we are going to sf week of 6/23 and want to take a day trip to experience the 17 mile drive/carmel/monterey area with one of the local tour companies. please recommend from experience and let us know what tour you took. i know the local tour companies however I am looking for recommendations. The one i saw i think was with the Blue/Gold day trip around 11 hours. thanks for your help.

I would rent a car for this experience if you are not driving. We drove it the last time we were up there and we could stop anytime and check out the views. Sorry I don't know of any tour companies.

Please tell those darn tour bus drivers to drive a little slower on the 17 mile drive, and stay between the lines. It is intimidating for bicyclist and walkers. And tell them not to smoke and leave the bus running while the group is out site seeing.

Here is a website for the 17 Mile drive-

When we did the drive, we rented our own car so we could stop along the way-
the view is gorgeous...

http://www.alcatrazmedia.com/tours/m...rmel-tour.html

Here's a link to the other post, which got more responses:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34412884

I grew up in N. Cal., and I have to say the 17 mile drive is getting very developed. I think I'd skip this tour and go to pretty coastal areas up north along highway 1. Actually, pretty isn't the word. More like gorgeous.

Drive down to Carmel via a quicker route and enjoy the beach and shopping area. Have lunch at Clint Eastwoods place where you can eat outdoors with a view of a sheep pasture and the water (lovely). Also, Monterey Aquarium is terrific.