Jump onto the set of some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters in the Scenic Movie Tour of Monterey. Acting legends from Clint Eastwood and Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor and Tom Hanks have made these movies famous, and now you too can be right in the action!
The three hour tour takes you through Central California's breathtaking landscape to view 72 scenes from your favorite films. See them first on a TV monitor while on board our deluxe coach bus, and then make a few pictures of your own. Filming of onboard movie presentation is prohibited.
The tour makes 3 stops along its 32-mile loop including:
No visit to California is complete without a tour of Monterey and its epic landscape, and we'll tell you why it's so famous! Come join us for an afternoon of beautiful scenery, interesting trivia, and plenty of movie fun!
The three hour tour takes you through Central California's breathtaking landscape to view 72 scenes from your favorite films. See them first on a TV monitor while on board our deluxe coach bus, and then make a few pictures of your own. Filming of onboard movie presentation is prohibited.
The tour makes 3 stops along its 32-mile loop including:
- Bird Rock - where you can find a bevy of marine mammals frolicking in the place of leading lovers Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee
- Lone Cypress Tree - one of California's most treasured, and most photographed, landmarks. It stands in the background of some of the 200 movies filmed in the Monterey area
- Lodge at Pebble Beach - which overlooks the world-renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links, four times the site of the U.S. Open. It is a part of the famed 17-Mile Drive, on the California coast between Monterey and Carmel.
No visit to California is complete without a tour of Monterey and its epic landscape, and we'll tell you why it's so famous! Come join us for an afternoon of beautiful scenery, interesting trivia, and plenty of movie fun!
Meeting Location
Downtown near Fisherman's Wharf (Monterey, CA)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
- Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? Can I pay cash?
- Tickets must be purchased in advance, and tours often sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the day you prefer, please book well in advance. Tickets can be purchased using a Visa or Mastercard. Although cash is accepted onboard, you will need to reserve seats by credit card. In this case, itis necessary for you to book through our local Movie Tour staff at 800-343-6437; ask for Doug.
- Do I have to buy a ticket for a young child?
- For children ages 3 to 15, you should purchase a reduced price Child ticket. Children ages 2 years and under may attend for free, but you’ll still need to enter the appropriate number of Infant tickets labeled “Free” when purchasing. All guests, regardless of age, must have a ticket, so please make sure your entire party is accounted for in this way. We also will have space to store your collapsible stroller so you may use it during our stops.
- Is this the "scenic" bus tour of Monterey?
- Yes, this is the one-and-only scenic bus tour of Monterey you have heard so much about! We are proud to have won a Hospitality & Tourism Business Excellence Award for this tour from the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Since Monterey's scenic beauty has drawn many filmmakers over the years, we have further expanded the tour to include a fabulous multimedia presentation highlighting Monterey's movie fame. (It's like getting two tours in one!) So come see beautiful, scenic Monterey through the eyes of Hollywood!
- Are any refreshments or food included on the tour?
- No food is provided or is allowed onboard the movie tour bus. We suggest you eat lunch ahead of time at one of Monterey's many excellent restaurants and cafes. You will also have the chance to purchase food and beverages when we stop at the Lodge at Pebble Beach.
- Will I be able to purchase food/souvenirs during the tour?
- Yes. Food, beverages, and souvenirs are available for purchase at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Make sure to bring some extra cash or a credit card in case anything catches your fancy!
- Is there a restroom on the bus?
- There is no restroom on the bus, but there are restrooms at our first and third stops (Bird Rock and the Lodge at Pebble Beach).
- What happens if it rains?
- Our tours run rain or shine, and are always enjoyable no matter what kind of weather is going on! Rain does not impact visibility, so you will still be able to see Monterey's gorgeous vistas, along with enjoying our multimedia presentation on the bus. Please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, though, as we do make several stops where we get off the bus. (You will not have to get off the bus if you don't wish to, but we think you'll be glad if you do!)
- Are cameras or videocameras allowed on the tour?
- Yes, definitely! Filmmakers have never been able to resist capturing Monterey's beauty, and you won't be able to either! However, please note that recording of the onboard movie presentation is strictly prohibited!
- Where does the tour end?
- The tour ends back at our starting point in downtown Monterey near Fisherman's Wharf. (The exact tour meeting location and directions to it will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
- What kind of bus is used?
- Monterey Movie Tours take place on our luxury motorcoaches, complete with air-conditioning, high-back seating, huge windows, and state-of-the-art multimedia equipment.
- Is there assigned seating on the bus?
- No. The bus is seated on a first-come-first-serve basis, so please arrive early if you have a large group.
- Is the bus handicapped-accessible?
- The bus is not designed for handicapped access, though we do have space to store walkers and collapsible wheelchairs.
- Where should I park my car?
- There is a large parking facility at the corner of Del Monte Ave and Washington St, which is within 5 minutes walking to where the tour begins and ends. The rate is reasonable for the area at $5.00 per day.
- May I bring luggage on the bus? Is there any limit to the amount of personal items I can bring on board?
- While we are not equipped to store luggage, there are overhead racks large enough to accommodate your shopping bags if you choose to purchase anything during our stops. There is enough space in your seating area for purses and small day bags or backpacks.
- Are we on the bus for the entire time?
- No, we make three stops during the scenic movie tour: Bird Rock, the Lone Cypress Tree, and the Lodge at Pebble Beach. At all three, you will be able to take in the scenery, stretch your legs, and snap photographs with movie-perfect backgrounds!
- Are tours available in languages other than English?
- Currently the tour is offered in English only, but since so much of it is visual, it can be enjoyed thoroughly by those with limited English skills.
- Can I purchase a gift certificate?
- Yes. Please click on the "Contact MovieTours" link, and we will be happy to assist you in planning a gift of our tour.
- Can I book a private tour?
- Yes. We will happily create a customized tour itinerary for your private group. Our staff specializes in planning half and full day custom-designed corporate or group tours. If you are interested in arranging a private tour, please send us an email by clicking on the "Contact MovieTours" link. (Also, please note that many groups choose to join one of our public tours, as the group atmosphere on the bus can sometimes be half the fun!)
Monterey Movie Tours
Enjoy all of Monterey's dramatic beauty with your favorite movie stars leading the way. Monterey Movie Tours gives guests the opportunity to learn more about the area's famous past from native, film expert, and award-winning tour guide Doug Lumsden.
Be ready for good times, celebrity anecdotes, and a lot of laughs. Tourists and natives alike will revel in the sites, while being entertained and always learning something new.
Monterey Movie Tours has been featured in San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, The Baltimore Sun, and on Fox 35.
Be ready for good times, celebrity anecdotes, and a lot of laughs. Tourists and natives alike will revel in the sites, while being entertained and always learning something new.
Monterey Movie Tours has been featured in San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, The Baltimore Sun, and on Fox 35.
