17 Mile Drive, Monterey

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Part Two of my 17 mile drive tips with more pictures in and around the 17 mile drive area.

the 17 mile drive is one of the most wonderful attractions in Monterey County. This is a private enclave straddling the Pacific Grove, Monterey and Carmel Towns and is where the world famous pebble beach golf course, home of the US Open, is located. It also has the less expensive Spy Glass Hill Golf Course plus other assorted areas of Interest like the rocky outcroppings along the drive in the beaches, the famous lone cypress, the Spanish Bay and more. The 17 mile drive provides vistas of golf courses including Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point and Pebble Beach. After reaching Carmel Way, and the exit to Carmel, the 17-Mile Drive then heads northeast to the Highway 68/Highway 1 interchange, where one can exit, or continue to loop along the higher vistas of 17-Mile Drive, some of which offer views from more than 600 feet above sea-level. The full loop will take you back to the Pacific Grove Gate at Sunset Drive, roughly a distance of 17 miles hence the name.

The 17-Mile Drive is a 17 miles (27 km) long scenic loop having five entrances, including one at California State Route 1 and one at Pacific Grove off Sunset Drive and you have to pay an entrance fee of $ 9.50 per person to enter it (will be free if you dine at any restaurants inside the pebble beach and have them validate your admission ticket and the guardhouse will refund the price upon exit).

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This will be a multi part tip with more pictures in and around the 17 mile drive area.

the 17 mile drive is one of the most wonderful attractions in Monterey County. This is a private enclave straddling the Pacific Grove, Monterey and Carmel Towns and is where the world famous pebble beach golf course, home of the US Open, is located. It also has the less expensive Spy Glass Hill Golf Course plus other assorted areas of Interest like the rocky outcroppings along the drive in the beaches, the famous lone cypress, the Spanish Bay and more. The 17 mile drive provides vistas of golf courses including Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point and Pebble Beach. After reaching Carmel Way, and the exit to Carmel, the 17-Mile Drive then heads northeast to the Highway 68/Highway 1 interchange, where one can exit, or continue to loop along the higher vistas of 17-Mile Drive, some of which offer views from more than 600 feet above sea-level. The full loop will take you back to the Pacific Grove Gate at Sunset Drive, roughly a distance of 17 miles hence the name.

The 17-Mile Drive is a 17 miles (27 km) long scenic loop having five entrances, including one at California State Route 1 and one at Pacific Grove off Sunset Drive and you have to pay an entrance fee of $ 9.50 per person to enter it (will be free if you dine at any restaurants inside the pebble beach and have them validate your admission ticket and the guardhouse will refund the price upon exit).

We were so disappointed when we decided to take a motorcycle ride to the 17 mile drive, when we arrived at the front entrance there was a fee of $9.50 that was fine, the problem was, CHP "California Highway patrol has banned Motorcycles.

We wish some one would of mentioned it.

Until next time Pebble Beach.

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Ocean View Blvd in Pacific Grove, which becomes Sunset Drive in Asilomar Beach, is as good as if not better than 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. It is a spectacular route along golf courses, rocky cliffs, sea lions, kelp beds, fishing boats, bicyclists, joggers, various sea birds, a lighthouse, and some of Monterey's finest sunsets. One thing is for sure, Ocean View Drive is free, which means I am not putting more money in the pockets of the already obscenely rich who wallow on the sands at Pebble Beach.

Sure, this "17 mile drive" is just 4 miles. But, then again, the nine dollar 17 Mile Drive is actually only about 9 miles from Pacific Grove to Carmel, with maybe 7 miles of that along the water. Who owns a road anyway?

If the drive along Pacific Grove and Asilomar beach isn't enough to quench your thirst for beautiful ocean views, move on to Carmel. Take Rt 1 South and turn right into town on Ocean Ave which dead ends at the beach. Just before the dead end, take a left on Scenic Drive...sounds scenic! This route runs along the cliff between the beautiful beach-side cottages and the wide sandy beach below, including (free) views of Pebble Beach (gasp!). At the southern edge of the drive you'll overlook Carmel River Beach and Point Lobos just 1.5 miles to the south. Where Scenic Drive ends, take Carmelo Street, then a right on 15th Ave and you'll come out next to the awesome Carmel Mission.

(As for the REAL 17 Mile Drive: thanks to VT member ppethoe for this suggestion: "buy a Herald paper, show the real estate open house section (or yard sale) to the guard when entering Pebble Beach 17mile Drive area so you save $9 entrance fee." I'll give it a shot one of these days...)

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The 17 Mile Drive is a scenic route that runs from Monterey to Carmel. Starting in Pacific Grove, the road follows the Pacific Coast line, through the exclusive Pebble Beach area and then loops back via the Del Monte Forest.

We only drove the most scenic section (around 10 miles) from the Pacific Grove Gate to the Carmel Gate. The cost to enter the area was $9.50 per car (Sep 2008), but we felt the lovely coastal scenery certainly made it worthwhile. Upon entry, you will be given a useful map which highlights the main points of interest along the way.

We stopped to look at Bird Rock, home to shorebirds and also seals and sea lions, and enjoyed the coastal views from Cypress Point Lookout. Speaking of Cypresses, we saw the 'Lone Cypress', which has been sitting alone on its rocky perch for over 250 years. We also saw the Ghost Tree, and went for a wander at Pescadero Point.

The most exciting thing we saw, from Alex's point of view anyway, was a glimpse of the world famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, which he dreams of playing at one day.

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The 17 Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, California, United States, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses and mansions. It also serves as the main road through the gated community of Pebble Beach. Like the community, the majority of 17-Mile Drive is owned and operated by the Pebble Beach Corporation.

Entry into Pebble Beach (and the scenic drive) costs US$9.25 per car. Residents of Pebble Beach and their guests enter for free. Entry is also free for bicyclists and pedestrians. Motorcycles are prohibited from entering 17-Mile Drive. Visitors will receive a map that points out some of the more scenic spots.

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17 Mile drive near Carmel is an excellent way to spend about 1/2 a day and see a huge variety of outdoor scenery. From dramatic waves crashing on huge rocks, to lonley cypress trees with an ocean background, to pine trees, to exclusive golf clubs, to seal rock, to a beach made out of giant pebbles, just to name a few. The cost is about 9 dollars per car, not bad. Excellent opportunity if you are a photo junkie like me.

In Monterey the big thing to do is the 17 mile drive. But nearly everyone does this in the comfort of their own car.

Why not hire a bike and make a day of it. I did, and I'm not the fitest individual.

The bike for the day cost me about $20 for the day after the hostels 10% discount.

The ride is all but flat. A mere few hill which can be walked if need be. Remember you're following a coastal track not a mountain pass.

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I really enjoyed this drive. We had a map that described some of the attractions along the way such as the Lone Cypress Tree. And there are plaques at different stops that describe more of what you're seeing. The views were breathtaking. My husband and I drove some and stopped along the way to get out and take in the views or play on the rocks/beach. I wish we had thought to make a little picnic. As you get closer to the Pebble Beach Golf Course the mansions along the water became part of the attraction:)

We did not do the entire loop. We started at the Pacific Grove gate and at the Carmel gate we decided to head into downtown Carmel and get lunch.

For a great day of driving and enjoying the beautiful coastline of Monterey Bay, head out to experience the 17-Mile Drive.

17-Mile Drive is one of the many beautiful California Beaches that stretch approximately 1000 miles along California. It passes through the Del Monte forest. Access to this haven is available at five guard gates in Carmel or Pacific Grove where a fee is charged (was under $10).

There are approximately 20 stops along the well marked route, each with a landmark of interest and paved parking for your vehicle. From the trademark Lone Cypress tree to the Restless Sea, Seal Rock to Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill, if the names of these places don't evoke emotion to the active imagination, the sights, sounds and smells should do the trick. Daylight hours are perfect guarantees to get the stunning photos--but don't miss one of the awesome sunsets.