17 Mile Drive
Road in Monterey County, California
Introduction
Key Attractions
- ๐ฒ The Lone Cypress: One of the most photographed trees in the world, standing for over 250 years.
- ๐ฆ Bird Rock: A wildlife hub with birds, sea lions, and seals.
- ๐ The Restless Sea: A churning cove with constant wave motion due to submerged rocks.
- ๐๏ธ Spanish Bay: Named after Spanish explorers, featuring a scenic boardwalk and sandy beaches.
- ๐ณ Crocker Grove: Home to the oldest and largest Monterey Cypress trees.
- ๐ Point Joe: Offers incredible panoramas and historical significance for early mariners.
- ๐ฒ Ghost Trees at Pescadero Point: Sun-bleached cypress trees and a legendary big wave spot.
<br>
Golf Courses
- ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ Pebble Beach Golf Links: Ranked the number-one public course in the country by Golf Digest.
- โณ Spyglass Hill Golf Course: Holds the number 11 spot in Golf Digest's rankings.
- ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ The Links at Spanish Bay: Ranked number 44 by Golf Digest.
- โณ Del Monte Golf Course: One of the oldest courses in continuous operation west of the Mississippi.
- ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ The Hay: A nine-hole short course designed by Tiger Woods.
- โณ Peter Hay Golf Course: A nine-hole course perfect for beginners.
- ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ Pebble Beach Golf Academy: Offers world-class instruction and practice facilities.
<br>
Dining Options
- ๐ฝ๏ธ The Lodge at Pebble Beach: Offers world-class dining with stunning views.
- ๐ Royโs at Pebble Beach: Located at The Inn at Spanish Bay, known for its fusion cuisine.
- ๐ท Stillwater Bar & Grill: Features fresh seafood and panoramic ocean views.
- ๐ฅช Sticks: A more casual dining option at The Inn at Spanish Bay.
- ๐ด Red House Cafรฉ: Located in Pacific Grove, offering a cozy dining experience.
- ๐ฑ Picnic Spots: Numerous picnic tables between Point Joe and Seal Rock.
- ๐ Spanish Bay Beach: Ideal for a beachside picnic with scenic views.
<br>
Admission and Access
- ๐ต Fee: $12 per vehicle, reimbursed with a $35 purchase at Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants.
- ๐ Tour Buses: Admission is $6 per passenger.
- ๐จ Overnight Guests: Complimentary admission for guests of The Lodge, The Inn, and Casa Palmero.
- ๐ Entry Points: Accessible from four gates, including Highway 1 and Pacific Grove.
- ๐ Hours: Open from sunrise to sunset.
- ๐ซ Motorcycles: Prohibited on 17-Mile Drive.
- ๐บ๏ธ Map: Provided at the gate with brief descriptions of points of interest.
<br>
Visitor Tips
- ๐ธ Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for the best weather and views.
- ๐ง๏ธ Weather: Winters can be rainy, and summer fog can obscure views.
- ๐ป Restrooms: The only public restroom is at Bird Rock.
- ๐ธ Photography: The Lone Cypress and Bird Rock are popular photo spots.
- ๐ถ Walking and Biking: Free of charge, offering a different perspective of the drive.
- ๐๏ธ Shopping: The Pebble Beach Visitor Center offers retail shopping and refreshments.
- ๐ถ๏ธ Sun Protection: Bring sunscreen and hats, as the coastal sun can be strong.
<br>
Historical Background
- ๐ Early Mapping: The Monterey Peninsula was first mapped by Spanish explorers in 1602.
- ๐จ Hotel Del Monte: Built in the 1880s, it was the starting point for 17-Mile Drive.
- ๐ Scenic Route: Originally called the 18-mile Drive, it was designed to attract wealthy buyers.
- ๐๏ธ Tourist Destination: Became popular for its scenic beauty and unique tree formations.
- ๐ถ Early Visitors: Sightseers traveled by horse or carriage, later replaced by automobiles.
- ๐๏ธ Residential Development: The drive was intended to promote residential plots on PIC land.
- ๐ฒ Del Monte Forest: Home to unique tree formations like the Witch Tree and Ostrich Tree.
<br>
<br><br> <div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "17 Mile Drive | Pebble Beach, CA", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6KLhvw1Dpc", "channel": { "name": ""}, "published_date": "Jun 7, 2019", "length": "" }</div>
<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "VLOG 204: 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach (Carmel-by-the ...", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxk95rI1zMQ", "channel": { "name": ""}, "published_date": "Jul 3, 2023", "length": "" }</div>
<div class="-md-ext-youtube-widget"> { "title": "You MUST DO this! 17 Mile Drive | Pebble Beach", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3Sxmv1KkKg", "channel": { "name": ""}, "published_date": "Mar 5, 2023", "length": "" }</div>
