Group tour operator · San Francisco
A long group day out of San Francisco that spends most of its coast time on the Monterey Peninsula and turns around near Bixby Bridge. Pick it if you have no car, one free day and a budget, and Bixby Bridge is the picture you want.
Be clear on the geography before you book. San Francisco to Carmel is about 124 miles, two and a half hours each way, and the listed route spends its middle hours in Monterey, Cannery Row, the 17-Mile Drive and Carmel. Big Sur gets the last stretch: Bixby Bridge and Hurricane Point, 13 and 14 miles south of Carmel. Then the van turns north.
That is most of what a cheap Big Sur day from the city can do. Pfeiffer Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach and McWay Falls sit further down the coast and are not on the route. If you only want the bridge and the cliffs just past it, $193 is a fair price for a 12-hour day with the 17-Mile Drive fee included.
This is a new listing with no reviews yet, and the operator is not named on our sources, so treat the details below as the listing's own description. A same-priced, same-length itinerary sold elsewhere uses 15-seat vans and picks up around 6:30. Check pickup time and zone on the listing after you book.
An early start; the listed route confirms the time the day before. Expect a two-hour-plus drive south.
A coffee stop and free time on the old cannery waterfront.
The private toll road through Pebble Beach, with photo stops at the Lone Cypress and Bird Rock.
Time in the village for lunch (not included) and a walk to the beach.
The Big Sur part of the day, 13 to 14 miles south of Carmel. This is where the van turns around.
The long drive north, arriving roughly 12 hours after pickup.
Read next:
No. The listed route turns around at Bixby Bridge and Hurricane Point, about 14 miles south of Carmel, a small part of the 90-mile coast.
Yes, the listing includes the 17-Mile Drive entrance. Cars pay $12.50 at the gate.
The listed route picks up at San Francisco hotels from about 6:30 in the morning. The exact time is confirmed the day before.
The listing offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. Check the terms on the booking page.
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The cheapest way to see Big Sur from San Francisco without a car: Monterey, the 17-Mile Drive, Carmel and Bixby Bridge in one day.
Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur Private TourYour own driver from SF for up to four, as far as Bixby Bridge. Compare with the McWay Falls tour.★ 4.9 · 10 hours · from $946
Private Big Sur & McWay Falls Day TourThe only tour here that reaches McWay Falls, private for up to five. Compare with the shorter private tours.★ 4.9 · 12 hours · from $890
Private Monterey, Carmel & Big Sur Day TripPrivate and customizable from SF or the airport, with the San Mateo coast. Compare with the Dingo private tour.★ 5.0 · 9 hours · from $918