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- Betsy Malloy
- The Inn at Spanish Bay. If you compare the stops in this guide to the official 17-Mile Drive map, you'll end up confused, so don't even try. Because there's little of interest to see between the CA Highway 1 gate and Spanish Bay, enter the 17-Mile Drive from Pacific Grove instead.
- Spanish Bay. It's called Spanish Bay to honor explorer Gaspar de Portolà, who camped here with his ship's crew in 1769 while exploring the coastline and trying to find the Monterey Bay.
- Restless Sea. Between the sandy beach at Spanish Bay and Point Joe (which is just up the road), the ocean always seems restless. Some say it's because of ocean currents coming close to shore or submerged rocks, but you don't have to know the 'why' to enjoy the result.
- Point Joe. When European explorers first came to this part of the California coast, they often mistook Spanish Bay for the Monterey Bay, its bigger counterpart to the north, and many of them met disaster on the rocks as they tried to make their way to shore.
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- Practical Info For The 17-Mile Drive
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Starting point: Highway 1 Gate Ending Point: Pacific Grove Gate Distance: 16.78 miles Cost: $11.25 per vehicle, free for cyclists and walkers. Estimated time to complete: Four hours, but you could spend longer. Created as a tourist attraction for the Del Monte Hotel, the 17-Mile Drive opened in 1881 to day-trippers in horse carriages. The route var...
Shepherd’s Knoll
Why it’s worth stopping at: Located high on a hill, this scenic overlook is ideal for taking photographs that include both the Del Monte Forest and the Pacific Ocean. The first stop I recommend making on the 17-Mile Drive is a quick but scenic one. Shepherd’s Knollis an overlook through the Del Monte Forest pines to Monterey Bay and beyond. On a sunny day, this is a beautiful spot for a photo or to simply take in the view. The vista is named for Abraham D. Shepard, a railroad builder who crea...
Huckleberry Hill
Why it’s worth stopping at: Huckleberry Hill is another photo opportunity that perhaps inspired classic literature. Huckleberry Hillis another stop along the 17-Mile Drive with a great vista. The green pine trees contrast beautifully with the blue ocean. Unlike the first stop, Huckleberry Hill is accurately named for the huckleberry shrubs that dot the hillside. Pause for a moment to see if inspiration strikes: writers John Steinbeck and Robert Louis Stevenson were said to stroll these forest...
S.F.B. Morse Botanical Reserve
Why it’s worth stopping at: Take a break from the car and stretch your legs with a peaceful forest hike. Most of the 17-Mile Drive hugs the beautiful coastline, but it’s worthwhile to take a quick detour to hike in the forest. This trail at the S.F.B. Morse Botanical Reservestarts on Congress Rd., just after the junction with Bird Rock Rd. This is a three-mile, moderate loop through the Del Monte Forest. Hikers can take their dogtoo, as long as they stay on a leash. Look out for wildflowers a...
There are a few places to eat along the 17-Mile Drive at the Pebble Beach resorts and the Pebble Beach Visitor Center cafe. As a bonus, if you spend $35 at any of the Pebble Beach resort restaurants, they’ll refund your entry fee. Try Stillwater Bar and Grill,The Bench at The Lodge, or Roy’s at Spanish Bay Innfor a memorable lunch. If you eat at ST...
Check the Pebble Beach events calendar to see if any major events are going on at the time you want to visit. Don’t go during the U.S. Open (June) or the Pebble Beach Pro-Am (February), for example. Monterey Car Week takes place in August, and unless you want to attend one of the events, this is another time that’s best avoided. It gets extremely b...
Either way is fine! I’d recommend driving north to south in the order described by this guide so you can be closer to the water, which also makes pulling into stops easier. But you could easily do it in reverse. Or, if you’re short on time, skip the first three stops and start at the Pacific Grove Gate, driving south by the ocean.
Along the 17-Mile Drive, you can expect stunning vistas around every corner, beautiful beaches, ridiculous mansions, and world-renowned golf courses. You can also expect crowds and traffic, especia...
More than 1.5 million visitors tour the 17-Mile Drive annually.Pebble Beach was the first public golf course to stage the U.S. Open in 1972.The Lone Cypress is believed to be 250 years old and is one of the most photographed trees in the world.Between 1950-1956, the 17-Mile Drive was used as a racecourse.Light, comfortable layers such as a rain jacket or fleece topWarm layers for the evening – like a sweater and jacketSun hat or beanie,depending on the seasonJul 12, 2022 · Where is the best starting point for the 17-Mile Drive? You can start at any of the five 17-Mile Drive gates mentioned above. While most people begin at the north gate (Pacific Grove) and head south (Carmel), you can also start from the south and head north.
Feb 20, 2021 · 17-Mile Drive directions. While most people enter the 17-Mile Drive through the north gate and head south, you can also start from the south and head north. The route is neither a one-way street nor a loop, but rather a two-lane road that allows you to drive either northbound or southbound.
- Take in the View from Shepherd’s Knoll. Shepherd’s Knoll is a quick photo stop. The viewpoint is named for Abraham D. Shepard, who designed the early scenic route in the upper forest.
- Admire Another Ocean Vista at Huckleberry Hill. Writers Robert Louis Stevenson and John Steinbeck reportedly frequented Huckleberry Hill, which offers another look at the ocean over the tops of trees.
- Enjoy Beautiful Spanish Bay Beach! One of the most popular stops along the 17-Mile Drive, Spanish Bay Beach is pristine and so inviting that you could spend hours here.
- Admire the Waves at The Restless Sea. The Restless Sea area is said to feature some of the most turbulent wave action along the Pebble Beach Coast, but it was not too restless when we visited on a nice June morning.
Apr 17, 2023 · 17 Mile Drive – Complete Scenic Drive Itinerary. Written By: The Planet D. Road Trips, United States. Updated On: April 17, 2023. 17 Mile Drive is one of the most scenic drives in the world with beautiful beaches, famous cypress trees, rocky outcrops, and luxury mansions. Located on the Highway 1 Coastal Route between Carmel by the Sea and ...
Jan 1, 2024 · Table of Contents. Entrance to the 17-Mile Drive. Know Before You Go. Places to Stop. Recommended Vehicles. What to See Along the Way. Where to Eat. For well over a century 17-Mile Drive has been known as one of America’s most scenic routes, showcasing the Monterey peninsula’s rocky shoreline and coastal forests.
