Frequently asked questions.

Included

• Private guide
• Your group, up to 7 passengers
• Pickup and drop-off at your chosen location (within the Monterey/Carmel area)
• Consultation to determine an itinerary tailored for you
• Light snacks and drinks
• Two pairs of binoculars
• High magnification spotting scope
• Professional camera gear to try out
• All park entrance and parking fees

Not included

• Meals
• Pickup outside (Monterey, Carmel, Carmel Highlands, Seaside, Marina). If outside this area call to make a custom booking.
• Optional gratuity
• I do not have a carseat for infants or toddlers.

Dress in warm layers — coastal weather can change quickly throughout the day. A windproof outer layer is especially helpful, as ocean breezes are cold even in summer. On the same day, sheltered spots can warm up fast.

• Comfortable walking shoes suitable for trails.
• Layers you can easily add or remove.
• People are often shocked how cold it can be. Bring those extra layers. You can always leave them in the van, there will be plenty of room.

Warm layers and a sense of curiosity and adventure.

• Free cancellation up to 72 hours before departure (full refund).

For pickup and drop-off, we service Monterey, Carmel, Carmel Highlands, Seaside, and Marina. (If service is desired outside this area, call to make a custom booking).

Yes, you and the people you choose to bring will be the only guests.

Including yourself, you can have a party of up to 7 people.

If you would like to have a tour for a larger group, contact me and I will arrange for a custom tour with a larger vehicle (additional fees will apply depending on vehicle needed).

YES! I have experience making tours fun for kids and teens. I’m definitely up for the challenge of keeping them entertained and engaged, so you can relax and enjoy the day too.

My style is not a lecture at all. I like to engage by getting people’s own insight and ideas. I ask questions that don’t necessarily have a right answer or require previous knowledge — questions that get kids and adults looking at the landscape and animals in a new way.

The van does NOT have a wheelchair lift, but I am happy to give extra assistance in any way possible. If you have a folding wheelchair or walker there is room to bring it along in the van.

There are many spectacular locations that allow us to see the sights while staying in the van, or walking very short distances on level ground. Point Lobos has several incredible wheelchair-access trails! I’m more than happy to push a wheelchair or assist any way I can.

Light snacks and drinks are included; meals are not. I am happy to drop you at a restaurant for lunch during your tour and will stand by until you are ready. (All stops do count as part of the tour hours.)

All stops do count as part of the tour hours, but I am happy to drop you at a restaurant for lunch during your tour and will stand by until you are ready.

Yes, Monterey Harbor and Cannery Row have been the “go to” location for Native Americans, early explorers, the first capital of California, and a surprisingly diverse fishing history. (Chinese immigrants started the first commercial fishery, Portuguese ran small-boat whaling, Japanese divers harvested abalone and ran a huge salmon fishery, and Italians built the sardine fishery.)

• Monterey Harbor is also a great place to see wildlife up close.
• Works well as a walking tour. (We can still pick you up at your location.)
• A great half day, or part of a full day, exploration.

Tours run rain or shine. I will cancel if the weather is genuinely unsafe — such as when the weather service adds the designation “Particularly Dangerous Situation” to their normal weather advisories. This is very rare. If a tour is canceled for weather safety reasons, a full refund will be available.

I will have rain ponchos available if needed. Storm watching from safe perspectives can be amazing.

The half day tour is a perfect introduction to Monterey Bay. But there are so many amazing places to see that you may want more time.

A full day tour lets us expand your exploration in any direction you choose. We can drive further down Big Sur, walk longer coastal trails, visit historic areas of Monterey, build in a lunch stop, or visit galleries down the coast. There’s no shortage of amazing things to do.

Doing multiple half day tours is also a popular option that allows you to experience more.

It’s hard to go too wrong around here, but over the decades I have developed some favorite areas. Which one you should visit will depend on your interests — especially your interest in walking coastal trails and/or seeing wildlife.

I can help you decide the best places and activities for your group.

As part of booking, you’ll have the option to tell me about your group’s interests and abilities. I will send you an itinerary suggestion tailored for you. When I pick you up, I’ll be ready for anything, so it’s never too late to pivot plans to fit the moment.

To learn more about my top 3 tour itineraries, see the “Itineraries” page in the main menu.

Click the “Check Availability” button.

1. Choose your date.
2. Choose half day or full day, and your preferred start time.
3. Confirm and pay. You’ll receive an e-mail confirmation with your date, time, and chosen pickup location.

Yes! This is your private tour. We can go where you want, at the pace you want. We can focus on learning all about this place, or choose to just experience the inspiring beauty. It’s all up to you.

I would love to be your guide on a kayaking tour. You would need to contact me to arrange a custom tour. (Additional charges would apply for kayak rental.)

If you want to see whales, there is no substitute for going out on a boat. I don’t offer that, but I highly encourage you to do it. I’d suggest you do my tour first so that you have a greater understanding of the ocean and this area — a deeper understanding will make the whale watching all the more special. Many people get very seasick on whale tours; it’s a great idea to take non-drowsy motion sickness medication before you get on a boat. If you wait until you feel bad, it’s not as effective.

We do sometimes see whales from shore, but you will see more and get closer on a boat.

Yes. Winter and fall often have our most spectacular weather in Monterey and Big Sur.

Contact me if you need a custom time, but “online bookable” tours have the following options:

• Half day tours (3.5 hour duration): start times 9:30 am or 2 pm.
• Full day tours (7 hour duration): start times 9 am or 10 am.

It is possible to bring your dog, but it will limit where you are allowed to go.

Yes, contact me to make custom arrangements.

As much or as little as you want. Easy explorations at coastal overlooks or longer coastal hikes — it’s up to you. It’s your private tour and can be adapted to how you’re feeling that day.

If seeing wildlife is your priority, we can choose an itinerary where we will be extremely likely to find sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, and a variety of sea birds. Occasionally we will spot whales from shore, but this can be rare. If the tide is reasonably low, we can also visit tide pools.

Yes, hands-on time is available whenever you’d like. No experience needed — I can set it up to adjust focus and exposure for you. I have a wildlife “long lens” that allows you to zoom in and capture your own Nat Geo–quality photos.

No, this is your personal choice. Tips are always appreciated, but never expected.

Yes, as with most requests we can usually arrange something that fits your custom needs.