Now Booking Fall Tours • Explore Our Experiences
Experience Art in the Places that Inspire It!
Explore one of several creatively curated routes, each offering a unique blend of artists, stories, and hidden places. Discover working artist studios in charming seaside villages, scenic valleys, and coastal communities.
Carmel-by-the-Sea Walking Tour
Monterey Peninsula Discovery Tour
South Santa Cruz County Discovery Tour
Choose Your Route
The Historic Artist Colony
Carmel-by-the-Sea Village Artist Walking Tour
A guided walking tour through historic Carmel-by-the-Sea, featuring artist-owned galleries, working studios, historic art buildings, and the stories that shaped one of America's most celebrated artist colonies.
Along the way, your artist host will point out favorite cafés, restaurants, hidden courtyards, scenic walks, and landmarks — sharing local recommendations and stories that help you experience Carmel beyond the guidebooks.
History • Artist-owned galleries • Working studios • Local stories
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Guided Village Walk
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Meet the Artists
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Historic Art Buildings
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Working Artist Galleries
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Hidden Courtyards & Local Favorites
Available in: Small-Group Tours • Private Tours • Dog-Friendly Private Tours
Reservations Open October 1st
Reservations Open October 1st
Beyond the Village
Monterey Peninsula Artist Studios Discovery Tour
Just outside Carmel-by-the-Sea, a different side of the Peninsula’s art scene unfolds. From the Carmel Art Corridor to Carmel Valley, Monterey, and Pacific Grove, each scenic driving tour brings together a curated collection of private working studios, diverse artist spaces, and unexpected creative destinations.
Step inside the places where artists create, meet them in their working environments, and experience their creative process firsthand. Along the way, your artist host will share favorite local discoveries — from spectacular ocean overlooks and hidden gardens to scenic back roads and neighborhood favorites.
Each tour is thoughtfully curated from a collection of favorite artists, distinctive studios, and memorable places throughout the Peninsula, with every route offering its own mix of art, scenery, and local discoveries.
Private & Shared Studio Spaces • Coastal & Country Scenery • Local Favorites
• Private Working Studios
• Shared Creative Spaces
• Meet the Artists
• Carmel Art Corridor
• Scenic Backroads
• Hidden Local Favorites
Available in: Private Tours • Dog-Friendly Private Tours
Creative Beach Towns
South Santa Cruz County Artists' Studio Tour
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Eclectic Creative Spaces
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Meet the Artists
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Coastal Villages
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Hidden Beaches & Trails
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Local Favorites
Available in: Private Tours • Dog-Friendly Private Tours
Whether you’re drawn to Carmel’s renowned art history, the scenic beauty of the Monterey Peninsula, or the diverse studios and creative communities of South Santa Cruz County, each Art Tours-by-the-Sea experience offers a unique way to discover California’s coast through the eyes of the artists who call it home.
Route Opens January 2027
A curated driving and walking tour through South Santa Cruz County, exploring an eclectic collection of working artist studios nestled within relaxed beach towns and coastal communities. From the colorful seaside village of Capitola to the open coastal landscapes of La Selva Beach, discover diverse artists, inspiring creative spaces, local stories, and memorable places that reveal a side of the coast few visitors experience.
Along the way, your artist host will share favorite local discoveries, from hidden beaches and scenic coastal trails to cafés, restaurants, and neighborhood treasures that reflect the authentic character and creative spirit of South Santa Cruz County.
Eclectic Art Studios • Beach Towns • Hidden Trails • Local Places