17 Mile Drive is likely one of the most scenic drives on the earth with lovely seashores, well-known cypress timber, rocky outcrops, and luxurious mansions. Located on the Highway 1 Coastal Route between Carmel by the Sea and Monterey, this drive takes you alongside the Monterey Peninsula by the Del Monte Forest and thru some of the unique communities within the nation, Pebble Beach, California.
Many individuals pay $11.25 to enter the well-known route in Pebble Beach by automobile, however if you happen to journey a bicycle or stroll alongside the 17-mile stretch, it’s free!
Motorcycles will not be allowed on 17 Mile Drive and we didn’t need to be caught in a automobile, so we determined to cycle 17 Mile Drive. But as an alternative of exerting an excessive amount of power, we did it in type on an e-bike. The great thing about e-biking is you’ll be able to discover the gorgeous street on two wheels with the consolation and velocity of a motorbike freed from cost!
17 Mile Drive from Monterey – Pacific Grove to Carmel
Most individuals drive 17 mile Drive by renting a automobile or taking a street journey. You can examine automobile rental comparisons at RentalCars.com.
17 Mile Drive Cost
The entry payment is 11.25 for vehicles. Walking and biking are free. Motorcycles will not be allowed on 17 mile drive. If you eat at one of many 17-mile drive eating places, you’ll get your gate payment reimbursed.
To Drive or Cycle 17 Mile Drive
17 Mile Drive is positioned locally of Pacific Grove, It is only a 5-minute drive from Monterey, so it is rather straightforward to get to in case you are staying on the town. We met our information at Big Sur Adventures on Cannery Row the place we equipped with helmets, water, and state-of-the-artwork e-bikes.
No matter which manner you select to see 17 Mile Drive, you’ll love the surroundings. However, site visitors will be heavy and there’s a lineup to get into this scenic drive.
We discovered that by biking, we had plenty of freedom and zipped previous stopped vehicles in site visitors. Plus, with e-bikes, we didn’t work very laborious as a result of they’re electrical bikes. We had the enjoyable of utilizing pedal energy however had the additional increase of velocity to go uphill and journey sooner with ease. We lined plenty of floor in our afternoon tour.
These E-bikes are quick. We averaged 20 miles (32km) an hour with out having to do any laborious work. If you need to zip round from place to put, the gears and throttle make it straightforward to hit prime speeds, even going uphill. We barely broke a sweat.
Things to See on 17 Mile Drive
There are so many issues to see and do on 17 Mile Drive, however Ocean View Boulevard and Sunset Drive have quite a bit to see as nicely, so we recommend making a whole day journey to discover this scenic coastal drive.
Here’s a breakdown of the factors of curiosity on 17 Mile Drive and Ocean View Boulevard to Carmel.
1. Lovers Point – Ocean Blvd
Lovers Point is a picturesque seaside with photogenic rocky outcrops. It’s a preferred spot for locals to hang around and have picnics, play seaside volleyball, or catch a wave.
Before coming into 17 Mile Drive, we stopped at a few scenic viewpoints alongside Ocean Boulevard to admire the views of the Monterey Peninsula. We began simply exterior Monterey close to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and to the Gate to Pebble Beach. Lover’s Point was a ravishing cease to marvel at the fantastic thing about the coast. There appeared to be one pull-off after one other for vehicles to park and for individuals to get out and benefit from the views.
2. Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Conservation Area
At the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Conservation Area, a bunch of sea otters caught our eye. At least a dozen of them had been enjoying within the surf of the Monterey Peninsula.
We discovered that by the Twenties sea otters had been believed to be extinct because of overhunting. But 50 or so survived alongside the coast. Some individuals say they lived within the well-known Bixby Bridge space.
Today, sea otters are thriving within the space due to the efforts of the Monterey Bay Aquariums Sea Otter program. We watched a minimum of a dozen of them swim in play within the surf and it was heartening to listen to that they’ve returned.
But they nonetheless face a severe menace from oil spills and meals availability. After a number of minutes of watching the lovable little guys, we hopped on our e-bikes, put our gears on excessive, and zipped to the following cease.
Make certain to take a look at these different lovely spots for images alongside Big Sur. These are highlights you don’t need to miss!
3. John Denver Memorial
It’s fascinating to listen to of the film stars and celebrities that frequented this space.
Clint Eastwood was the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea within the Eighties and almost everybody we talked to had some kind of superstar story to inform of their institution or neighborhood.
We e discovered that singer John Denver lived locally for a yr earlier than his loss of life. His airplane crashed within the waters simply off the coast. In 2007 a memorial was devoted to the shores to have fun his life.
4. Point Pinos Lighthouse
As we meandered previous million-greenback homes our information Joaquin identified the Point Pinos Lighthouse, the oldest nonetheless-working lighthouse on the West Coast. It continues to be in use at present to assist navigate ships and so they supply day by day excursions. You can also like: Where to Camp in Big Sur
5. Pacific Grove Gate
We entered the Gates of Pebble Beach at Pacific Grove Gate with out incident. We whizzed previous vehicles lined as much as pay their entrance payment. Being on a bicycle, we had the liberty to discover the paid portion of 17 Mile Drive on our personal.
Having our bikes, we had been driving sooner than most vehicles caught in site visitors which allowed us to see all the highest websites with ease. You can decide up a map of 17 Mile Drive on the Visitor’s Center, to comply with the 21 factors of curiosity.
Sure you’ll be able to spend the day checking every part out, however in case you are brief on time, there are just a few should see stops. These had been our favorites.
6. Links at Spanish Bay
The Links Golf course at Spanish Bay is probably some of the lovely settings for golf within the US. It was designed to guard and restore the native dunes alongside the coast to permit the plant to regrow at Spanish Bay.
Because of the nursery constructed on-web site, greater than 100,000 native species are replanted every year creating a ravishing wild coast alongside Spanish Bay.
The Links at Spanish Bay was the primary Scottish Style golf course in America opened in 1987 and was designed by 5-time British Open champion Tom Watson. He famous that “Spanish Bay looked so much like Scotland, you could almost hear the bagpipe piping.” Ever since The Links at Spanish Bay has had pipers play at sundown whereas the final golfers end up on the course.
7. Spanish Bay
Spanish Bay Beach is yet one more scenic cease alongside an extended stretch of seaside. In the late 1700s, the Spanish camped right here whereas looking for Monterey Bay. Confusion and illness set in and 6 months later they returned having by no means discovered Monterey Bay. Little did they know, how shut they had been.
It wasn’t till a yr later with one other discovery occasion that they really found Monterey Bay which was hidden in plain sight. Spanish Bay was named for the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolà who camped right here in 1769 by no means discovering what he was in search of.
You can even keep right here on the Inn at Spanish Bay. It overlooks The Links at Spanish Bay and is near the Bird Rock Vista overlook.
8. China Rock
China Rock is one other lovely viewpoint alongside the 17 Mile Drive. This was a Chinese neighborhood within the 1800s the place they constructed small lean-to houses towards the rocks.
9. Bird Rock
Our subsequent cease was one other lovely lookout at Bird Rock. Joaquin instructed us that it was once a number of inches greater however they cleared away all of the chicken poop.
Once they cleared the layer of dung away, the ocean lions took over for a bit however now that the layer of white chicken droppings has taken over once more, it’s gone again to the birds providing nice sightings for chicken watchers.
10. Seal Rock
Seal Rock is an efficient picnic space and is a superb spot to get out, stretch your legs and go for a stroll. It was named for the harbor seals and sea lions that frequent the realm.
11. Crocker Grove
17 Mile Drive could also be well-known for its dying Monterey cypress timber alongside the shore, however simply earlier than you attain the Lone Cypress Point Lookout, make a cease in Crocker Grove. The Cypress Trees of Crocker Grove are wholesome and robust. You’ll additionally discover among the oldest and largest cypress timber on the earth right here.
The founding father of Pebble Beach Samuel F.B. Morse, made certain to protect the realm, and its Monterey cypress Trees. The drive goes by 5300 acres together with the Del Monte Forest.
12. The Lone Cypress
We had been most wanting ahead to Cypress Point Lookout to see the Lone Cypress because it’s the picture that we’ve seen all around the Internet of 17 Mile Drive. It’s a well-known Monterey Cypress tree sitting alone on a rocky outcrop But it ended up being a bit disappointing to us. It appears that almost all photographers have achieved their intelligent framing and positioning to make it appear extra thrilling than it’s.
Even although we had been dissatisfied, the Lone Cypress continues to be a should-cease alongside the 17 Mile Drive. It is the image of Pebble Beach, California, and the 250-yr-outdated tree now has metal cables holding it up. If you handle to do the 17 Mile Drive within the close to future, it’s essential to cease right here for a glance since you by no means know the way for much longer the Lone Cypress will final.
13. Ghost Tree
Just just a little farther alongside the street was the Ghost Tree and that was a extra spectacular view for us. The sundown occurs immediately behind the Ghost Tree (in March anyway) and it makes for a ravishing scene.
It’s a stark distinction to the Lone Cypress that’s nonetheless dwelling. This useless cypress tree with bare branches offers an ominous view of the ocean. Legend has it the Lady in Lace will be seen on the Ghost Tree on foggy nights.
14. Mansions
There are 21 factors of curiosity alongside the 17 Mile Drive route map, however none of them point out the $20-$40 million greenback mansions that line the shore. Dave and I couldn’t imagine the variety of multimillion-greenback houses and puzzled, “who lives here?” How achieve this many individuals have such big wealth?
The 17 mile drive homes are actually constructed for the wealthy and well-known and it’s enjoyable to think about who’s hiding behind the excessive-manicured hedges. We may have stopped for a peek at every property however that might have taken your complete day!
15. Pescadero Point
Before biking alongside 17 Mile Drive, we spent a day browsing with the Carmel Surf Company off its beautiful lengthy sandy seaside. While there, our teacher identified Pebble Beach and we didn’t understand simply how shut 17 Mile Drive was to the place we began.
Stopping at Pescadero Point gave us beautiful views of Carmel Bay and Stillwater cove. It was our final scenic view earlier than chopping again into the Pebble Beach neighborhood.
16. Pebble Beach Visitor Center
The Pebble Beach Visitor Center traces the historical past of 17 Mile Drive from its beginnings as a carriage route in 1881. There are 20 displays with interactive maps, an outside patio, and meals and drinks. Hours: 8 am to 7 pm.
17. Pebble Beach Golf Links
There are a number of world-class golf programs at Pebble Beach and The Pebble Beach Golf Links at Spanish Bay was voted one of many Best Public Golf Courses within the nation by Golf Digest. The 2019 US Open was held on the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Other Golf Courses are: Pebble Beach Golf Links Spyglass Hill Golf Course Del Monte Golf Course Pebble Beach Golf Academy
Peter Hay Par-3 Golf Course – If you don’t need to golf a full 18 holes whereas visiting Pebble Beach, hit up the one Par 3 course within the space and make sure you see the a hundredth U.S. Open Monument that was put up in the course of the 2000 U.S. to honor the win in 2000 (by Tiger Woods) and the opposite 99 winners of the twentieth century.
18. The Lodge at Pebble Beach
Lodge at Pebble Beach – The Lodge at Pebble Beach dates again to 1919 and is a superb place to cease in your journey across the drive. If you’ve gotten the finances, it’s additionally a fantastic place to remain in Pebble Beach. It’s inside strolling distance of another 17 mile drive sights together with Point Joe and Fanshell Overlook.
This renovated to five-star luxurious, the lodge is legendary for overlooking the 18th gap of the impeccable golf course positioned on the ocean.
19. Mission Ranch
We even made the detour to go to Clint Eastwood’s well-known ranch. The Mission Ranch dates again to the 1800s and was rescued by Eastwood whereas he was mayor of Carmel. It was set to be a condominium improvement.
Today it’s a resort and restaurant set on 22 acres with sheep grazing within the meadow.
It’s price a visit simply to say you’ve been there as a result of plainly everybody you meet within the space asks if you happen to went to Clint Eastwood’s ranch.
Pebble Beach Equestrian Center
We didn’t journey horses throughout our journey by 17 Mile Drive, however we noticed loads of horses throughout our keep within the space. The Pebble Beach Equestrian Center gives guided excursions by its 27 miles of trails inside the Del Monte Forest. From the Equestrian Center you undergo the Del Monte Forest to a Coastal Trail the place you’ll take pleasure in a coastal picnic. We want so as to add that to our checklist the following time we go to!
20. Pebble Beach Food and Wine Event
If you occur to be within the space in April, the annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Event has been a convention since 2008. More than 100 superstar cooks associate with 250 wineries establishing tasting rooms for wine tastings and meals pairings.
21. Huckleberry Hill
We didn’t make it to Huckleberry Hill, however if in case you have extra time, you may make your manner as much as this viewpoint that’s 800 toes above sea degree to miss the Del Monte Forest. It is positioned on the Highway-1 Gate previous Shephard’s Knoll. Apparently this was John Steinbeck’s favourite cease on 17 Mile Drive.
22. Carmel by the Sea
After a journey by the Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Pebble Beach Golf Links, we wove our manner by the quiet again streets towards our lodging.
Our journey ended within the beautiful city of Carmel. We recommend spending the night time in Carmel as there are many issues to see and do. From procuring in its boutiques to high-quality eating, this can be a beautiful romantic escape. We have a whole breakdown of issues to do in Carmel at The Best Things to do in Carmel by the Sea
Where to Stay On 17 Mile Drive
We spent two days in Carmel earlier than starting our street journey down the Pacific Coast Highway 1. There are loads of locations to remain in Carmel and it’s also possible to keep in Monterey which could be very near Pebble Beach.
The Hideaway
We beloved our keep on the Hideaway Hotel in Carmel however there are different locations to remain as nicely which we’ve talked about on your reference.
The Hideaway is positioned simply half a mile from the seaside however can also be centrally positioned downtown.
Inn at Spanish Bay – The Inn at Spanish Bay is positioned on the Links Golf Course. All rooms have a comfy fire and there are various eating choices out there at this 5-star resort overlooking Spanish Bay
Casa Palermo – Located on the Pebble Beach Golf and Links, this Mediterranean Style Accommodation has 24 elegant rooms with an award-profitable spa, golf, and 5-star facilities.
Where To Eat Along 17 Mile Drive
La Balena Cucina Toscana
With its central location in Carmel, we had been only a brief stroll from our dinner reservations at La Balena Cucina Toscana Carmel. Juniper Street appears to be the occurring road for eating places and cafes in Carmel and each The Hideaway and Labalena are located on it.
La Balena was our favorite meal of our complete journey. The ambiance was excellent as we dined on their out of doors patio with warmth lamps retaining us toasty heat. Run by Chef Emanuel Bartolini and his spouse, the restaurant captures Tuscan delicacies fantastically.
As we’ve spent plenty of time in Tuscany and felt utterly at residence consuming contemporary burrata with olive oil, gnocchi with truffles, and savory spaghetti Neri with clams, muscular tissues, prawns in a tomato chili brodo.
Pebble Beach Food
We didn’t eat in Pebble Beach, however there are many choices to eat at 17-mile drive eating places and you’ll get your gate payment reimbursed if you happen to eat at one of many pebble seaside firm eating places. Most individuals picnic at one of many many seashores and picnic areas.
The hottest picnic spots are seal rock and level joe. Pack a lunch and make a day of it. Or higher but, go to the pebble seaside marketplace for some picnic meals.
17 Mile Drive – Frequently Asked Questions
How a lot does it price to drive 17 Mile Drive?
If strolling or biking 17 Mile drive is free. The entry payment for vehicles is $11.25 on the gate, however if you happen to spend $35 or extra at pebble seaside resorts eating places excluding pebble seaside market, you will get your gate payment again. Motorcycles will not be allowed on 17 Mile Drive.
Where do you begin 17 Mile Drive?
17 Mile Drive begins at Pacific Grove Gate at Pebble Beach, California.
If you might be driving south from San Francisco alongside Highway 1 take the exit to CA 68 West in direction of Pebble Beach, you’ll then see indicators for the Pacific Grove Pebble Beach Gate entrance.
We began from Big Sur Adventures in Monterey and cycled round Ocean View Boulevard to sundown drive earlier than making our approach to the Pebble Beach Gate the place 17 mile drive formally begins.
You can even entry 17 Mile Drive from the Country Club Gate, Carmel gate, S.F.B. Morse Gate, or Highway 1 Gate.
How lengthy is 17 Mile drive to see?
You can zip by the 17 miles rapidly, however we recommend three to 4 hours to see all of the sights. Have lunch in Pebble Beach and make a day of it. There are seashores, scenic views and loads of locations to catch sundown.
Is there lodging on 17 mile drive.
There are three luxurious Pebble Beach resorts within the 17 mile drive. The Inn at Spanish Bay, Casa Palmero, and the Lodge at Pebble Beach.
17 Mile Drive Hours of Operation
17 Mile drive is open from dawn to sundown to guests, however in case you are staying in one of many Pebble Beach resorts, you’ve gotten entry to it 24/7. The gates to Pebble Beach are patrolled 24 hours a day.
For extra data on 17 Mile Drive, Carmel, and Monterey, go to the See Monterey Website. Ebiking excursions of 17 Mile Drive begin at $59 per particular person. For lodging take a look at The Hideaway for reservations and costs.
Read More About California
Our journey to California was in partnership with Visit California. For extra data on California journey and itineraries, go to their web site. As typical, all opinions are our personal.