Embark on a scenic self-driving audio tour of Big Sur, California. Explore iconic landmarks, picturesque beaches, and breathtaking coastal views along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Embark on a scenic self-driving audio tour of Big Sur, California. Explore iconic landmarks, picturesque beaches, and breathtaking coastal views along the Pacific Coast Highway.
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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Located in Monterey County, California, near Big Sur on the Central Coast, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park spans about 1,006 acres. The park is centered around the Big Sur River and is affectionately called a “mini Yosemite.” Redwood trees in the area can live up to 2,200 years.
NOTE: The tour covers over 120 miles,…
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Located in Monterey County, California, near Big Sur on the Central Coast, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park spans about 1,006 acres. The park is centered around the Big Sur River and is affectionately called a “mini Yosemite.” Redwood trees in the area can live up to 2,200 years.
NOTE: The tour covers over 120 miles, includes more than 70 audio stories, and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.
Purchase once and enjoy for a year! Perfect for extended visits and return trips within the next 12 months.
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - The journey continues past Carmel into the breathtaking Point Lobos Natural Reserve.
- Pacific Coast Highway - Next, explore the renowned Big Sur section of the PCH. The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as PCH, Highway 1, or Route 1, is one of the most scenic road trips in the United States.
- Partington Cove - A small, secluded inlet and rugged beach accessible via a dirt trail, wooden bridge, and tunnel.
- Garrapata State Park - The scenic drive takes us through Garrapata State Park, offering a chance to stop and explore Garrapata Beach. Along the way, learn about the wildfires that frequently affect these forests.
- Bixby Creek Bridge - The self-guided drive leads to Bixby Creek Bridge, one of California’s most photographed bridges, known for its elegant design, graceful architecture, and stunning location. It is a reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch bridge.
- Point Sur State Historic Park - Continue driving while admiring and learning about Point Sur and the Point Sur Lighthouse.
- Andrew Molera State Park - The tour proceeds through Andrew Molera State Park, another natural marvel of this drive. Discover Big Sur’s literary significance.
- Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge - Bixby isn’t the only beautiful bridge in Big Sur; Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge has its own unique charm.
- Pfeiffer Beach - Pfeiffer Beach in the Big Sur area is off the beaten path but worth the detour. Just south of Big Sur Station on Highway 1 is the unsigned Sycamore Canyon Road, which winds down to the shore.
- Grimes Point Scenic Overlook - Grimes Point Scenic Overlook offers one of the best views of the Big Sur coastline. It’s easy to see why people are drawn to Big Sur.
- Seal Beach Scenic Overlook - The self-guided drive takes us to Seal Beach Overlook, where visitors can spot sunbathing seals.
- McWay Falls - Another must-see stop is McWay Falls, an 80-foot-tall waterfall on the Big Sur coast in central California that flows year-round.
- Big Creek Bridge - Next, drive over the Big Creek Bridge, a 589-foot-long, open spandrel, concrete deck arch bridge connecting this scenic, mountainous coast.
- Big Creek Cove Vista Point - Big Creek Cove Beach is located under the Big Creek Bridge on Highway 1 along the Big Sur Coast. The adjacent land area is the Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve, along with the California marine protected areas named Big Creek State Marine Reserve and Big Creek State Conservation Area.
- Limekiln State Park - The tour continues to Limekiln State Park, featuring beaches, forests, and more.
- Pitkins Curve Bridge - As we cross the Pitkins Curve Bridge, learn about the landslides, mudslides, rockfalls, earthquakes, and other natural disasters that threaten the PCH infrastructure.
- Jade Cove - Jade Cove features a beach filled with nephrite jade.
- Nathaniel Owings Memorial Redwood Grove - Nathaniel Owings 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 giants can grow to around 350 feet, as tall as a 35-story building!
- Ragged Point - The stretch of highway between San Simeon and Ragged Point is among the most picturesque in the world. The road follows where the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, offering breathtaking views at every turn. As you drive to Ragged Point, you’ll feel like a star in your own private car commercial on Highway 1.
- Piedras Blancas Light Station - As we drive past the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, there’s an option to stop and detour for a visit.
- Elephant Seal Vista Point - Nothing compares to the Elephant Seal Vista Point. The Northern Elephant Seal, the largest seal in the northern hemisphere, migrates to the rookery twice a year. While offshore, the elephant seal spends eight to ten months diving up to 5,800 feet deep for up to two hours. During the remaining months, they mate, give birth, molt, and rest onshore between trips.
- Hearst Castle - As we drive through San Simeon, there’s an option to detour to Hearst Castle. Conceived by William Randolph Hearst, the publishing tycoon, it was built between 1919 and 1947.
- Moonstone Beach - Moonstone Beach Drive offers a beautiful detour along Moonstone Beach. Don’t worry, you’ll easily get back on the highway!
- Nitt Witt Ridge - The one with the blue paint and all the terraces? That’s Nitt Witt Ridge, a unique landmark in Cambria.
You might not notice at first, but much of that house is built from trash. Seriously! It was constructed by an eccentric artist named Arthur Harold Beal, who had a peculiar fascination with garbage. He worked as a garbage collector in the mid-1900s and used some of what he collected to build his home. Beer cans, car rims, washer drums, you name it, are built into the structure of the house.
- Morro Bay - Finally, the tour reaches Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, and Pismo Beach, where this segment of the PCH tour concludes. You’ve now experienced the beauty of Big Sur!

- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
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Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
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- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Purchase a single tour per vehicle, not per individual. Everyone can enjoy the experience together!
Embark on the legendary Big Sur road trip with a self-guided driving audio tour! As you travel, discover the enchanting cottages of Carmel, the unique purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach, and the massive elephant seals at San Simeon. Cross the iconic Bixby…
Purchase a single tour per vehicle, not per individual. Everyone can enjoy the experience together!
Embark on the legendary Big Sur road trip with a self-guided driving audio tour! As you travel, discover the enchanting cottages of Carmel, the unique purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach, and the massive elephant seals at San Simeon. Cross the iconic Bixby Bridge, admire McWay Falls, and take in the breathtaking coastline along the Pacific Coast Highway / Route 1. Big Sur is the most picturesque part of the Pacific Coast Highway, a must-see road trip, which can be started from either Monterey or San Luis Obispo.
After booking, check your email or text messages to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the specified starting point.
Purchase once and use for an entire year! Perfect for extended stays and return visits over the next 12 months.
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car’s stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- For the best experience, make sure your device meets these requirements: iPhones running iOS 13 or newer, and Android devices with version 9 or newer. For iPads or tablets, only models with GPS and cellular connectivity are recommended for navigation.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.