Monterey and Carmel make one of the best group day trips south of the Bay Area, pairing the famous aquarium and Cannery Row with the drive down to Carmel-by-the-Sea and the 17-Mile Drive. At about two hours each way, it is a trip a group should hand to a bus rather than caravan, since cars lose each other on US-101 and Highway 1 and arrive in pieces. A charter bus carries everyone together and handles the coast road and the parking.
This guide is for the families, clubs, reunions, and company outings heading to Monterey from the Alameda area. It covers the drive, a sample day, choosing a vehicle, and what it costs. Call 510-356-3260 to plan a date, or request a free quote for a price.
The Drive From Alameda to Monterey
Monterey sits about 100 miles and roughly two hours south of Alameda, down I-880 and US-101 or the slower coastal route. The drive is easy until you reach Cannery Row, where parking is tight and pricey on a weekend. A bus drops the group near the aquarium, stages nearby, and shuttles between Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel so nobody is hunting for a spot in each town.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 648-4800
montereybayaquarium.org
A Sample Monterey and Carmel Day
- 8:00 AM Depart Alameda
- 10:00 AM Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row
- 12:30 PM Lunch on Cannery Row or Fisherman’s Wharf
- 2:00 PM Drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea, shops and beach
- 4:00 PM Optional 17-Mile Drive
- 5:30 PM Head home to Alameda
You set the stops and we drive them. For more regional ideas, see our roundup of things to do near Alameda.
Which Bus Fits the Group
For the two-hour drive, comfortable seating and a restroom on a larger coach earn their keep.
| Vehicle | Seats | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van | Up to 14 | A small family or a VIP group |
| 35-passenger minibus | 15 to 35 | A club, a crew, or a couple of families |
| 56-passenger charter bus | 50 to 56 | A large group, restroom and luggage for the drive |
| school bus | Varies | Budget-friendly for a local school trip |
Compare every size on our buses page.
More to See Around Monterey and Carmel
The peninsula gives a group plenty to string together beyond the aquarium. Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf cover lunch and the waterfront, Pacific Grove adds the coastal recreation trail and the Monarch sanctuary in season, and the 17-Mile Drive past Pebble Beach is the scenic loop most groups want to fit in. Carmel-by-the-Sea brings walkable shops, galleries, and an easy beach, and Point Lobos just south is a short add for a group that wants a coastal walk. Because the stops spread across several towns with their own tight parking, the bus is what ties them into one relaxed day, dropping the group at each and staging while everyone explores. You pick the stops and we drive them, so the day bends around your reservations rather than a fixed loop.
What It Costs and When to Book
How much a Monterey charter bus rental costs comes down to the vehicle size, the hours, and the round-trip distance, which is real on a two-hour run, so a full day commonly lands in a nine or ten hour block billed by the hour. As a rough guide, a minibus generally starts around $150 per hour while a full-size coach runs about $180 to $500 per hour, so a full day commonly lands in the range of roughly $1,500 to $3,800 depending on the size, the hours, and the distance. Our charter bus prices page shows ballpark ranges. Summer and holiday weekends book up first, so reserve early, and the fastest way to a real number is a quick 30-second quote.
Book Your Monterey and Carmel Charter Bus
Turn the coast drive into one easy ride and let the group enjoy the aquarium, Cannery Row, and Carmel without the parking. Closer to home? See our guide to a charter bus to Santa Cruz.
Rounding out the calendar? Our Alameda charter bus rental guides cover Half Moon Bay and the coast.
Call us at 510-356-3260 to speak with a live representative, or request a free quote for your group. Our charter bus service team is available seven days a week to plan your trip.
