I’ve gathered my favorite pictures to inspire you to visit the 17-Mile Drive, nestled on the Monterey Peninsula in Central California.
Last updated: July 14, 2025
20 Favorite Pictures to Inspire You to Visit 17-Mile Drive
Adventurous locals and visitors of the Golden State often plan a road trip across the entire California. Nothing can beat the feeling of freedom when you drive across one of the most diverse states in the USA.
Yet despite a profusion of the scenic routes that the state has to offer, the California Coast wins the hearts of the majority of roadtrippers. Those who drove across this rugged coastal region at least once find it hard to not come back for more.
And while many travelers praise the scenic Big Sur with its remarkable roadside landmarks, only a few of them venture farther north. What a shame! I’m about to show you 20 pictures that will inspire you to extend your road trip and visit another iconic place, the remarkable 17-Mile Drive.
How to Visit Monterey Peninsula
The 17-Mile Drive is a scenic road that runs through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. This panoramic place would gain broader popularity if not for one small inconvenience.
The 17-Mile coastal road winds through the gated community of Pebble Beach and is not free to visit. You need to get a day visitor pass at the entrance for a chance to enjoy the spectacular coastline of Central California. Nevertheless, the 17-mile-long picturesque jewel on the Monterey Peninsula is worth every penny.
Explore the Coast
But once you decide to visit the 17-Mile Drive, you’re off to an unforgettable visual adventure (and more than that). From Huckleberry Hill to Spanish Bay Beach and Bird Rock Beach, the drive takes you on a journey of discovering the unique landscapes of the central coastline. If time permits, take advantage of big golf courses and play a round of golf in Pebble Beach.
Landscape photographers come to the 17-Mile Drive area to photograph the Lone Cypress, one of the most famous trees in the world. Pescadero Point with its famous “Ghost Trees” spot is another popular destination to master your photography skills and ride big waves. But I’ll stop here and let you see everything for yourself.
20 PICTURES TO INSPIRE YOU TO VISIT 17-MILE DRIVE
