17-Mile Drive is a designated scenic route in California.
17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula in California, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses, mansions and scenic attractions, including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre (2,100 ha) Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees. The drive serves as the main road through the gated community of Pebble Beach. Inside this community, nonresidents have to pay a toll to use the road. Like the community, the majority of 17-Mile Drive is owned and operated by the Pebble Beach Corporation. The 17-Mile Drive is a 17-mile (27 km)-long scenic loop having five primary entrances - the main highway entrance at California State Route 1, and entrances in Carmel and Pacific Grove.From Wikipedia — 17-Mile Drive, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo stops along the way
State ParkAsilomar State Beach
LighthousePoint Pinos Lighthouse
CanyonHatton Canyon
State ParkMonterey State Historic Park
State ParkCarmel River State Beach
State ParkMonterey State Beach
State ParkGarrapata State Park
State ParkFort Ord Dunes State Park
State ParkMarina State Beach
National Wildlife RefugeSalinas River National Wildlife Refuge
State ParkSalinas River State Beach
State ParkMoss Landing State Beach
Tips for scenic drive photography
- Drive the route in both directions — the views change completely.
- Plan stops for golden hour at the highest overlooks; use pull-outs, never stop on the roadway.
- Check seasonal closures for high-elevation roads before you go.
- A polarizer cuts windshield-like glare on wet roads and foliage.