Monterey Railroad Handcar Tour
5
Monterey Railroad Handcar Tour
By Handcar Tours
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About
The Monterey Peninisula is the only place in the world where you can propel your own handar across six miles of railroad track. Our tours travel over the historic Monterey Rail Line through Sand Dunes, a Monterey Pine Forest, and at its highest point offers a spectacular view of Monterey Bay.
Ages 0-120, max of 4 per group
Duration: 1h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Handcar
- Start:
- 3071 Del Monte Blvd, Marina, CA 93933, USACheck in at the kiosk to obtain your car assignment.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 317528P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travellers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travellers
- All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 317528P2
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- pedmacfam0 contributionsWeekend escape to Monterrey and vicinity’sWe drove by this place and decided to check it out, this was an awesome thing to do, great time and awesome views at the half way mark of the ride. It was really fun! Great staff working here and very attentive that we were feeling comfortable during our ride.Written 24 August 2024
- Thomas W0 contributionsHighly Recommended!The Clark family has created an amazing experience here in Marina! We were blown away by the handcar’s quality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design. The track is a wonderful 6 mile loop through dunes and ocean views. There’s an exciting climb and decent on the tour and you get to control your speed based on your effort and teamwork. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience and I couldn’t recommend it more!!!Written 19 July 2021
- Journey529668797810 contributionsFun and Unique Experience!Our group of four had such a fun time doing this! The tour is unique, the scenery is beautiful, and the hand cars are a blast! The staff were wonderful as well! I believe they are only doing this through the summer so I highly recommend you check this out soon.Written 19 July 2021
- SteveC2750 contributionsWhat A Trip!Saw the rail cars while driving down hwy 1 and had to check out. Family owned and operated, you ride hand built rail cars on a historic section of rail line. The cars are propelled by your arms and legs. Great upper and lower body work out. The route is 6 miles round trip and passes through some pretty areas with scenic views. The tour guides are awesome and the rail cars are incredible. Recently opened, this attraction is only in Marina until SeptWritten 19 July 2021
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Brett P
Chino Hills, CA63 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
This is an unforgettable adventure, and a must do if you are in the area. They rent 2 person railway bikes with an electric assist motor. The tour is approximately a 6 mile round trip. The scenery is awesome and the equipment is really top notch. We traveled at speeds ranging from 6-13 mph. The motor is a life saver on the hills! It was so much fun!! You watch a movie
about handcar history before leaving.
This is a family owned business and makes it easy to support!
PS- The weather can be pretty chilly, eve even during the summer do bring a jacket. They run a first class operation.
about handcar history before leaving.
This is a family owned business and makes it easy to support!
PS- The weather can be pretty chilly, eve even during the summer do bring a jacket. They run a first class operation.
Written 27 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TerrasTravels
Las Vegas, NV3,345 contributions
This was such a splendid surprise and a fun thing to do while in Monterey! It’s a family business and it all started with a 12-year-old who built hand cars, now they are all handbuilt. It’s a really fun experience and don’t worry if you don’t think you can do it for 6 miles they have electrically powered ones as well, where you can still pedal if you want to go faster, but if not, it will take you along! The top of the Mountain View was the best. I highly recommend going first because I feel like we had more time up there. But I’m sure everyone’s timing is the same. I feel like we had about 10 to 15 minutes to take pictures and videos. If you’re thinking about doing this, definitely do it sooner than later. Dress appropriately, they do have two porta potties so use the bathroom before and after you get there somewhere if you don’t like porta potties, and plenty of parking! They are also very nice and welcoming as well. And you get a fun little intro beforehand too so definitely be on time!
Written 10 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlene W
7 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
This handcar tour was super fun today. The electric assist made the cycling easy. Would highly recommend. I was a beautiful day and well worth the time.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valera B
Alaska2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Very unique activity. Family run business that really care about your experience. Pedal bike option is the way to go
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chizzyizzie B
London, UK78 contributions
We wanted something ‘different’ to do on our California road trip. I came across Handcar Tours on social media and booked to do on our journey from San Jose to Monterey. I’m so glad I did - it was a great experience.
As there were four of us (two adults, two teens), we opted for the hand cars so we could ride together. We read the reviews that it would be a workout (I love a physical challenge on holiday) so the kids were wishing I’d gone for the electric pedal cars before we started.
It was really good fun. It definitely was a workout on the way to the halfway - there’s a short steep climb towards the start and then a longer less steep climb towards the end. I wore my heart rate monitor to see how hard we worked and it definitely worked up a sweat. It definitely took a lot of effort and as the second car, we were feeling the pressure to not go too slow but it seems that the hand car does get some speed and we had plenty of space between us and the car behind us (plus the one in front!). We stopped at the top where there was a chance to get some photos. We couldn’t take advantage of the views due to the fog but it didn’t spoil anything for us. The journey back was much easier as most of it was downhill or flat. Downhill, we really worked up some speed!
I really recommend this. There were some people doing the hand cars with just two people - I imagine that’s quite hard work (as it was definitely tough with four at times). As a family, we have a basic level of fitness so you don’t have to be super fit to use the hand car. If you have young children or anyone in your worth who may have physical health challenges, opt for the electric cars.
A great couple of hours.
As there were four of us (two adults, two teens), we opted for the hand cars so we could ride together. We read the reviews that it would be a workout (I love a physical challenge on holiday) so the kids were wishing I’d gone for the electric pedal cars before we started.
It was really good fun. It definitely was a workout on the way to the halfway - there’s a short steep climb towards the start and then a longer less steep climb towards the end. I wore my heart rate monitor to see how hard we worked and it definitely worked up a sweat. It definitely took a lot of effort and as the second car, we were feeling the pressure to not go too slow but it seems that the hand car does get some speed and we had plenty of space between us and the car behind us (plus the one in front!). We stopped at the top where there was a chance to get some photos. We couldn’t take advantage of the views due to the fog but it didn’t spoil anything for us. The journey back was much easier as most of it was downhill or flat. Downhill, we really worked up some speed!
I really recommend this. There were some people doing the hand cars with just two people - I imagine that’s quite hard work (as it was definitely tough with four at times). As a family, we have a basic level of fitness so you don’t have to be super fit to use the hand car. If you have young children or anyone in your worth who may have physical health challenges, opt for the electric cars.
A great couple of hours.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.