Big Sur Private Charter: Scenic Monterey Excursion
4.9
30 Ratings
San Jose
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Big Sur and Monterey on a private charter excursion. Explore Santa Cruz, Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer State Park, and more. Prices start at $165 per person.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - 1) From San Jose - Total time 8 hours. 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, Garrapata and Rocky Point to Bixby Bridge.

  • Monterey - 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.

  • Bixby Bridge - This iconic single span concrete bridge built during 1940s is seen in many movies and commercials. You stop at both ends for views and taking photos.

  • McWay Falls - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

What's Included
  • Private transportation in full-size SUV
  • Choice of return trip: full-size SUV or Coast Starlight train
  • Complimentary on-board WiFi
  • Comfortable in-vehicle air conditioning
  • All fees and taxes included
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Gratuity
Additional Information

With pricing starting at $165 per individual for groups of 6, $195 per person for groups of 5, $225 per person for quartets, and $385 per individual for couples, we offer an 8-hour tailor-made charter tour led by a local driver guide in a roomy SUV. This offers a distinctive opportunity to explore some of America’s most picturesque locations. You have the liberty to choose your stops in places like Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, the Bixby Bridge, the River Inn, Pfeiffer State Park - home to Coastal Redwoods, and other attractions including Nepenthe and McWay Falls. Please note, this is an exclusive trip and not a shared journey. For the return leg, the driver will escort clients to the Salinas Amtrak station at about 6 p.m. to board the Coast Starlight train, which will reach San Jose Diridon station in 90 minutes. An *OPTION to return by SUV is also feasible if required.

Location
San Jose
Cahill Street
65 Cahill Street, San Jose
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(30 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
773grgf
Feb 26, 2024
If you need a 1-day trip for Big Sur, this is the way to go. - Driver was punctual for pickup. SUV was very comfortable. The itinerary sent a few days prior was detailed, stop by stop, and provided a very good outline of what was to come. The area from Monterrey to Mcway Fall is vast so ideally one would spend 3+ days in the area, but time was compressed for us and this 1-day tour provided the highlights of Carmel to Mcway Fall perfectly. It’s so convenient to have the driver know the narrow, twisty-turning road so well; and he knew the best places to drop off for perfect pictures. We never had to stress with driving or finding parking. You might be a little hurried to eat and shop at certain stops so keep it under 30 minutes so you can see everything (especially at Pfeiffer State Park) and complete the tour in 8 hours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X7012skneilh
Jan 18, 2024
Phenomenal Beauty!! - Monterey, California, and its neighboring gem, Big Sur, provided me with an enchanting experience that seamlessly blended amazing views, tranquility, and outdoor adventures. The drive along the coastal stretch between these two destinations is nothing short of breathtaking. The serene and peaceful drive along the Pacific Coast Highway offers panoramic views of the ocean that are simply awe-inspiring. The coastal cliffs, crashing waves, and rugged landscapes create a sensory feast, making every twist and turn along the route a visual delight. Both Monterey and Big Sur boast incredible hiking opportunities that cater to nature enthusiasts of all levels. The trails meander through lush forests, along cliffside paths, and to scenic viewpoints that showcase the stunning coastal scenery. Whether you're an avid hiker or simply seeking a leisurely stroll, the variety of trails ensures that everyone can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region. The abundance of scenic spots, including iconic landmarks like Bixby Creek Bridge, adds to the charm of the journey. Monterey and Big Sur offer a perfect escape for those looking to unwind in nature, soak in amazing views, and embark on memorable outdoor adventures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allison_c
Jan 11, 2024
A great day in Monterey! - This was a great experience! Ben was extremely kind and helpful in setting our itinerary for the day, and also took the time to provide other recommendations for our brief stay in CA. Our driver Carlos was friendly, flexible and attentive and clearly communicated options and timing. Everyone, including our young-adult kids, had a great time and felt the trip was a good balance between driving and hopping out to walk/hike/explore. We only had one day to explore Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey but this tour made us determined to come back for a longer visit!
Review provided by Viator
Ruedafam
Nov 28, 2023
Big Sur Monterey Coast - We really enjoyed the trip. Our Driver-Carlos really knew his way around the different areas. We had a wonderful experience and saw some fantastic views. He is also an excellent driver.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J6331vbjulianf
Oct 18, 2023
Breathtaking Experience - The 80-foot waterfall cascading gracefully onto McWay Beach, with its shimmering turquoise waters and the lush green forests, creates a picture-postcard scene that seems almost too perfect to be real. Also, make sure to take the time to visit the McWay Falls Overlook – a short, easily accessible trail that treats you to a panoramic view of the waterfall and the cove below. It's a spot that's perfect for capturing breathtaking photographs!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christina_n
Sep 1, 2023
Incredible Experience in Big Sur - Our family (my husband, brother, and me) were delighted with the beautiful, relaxing, and memorable wonders of Big Sur. Ben reached out before our tour to ensure that we had a full understanding of the itinerary, coordinate our pick up time and location, and asked if we had any specific questions or requests. Carlos, our driver and tour guide, was a delight. He met us where we were staying, made sure we got from point to point easily and comfortably, had a wonderful sense of humor, and ensured that we all had a great time. We saw so many incredible vistas during the day from Bixby Bridge to McStay Falls, redwoods, the PCH coastline, and so much more. We enjoyed a few short and easy hikes/walks (this is up to you), a couple of glasses of wine with a lovely lunch and gorgeous weather. Not having to drive ourselves so we could enjoy the views without worrying about traffic, where to park or figuring out directions, and just absorb the beauty of Big Sur, was glorious. We all came back from the day relaxed and rejuvenated. My husband said it was one of the best days he's had in a long time! Booking the tour with California Pacific Excursions was one of the best decisions we could have made to truly enjoy our Big Sur experience. Thank you Ben and Carlos!
Review provided by Viator
Dav232016
Jul 12, 2023
Monterey to Big Sur - Ben at California Pacific Tours was informative and super responsive as he helped plan our trip via phone, text and email. Ben and my family mapped out a rough itinerary in advance for our family group of 6. The day of our tour, Carlos picked us up at our vacation rental in Watsonville. We knew in general terms what we were hoping to see, but we asked Carlos for his recommendations as the tour progressed. Carlos incorporated Point Lobos at our specific request, and then gave us an overview of upcoming areas of interest. We could pick and choose our stops as the day progressed. Carlos knew things like the ease or difficulty of trails, what we should look for on the trails, approximate price range in shops and restaurants, and even where the cleanest bathrooms are. Carlos suggested stops at several places we would have missed had we driven the route on our own (McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach among others). All of the stops we made were well worth experiencing. With my mom being a senior, we needed to know what to expect as far as walking to and from view sites. Some view sites require no walking, but where there are trails, Carlos told us in advance what to expect so we could decide. Most times we were dropped off at the door or trail entrance, which made things nice. We consider this tour a top highlight of our Monterey trip. Highly recommend to other travelers. Thanks Ben & Carlos.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erica_h
May 26, 2023
Simply Beautiful sites! - We had a great time on this tour! Carlos was the perfect host. He was very kind and knowledgeable of the area! Will definitely use them again!
Review provided by Viator
Rebecca
Oct 18, 2022
Our guide, Carlos was accommodating , informative & the scenery breathtaking! Carlos allowed for numerous photo shoots - Big Sur day trip with Carlos as our guide was a wonderful experience. He was enjoyable, accommodating & informative, allowed for many stops for photos!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gerard_l
Jul 23, 2023
Beautiful - Mcway falls. Bixby bridge. Both beautiful. Make sure to call tour operator 2 hours before to insure they come on time
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 6 guests
1
Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today