11 Monterey Audio Tours to Download First

1.17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 52 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) Our pick

Drive Monterey’s coast at your own pace with the Action Tour Guide app. Follow GPS-triggered audio from Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row through Pacific Grove, Asilomar, Point Joe, Bird Rock, Lone Cypress, and Pebble Beach. The tour covers more than 16 miles, includes over 35 stories, works offline, and can be reused for a year.

“First time on the west coast. Amazed at the mighty Pacific. Tour allowed us to take our time at each point of interest. Very informative.”

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2.Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck’s Monterey

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 20 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $8Best value

Use the VoiceMap app to follow a 75-minute, English-language walking tour from the Sardine Factory to Steinbeck Plaza. GPS-triggered audio explains John Steinbeck, Ed Ricketts, the old canneries, Monterey Bay Aquarium, local hotels, murals, and lesser-seen corners of Cannery Row. Downloaded audio, maps, and directions work offline and never expire.

“Very user friendly. You just need to walk and it will tell you where you are. Loved it. Lots of great information”

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3.Scenic Path Carmel-by-the-Sea: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $11Top rated

Use the VoiceMap app to follow Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Scenic Road, Ocean Avenue, boardwalk, walkways, homes, and inns. GPS-triggered audio plays as you reach each point, while offline maps and lifetime access let you explore at your own pace. Bring your own phone and headphones. The loop begins and ends at Camino Real and 8th Avenue.

“It was very informative & user friendly. We were amazed that it tracked our location so perfectly & gave such detailed information on all the houses we walked by. We felt it was well worth the time & money”

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4.Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 15 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $9

Start at Carmel Plaza and follow a one-hour VoiceMap audio walk through downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Hear stories about Devendorf Park, Clint Eastwood’s former Hog’s Breath Inn, local galleries, historic buildings, and Piccadilly Park. Download the English tour for offline use, pause for food or shopping, and return to the starting point.

“We didn't find the start point, and didn't know how to access the download. We didn't use it. Complete waste of time and money”

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5.Driving the California Coast: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Start near Carmel and follow Highway 1 south toward McWay Waterfall Trailhead with the VoiceMap app. Audio stories, offline maps, and GPS guidance point out Big Sur landmarks including Bixby Creek Bridge, Garrapata State Park, Point Sur, Nepenthe, and Partington Cove. You drive your own car and can pause or resume anytime.

“It had stops we would not necessarily have made. I wish it would start where you are located but thankfully it was just down the road. The app worked well. Glad we did the Big Sur trip from Carmel. Loved the stop and resume option.”

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6.Carmel by the Sea: A Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.)

Use the VoiceMap app to drive from Crossroads Boulevard through Carmel-by-the-Sea, stopping at Mission Carmel, the broad dog-friendly beach, and Hugh Comstock’s Hansel and Gretel cottages. The tour lasts about 30 minutes, works offline, and lets you pause or restart whenever you like. It is a self-guided drive, not a bus tour or a ticket to 17-Mile Drive.

“Fun to travel routes i haven’t been on before in the area. Narrow roads and in neighborhoods. You are forced to write a review with Viator. Disable the option before taking the trip in your profile.”

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7.Monterey State Historic Park and Fisherman’s Wharf: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $8

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap tour from the Salvador Dali Museum through Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey State Historic Park, and the Portola hotel area. The 75 to 90-minute route ends near the Pacific House Museum. Download the app, bring headphones, and walk at your own pace.

“We had a great time on the tour, good wine and a lot of information about Carmel. Tobi was an excellent guide for the day.”

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8.Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Use the Tripvia Tours app for a flexible, self-guided drive between San Francisco and Monterey. Audio stories cover Montara, Pescadero, Año Nuevo, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Monterey Bay, and more. One booking covers your whole vehicle, with no data needed after downloading the tour.

“Simple and easy to use. I would skip the first two stops and start driving to stop 3 and just play the audio for stops 1 and 2 on the way. Otherwise it was excellent”

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9.Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 8 to 16 hours (approx.)

GuideAlong, also known as GyPSy Guide, turns your car into a private tour vehicle on Highway 1. GPS-triggered commentary, route tips, and half-day to multi-day plans guide you from Carmel through Big Sur toward San Luis Obispo. Download it once, drive offline, and use it anytime with up to eight people in your car.

“We wanted a guided tour that when from South to North and this one could be done both ways. It far exceed our expectations and worked seamlessly along the route. Would highly recommend!”

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10.Carmel Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $8

Explore Carmel Point with a self-guided VoiceMap tour in English. Walk from the Clinton Walker House along Carmel River State Beach, passing Tor House, Lincoln Green Inn, and Sandpiper Inn. Download the app before you go, then pause, restart, or finish the 90-minute to two-hour route whenever you like.

“Learned so much! Gorgeous views. Cannot recommend these tours more! They are the perfect socially distant activity”

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11.Self Guided Driving Audio Tour of 17 Mile Drive Monterey

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

Drive Monterey’s 17-Mile Drive at your own pace with GuideAlong’s GPS audio tour. The narrator’s local humor, 90-plus stories, and automatic directions lead you to Bird Rock, the Lone Cypress, Spanish Bay, Point Joe, Kissing Rock Road, and China Rock. One purchase covers up to eight people in your vehicle.

“Really appreciated same narrator with good understanding of area with humor. Would have liked more history of the area though”

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