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17 Mile Drive Reviews

Pebble Beach -- Monterey Peninsula, Monterey, California
Description: 17 Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, California, famous for its beautiful views of the Pacific coastline. Much of the (actually) 9.6 mile road does hug the coastline, and features many t...Read More
  • #2 most popular
    thing to do in Monterey
  • Avg. User Rating:
    3 out of 5 stars

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  • 17-Mile Drive

  • 5 out of 5 stars
     koolbargan from Denver
  • March 3, 2008
Quote: View 1 Photo - 17 Mile Drive, Monterey, California A MUST-do (!!!) in Monterey is this fabulous scenic drive that takes you from Monterey to Carmel winding thru Pebble Beach, the Del Monte Forest, and most of the way, having the fabulous coastal and surf views.

For this experience, we rented a car for the day (about $35 ++ from Enterprise). I am not sure about other car rental companies, but Enterprise delivered the rental to our hotel where we finalized and signed the paperwork. There was however, a 2 hour wait from the time we called so I’d suggest one make prior arrangements at least a day before. (The car return was to the Enterprise office.)

From downtown Monterey, the 17-Mile Drive starts by the Pacific Grove Gate but the scenic view starts as you drive out of Monterey.

Take advantage of all the beautiful ocean front stops along the way. There are many byways and car stops for scenic viewing.

A fee of $9/vehicle is paid prior to entering the 17-Mile Drive. The receipt issued stated the fee is Refundable with purchase over $25 on Pebble Beach rounds and restaurants.

Upon payment of entrance fee, one get the 17-Mile Drive brochure that has a map that shows the points of interest within the 17-mile drive.

Some points NOT to be missed are:
• Shepherd’s Knoll where the grand view of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz mountains
• Spanish Bay is a scenic picnic stop or if one has enough time, take a quick stroll along the shoreline
• Bird Rock is just breath-taking when one realizes the multitude of shorebirds, seals and sea lions on it
• Lone Cypress will almost seem familiar to everyone as it’s one picture that has been seen in many movies, postcards, etc.

Within the 17-mile stretch are the Golf courses with restaurants but expect a little bit more in terms of price.

One can opt to return using the same route (have your receipt ready as proof) OR as we were told take another scenic route via Highway 1.

I strongly suggest alloting a whole day for this trip as not only will you have enough time to see all the points of interest within the 17-mile drive but also spend time and tour Carmel.

From journals Monterey - First Timer's Tip

  • 17-Mile Drive

  • 5 out of 5 stars
     npgarg from Surprise
  • February 13, 2007
  • Best of IgoUgo
Quote: All I can say is that if you've never driven this stretch of road before, do yourself a favor and ride on it at least once in your life time. 17-mile drive is probably one of the most scenic drives in all of the US. It contains on several stops throughout the drive with places like Bird Rock, the Lone Cyprus along with several premier golf courses and links like Pebble Beach, Spy Glass Hill, Inn at Spanish Bay.

There is a slight fee per car on entrance (which there are 2 main, one in Pacific Grove and the other in Carmel).

Overall it is a very relaxing drive and a great place for sightseers and scrap bookers. It always seems like there is always a better photo op around the next bend.

One of my favorite things to do is stop at Pebble Beach and visit the store and the real estate broker and just day dream about one day owning one of the houses. Oh yah, you know that you own a great house when it has its own name. And all of the houses there have their own names.

A great way to finish off the drive is to end it in Carmel-by-the-Sea and roam around the shops and restaurants there. And Carmel Beach is also one of my favorites N. Cali beaches.
From journals Monterey Bay/Carmel by-the Sea

  • 17 mile Drive

  • 4 out of 5 stars
     Teri315 from Spring Valley
  • May 2, 2003
Quote: 17 Mile Drive Photo - 17 Mile Drive, Monterey, California Highlights:
On the 17 mile drive you will find Hotel Del Monte, which opened in 1880. The elegant Hotel Del Monte opened its doors to the public. Among the many diversions available to guests was a horse-drawn carriage ride on a scenic, 17-mile gravel road, a road that ribboned its way around the Monterey Peninsula and through the Del Monte Forest. Today, 17-Mile Drive remains one of the most enchanting and famous stretches of road in the country, with much of its most dramatic surroundings remarkably unchanged from those first, historic tours. It is one of only nine private toll roads in the country, and the only one west of the Mississippi. Discover nature's treasures on the magnificent 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach. As you wend your way deep into the majesty of the 5,000-acre Del Monte Forest, you will quickly feel the magic of this legendary scenic tour. Home to the Lone Cypress, Seal and Bird Rocks, Fanshell Beach, Point Joe, and the colliding currents of The Restless Sea, you'll travel this showcase with a sense of awe for what nature has created.

Quick tips/suggestions :
Take it slow and enjoy the scenery. We stopped alongside the road and saw quite a few deer and other wild life. After the 17 mile drive we continued on to Hurst Castle.


From journals Monterey & more!!!

  • Seventeen Mile Drive Highlights

  • 4 out of 5 stars
     barbara from Atlanta
  • May 28, 2002
  • Best of IgoUgo
Quote: The Seventeen Mile Drive is one of the prettiest stretches of road in the country. You may enter at a number of gates where each car has to pay a nominal fee. While it would be easy to whiz through the area, the Seventeen Mile Drive should be savored like a fine wine. Visitors will find areas to pull over and park as they explore. Many picnic tables also line the way, so bringing lunch can be a nice diversion, especially with children. Following are a few highlights:

Moss Beach is famous for the variety of sea moss that swirls in the waters. Point Joe is within easy walking distance of Moss Beach. This craggy area caused many a shipwreck in the late nineteenth century.

If you'd like, keep walking an easy nature trail to Bird Rock, or hop back in the car and drive. There are telescopes here with which you can scan the sea for seals and whales.

You need to drive to Cypress Point Lookout, which is a turn-off from the main road. Everyone will appreciate the fortitude of the cyprus trees that grow along the coast. The Lone Cypress is immediately recognizable on an outcrop. It is the Pebble Beach logo.

When the main road turns away from the coast, you will come across the Lodge. If you haven't already eaten at a picnic table along the way, you can stop here to eat, shop, and further explore the area.

Behind the Lodge is Stillwater Cove, a section of beach that is covered in the gray, green, pink, and blue pebbles from which Pebble Beach got its name.

While swimming at the beaches along the 17 mile drive is not appropriate in the swift, cold waters, a walk to view wildlife is always fun. Some water sports are available for the truly athletic-- surfing and kayaking--but bring a wetsuit! The water is freezing. Golf is the main sport of the area, but horseback riding is a great diversion, too.

Next stop, CARMEL!


From journals Running the Big Sur in a Monterey Weekend

  • 17 mile Drive

  • 4 out of 5 stars
     gclink from Grand Prairie
  • July 16, 2001
  • Best of IgoUgo
Quote: 17 mile Drive view Photo - 17 Mile Drive, Monterey, California 17 mile drive is one of the prettiest sites in California. It costs 7.50 to enter into the area, but it is well worth the money.

Parts of the drive is through the trees, but you can see several multi-million dollar homes, but part of the drive is along the ocean. This is my favorite part of the whole drive.

It gets its name because the whole trip is 17 miles around in a circle. There are three entrances: Pacific Grove, Carmel, or off Hwy 1.

As the winding road approaches the coast, turbulent surf, twisted cypress trees and herds of sunbathing sea lions swing into view. Cypress Point, a promontory with spectacular views, is the best place to view harbor seals. In the spring, they come ashore to have their pups.

What else is there besides nature? How about golf courses: Pebble Beach, Spyglass, Cypress Point and the Links at Spanish Bay. On these golf courses you usually see herds of deer either laying down or eating. They are somewhat tame, but it is best to leave them alone for nature.

Don't forget to look for the Sea Otters in the water. They usually sleep in the Kelp floating off shore.


From journals Weekend Getaway to Monterey Bay