We are looking to take a Monterey/Carmel tour from San Francisco. There are some tours that include the aquarium and others that dont. Any suggestions? Thanks.

The aquarium is very good, but ... if it was me and I only had one day for the area I would skip it in favor of spending more time in the towns and on the coast. If you had several days in the area, I would definitely include it. You won't go wrong either way.

Curmudgeon has a point, but on the other hand, an abbreviated visit to the aquarium (you could spend the whole day there, it's that good) would give an overview of the ecology of the area and prepare you for some nice marine-life watching during the rest of your tour, as otters, seals, etc. are easy to spot from the shore. If you don't do the aquarium, is the tour shorter, or does it substitute something in its place?

You do not need a tour of the aquariam-you could and should do it on your own. It's a great place if you are interest in Marine life.

Take the tour that includes the aquarium. It's such a great place that it would be a shame to miss it.

If aquarium is not included it may mean more time for shopping, would you need that? I'd go with aquarium. And usually it includes 17-mile drive, stopping for pictures on the way, visiting Carmel. I took a Gray Line tour few years ago, and loved it, the driver gave so much history and gossip info!

If I had only a day in Carmel/Monterey, I don't know if I would spend part of that time in the Monterey aquarium (unless I had kids with me). The aquarium is great and it is certainly worth a visit if you have a couple of days in the area but I would personally pick a tour that allowed me to see more of the scenery outside. Since you are looking at a tour would I be correct in assuming that driving yourself is out of the question because doing so would allow you to see more and have more flexibility.

Thanks everyone for the posts. Im still not sure which way we should go. The aquarium tour does not include steinbeck's cannery row but the other tour does, and probably gives more time at each of the other spots.
Is Grayline the best tour company out there or just the biggest? Thanks again.

I would say take the tour with the Aquarium. Normally the aquarium costs $17.95 and with the tour you can get it for less. You won't have NEARLY enough time to see all you wnat, but it will give you a nice overview and you can always decide if you want to spend more time there on your next trip out there. Monterey is kinda like Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco--touristy with a pretty view of the water. Go for the aquarium.

I was in Monterey for 3 days in April. I went to the aquarium and practically ended up there all day. With a tour, I imagine you'll more an overview of the aquarium. If you have the time, go for it.