The Big Sur & 17-Mile Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour offers travelers an unparalleled opportunity to explore California’s captivating coastline. For just $19.69 per car, adventurers can discover the region’s stunning landmarks, rich history, and natural wonders through engaging audio narratives. From the mesmerizing McWay Falls to the iconic Hearst Castle, this self-guided tour provides a flexible and immersive experience that allows participants to pause, resume, and customize their journey at their own pace. With offline maps and hands-free audio activation, explorers can fully enjoy the breathtaking beauty and captivating stories that make this coastal region so truly remarkable.
Key Points
- Offers a self-guided audio driving tour of Big Sur and 17-Mile Drive with engaging narratives, offline maps, and hands-free audio activation.
- Tour includes highlights like Point Lobos, McWay Falls, Hearst Castle, and Monterey Bay Aquarium, providing a comprehensive experience.
- Pricing is $19.69 per car, with free cancellation up to 24 hours prior and a validity of 365 days from the activation date.
- Tour features flexibility to pause and resume the audio, as well as an all-day support line for participant assistance.
- Tour can be accessed from multiple starting points, including Monterey and Morro Bay, and covers iconic landmarks like the Lone Cypress and Bixby Creek Bridge.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The Big Sur & 17-Mile Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour is priced at $19.69 per person, allowing for free cancellation up to 24 hours prior for a full refund. The tour remains valid for 365 days from the initial activation.
This self-guided tour is designed for one car, not per person, providing a flexible and convenient way to explore the stunning coastal regions at your own pace.
The tour’s audio guide is available in English, and the easy-to-use Action Tour Guide app offers navigation, storytelling, and offline maps, ensuring a hassle-free experience with no need for cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.
Throughout the journey, travelers can enjoy the captivating narratives and historical insights provided by the engaging audio content.
Itinerary Highlights
Spanning the stunning coastal regions of Central California, this comprehensive tour guides travelers along the iconic Big Sur and 17-Mile Drive, showcasing an array of breathtaking natural wonders and historic landmarks.
The itinerary highlights include:
- Exploring the rugged beauty of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, home to dramatic cliff-lined coves and diverse marine life.
- Witnessing the majestic McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall cascading directly into the turquoise waters of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
- Marveling at the architectural grandeur of Hearst Castle, the opulent estate of media mogul William Randolph Hearst, offering a glimpse into California’s gilded past.
From the Bixby Creek Bridge to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this tour promises an unforgettable journey through some of the West Coast’s most stunning landscapes.
Tour Features
With a user-friendly mobile app and hands-free audio activation, this self-guided tour ensures a seamless and immersive experience for travelers.
The comprehensive app provides offline access to detailed maps and captivating storytelling, allowing participants to explore the region at their own pace without the need for cellular connectivity or Wi-Fi.
The tour’s audio guide, available in English, offers engaging narratives that bring the history and natural wonders of Big Sur and the 17-Mile Drive to life. Travelers can pause and resume the tour at their convenience, ensuring they don’t miss any notable sites along the way.
Plus, an all-day support line is available to assist participants throughout their journey.
Additional Information
Notably, a unique password is provided upon purchase, granting app access and enabling users to embark on their self-guided adventure.
Plus, a comprehensive route ensures no notable sites along the Big Sur and 17-Mile Drive are missed, while the engaging storytelling weaves together historical insights and unique tales to captivate travelers throughout their journey.
On top of that, an all-day support line is available should participants require any assistance during their exploration of this scenic coastal region.
The tour offers several key advantages:
- Offline maps for navigation, no cellular or Wi-Fi needed
- Hands-free audio activation based on location
- Flexibility to pause and take breaks at your own pace
Meeting Points and Access
Where can travellers access the starting points for the Big Sur and 17-Mile Drive audio tours? The self-guided tour doesn’t require an entrance ticket, but provides access to two distinct starting locations – one for the southbound route along Big Sur and another for the 17-Mile Drive. For the Big Sur portion, the southbound entrance is located at 1299 Del Monte Blvd in Monterey, while the northbound entrance is at CA-1 in Morro Bay. Alternatively, the 17-Mile Drive can be accessed from Hoffman Park in Monterey or Carmel Way in Carmel-By-The-Sea.
| Starting Locations | Big Sur | 17-Mile Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Southbound | 1299 Del Monte Blvd, Monterey, CA 93940 | Hoffman Park, 542 Archer St, Monterey, CA 93940 |
| Northbound | CA-1, Morro Bay, CA 93442, USA | Carmel Way, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923 |
Scenic Highlights
Traversing the scenic 17-Mile Drive, travelers marvel at the iconic Lone Cypress, a resilient tree perched atop a rocky outcrop that has become a symbol of the Monterey Peninsula.
Winding through the lush Pebble Beach community, the tour also showcases the stunning Asilomar State Beach, where visitors can stroll along the rugged coastline and take in the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Further south, the vibrant hues of Pfeiffer Beach, known for its purple sand, captivate those seeking natural beauty and serenity.
The tour’s scenic highlights include:
- Seal Rock Creek Beach, a serene oasis with tide pools and sea lion sightings
- Fanshell Overlook, offering panoramic vistas of the picturesque coastline
- The majestic Bixby Creek Bridge, an iconic landmark spanning a deep ravine.
Historical Insights and Unique Tales
As visitors journey along the scenic 17-Mile Drive, the audio tour imparts captivating historical insights and unique tales that enhance their understanding and appreciation of the Monterey Peninsula’s rich legacy.
The tour guides travelers back in time, uncovering the fascinating history behind landmarks like the Lone Cypress and Bixby Creek Bridge, and sharing intriguing stories that bring the landscape to life.
For instance, the tour explores the legends and myths surrounding the iconic Lone Cypress, one of the most photographed trees in the world, and delves into the architectural marvels and engineering feats behind the construction of the Bixby Creek Bridge.
These historical gems breathe life into the tour, transforming a scenic drive into an immersive cultural experience.
Hands-free Audio Activation
The audio tour conveniently activates hands-free, guiding users seamlessly through the scenic 17-Mile Drive. Triggered by the traveler’s location, the engaging narration effortlessly syncs with their journey, allowing them to fully enjoy the captivating stories and historical insights without the need for manual intervention.
This cutting-edge technology ensures a truly hassle-free experience, allowing adventurers to:
- Keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road for a safe and focused drive
- Enjoy the freedom to pause, rewind, or replay the audio at any point without disrupting the flow
- Effortlessly navigate the tour without needing to fiddle with their phone or device
The result is a seamless and immersive sightseeing experience that brings the stories of Big Sur and the 17-Mile Drive to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Take the Tour With More Than One Vehicle?
You can take the tour with more than one vehicle, but you’ll need to purchase one tour per car. Each vehicle will receive its own unique access code to use the self-guided audio tour on the app.
What Is the Minimum Number of Passengers Required per Tour?
The tour can be purchased per car, not per person, so there is no minimum number of passengers required. Travelers can take the self-guided tour with as few as one person per vehicle.
Are There Any Discounts Available for Seniors or Children?
Unfortunately, the tour does not offer any discounts for seniors or children. The pricing is a flat rate of $19.69 per person, regardless of age. However, the tour can be purchased for one car, not per person.
Is the Audio Tour Available in Languages Other Than English?
The audio tour is currently only available in English. However, the company may offer additional language options in the future to cater to a wider range of customers. Travelers should check the website for any updates.
Can I Purchase Additional Tour Add-Ons or Upgrades?
You can typically purchase additional tour add-ons or upgrades to enhance your experience. These may include options like private tours, exclusive access, or specialized content. Check with the tour provider for available upgrade opportunities.
Recap
The Big Sur & 17-Mile Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore California’s breathtaking coastline.
With engaging narratives, offline maps, and hands-free audio, travelers can enjoy the region’s natural wonders and rich history at their own pace.
Whether it’s marveling at the Bixby Creek Bridge or uncovering the legends of the Lone Cypress, this tour promises an unforgettable journey along one of the world’s most scenic drives.
