Visiting 17-Mile Drive: What to Know Before You Go

I had not heard of The 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, California until planning my trip from San Francisco to Big Sur.

Working in college athletics, you’d think I knew more about that region since Pebble Beach is a world-famous golf destination.

I did not.

I actually had no clue where Pebble Beach even was in California, and I was surprised when I realized the drive would take me through the area. Still, it became something special during my road trip.

So special that I drove it twice!

Okay, that was due to poor planning and an unrealistic schedule, but I had two wildly different but memorable experiences.

The first time I drove through, I was chasing the sunset. The second was a longer exploration of the stops I couldn’t squeeze in before dark.

So, is 17-Mile Drive really worth adding to your trip? Here’s what I wish I’d known before going.

Know Before You Go

Entrance fee: It costs $12.50 per vehicle to enter 17-Mile Drive. Tour buses cost around $6. If you exit and plan to return, you will have to pay the entrance fee again.

You will receive a refund of the entrance fee if you spend over $35 at participating Pebble Beach resort restaurants. The fee is also waived for overnight guests at certain hotels within the community (Pebble Beach, 2026).

Entrance gates and route planning: There are five entrance gates around the peninsula: the Highway 1 Gate, Pacific Grove Gate, Carmel Gate, Country Club Gate, and Shepard’s Knoll Gate.

My suggestion is to pick the gate that works best for you based on where you want to end your drive. If you plan to end in Carmel, I’d start at the Pacific Grove Gate. If you plan to head to Monterey afterward, I’d enter through the Carmel Gate.

How much time to allow: You can easily spend a few hours exploring 17-Mile Drive.

If you plan to drive straight through and only take in the views from the car, it could take as little as 30–45 minutes. However, I’d suggest taking your time and making a few stops at the places listed below.

Stops I visited: There are several notable stops along 17-Mile Drive, but the following are the places where I personally stopped.

• The Lone Cypress
• Point Joe
• Bird Rock
• Seal Rock

Best time to visit: Spring is a great time to visit 17-Mile Drive, when wildflowers begin to bloom, or in the fall, when the weather is moderate. However, coastal weather can be unpredictable, so make sure you keep up with the forecasts.

I went in early March, which required a sweatshirt, but the weather was pleasant. The skies were clear, and crowds weren’t overwhelming, even on a Saturday afternoon.

Audio tours and navigation: GuideAlong offers a 17-Mile Drive audio tour that provides directions, fun facts, and suggested stops throughout the area.

For many of my trips, I use GuideAlong audio tours because the GPS-based app can be used without cell service.

However, I decided to skip this tour since I was given a map at the gate.

If you want to check out the 17-Mile Drive audio tour, you can purchase it separately or as part of the US Pacific Coastline bundle.

Parking and stops: Most vista points have established parking lots. Occasionally, there are dedicated turnoffs where you can pull over.

In my experience, parking was easy to navigate on 17-Mile Drive, and it was free at all the places I stopped! I was actually shocked that it wasn’t as overcrowded as other areas, such as Carmel, Monterey, or Big Sur.

Driving precautions: Wild deer and turkeys roam throughout the area. During both of my visits, I saw them walking along the road or crossing it.

Use caution while driving, especially around curves, as wildlife can suddenly appear.

The First Drive: Chasing the Sunset

Honestly, my first time through 17-Mile Drive can only be described as chaotic.

I had spent all afternoon at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and found myself racing against the clock. I had this idea in my head that I would dress up and find a nice spot along 17-Mile Drive to watch the sunset.

So, after checking into my hotel and a quick outfit change, I made it to the southern gate near Carmel.

This was the best route for me since I wanted to head back north to Monterey, but you can follow the route that works best for you.

At the gate, I paid the $12.50 entrance fee, and they gave me a printed map. I didn’t use it and immediately missed my turn.

Unfortunately, that’s pretty on brand for me.

Once I made a U-turn and found the right road, I headed through Pebble Beach. Besides the golf courses, the community does have plenty of stores and markets.

I figured that any stop there would be a little outside of my budget, so I headed to the Lone Cypress.

And it was the perfect sunset spot.

I parked in the small turnout and walked down to a wooden platform to enjoy the views. It is a nice mix of the Lone Cypress to the south and rugged coast to the north.

The sun dipped over the horizon, and I genuinely wondered if I had ever seen the sun look so big.

That moment will be a core memory for me, and it made me reflect spiritually.

I really loved that part of this solo trip. The small moments, whether I was truly alone or surrounded by strangers, gave me time to feel closer to God.

That is such a major part of my reason to travel. I feel like I can turn off the world and spend time in nature with my thoughts.

I think sometimes I am so in my head that I can’t be where my feet are, but these trips give me the opportunity to breathe and just feel the ground under me.

And whether you believe in God or not, these moments can leave a big impact on you.

I was able to experience this spot with other people. A few people were hanging out to watch the sunset as well, but it wasn’t crowded.

A nice family offered to take my photo with the sunset, which I was grateful for. However, the pictures didn’t turn out great.

Hoping to get some better ones, I headed over to Point Joe. There is a little parking lot just past the area, making it a nice spot for a photo shoot with the orange sky and beach in the background.

After finally getting some good shots, I headed toward Monterey to find somewhere for dinner, which brought my first night to an end.

The Second Drive: Exploring More Stops

My second drive was slower, and I got to enjoy my time at each stop.

This drive came after a full morning driving through Big Sur and attempting to stop in Carmel. Carmel was too busy for my liking, though, so I decided to go back through 17-Mile Drive and take my time.

I entered at the same gate in Carmel and paid $12.50… again.

This time, I completely skipped over the Lone Cypress and headed straight for Seal Rock.

While you can see the wildlife from the viewpoints, bring binoculars for a closer look since the rocks are a decent distance away.

My intent was to see as much wildlife as possible, and this spot did not disappoint. There were plenty of seal lions hanging out on the rock, and just a short distance away, hundreds of birds were hanging out on Bird Rock.

Seal Rock and Bird Rock are close enough that you can visit both in one stop without moving your vehicle.

While I did enjoy the spot and the views, I spent most of my time giving a random squirrel a full photo shoot since it let me get close.

I ended up stopping at Point Joe again and took a short walk to the Restless Sea. This is where the waves begin to crash and churn, turning turbulent.  

On the way back, I spent some time watching paddle boarders and surfers ride the waves at Spanish Bay Beach before heading back to Monterey.

I don’t think that is a usual area to surf or paddle board in due to conditions. I wouldn’t go in with those activities in mind, especially as a first-timer. The waves can be turbulent and dangerous even for skilled participants.

Is 17-Mile Drive Worth It?

Honestly, I don’t think 17-Mile Drive is worth it unless you have room in your schedule. This attraction is not going to be the main focus of your trip, but rather a pleasant addition.

It does have iconic spots in the area, and saying you’ve been to one of the most iconic golf destinations in the world is cool. If you are planning a trip to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, it is worth making time for.

However, if you have a tight schedule or plan to spend most of your time in Central California exploring Big Sur, this is something you could cut from your list.

If you are heading to Central California and decide to check out Big Sur, use my guide to the 9 Must-Visit Stops on Your Big Sur Road Trip along Highway 1 to plan your trip!