17-Mile Drive
17-Mile Drive
4.5
About
Take in the stunning coastal scenery of Monterey along the 17-Mile Drive. This scenic road, which winds through Pebble Beach's gated community, offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and other natural landscapes. Amid the beautiful mansions and golf courses, you can see pelicans diving from sea stacks, have a refreshing dip at Fanshell Beach, and watch the seals and sea lions from the Pescadero Point lookout. And don't forget the iconic Lone Cypress tree. There is a toll for non-residents to access 17-Mile Drive, but you can get it reimbursed with a minimum spend at Pebble Beach. Consider a driving tour from San Francisco or a bike tour of Monterey's beautiful coastline. – Tripadvisor
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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  • Lauren
    Raleigh, North Carolina1 contribution
    Great bike excursion with excellent and knowledgeable staff.
    Bike trip was amazing. Our tour guide Alex was wonderful and very knowledgeable of the marine life on our trip. On another note, this bike shop was amazing. We originally scheduled the tour on a different date but due to rainy weather coming in, they were very accommodating and changed our time to an earlier day. Can’t thank them enough.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 December 2022
  • Robert O
    15 contributions
    Great Experience
    Went in the morning on a beautiful cool December morning. The views are incredible and well worth the price of admission. Stops at pebble beach and Lone Cyprus are a must. One note if you come in from the North (Pacific Grove) entrance. You enter through a neighborhood which we got lost in and was difficult to navigate at first. Enter from the south if you are able.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 7 December 2022
  • JJJC_Family
    808 contributions
    Pure bliss
    This is our 4th or 5th time, I think, taking the drive. Even when the weather was at times miserable, the drive is mesmerizing. Some parts are just beautiful. Other are magical. I can't remember all the names of the stops right now, but one spot that sticks in my mind is the one where your see the lone tree that is the symbol for the development. It's just so neat. If you look at the pictures on the net, like all pictures of nature, they cannot do it justice, but they will give you an idea, maybe whet your appetitie. The coast from Monterey through Pacific Grove on to Carmel then Big Sur and then Ragged Point all the way to Hearst Castle is one of the greatest drives you can take. The only one that can compare, in my opinion, in beauty and grandeur, is Route 12 from Torrey, Utah to Bryce Canyon NP, the whole enchilada. They are drives you will remember for the rest of your life. If you value your life, don't take Route 12 unless the weather is perfect. If you take it, you will know what I mean. Happy driving.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 16 December 2022
  • S L
    New York City, New York9 contributions
    Fun 17 mile drive
    Did the drive on a beautiful sunny day. Stopped at Pebble Beach for an outdoor lunch. This a wonderful half day stop over on our Pacific Coast Hway drive from San Francisco to San Diego.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 8 January 2023
  • angie g
    Marysville, California34 contributions
    Must do!
    We have done this drive several times while staying in the Monterey area. It never fails to be the most beautiful drive in California. We were able to see whales migrating on this trip while pulling over to some of the areas on the drive. The Ocean was calm and the weather was perfect. We were able to see several deer also. One of my very favorite spots
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 February 2023
  • pearx4
    Stafford, Virginia631 contributions
    Stunning!
    Beautiful relaxing time on the 17 Mile Drive. Cost is $11.75 per car but very much well worth the cost. Follow the red dashed path and see stunning shorelines, birds, gold courses and phenomenal mansions. You do not want to rush this drive, take the time to stop and take it all in. We caught the sunset at the Lone Cypress; AMAZING!! There are restrooms at stops 7 (Bird Rock) and 17 (Pebble Beach Visitor Center). Small Convenience Store at the Visitor Center as well. Highly recommend and would do this drive again. Plan at least a couple hours depending on time of year. High season be prepared for lots of traffic.
    Visited February 2023
    Written 18 February 2023
  • Steven C
    Martinez, California545 contributions
    The California Coast at its Best
    The sky was leaden and the wind blustering the day we drove the famous 17-Mle-Drive, which made us glad that the way to see it is to drive from lookout point to lookout point. And the threatening weather did not detract from the beauty of the drive in the least. I don't remember how many stops there are exactly, but our favorites were Bird Rock, where we tarried for several minutes watching gulls, cormorants, pelicans and more circling the rock and taking turns taking off and landing at its highest point; Restless Seas, a very interesting spot where prevailing currents come in from 2 different directions and meet, causing to waves to push up and break over one another; and of course Lone Cypress, which is as enigmatic in real life as it is in paintings and photos. Although it is not really alone- a line of cypress lead to the promontory on which it stands. On the day we were there Seal Rock was unfortunately not occupied, nor did we see any passing whales which are often spotted. Guess we'll have to visit again. Give yourself time to drive slowly and spend a little while enjoying each spot; each has something to recommend it. If you are not a resident or guest in the area, it costs about $10 per car to take the drive, but it's worth it.
    Visited March 2022
    Written 22 February 2023
  • PriceTheOrgan
    234 contributions
    An interesting drive with some great ocean views
    This was recommended as something to do whilst in Carmel and it didn’t disappoint. There are some amazing views along the way and we even saw a whale! The Pebble Beach stop was a little disappointing and the snacks we bought were not cheap. However, overall it was really worth doing and a great way to spend a sunny afternoon.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 April 2023
  • LINDA G
    New York City, New York91 contributions
    Beautiful coastal vistas
    We thoroughly enjoyed this drive even though it was a foggy day . The drive is clearly marked with 17 stops( a few were not along the coast but pebble beach visitor center and pebble beach golf and equestrian center which we didn’t stop at. Two of the points were also closed while we visited due to seal pup season so I’d say there were 12 stops still well worth the $11.25
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 April 2023
  • Jessica C
    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania49 contributions
    A nice drive (not sure it was worth the hype)
    If you are a golf fan, this is definitely worth the trip. If you're mostly interested in picturesque ocean views, I think that Point Lobos is far better. April - June is seal pupping season (didn't know this beforehand) so several of the sites where you might normally see wildlife are closed off / you can't stop.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 April 2023
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focusport22
160 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
It was a very nice drive. We went early in the morning so it wasn’t as crowded which was nice. There were a ton of see lions to see.
If you eat at one of the pebble beach restaurants you can get the entrance fee deducted from the bill.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stellan D
Bromma, Sweden583 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
Very interesting and beautiful coast area. There are a lot of numbered stops along the way where you can enjoy the views. Some places are somewhat destroyed by golf courses with holes right out on the rocks along the shore. There is an island called Bird Island where hyou apart from a lot of birds can see a large amount of sea lions. It is astonishing how they have been able to get up the steep slopes.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joske
Oosterhout, The Netherlands428 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
We really enjoyed this drive. So much to see from the nature, the sea, rocks, sand, trees, forest, houses and golf courses. Amazing!
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WanderlustGita
State College, PA103 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
So many places to stop and take beautiful photos. Worth the time… it was especially inspiring for my husband, as he is into golf, and, of course, the pebble beach golf course is a golfing Mecca.
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steven L
Odessa, DE415 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
Nice drive through the Pebble Beach property. We paid the money, but not sure why. I would think the gold course is doing fine without the fee, unless it's to keep the curious out.

A bit foggy on the day we went in August, but still a beautiful drive. Lot of opportunities for photos. Starts out slow, and you might wonder why you're there. Once you turn around a few bends and come up to the ocean, it's very beautiful. Each stop has something to offer, and the Lone Cyprus at the end is pretty lovely.
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tshirazi01
Woodland, CA2 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
We have been visiting 17 mile drive for decades. It is one of the most beautiful and magical places on earth. We usually travel there 3 to 4 times a year. It is a place you have to see at least once in a lifetime, and then you want to go back. There is no place like it.
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

suefehill
Scotland, UK15 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
Don’t drive! Hire bikes and cycle it instead! It is so much nicer to be in out in the fresh sea air than in a car having to stop and park every couple of miles. We rented bikes from Mad Dogs and Englishmen in Carmel and had the best time. Friendly and helpful staff, comfortable E bikes to ride, helpful map. Don’t worry about the cars on the drive. There is a strict speed limit and we found most cars very considerate.
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stuart Peters
Heswall, UK11 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
The drive gives you the very best views of the California coast. For a fee of $11 the drive takes you around the Monterey Peninsula. The fee allows you to go as often as you like on that day and we took full advantage of that. The scenery is truly spectacular. You can't access much of the headland as it is protected. That's a shame but its not hard to see why. You past Pebble Beach - for me made famous by Wayne Carini Chasing Cars! Very sad but it was great to see. As we were in Carmel we left early in the morning and had the place to ourselves. By 11am it was quite busy so my advice - leave early.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve
Portsmouth, UK4 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
Travelled from San Francisco to San Diego. We had to visit Monterey and Carmel with a beautiful drive of 17 mile, lots of fantastic photo opportunities.
Written 12 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen A
Fernandina Beach, FL7 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
We went on the 17 mile drive because of the hype not knowing what we were going to see on the drive. After paying our entrance fee, yes there is a fee to take the drive we went to the visitors center to find out that we would see golf courses, nice houses and coastline views. Well, we are not golfers and can see beautiful houses for free almost anywhere if that interested us. We began our California trip in Big Sur and saw beautiful coastline vistas for free! If we knew this was the case we would have saved our $12 and bought ice cream in Carmel. On another note the drive was not clearly marked and we ended up lost in the neighborhood several times. It looks like they have a very nice high school.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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17-Mile Drive: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about 17-Mile Drive