17 Mile Drive is likely one of the most scenic drives on this planet with lovely seashores, well-known cypress bushes, 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 means of the Del Monte Forest and thru some of the unique communities within the nation, Pebble Beach, California.
Many folks pay $11.25 to enter the well-known route in Pebble Beach by automobile, however in case you experience a bicycle or stroll alongside the 17-mile stretch, it’s free!
Motorcycles are usually not 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 vitality, we did it in fashion on an e-bike. The fantastic thing about e-biking is you possibly can discover the attractive street on two wheels with the consolation and pace of a motorbike freed from cost!
17 Mile Drive from Monterey – Pacific Grove to Carmel
Most folks drive 17 mile Drive by renting a automobile or taking a street journey. You can test automobile rental comparisons at RentalCars.com.
17 Mile Drive Cost
The entry charge is 11.25 for automobiles. Walking and biking are free. Motorcycles are usually not allowed on 17 mile drive. If you eat at one of many 17-mile drive eating places, you’re going to get your gate charge 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 extremely straightforward to get to if you’re 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 may be heavy and there’s a lineup to get into this scenic drive.
We discovered that by biking, we had quite a lot of freedom and zipped previous stopped automobiles in site visitors. Plus, with e-bikes, we didn’t work very onerous as a result of they’re electrical bikes. We had the enjoyable of utilizing pedal energy however had the additional increase of pace to go uphill and experience quicker with ease. We lined quite a lot of floor in our afternoon tour.
These E-bikes are quick. We averaged 20 miles (32km) an hour with out having to do any onerous work. If you need to zip round from place to position, the gears and throttle make it straightforward to hit high 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 rather a lot to see as properly, 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 seashore with photogenic rocky outcrops. It’s a well-liked spot for locals to hang around and have picnics, play seashore 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 good looking cease to marvel at the great thing about the coast. There gave the impression to be one pull-off after one other for automobiles to park and for folks to get out and benefit from the views.
2. Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Conservation Area
At the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Conservation Area, a gaggle 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 Nineteen Twenties sea otters had been believed to be extinct as a result of overhunting. But 50 or so survived alongside the coast. Some folks 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 at the very least 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 critical 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 pictures 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 Nineteen Eighties and practically everybody we talked to had some form 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 aircraft 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 remains to be in use right now to assist navigate ships they usually provide each 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 automobiles lined as much as pay their entrance charge. 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 quicker than most automobiles 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 observe the 21 factors of curiosity.
Sure you possibly can spend the day checking every thing out, however if you’re brief on time, there are a number of should see stops. These had been our favorites.
6. Links at Spanish Bay
The Links Golf course at Spanish Bay is presumably 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-website, greater than 100,000 native species are replanted every year creating a good looking 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 one more scenic cease alongside a protracted stretch of seashore. In the late 1700s, the Spanish camped right here whereas trying to find 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 get together 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 also can 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 properties in opposition to the rocks.
9. Bird Rock
Our subsequent cease was one other lovely lookout at Bird Rock. Joaquin informed us that it was once a number of inches greater however they cleared away all of the fowl poop.
Once they cleared the layer of dung away, the ocean lions took over for a bit however now that the layer of white fowl droppings has taken over once more, it’s gone again to the birds providing nice sightings for fowl 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 bushes 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 bushes on this planet 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 means of 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 everywhere in 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 accomplished their intelligent framing and positioning to make it appear extra thrilling than it’s.
Even although we had been upset, the Lone Cypress remains 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, you should 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 slightly farther alongside the street was the Ghost Tree and that was a extra spectacular view for us. The sundown occurs instantly behind the Ghost Tree (in March anyway) and it makes for a good looking scene.
It’s a stark distinction to the Lone Cypress that’s nonetheless residing. This lifeless cypress tree with bare branches offers an ominous view of the ocean. Legend has it the Lady in Lace may 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 properties and puzzled, “who lives here?” How accomplish that many individuals have such enormous wealth?
The 17 mile drive homes are really constructed for the wealthy and well-known and it’s enjoyable to think about who’s hiding behind the excessive-manicured hedges. We might have stopped for a peek at every property however that will have taken your entire 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 seashore. While there, our teacher identified Pebble Beach and we didn’t notice 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 reducing 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 reveals with interactive maps, an out of doors 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 you’ll want to see the a centesimal U.S. Open Monument that was put up through 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 the funds, it’s additionally an incredible 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 known 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 lodge 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 it appears that evidently everybody you meet within the space asks in case you went to Clint Eastwood’s ranch.
Pebble Beach Equestrian Center
We didn’t experience horses throughout our journey by means of 17 Mile Drive, however we noticed loads of horses throughout our keep within the space. The Pebble Beach Equestrian Center affords guided excursions by means of 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 get pleasure from a coastal picnic. We want so as to add that to our record 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 accomplice with 250 wineries establishing tasting rooms for wine tastings and meals pairings.
21. Huckleberry Hill
We didn’t make it to Huckleberry Hill, however you probably have extra time, you can also make your manner as much as this viewpoint that’s 800 toes above sea stage 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 experience by means of the Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Pebble Beach Golf Links, we wove our manner by means of the quiet again streets towards our lodging.
Our journey ended within the beautiful city of Carmel. We recommend spending the evening in Carmel as there are many issues to see and do. From buying in its boutiques to superb 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 you may as well keep in Monterey which may be very near Pebble Beach.
The Hideaway
We liked our keep on the Hideaway Hotel in Carmel however there are different locations to remain as properly which we’ve talked about to your reference.
The Hideaway is positioned simply half a mile from the seashore 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 numerous 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-successful 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 environment 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 you already know we’ve spent quite a lot of time in Tuscany and felt utterly at dwelling consuming recent burrata with olive oil, gnocchi with truffles, and savory spaghetti Neri with clams, muscle mass, 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’re going to get your gate charge reimbursed in case you eat at one of many pebble seashore firm eating places. Most folks 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 seashore 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 charge for automobiles is $11.25 on the gate, however in case you spend $35 or extra at pebble seashore resorts eating places excluding pebble seashore market, you may get your gate charge again. Motorcycles are usually not 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’re 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 strategy to the Pebble Beach Gate the place 17 mile drive formally begins.
You also can 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 means of the 17 miles shortly, 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 if you’re staying in one of many Pebble Beach resorts, you’ve entry to it 24/7. The gates to Pebble Beach are patrolled 24 hours a day.
For extra info 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 info on California journey and itineraries, go to their web site. As ordinary, all opinions are our personal.