2 to 3 hours (Approx.)

Mobile Ticket

Instant Confirmation

Overview

Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone can listen together!

Experience the iconic Big Sur road trip with a self-guided driving audio tour! As you drive, learn about the fairytale cottages of Carmel, the purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach, & the enormous elephant seals at San Simeon. Drive over Bixby Bridge, marvel at McWay Falls, & enjoy the rugged coastline along the Pacific Coast Highway / Route 1. Big Sur is the most scenic segment of the Pacific Coast Highway(a must-do road trip), which you can start in either Monterey or San Luis Obispo.

After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.

This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

Description

Stop At: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, 47225 Highway 1, Big Sur, California 93920

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a state park in Monterey County, California, near the area of Big Sur on the state's Central Coast. It covers approximately 1,006 acres of land. The park is centered on the Big Sur River. It has been nicknamed a "mini Yosemite." Redwood trees are known to live up to 2,200 years.

NOTE: This 125+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Big Sur in 2 - 3 hours

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA

We'll continue driving past Carmel and into the natural wonder of Point Lobos Natural Reserve.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Pacific Coast Highway, 147161, California

Next, we enter the world-famous Big Sur portion of the PCH. The Pacific Coast Highway, popularly known as PCH, Highway 1, or Route 1, is one the most scenic roadtrips in the US.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Partington Cove, Big Sur, California

Small, remote inlet & rugged beach reached by a dirt trail, wooden bridge & tunnel.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Garrapata State Park, Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road, Highway 1, 6.7 miles south of Rio Road in Carmel, Carmel, California 93923

The scenic drive takes us through Garrapata State Park, where we'll have the chance to stop and check out the Garrapata Beach. As we drive, we'll learn about the wildfires that often rage through forests like these.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Bixby Creek Bridge, Bixby Creek Bridge, California 93940, USA

Our self-guided drive now brings us to Bixby Creek Bridge! This is one of the most photographed bridges in California due to its aesthetic design, graceful architecture, and magnificent setting. It is a reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch bridge.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Point Sur State Historic Park, Highway 1, Big Sur, California 93940

We'll continue driving, while admiring and learning about Point Sur and the Point Sur Lighthouse.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Andrew Molera State Park, Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, California 93920

Our tour then takes us through the Andrew Molera State Park, another natural wonder of this drive. We'll also learn about Big Sur's literary fame.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge, CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, USA

Bixby isn't the only beautiful bridge in Big Sur; Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge has it's own charm.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Pfeiffer Beach, Sycamore Canyon Road, Big Sur, California 93920

Pfeiffer Beach in the Big Sur area is definitely off the beaten path, but well worth the detour. Just south of Big Sur Station on Highway 1 is unsigned Sycamore Canyon Road which winds its way down to the shore.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Grimes Point Scenic Overlook, 49654-49938 Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, California 93920

Grimes Point Scenic Overlook has got one of the best views of the Big Sur coastline. It's easy to see what brings people to a place like Big Sur.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Seal Beach Scenic Overlook, 49654-49938 Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, California 93920

Our self-guided drive takes us to Seal Beach Overlook where -- you guessed it! -- we'll be able to spot some sunbathing seals.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California 93920

Another must stop is at McWay Falls. This stunning 80-foot-tall waterfall on the coast of Big Sur in central California that flows year-round.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Big Creek Bridge, Hwy 1, Big Sur, California 93920

Next, we drive over the Big Creek Bridge. This is a 589-foot-long, open spandrel, concrete deck arch bridge connecting this scenic, mountainous coast.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Big Creek Cove Vista Point, 59601-59627 Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, California 93920

Big Creek Cove Beach is under the Big Creek Bridge on Highway 1 along the Big Sur Coast. Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve is the land area adjacent to the creek and the California marine protected areas named Big Creek State Marine Reserve and Big Creek State Conservation Area.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Limekiln State Park, Highway 1, Big Sur, California 93920

Our tour continues to Limekiln State Park, featuring beaches, forests, and more.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Pitkins Curve Bridge, Pitkins Curve Bridge, California 93920, USA

As we cross the Pitkins Curve Bridge, we'll learn all about the landslides, mudslides, rockfalls, earthquakes, and other natural disasters that continue to threaten the PCH infrastructure.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Jade Cove, Highway 1, San Simeon, California 93920

Jade Cove features a beach full of nephrite jade.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Nathaniel Owings Memorial Redwood Grove, 74896 Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, CA 93920, USA

Nathaniel Owens Memorial Redwood Grove is one of the largest redwood stands for miles. Did you know that the coastal redwood is the tallest living thing on the planet? It's true! These behemoths can grow to around 350 feet, which is as tall as a 35-story building!

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Ragged Point, 19019 Highway 1, Big Sur, California 93452

The stretch of highway between San Simeon and Ragged Point is some of the most picturesque in the world. The roadway follows where the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, with jaw-dropping views around every twist and turn. As you drive, plenty of turnoffs offer moments for taking in the region’s grandeur. As you drive to Ragged Point, you will feel like a star in your own private car commercial on Highway 1.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Piedras Blancas Light Station, 15950 Cabrillo Highway, San Simeon, California 93452

As we drive past the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, we'll have the option to stop and detour for a visit.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Elephant Seal Vista Point, 3 Miles North of San Simeon, San Simeon, California 93452

Nothing beats the Elephant Seal Vista Point. The largest seal in the northern hemisphere, the Northern Elephant Seal migrates to the rookery, twice each year. While offshore, the elephant seal spends eight to ten months diving up to 5,800 feet deep for up to two hours. The remaining months of the year, they mate, birth, molt, and rest onshore between trips.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Hearst Castle, 750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, California 93452

As we drive through San Simeon, we'll have the option to detour to Hearst Castle. Conceived by William Randolph Hearst, the publishing tycoon, it was built between 1919 and 1947.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Moonstone Beach, Moonstone Beach, California 93428, USA

Moonstone Beach Drive, a beautiful detour along Moonstone Beach. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to get back on the highway easily enough!

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Nitt Witt Ridge, 881 Hillcrest Dr, Cambria, California 93428

The one with the blue paint and all the terraces? That’s Nitt Witt Ridge, a peculiar landmark here in Cambria.

You might not be able to tell at first glance, but a lot of that house is built from trash. Seriously! It was built by an eccentric artist named Arthur Harold Beal who had an odd fascination with garbage. He actually worked as a garbage collector in the mid-1900s and used some of what he collected to build his home. There are beer cans, car rims, washer drums, you name it, built into the structure of the house. **

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Morro Bay, Morro Bay, California

Finally, we'll reach Morro Bay, San Luis Opispo, and Pismo Beach, where this segment of our PCH tour ends. You've now experienced the beauty of Big Sur!

Duration: 10 minutes

Schedule

What's Included

What To Bring

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action's Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Amazing savings: • Driving Tours: Save money by purchasing a single tour for the entire vehicle, avoiding individual fees per person like on a bus tour. Connect your phone to the car speakers to share the audio.
Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. There's no expiration, making it perfect for revisiting on future trips. • Start and pause the tour at your leisure, accommodating breaks and side excursions without the pressure of keeping up with a group.
Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.