The 17-Mile Drive is a gorgeous scenic tour through Pebble Beach. It has breathtaking views that will instantly remind you of the PGA Golf Tour or in my case, humming the “Big Little Lies” theme song (the show takes place in the Monterey area).
18th Hole / Pebble Beach Golf Course
Earlier this summer, my family and I road-tripped from LA (specifically the San Fernando Valley) to Carmel-by-the-Sea. I’ve made this trek up north many times as a child since I have family in the region. However, this is the first time I’ve traveled responsibly (i.e. in the time of COVID, face mask and all).
After a good night’s sleep at the cozy and quaint Hofsas House Hotel, we woke up ready to hit the road! Since I knew that we were going to be spending at least a couple of hours driving around Pebble Beach, we decided to grab some food and drinks at 5th Avenue Deli in Carmel. They have a variety to choose from: made-to-order deli sandwiches, salads, and a variety of snacks, drinks and cookies.
From there, we jumped into our car and and headed to the Carmel Gate entrance, which is at the intersection of N. San Antonio Avenue and 2nd Avenue. The entrance fee is $10.50 per vehicle. At the time, they would only take credit cards, so be sure to have one on-hand.
On a side note, I’ve taken this drive a few times with my parents when I was a young child. I vaguely remember that there are several different entrances to the 17-Mile Drive. We always started on the Pacific Grove/Monterey side, so if you decide to navigate this driving tour, check the website for information.
Our first stop after entering the Carmel Gate was at Shepherd’s Knoll. The trees are so tall and the views are awesome. I spotted some houses nestled within the trees, and I have to admit that I was a little green with envy, thinking about their panoramic views!
One of our favorite parts of the trip was visiting Bird Rock and Seal Rock.
We spent close to 3 hours driving around, so I’m very glad we brought along the sandwiches, chips, and drinks. Here’s a photo of the beach that we stopped at, so that we could eat our lunch, smell the ocean air, and marvel at the view!
One area that was new to me is the Pebble Beach Visitor Center. We parked here (yay for free parking), visited the restroom (they roped off certain sinks to maintain social distancing), and take in the view of the 18th hole at Pebble Beach.
Of course, when you tour along the 17-Mile Drive, you have to visit the Lone Cypress. Take note that parking is tough, as there are not a lot of spaces. People were double parking, but we parked a little further down the road to take this quick snap (no time for selfies, too many people & we wanted to avoid the groups).
The Lone Cypress / 17-Mile Drive
Please remember to travel responsibly, don’t leave trash behind, and be respectful of locals and tourists alike while driving around. For more info, check out the Pebble Beach Visitor Center website.
Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. We happily paid our entrance fee to the 17-Mile Drive. Thanks to 5th Avenue Deli for the gift certificate, so that we could nosh on sips and nibbles during our stay in Carmel. All images & opinions are 100% my own.
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