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Dingo Tours · San Francisco

Big Sur with your own driver

A private car and driver-guide from your San Francisco hotel, down the coast through Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel to Bixby Bridge. Pick it for a group of three or four who want to set the stops, the pace and the lunch break themselves.

Carmel, Monterey & Big Sur Private Tour

About this experience

The route on the listing runs Highway 1 south from San Francisco: Santa Cruz, Capitola, Monterey, the 17-Mile Drive, Carmel, then Bixby Bridge and Big Sur, with Point Lobos mentioned for the way back. In ten hours, with the Santa Cruz stops on the way down, the Bixby Bridge area is the realistic turnaround. That is 13 miles into a 90-mile coast.

Stops are optional, which is the point of a private tour. Skip Capitola and you buy time on the coast; ask at the start how far south your driver can go and still get you home on time. Do not assume McWay Falls, 37 miles south of Carmel: for that, the 12-hour private McWay Falls tour is built for it.

At $946 for up to four, the price works out near $237 each for a full car, about what one seat costs on the Monterey half day. Tolls, taxes and entrance tickets if needed are included, though the 17-Mile Drive fee is listed as extra. Guides speak English, Spanish or Portuguese. No eating, drinking or smoking in the car.

  • Pickup at your own San Francisco hotel
  • Santa Cruz and Capitola on the way down
  • The 17-Mile Drive and Carmel
  • Bixby Bridge, and Point Lobos on the return
  • Guides in English, Spanish or Portuguese

How the day runs

  1. MorningHotel pickup in San Francisco

    Your driver collects you. Other Bay Area pickups can be requested.

  2. Late morningSanta Cruz and Capitola

    Coast towns south of the city: the boardwalk area and Capitola's painted houses. Optional.

  3. MiddayMonterey and the 17-Mile Drive

    Monterey's waterfront, then Pebble Beach on the 17-Mile Drive (gate fee extra).

  4. Early afternoonCarmel-by-the-Sea

    Lunch and a walk in the village, at your own cost.

  5. AfternoonBixby Bridge and Big Sur

    Highway 1 south past Garrapata to the bridge. How much further depends on time and what you ask for.

  6. ReturnPoint Lobos and back north

    Point Lobos is on the listed return before the drive back to San Francisco.

Bixby Bridge seen from the northA sea otter floating in kelp

What's included

Included

  • Private car and driver-guide for up to 4
  • Pickup at your San Francisco hotel
  • Tolls and taxes
  • Entrance tickets if needed
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Not included

  • 17-Mile Drive gate fee
  • Meals and drinks
  • Gratuity

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You are a group of three or four
  • You want to choose stops and skip the ones you don't care about
  • You would like a Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking guide
  • You want Santa Cruz and Carmel as well as Big Sur

Skip it if

  • You need McWay Falls on the day
  • You are travelling alone or as two on a budget
  • You want to snack in the car between stops

What guests say

★★★★★

Fred was great ! We had a wonderful time exploring with him . He is definitely very knowledgable and friendly .

Ruchi, United States · Aug 2026
★★★★★

Fred is an incredibly fantastic friendly cool guy. He informs us exactly about everything we are seeing.

Peter Csaba, Hungary · Apr 2025
★★★★★

We thoroughly enjoyed our day, driving down to big Sur. Fred was very informative and happy to assist in any way possible

Samantha, Australia · Oct 2024
★★★★★

Great way to see spectacular coastline and have expert knowledge on best spots.

David, United Kingdom · Jul 2024

Tips before you book

  • Tell the driver at pickup what matters most. Dropping Capitola or the 17-Mile Drive frees an hour for Big Sur.
  • Eat before you get in, or plan a real lunch stop in Carmel: food and drink are not allowed in the car.
  • Bring cash or a card for the 17-Mile Drive gate fee if you want that loop.
  • Check Caltrans QuickMap the night before. In October 2026 there were one-way signals on Highway 1 at Point Sur and Torre Canyon.

Read next:

Frequently asked questions

How far into Big Sur does the private tour go?

The listed route reaches Bixby Bridge, about 13 miles south of Carmel. Going further depends on time and your driver; ask at pickup.

How many people does the price cover?

The price is per group of up to four people, with the car and driver-guide to yourselves.

Which languages do the guides speak?

The listing offers English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Is the 17-Mile Drive included?

The route includes it, but the gate fee is listed as extra. Cars pay $12.50.

Ready to book

Book Private Big Sur Tour

Your own driver-guide from your San Francisco hotel for up to four people, with the stops and the pace up to you.

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Plan your date before you go

Your own driver-guide from your San Francisco hotel for up to four people, with the stops and the pace up to you.

Check dates for the private tour from San Francisco