Things to do in Monterey & Carmel
The unmissables
Most booked
Monterey: 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Tour & Lone Cypress★ 4.95 (940) · 3h
Top rated
Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tour: 3-Hour Narrated Trip★ 4.71 (597) · 3h
Best value
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with Heated Cabins & Biologist★ 4.66 (889) · 2h–3h
Recommended (7)
Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Electric Catamaran Tour: Custom-built for local waters★ 4.91 (486) · 1h 30mUS$ 45View ›
Carmel & Pebble Beach: 17-Mile Drive E-Bike Tour★ 4.87 (462) · 2h 30mUS$ 75View ›
Carmel Food Tour: 5 Tastings & Wine with Local Guide★ 4.88 (417) · 3h 15mUS$ 159View ›
Monterey Bay Whale Watching from Moss Landing★ 4.56 (381) · 2h–3hUS$ 70View ›
Monterey Walking Food Tour: Five Tastings Downtown★ 4.96 (234) · 3h 30mUS$ 164View ›
Carmel-by-the-Sea: Walking Tour of Courtyards, Cottages & Art★ 4.99 (142) · 2hUS$ 49View ›
Carmel-by-the-Sea: Electric Bike Tour with Architecture & Ocean Views★ 4.97 (133) · 3h–3h 30mUS$ 79View ›Lowest price (6)
Monterey Bay: Kayak Rental with Otters, Seals & Sea LionsYou’ll paddle through Monterey Bay at your own pace, watching playful otters and curious sea lions right from your kayak. With all gear included and a friendly intro from locals, you’ll feel safe even if it’s your first time on the water. Expect salty air, laughter, and those small moments where you forget everything else for a while.
Carmel-by-the-Sea walking tour: Architecture and hidden gemsA 2-hour guided walking tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea led by a local guide in English, moving through the village's storybook architecture, hidden gardens, galleries and historic landmarks. The tour covers eight stops including The Pine Inn, The Pilgrim's Way bookstore and garden, the Carmel Art Association, the First Murphy House, the Tuck Box, the Church of the Wayfarer, and two of Hugh Comstock's whimsical cottages. Children are welcome from age 6; dogs are welcome too. The itinerary is a starting point—your guide will reveal unlisted stops and stories along the way.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a guide who knows Carmel's architectural history and can point out which buildings shaped the town—rather than figuring out a route and landmarks on your own.
Point Lobos: Guided Nature Walk with Wildlife & HistoryYou’ll walk coastal trails at Point Lobos with a guide who knows every hidden cove and story. Watch for sea otters drifting in kelp beds, hear tales of whalers and divers, breathe in pine-salt air. The pace is gentle but you’ll leave with sandy shoes — and maybe a new favorite place stuck in your head.
Carmel-by-the-Sea Electric Bike Tour: Scenic Drive & MissionAn electric bike guided tour through Carmel-by-the-Sea takes you along Scenic Drive—a one-way, 15-mph coastal road—to the Carmel Mission, historic cottages, and landmarks including the Tor House, Butterfly House, and Mrs. Clinton Walker House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The guide leads a small group (minimum 4 riders) through downtown architecture, the town's origins, and stops at Carmel River State Beach. Helmet, ebike and phone holder are provided; the tour runs 2.5 hours and welcomes riders 16 and older of any fitness level.Is it for me?The electric bike handles the hills and the distance, so this tour works for any fitness level—you're riding at 15 mph on a coastal road, not climbing on your own power. Book this one if you want to cover Carmel's landmarks and coastline without the planning: the guide, the route, and the stops are all arranged.
Monterey 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Tour with Pebble BeachYou’ll ride an electric bike from Monterey along 17-Mile Drive with a local guide, stopping for sea otters at Pacific Grove, stories at John Denver’s memorial, and views at Pebble Beach Golf Course. Expect ocean air in your hair, easy riding even if you’re rusty, and a few unexpected moments that stick with you after you’ve gone home.
Carmel-by-the-Sea: Wine Tasting Walking Tour & Local StoriesYou’ll wander hidden alleyways in Carmel-by-the-Sea with a local guide, taste regional wines at three unique tasting rooms, and hear quirky stories about artists and winemakers along the way. Expect laughter over new flavors, personal recommendations for what to do next, and small moments you’ll remember long after you leave.
