The scenic 17-Mile Drive in the Monterey Peninsula is a bucket-list road trip that offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and iconic coastal landscapes. Winding through the Del Monte Forest at the celebrated Pebble Beach resort, the roadway, which requires a toll to enter, takes motorists on a journey of natural wonder to the celebrated “17 Points of Interest,” including the famous 250-year-old ‘Lone Cypress’ perched atop the jutting cliffs. There is also Cypress Point, a popular lookout spot, and Seal Rock Beach, a perfect spot for observing seals, anemones, and other marine life.
Location / State
Pebble Beach, California
Why it matters
A well-maintained and accessible roadway that highlights the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Monterey Peninsula, 17-Mile Drive is a destination in its own right. Open to motorists and cyclists, the drive takes in the luxury of the famous Pebble Beach resort and golf links, and the quiet splendor of the forests and coastline that make the region so special. The scenic route was constructed in 1881 by Charles Crocker, a railroad baron who opened the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, to attract well-healed visitors to the area. Crocker is also the namesake of Crocker Grove, the largest and oldest collection of Monterey Cypress trees, and one of the stops on the famous drive.
The coastline along the 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula.
What to see today
After a coffee at nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea, drive to Pebble Beach along Highway 1 and pay the toll to enter the 17-Mile Drive. The drive winds through the Del Monte Forest, where you may catch a glimpse of wild turkeys or deer. Passing the famous Pebble Beach resort and golf links, the drive continues along the coastline, offering breathtaking views of crashing surf, white sandy beaches, and marine life.
Ask a local
17-Mile Drive is where luxury and nature collide in perfect harmony, and there is no better place to take it all in than at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. Newly renovated, the historic property is both timeless and fully reimagined. A stop over at the lodge’s Stillwater Restaurant or The Tap Room offers a memorable respite for a remarkable trip.
Plan your visit
Learn more:Â See Monterey.
Best time: Clear days—try to avoid rain or foggy conditions.
Hours/admission: The gate at Pebble Beach is open 24/7. Admission is $12.25 per vehicle. Gate fee is reimbursed when you spend $35 or more at all Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants, excluding Pebble Beach Market. Tour buses are $6 per passenger. Motorcycles are not allowed.
Getting there:Â Car, bus.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: California’s 17-Mile Drive a scenic coastal journey in Pebble Beach