Top Monterey & Carmel Food & Drink

Look for whales as they migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of California on this half-day whale-watching cruise from Monterey. Your naturalist guide shares commentary about the whales and their habitat as you search for gray whales (most common), humpback and blue whales, and other marine life such as dolphins and sea lions during your cruise. Get tips for great photo ops and learn all about the mighty creatures at one of California's most famous whale-watching destinations.

Explore the culinary delights of Carmel, just down the coast from Monterey, on this food and wine walking tour. With a knowledgeable foodie guide, you’ll learn about the history and gourmet culture of Carmel, an upscale enclave known for its charming architecture and cozy, small-town vibe, as you visit local eateries to sample locavore and ethnic dishes, chocolate, and wine. Limited to 16 people, this tour provides a small-group experience with personalized attention.

Discover the natural and manmade beauty of 17-Mile Drive on an electric bike tour from Pacific Grove. The e-bike allows you to cover more ground without getting worn out. The tour is great for the whole family, with the option to ride tandem with children weighing up to 120 lbs (54 kgs). Along the way, learn about the area from your guide and make stops at impressive viewpoints.

Discover a new side of Monterey—and get up close and personal with its wetlands and wildlife—on this family-friendly boat tour. Pick between morning and afternoon tour times, and hop aboard your electric-powered catamaran. The boat offers up-close views of the Elkhorn Slough, an estuary that’s home to animals ranging from sea lions and otters to bird species and more. Learn more as you go from your naturalist guide.

Enjoy an independent sightseeing tour by Sea Car to discover Monterey Bay and the Central Coast at your own pace. Aboard a 2-seater, GPS-guided convertible that navigates itself, you can cruise along the Pacific shoreline or through town. Listen to recorded commentary about attractions like Monterey’s historical center, and admire views of the ocean. The scooter car tells you where to drive, from Cannery Row and more.

Look for whales during a boat tour from Monterey, the premier destination in northern California for winter whale watching. Learn about the majestic animals from a marine biologist or naturalist guide who shares detailed commentary about the whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea birds, and natural history of the region.

This self-guided, self-paced audio walking tour will explore Historic Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. This 60-minute tour is designed to keep you on the move while walking at a reasonably slow pace, and still see all of the main sites. You can pause the tour at any time to get a bite to eat or a refreshing drink to quench your thirst. This tour will cover about 15 square blocks of the downtown Carmel to give you a “lay of the land”. You'll explore some of Carmel’s quaint courtyards and passageways and walk by a number of wine rooms, art galleries, restaurants and hotels. You'll also learn about Carmel’s founding fathers, distinctive architecture and storied past and provides numerous photo opportunities. The tour begins and ends at the Carmel Plaza. En route, you'll pass two public restrooms and four ATM’s. So start your tour with the app, put your phone in your pocket, and let us direct you on this adventure of downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Drive through the streets of Monterey and Pacific Grove in a Sea Car, a 2-seat vehicle with GPS-enabled tour narrative. Skip renting a car and make your own way around Fisherman's Wharf, Lover's Point, and Cannery Row.

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 roadtrip),which you can start in either Monterey or San Luis Obispo. Within 30 min, we'll send you two things: a unique password & an app. Download the app,enter password, & download the tour. When you arrive, head over to the first stop. Stick to the route & speed limit for the best experience. ALERT: Highway partially closed due to storm damage. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone can listen together! NO EXPIRATION-THE TOUR IS AVAILABLE FROM THE MINUTE YOU BOOK UNTIL FOREVER! THIS ISN'T AN ENTRANCE TICKET. CHECK COVID RULES & OPENING HOURS BEFORE YOUR VISIT.

Leave the mainland behind for the afternoon, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Monterey Bay, on this family-friendly whale-watching excursion. Grab a lifejacket and hop aboard: With your marine biologist guide’s assistance, you’ll look out for orca and humpback whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions, and much more as you cruise. As you go, take in the coastal views, and relax in the sea breezes.

This self-guided, self-paced GPS audio walking tour will explore Carmel-by-the-Sea’s spectacular Scenic Road. We will walk along the bluff pathway above Carmel Beach and take in the magnificent view of Carmel Bay from Pebble Beach to Carmel Point and Point Lobos.  This tour will begin and end at the historic La Playa Carmel Hotel located at Camino Real and Eighth Avenue. Other attractions include the North Dunes Habitat Restoration Project and the Carmel Beach Overlook. We will also see the home where Clint Eastwood lived while he served as Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea between 1986 and 1988 and learn more about his connection to Carmel as well as learn about some of Carmel’s distinctive architecture and storied past. 

If you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your go-tos, this Carmel-by-the-Sea Macaron Baking Class with a Mater Chef is a great choice. Not only will you learn how to make these French delights from scratch, you’ll also get tips to make things easier as you go from a master chef featured on the Cooking Channel. This hands-on baking class is fun for groups and for solo enthusiasts.

Are you looking for a way to see Carmel’s famous Comstock Cottages without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable audio tour. • See 11 fairytale cottages, and find out about architect Hugh Comstock, who married a dollmaker here in the 1920s • Hear from producer Lynn Momboisse who co-authored a book about Carmel's historic homes • Do it all in 40 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline. Please note that this is a hilly walk.

Start the Day with a scenic ride out to Carmel Valley Village. Join us at "Taste Carmel Valley", tasting some of Carmel Valley's finest wines paired with a Cheese & Crackers. A Premium Bottle of Karlsen Family Wine Lunch at "Plaza Linda" or "Mika Sushi" Wine Tasting at Three Additional Venues Wine Trolley T-Shirt Wine Trolley Glass Wine Trolley Wine Opener