Carmel-by-the-Sea and 17-Mile Dr 3-3.5 Hour Electric Bike Tour

5.0 (135 reviews) 3 hours – 3 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

135 reviews

5.0

Sweeping vistas — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Carmel-by-the-Sea and 17-Mile Dr 3-3.5 Hour Electric Bike Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Experience world-famous 17-Mile Drive and charming Carmel-by-the-Sea in one spectacular eBike adventure!

Starting just outside the Pacific Grove Gate, ride into Pebble Beach and along its legendary coastline, passing dramatic ocean vistas, wildlife, famous golf courses, incredible mansions and iconic landmarks including the Lone Cypress and The Lodge at Pebble Beach.

From the Lodge, continue into Carmel-by-the-Sea to explore its fairy-tale cottages, tree-lined streets, beautiful homes and spectacular Scenic Road along Carmel Beach.

Our powerful eBikes make the hills easy, but this is NOT a beginner tour. The ~20-mile, 3–3.5 hour route includes sections between The Lodge and Carmel with heavier traffic, no bike lanes and speeds approaching 20 mph.

ADVANCED, CONFIDENT CYCLISTS ONLY. Riders must be comfortable riding alongside traffic and controlling a bike at higher speeds.

Mountain Bike Tours Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Historical Tours Eco Tours E-Bike Tours Small Group Excellent Quality

At a glance

Duration: 3 hours – 3 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English
Operated by: Big Sur Adventures

Ages: Youth (14–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: Helmet
Included: Use of eBike

Itinerary

Asilomar State Beach

Passing by

We start at the Big Sur Adventures, 17 Mile Drive shop, just up the hill from this beautiful beach.
17-Mile Drive

Passing by

We ride an 8-mile section of 17-Mile Drive...the most scenic, ocean-front parts, including the Lone Cypress
The Links at Spanish Bay

Passing by

Ride past this epic golf course, snapping to take photos and hear a bit about it's history.
Stop 4

Passing by

Pass by another iconic golf course
Restless Sea

2 min

Snap a photo, look for sea otters.
Point Joe

2 min

Stop and enjoy the view.
China Rock

Passing by

See the place where an old, Chinese fishing village used to sit.
Bird Rock Vista Point

5 min

We take a restroom break here and watch sea lions play in the water. Your guide will help you identify the wildlife that you see and share some fun facts...both about the animals and the rock.
Seal Rock Creek beach

Passing by

Enjoy the beautiful view.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course

Passing by

Another spectacular course.
Fanshell Overlook

Passing by

Stop to look for sea otters at this beautiful lookout. Learn a bit about the Cypress Point Country Club from your guide. Note: in the Spring this stop is closed to protect the Harbor Seals pupping on the nearby beach.
Cypress Point Golf Club

Passing by

Watch for deer as we ride along the most prestigious golf course in the world
Cypress Point Lookout

Passing by

On a clear day you can see all the way to the lighthouse in Big Sur
Crocker Grove

Passing by

Our ride weaves through the canopy of these 300 year-old trees unique to this peninsula
Lone Cypress

5 min

See the 250-year-old tree that serves as the trademark for the Pebble Beach Company. Likely the subject of more photographs than any tree in the world.
Pescadero Point

Passing by

Marvel at the spectacular views
Ghost Tree

Passing by

It's views of Point Lobos and Carmel Bay are amazing.
Pebble Beach Visitor Center

1 min

Stop for a quick restroom break
Pebble Beach Market

8 min

This is our "nurture" stop with great coffee, gelato, and snacks. We relax at the tables overlooking Carmel Bay.
Peter Hay Golf Course

Passing by

This Tiger Wood's Par 3 chipping course has spectacular views.
Pebble Beach Golf Links

Passing by

We ride along this world famous course too!
Stop 22

Passing by

After a quick ride down the hill, we arrive at the northern end of Carmel Beach. This trail marks the start of beautiful sand dunes covered with coastal sagebrush and coastal buckwheat.
Stop 23

5 min

If you're not planning on returning to Carmel later to explore on your own, we'll stop for a few minutes to let you feel the sand under your toes.
Carmel Beach

5 min

After meandering through quiet neighborhoods with stunning homes, we stop for a moment at a Frank Lloyd Wright house at the end of Carmel beach. Learn a little of the fun history of this home & the movie it was featured in.
Stop 25

5 min

Built in 1948 by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this home fulfills Mrs. Clinton Walker's instructions to build a home, “as durable as the rocks and as transparent as the waves." We'll point out some of Wright's signatures on this home, and the unique design that has allowed it to survive so close to the ocean.
Stop 26

5 min

Frank Wynkoop’s 1951 Butterfly House has been thoughtfully reimagined by designer Jamie Bush. Featured in Architectural Digest Magazine, this is arguably one of the most expensive homes in Carmel, hitting the real-estate market in 2022 for $40 million.
Stop 27

5 min

This is the first home ever built on Carmel Point. With fun history and design, this home sits on one of the most scenic points of our tour. We'll point out some of the many native plants creating the beautiful landscaping in front of the home.
Stop 28

10 min

We stop at a scenic overlook above this beach, where we stop for a few minutes to gaze at the sweeping vistas of Point Lobos, Monastery Beach, and the Carmel River Beach. It is here that Liz Taylor and Richard Burton shot a "beach scene" in The Sandpiper.
First Murphy House

2 min

Built in 1902, this home was recently moved to this location to save it from demolition. Now housing the Carmel Heritage Society, this is the first example of Carmel's early cottages. Michael Murphy built over 300 of Carmel's homes.
Stop 30

1 min

Across the street from the Valentine and First Murphy House sits Carmel's first Inn. Originally built in 1889, at the other end of Carmel, the hotel was later moved here....rolling down the hill on redwood logs!
Dawson Cole Fine Art

Passing by

Specializing in Contemporary and Modern Art by European and American Masters, we can see through the window amazing bronze sculptures by local artist Richard MacDonald.
The Valentine

5 min

The Valentine bronze sculpture by artist George Wayne Lundeen is a great place to stop for selfies while some in the group use the restroom before our long beachfront ride.
Stop 33

Passing by

This quaint cottage marks the beginning of our most scenic part of the ride. With the white sands on the right and beautiful homes on the left, it's hard to know where to look!
Carmel River State Beach

1 min

This beach marks where the Carmel River mouth creates one of Monterey County's prime birding locations. The views are once again, breathtaking.
Weston Gallery

Passing by

Peek in the windows of the gallery showcasing art by Edward Weston, one of the masters of 20th century photography.
Carmel Mission Basilica

1 min

(Optional if time allows)

As we travel along the perimeter of the Mission, you can observe the graves of those who helped establish the mission, surrounded by old abalone shells and redwood crosses. Father Junipero Serra, who founded the missions is interred here. Don't miss the 100-year-old pepper tree at the edge of the gravyard.
Stop 37

5 min

We stop for a minute to admire the oldest ranch in Carmel, lovingly restored by Clint Eastwood and now the home of a beautiful hotel and restaurant. Here, the peace and quiet of our quaint town begins to show. With sheep grazing in the pasture and sweeping vistas of Carmel River Beach and Point Lobos, it's easy to want to stay all day! But we must roll on....
Carmel Beach Boardwalk

Passing by

As we ride along Scenic Drive you'll see many locals walking their dogs on this boardwalk under the Cypress trees. Look for more fairy homes in the trees.
Scenic Road Walkway

20 min

We stop at various points along this road, including a Frank Lloyd Wright house, and "bootleg point" (the perfect place to snap some photos). While you gaze across Carmel Bay at the landmarks of Pebble Beach, your guide will share some fun stories of the earliest residents of Carmel & the history behind their homes.
Stop 40

Passing by

Scene of a famous Clint Eastwood movie, fan's might recognize it!
Stop 41

10 min

Adding to the charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the fairies have built an entire village nestled among the cypress trees.
Stop 42

Passing by

From old to new, fun stories abound about this beautiful iconic hotel.
Stop 43

Passing by

See the quaint gardens and adorable cottages at this 1927 Bed & Breakfast.
Stop 44

Passing by

Learn the story behind this gorgeous hotel, straight out of Prague.
Stop 45

2 min

Learn some of the quaint & quirky laws that make Carmel-by-the-Sea so charming.
Stop 46

5 min

Once the ticket house for the Golden Bough Theater, this adorable cottage is the perfect place to drop in for a mid-ride treat. If you're touring with young ones (or have a sweet tooth), we can stop for a few minutes while you do a little Carmel "shopping."
Stop 47

Passing by

Marvel at this idyllic seaside villa, nestled among the gorgeous mansions of Carmel point.
Stop 48

Passing by

See one of the oldest continually-operating bakeries in the U.S.
Stop 49

Passing by

(We may skip this area if beginners are in the group) Among all the adorable restaurants and shops in Carmel, this quaint European Bistro stands out with it's charm.
Stop 50

Passing by

See the old-world charm of this beautiful hotel, made into a welcome oasis for dogs by actress Doris Day....co-owner of the Cypress Inn for years.
Tuck Box

Passing by

(We may skip this area if beginners are in the group) Built by Hugh Comstock in 1927, after his famous fairy-tale cottages, this quaint restaurant has been operating as a tea room & restaurant for almost 100 years.
The House of Hansel & Gretel

5 min

(We may skip this area if beginners are in the group) See the cutest fairy-tale cottages that started the trend in Carmel and launched architect Hugh Comstock into the hearts of early Carmelites. Originally built to house his wife Mayotta's Otsy Totsy Dolls, this is now a private residence that is one of Carmel's most popular attractions.
Fairy Tale Cottages of Hugh Comstock

5 min

(We may skip this area if beginners are in the group) In one block we see 6 of the cutest fairy tale cottages built by local architect Hugh Comstock. For true lovers of the style, we can climb another steep hill to see 5 more.
Carmel Mission Basilica

10 min

We stop at the gate to the courtyard where you can get a great picture of this historic landmark....one of California's oldest existing structures. Your guide will share some fun stories from our early history while you take in the beautiful building and grounds.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Free, easy street parking on Sunset Dr and nearby Crocker Ave. Just 100 yards from the Pacific Grove Gate to 17 Mile Dr.

End point

Free, easy street parking on Sunset Dr and nearby Crocker Ave. Just 100 yards from the Pacific Grove Gate to 17 Mile Dr.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.