur and the Point Sur Lighthouse.
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Limekiln State Park
Our tour continues to Limekiln State Park, featuring beaches, forests, and more.
15
Jade Cove
Jade Cove features a beach full of nephrite jade.
16
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.
17
Piedras Blancas Light Station
As we drive past the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, we'll have the option to stop and detour for a visit.
18
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.
19
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.
20
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. **
21
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 18 more stops
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveler Photos
Reviews (55)
Dutoclan
Nov 2022
I made nearly every stop as well as many additional Vista points. This tour was everything I hoped it would be. I took a fairly deep dive- 9 hours from Carmel to San Simeon. I went back to San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay the second day. Well worth the money and a memorable experience- plus hundreds of photos!
Response from Host
Nov 2022
Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m delighted that my tour of Big Sur added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.
angelsnola
Nov 2022
This was sad, couldn't download the app. I usually don't have trouble with these things, but this was not possible. (My boyfriend kept asking me questions about everything along the long drive & I kept looking up answers through Siri. Very silly. Wish I could have experienced this...
Christopher_Y
Oct 2022
App made it possible for us to listen to back stories and look out for places of interest. Well worth the price.
Response from Host
Oct 2022
Thank you so much for your feedback, Chris! I’m thrilled that my tour of Big Sur added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

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