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Smartphone Driving Tour between Santa Maria & Monterey 'Big Sur'

Smartphone Driving Tour between Santa Maria & Monterey 'Big Sur'

Overview

Connect your smartphone to your vehicle's stereo and listen to a tour guide while you drive Big Sur!

Follow the suggested route along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the world! Start anywhere along the route between Santa Maria & Monterey. Tour experience is the same in either direction.

Pass over the incredible Bixby Bridge, visit San Luis Obiso's Bubblegum Alley, check out Morro Rock & the famous Hearst Castle. We'll point out must-see sights, state parks, tourist attractions and recreation areas and give a historical overview of the area and its original inhabitants.

With no time constraints, enjoy the freedom to stop anywhere and explore. Tour guide commentary will play automatically as you drive. No data is used during the tour.

This audio guide will keep your group entertained and engaged! Most points of interest also have a fun multiple-choice trivia question about the sights.

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City: Pismo Beach

Mon 04 Aug

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $11.99

Make a reservation

Mon 04 Aug

Starting at $11.99

Make a reservation

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What's Included

No time constraints, take as long as you like to complete the tour

Only 1 tour booking needed per vehicle

Flexible dates - tour is yours to keep and enjoy anytime on Tripvia Tours.

No signal required or data used during tour

Good mobile or WiFi connection needed for the initial download

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair accessible

What To Expect

Santa Maria

The city we’re just to the north of now, Santa Maria, was actually called ‘Central City’ originally. In 1885, it adopted the name Santa Maria.

Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve

Oceano Dunes, one of the most expansive coastal dunes remaining in California offers visitors countless activities, from camping right on the sand and horse-back riding, to more hair raising adventurous options.

Santa Barbara Wine Region

This region has a rich wine-making history dating back to 1782 when Father Junipero Serra, a Spanish Roman Catholic missionary, brought grape vines from Mexico to California and planted them here.

Arroyo Grande

We'll tell you about the Spanish settlers who were determined to make Arroyo Grande a prosperous ranch and farm community as the land features a rich environmental ecosystem.

Grover Beach

The name was not always Grover Beach. D.W. Grover first gave the town the name ‘The Town of Grover.’ The rather peculiar name lasted until 1959, when the town residents finally voted to change it… to something even more peculiar....

Pismo Beach

The name ‘Pismo’ comes from the Chumash language and translates to tar.. And guess what, there are tar-springs nearby!

Montana de Oro State Park

The oceanside park, Montana De Oro, a State Park that features seven miles of shoreline, streams, canyons and hills, providing nature-lovers with plenty of activities in a pristine setting.

San Luis Obispo

If you like bubblegum... this is the perfect place for you.. ok, well it’s actually uhh.. previously chewed bubblegum, but still. We'll give you the story.

San Luis Obispo botanical garden

If you are looking to visit some beautiful Mediterranean gardens or just take a relaxing stroll, this is the perfect spot.

Morro Bay

Visitors can drive right up to the base of Morro Rock, thanks to a causeway that connects it to the shore. It’s quite close to the highway and a wonderful place to stop and stretch your legs… and snap some great pictures.

Cayucos Pier

So if you've always wanted to walk on one of those long piers you see in the movies, here is your chance.

The Whale Trail

There are over 100 Whale trail sites, which mark the best locations for spotting whales, on the west coast. California has 19 of them.

Cambria

So we're coming up to a small town that, if you are a history buff, may be a place you want to check out! Cambria’s history has been painstakingly preserved by a dedicated band of volunteers at the Historical Society.

Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center

We’ve got a pretty awesome point of interest you may be interested in.... but only if you like watching incredibly huge and adorable sea creatures in their natural habitat of course.

Hearst Castle

If you are looking for a museum unlike any other, you're in luck! The San Simeon area is home to the famous hilltop mansion known as Hearst Castle. If you have the time, we highly recommend you check it out

Piedras Blancas Light Station

This lighthouse was built in the 1800s and originally stood over 100 feet tall.

Los Padres National Forest

As you drive this amazing coastline, keep an eye out for the critically endangered California Condor. You never know, you might just get lucky and spot one of these majestic, and incredibly-rare birds.

Fort Hunter Ligget

Fort Hunter Liggett is the largest reserve command-post in the country with over 165,000 acres of land. It's about 15 miles to the northeast of us, on the other side of those mountains.

Jade Cove

Monterey Jade is an extremely hard stone that ranges in colors from deep greens, to turquoise, silvered greens, to black. The most common color is a grayish green.

Esalen Institute

Founded in the early 60’s by two Stanford grads, the Esalen Institute is a non-profit retreat meant to help people explore alternative forms of consciousness.

McWay Falls

If you're looking for a spot to take a break and stretch those legs, look for the Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park. You’ll find one of Big Sur’s shortest trails leading to the incredibly picturesque McWay Falls waterfall.

Big Sur

Big Sur is a rugged and mountainous section of the central coast of California, between Carmel and San Simeon. It is frequently, and deservedly, praised for its dramatic scenery.

Bixby Bridge

Get ready to drive across one of the most photographed bridges in all of California, the Bixby Creek Bridge! If you want to take pictures, or just take in the incredible views, you're in luck as there are many pullovers that you can stop at.

Point Lobos

Known as “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world” by famed landscape architect Francis McComas, the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve covers over 8 square miles of land and sea.

Monterey

The city was founded in 1770 and it's history can be spotted throughout the 8.5 square mile city, from the famed Fisherman’s Wharf to Cannery Row.

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Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (4)

Brandon_S

Aug 2024

Dialogue was interesting but a little corny. The directions were not very user friendly and not easily manipulated while driving. Definitely need a passenger that is phone tech savvy with you as the driver won’t able to easily use the app.

Response from Host

Aug 2024

Thanks for taking the time to leave a review! We'll take a look at the tour to make sure directions are on point, and are glad you found the information about the points of interest along the route interesting!

ddoncov77

Dec 2023

Please double check pacific coast hey1 for closure I didn't look carefully and had to turn back driving north Not many crossover from rt1 to 101 Nice trivia It was worth the money Should still some homework ahead of time

Response from Host

Dec 2023

Thanks for the review and taking the time to share your thoughts. We apologize for any frustration you experienced... good advice to check for road maintenance!

Mark_B

Sep 2023

Download link not working and refused to issue refund. Had to book directly from vender website so paid twice.

Response from Host

Sep 2023

We are sorry to hear you had a bad experience. Not sure which company you are referring to but our record shows that our customer service walked you through setup and getting started. Please contact us directly so we can discuss how we can make things better for you.