
Want to experience the wild beauty and stunning contrasts of the northern California coastline in a morning or afternoon? The 17 Mile Drive is one of the best ways I know to do it! In the space of a few hours you can explore the rugged glory of the Monterey Coast and experience the wonderful architecture and luxury of the Pebble Beach Community.
The steep and twisting roads of the well-marked 17 Mile Drive wind along a coastline rich in forests, wildlife and beaches, history and legend. We have experienced this drive so many times in the past seventeen years, and every single time we drive it we see something new to us. Read on for the inside scoop on how to visit and the highlights of this lovely route.
Finding The 17 Mile Drive
Located just outside Carmel on Sea, you can enter the 17 Mile Drive easily off Highway 1. There’s a $12.00 entry charge but at the time of writing, if you have a reservation in one of the restaurants along the route, the charge is waived. Parking at all the stops on the route is free.
There are 17 points of interest on the route. You can stop at as many or as few of them as you like, although they can get very crowded at times. Visiting earlier in the day – the drive is open from sunrise to sunset – does make it easier to get the best views.
Cypress Point Lookout (Stop 14) is closed from 1 April to 1 June as this is a place where the seals come to pup and it is important for them not to be disturbed.
Highlights of The 17 Mile Drive
From the moment you drive through the gates of the 17 Mile Drive and begin to follow the very clearly signposted route, it’s clear that this is going to be a very special experience indeed.The first vista point on 17 Mile Drive is Shepherd’s Knoll, which offers a beautiful view of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
From there, you drive on to Huckleberry Hill (pictured below).
You then pass Poppy Hills Golf Course on the way to The Inn and Links at Spanish Bay.
Spanish Bay
Spanish Bay, a breathtaking piece of coastline, is one of my favourite places on the 17 Mile Drive. I have wonderful memories of windswept walks here. The photo below was taken in March 2018.
This photo was taken in May 2024.
We also love the elegant yet unpretentious atmosphere of The Inn at Spanish Bay itself. Although we have yet to stay in the hotel, we always stop at Roy’s Restaurant for lunch. The views are incredible and the food is fresh, innovative and delicious. Back in 2018 I had the best lobster roll of my life at Roy’s, and it has yet to be surpassed! On our most recent visit in May 2024, I enjoyed a delicious chicken salad and my husband had a wonderful Asian style pork dish.
After lunch, we always walk along the coast, strolling up past the beautiful Residences at The Inn at Spanish Bay and then back down to Spanish Bay itself. If there’s time after our walk, we sit outside at The Inn to enjoy a coffee before we head off on the rest of the 17 Mile Drive. From Spanish Bay it’s on to The Restless Sea and Point Joe and then Bird Rock and Seal Rock.
Cypress Point and Beyond
Next on the 17 Mile Drive, you pass Spyglass Hill Golf Course and head on to Cypress Point Lookout. You can often spot seals on the rocks here, although Cypress Point is closed during pupping season, 1 April to 1 June.
All along the route of the 17 Mile Drive, you pass the most gorgeous homes. From huge mansions to elegant sprawling bungalows in every architectural style imaginable, there is so much architectural inspiration here!
In the beautiful Del Monte Forest there’s Crocker Grove and the iconic Lone Cypress, perched on a rocky cliff for more than 250 years. Then there is The Ghost Tree, a very spooky looking Monterey cypress tree that has a trunk bleached white from many years of persistent winds.
After a stop at Pescadero Point for gorgeous views of Carmel Bay and Stillwater Cove, it’s on to my second favourite stop on this route, The Lodge at Pebble Beach.
Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach Golf Course is famous for its tournaments and for its vintage association with crooner Bing Crosby and friends. There’s a wonderful, glamorous air to this place.
The Lodge is friendly and welcoming stop on the 17 Mile Drive, a great place for a cocktail or a coffee with beautiful views of the 18th hole and the coastline.
There are more stops on the drive after The Lodge (another golf course, the 100th US Open Monument and an Equestrian Center) but we usually finish our adventure with a drink at Pebble Beach. It’s the perfect end to a wonderful afternoon’s drive.
On our most recent visit in May 2024, as we drove towards the exit, we noticed a new stop on the route, a meadow honouring Robert F Ford. Mr Ford was a generous donor to the Del Monte Conservancy. It makes me happy that this beautiful route is still evolving today. It seems there is always something new to see!
Find out more about travel in California at Visit California.
This post contains my honest opinions and the advice I give to friends. None of our experiences were gifted and we paid all our own expenses. Information is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing and I accept no responsibility for, nor can I be held liable for, your experience at any of these venues. Most of the restaurants mentioned will need to be booked in advance. To avoid disappointment, be sure to visit restaurant and venue websites for opening times, their full terms and conditions, and to check prices, availability and payment terms.
Comments & Reviews
This looks like such a beautiful place to visit! Point Joe looks amazing! Are you able to climb up onto the rocks to get a better view of the sea?
Laura x x x
It really is, Laura! Unfortunately you can’t climb up on the rocks at Point Joe as it’s too difficult but there are better views of the sea further along the drive xxx
it all looks so peaceful! i would happily spend a whole day there
It really is, Nicol. The route itself can get a bit busy, but as soon as you park and step away from the car it’s incredibly tranquil 🙂
Beautiful pictures and looks like fun April.
Thank you, Debbie! It really is a fun way to see the city 🙂
This trip was fantastic , plenty of time in Monterey to enjoy the sights , with loads of stops for photos along the way . The 17 mile drive was great and our driver was very knowledgeable as well being great fun , thanks Randy for making this a real memorable experience .
I’m really glad you enjoyed the 17 Mile Drive as much as we did. We drove ourselves, but you could probably see more with a driver 🙂
What gorgeous scenery, looks like a wonderful place to visit.
It really is beautiful, Jenny 🙂
The scenery is just stunning and all seems so unspoilt. Beautiful images.
Thank you so much 🙂
It looks (and sounds) wonderful. Lovely photos.
Thank you so much, Lorna 🙂 It really is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!
Wow, what a beautiful drive!
What a great way to spend a day.
It really is, Sheltie 🙂
Hi April, my husband and I did this drive in CA a long time ago and we loved it! Thanks for sharing this at our Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
Enjoy the week.
Julie xo
Hi Julie, I’m so glad you enjoyed it too! Have a lovely week 🙂 xo
What a beautiful place to visit. The ocean is always so very appealing.
It really is, Leanna! Thank you so much for commenting 🙂