Disclaimer: The information shared in this post reflects our experiences from visits to the establishment. Please note that prices, hours, or other details may have changed since our last visit. We highly recommend researching the location and verifying current information before planning your visit. Additionally, all opinions expressed in this post are solely ours; we do not receive compensation for our reviews of the places we visit.
- Admission Fees:
- Vehicles: $11.25 per vehicle.
- Tour Buses: $5.50 per passenger.
- Reimbursement Option:
- The gate fee of $11.25 for vehicles is reimbursed if you make a purchase of $35 or more at any Pebble Beach Resorts restaurant (excluding Pebble Beach Market).
- Complimentary Admission:
- Admission to 17-Mile Drive is free for overnight guests staying at:
- The Lodge at Pebble Beach
- The Inn at Spanish Bay
- Casa Palmero
- Admission to 17-Mile Drive is free for overnight guests staying at:
- Gate Hours:
- The 17-Mile Drive gates are open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
- Additional Regulations:
- Motorcycles are prohibited from using the 17-Mile Drive.
So, if you’re planning to visit and you’re not an overnight guest at the specified resorts, you’ll need to pay $11.25 per vehicle to enter the drive, with the option of getting this fee reimbursed by dining at the Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants as per the conditions mentioned.
The 17-Mile Drive, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and iconic landmarks. Here’s a breakdown of what visitors can expect along this scenic route:
- Dramatic Coastal Cliffs: The drive offers breathtaking views of rugged coastal cliffs that plunge into the Pacific Ocean, creating a dramatic backdrop.
- Snow-White Beaches: Along the way, you’ll encounter pristine beaches with white sands, such as Fanshell Beach, which showcases untouched natural beauty.
- Mystical Forests: The route meanders through mystical forests, like Crocker Grove, where giant trees create a serene and magical atmosphere.
- Iconic Golf Courses: Golf enthusiasts will appreciate world-class golf courses such as the ones found along this drive, including Pebble Beach Golf Links.
- Lone Cypress: One of the most iconic stops is the Lone Cypress, a solitary cypress tree perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the ocean, symbolizing resilience and natural beauty.
- Crocker Grove: This area features impressive groves of ancient trees, adding to the enchanting atmosphere of the drive.
- Fanshell Beach: Known for its pristine beauty and serene ambiance, Fanshell Beach offers a peaceful retreat amidst the coastal splendor.
- Restless Sea at Point Joe: Here, the ocean’s power is on full display, with waves crashing against the rugged coastline, showcasing the untamed beauty of the Pacific.
- Spanish Bay Boardwalk: A boardwalk above the beach at Spanish Bay allows visitors to enjoy a stroll with panoramic ocean views.
- And Much More: The 17-mile Drive is filled with numerous other points of interest, viewpoints, and natural wonders that make it one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Overall, exploring the 17-mile Drive promises an unforgettable journey through some of California’s most captivating landscapes, from dramatic cliffs to serene beaches, lush forests, and iconic viewpoints.
Packing drinks and snacks is a good idea for a relaxed and enjoyable journey. Taking your time to appreciate the views along the way and planning the whole day around it sounds perfect. Ending the day in Carmel by the Sea for a nice dinner is a great way to wrap up your day.
Spanish Bay Beach
This a popular spot for those traveling along the dive as it is a first stop after entering the gate. Parking can be a little tricky but it is a beautiful stop. The sand is soft and white, it is fun to walk around and see all the stacks of rocks.
This beautiful beach is named for Gaspar de Portola and his Spanish explorer crew, who were not happy campers, temporarily lodging here in 1769 as they took a year to find Monterey Bay because the men would not ask for directions.
The Restless Sea
The Restless Sea earns its name as one of the most turbulent sections of coastline in Pebble Beach. Waves are constantly converging and crashing into each other, likely the result of a cluster of submerged rocks.
Point Joe
Early mariners mistook Point Joe as the entrance to Monterey Bay, making it the site of many shipwrecks. In the early 1900s, a man named Joe lived in a driftwood hut here, selling trinkets to tourists and tending goats. It is debated whether Joe was named for the Point, or the Point was named for Joe.
China Rock
This was the site of a small Chinese fishing village in the late 1800s. You can still see century-old cooking smoke caked onto the rocks from the early settlement.
Bird Rock
From November to March keep an eye out for the spouts and flukes of migrating grey whales. Buzzing with birds, harbor seals, and belching sea lions. Bird Rock was covered in 4 to 5 feet of pelican and cormorant guano until 1930 when it was harvested as a fertilizer. Sea lions took advantage of the cleaned-off perch and have been sunbathing there ever since.
Seal Rock
Tucked-away beach at the mouth of Seal Rock Creek is a great spot to stretch your legs and explore. Picnic, explore tide pools, or hike on the boardwalk toward the colorful Gingerbread House.
As stated, you can find some great tide pools here. So of course, we went exploring and looking for the wonders of the sea and we found so many great ones.
Cypress Point Lookout
Cypress Point Lookout offers a spectacular spot to catch sunsets, thanks to its southwest view. The coastline just southeast of here is known as Sunset Point, an exclusive neighborhood populated with mansions from the Roaring Twenties.
Crocker Grove
Crocker Grove is home to the largest and oldest Monterey Cypress trees in existence. It is named after Charles Crocker, the railroad baron responsible for building the luxurious Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, as well as the original 17-Mile Drive in 1881. Pebble Beach contains one of only two native Monterey Cypress forests in the world. The other is across Carmel Bay at Point Lobos State Park.
The Lone Cypress
For more than 250 years, the world-famous Lone Cypress has braved the elements atop its rocky pedestal overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Known as Midway Point on the original 17-Mile Drive, this iconic tree has been the logo for Pebble Beach Resorts since its founding in 1919.
Ghost Tree at Pescadero Point
Ghost Trees at Pescadero Point is a unique stop full of spooky sun-bleached Cypress trees. It is also a legendary Big Wave surf spot, with swells approaching 50 feet in the right winter conditions.
Pebble Beach Market
We checked out the golf course a little just for nostalgia since we are not golfers. It is beautiful and we can understand why so many want to play here. Will say there was nothing to rave about with the food, typical deli sandwiches, and high prices but didn’t expect anything less being Pebble Beach. You could pick up everything needed to have a great little picnic at one of the stops along the way.
We had the 15th Club $13.00 which is Roasted turkey, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Tomato, Leafy Greens, and Avocado Spread on a Dutch Crunch Roll. The Five Star Ruben is $13.00 which is Hot Pastrami, Swiss Cheese, Sauerkraut, and 1000 Island Dressing on locally made Swirl Rye Bread. You can add a bag of chips and a drink for $3 more. We also treated ourselves to a fruit tart for $6, it was big enough for us to share and was probably the best we did as it was pretty sweet.
We ended our evening at Carmel by the Sea, but that is another review. We hope you have enjoyed this post and will come back to see what other adventures we have had.
There is also so much more you can see as you are driving that is not part of the stops. There are some of the most beautiful huge homes and wildlife roaming free without a care in the world. Here are other random pictures from our drive.
