Carmel-by-the-Sea eBike Tour: Pebble Beach Coastal Homes

The hills flatten on an eBike, but the traffic and speed don't.

A 3–3.5 hour guided electric bike tour through Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea covering roughly 20 miles of coastal roads, passing the Lone Cypress, historic homes, and Carmel Beach. The route includes sections with heavy traffic, no bike lanes and speeds approaching 20 mph. This is an advanced tour for confident cyclists comfortable riding alongside cars. A guide leads the group, provides a helmet and eBike, and stops to share history about the landmarks, wildlife and architecture along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Electric bike tour of Carmel and 17-Mile Drive

• Start at Big Sur Adventures shop
• Ride 8 miles on 17-Mile Drive
• Pass iconic golf courses and mansions
• Stop for photos and sea otter watching
• Restroom break and watch sea lions
• View Lone Cypress and scenic overlooks
• See old Chinese fishing village site
• Ride through 300-year-old tree canopy
• Stop at famous 250-year-old Pebble Beach tree
• Enjoy views of Point Lobos and Carmel Bay
• Quick restroom break
• Relax with coffee and snacks overlooking Carmel Bay
• Ride Tiger Woods Par 3 chipping course
• Arrive at northern end of Carmel Beach
• Feel sand and explore coastal dunes
• Visit Frank Lloyd Wright house and learn history
• See Butterfly House and Carmel Point homes
• Stop at scenic overlook of Point Lobos and beaches
• Visit Carmel Heritage Society and first cottages
• See Carmel's first inn and local art galleries
• Stop at Valentine bronze sculpture for photos
• Ride along scenic beach cottages and birding spots
• Peek into Edward Weston photography gallery
• Optional visit to Carmel Mission perimeter
• Admire Clint Eastwood’s restored ranch hotel
• Ride Scenic Drive and see fairy homes
• Stop at Frank Lloyd Wright house and Bootleg Point
• Visit fairy village among cypress trees
• See iconic hotels and cottages in Carmel
• Learn quirky Carmel laws
• Stop at Golden Bough Theater cottage for treats
• View seaside villas and historic bakeries
• See European bistro and Cypress Inn dog oasis
• Visit fairy-tale cottages by Hugh Comstock
• Stop at Carmel Mission courtyard gate

The experience

The ride starts at the Big Sur Adventures shop just above Asilomar State Beach, then heads into an 8-mile section of 17-Mile Drive where the most dramatic ocean-front stretches unfold. You'll pass Pebble Beach golf course, Cypress Point Country Club and the Lone Cypress (likely the most photographed tree on the peninsula), while the guide points out sea otters in the water and shares stories about the courses and the landscape. The route weaves through 300-year-old Monterey cypress trees and stops at lookouts where, on clear days, you can see all the way to the Big Sur lighthouse.

From the Lodge at Pebble Beach, the ride continues into Carmel-by-the-Sea along roads with heavier traffic and no dedicated bike lanes, where speeds approach 20 mph. This is the section that demands confident bike handling. The guide leads you past fairy-tale cottages designed by architect Hugh Comstock, Frank Lloyd Wright homes built to withstand the ocean, and historic buildings like the Valentine and First Murphy House: one of Carmel's earliest structures. You'll stop at Carmel Beach, walk through quiet neighborhoods, and ride along Scenic Drive with views across Carmel Bay back toward Pebble Beach.

Water and a helmet are provided with your eBike rental. The tour includes a restroom break at China Cove and a longer stop in Carmel where you can grab coffee, gelato or snacks at a café overlooking Carmel Bay. If time allows and the group is interested, the guide may add a stop at Carmel Mission to see the graves and the 100-year-old pepper tree. The entire route is roughly 20 miles, and the powerful eBike motor handles the hills, but you're still riding on public roads alongside traffic, so this tour is not for beginners or riders uncomfortable at higher speeds.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• helmet.
• use of a powerful eBike.
• a live English-speaking guide leading the group and sharing history about the landmarks, wildlife, architecture and local stories along the way.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 14:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Big Sur Adventures

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour led by a guide, so you ride with others and follow the group's pace and stops. Choose it if you're a confident cyclist comfortable riding alongside traffic at speeds around 20 mph and want someone else to navigate the route and explain the history. The eBike handles the hills, but the roads and the speed demand experienced bike handling.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

136 verified traveler reviews

5 ★133

4 ★2

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years). Children under 14 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between this tour and a regular bike ride on 17-Mile Drive?

The eBike motor makes climbing the hills easy, so you can focus on the views and the stops instead of the effort. But the route includes sections with traffic, no bike lanes and speeds around 20 mph: the motor doesn't change the road conditions or the need to ride confidently alongside cars.

How much of the ride is on 17-Mile Drive itself?

You ride an 8-mile section of 17-Mile Drive covering the most scenic, ocean-front parts, including the Lone Cypress and views of Pebble Beach. The remaining distance takes you through Carmel-by-the-Sea along Scenic Drive and neighborhood streets.

Will we see wildlife on this tour?

Yes. The guide stops at lookouts to help you spot sea otters in the water, sea lions at China Cove, and deer along the golf courses. Spring visits to Cypress Point Country Club may be skipped if Harbor Seals are pupping on the nearby beach.

Are there places to eat or rest during the ride?

There are two restroom breaks: one at China Cove and another in Carmel. In Carmel, you'll have a longer stop at a café overlooking Carmel Bay where you can buy coffee, gelato and snacks. The guide can also point out restaurants and shops if you want to explore on your own time later.

What happens if I'm not a confident rider or uncomfortable with traffic?

This tour is for advanced, confident cyclists only. The route includes sections between the Lodge and Carmel with heavy traffic, no bike lanes and speeds approaching 20 mph. If you're not comfortable riding alongside cars or controlling a bike at higher speeds, this tour is not the right fit.