Is Pebble Beach Drive worth it?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 22, 2026
The 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach in Monterey County is one of the most scenic road trips in California. The drive is known for its spectacular setting by the Pacific Ocean. Connecting the towns of Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea, the 17-Mile Drive should be at the top of your list of things to do in Monterey.
Is the Pebble Beach 17-Mile Drive worth it?
While there are other free scenic drives along the coast between Monterey and Carmel, the 17-Mile Drive is a probably a bit better in our opinion. However, there are also great views if you continue south to Big Sur along Highway 1 that are also free and just as dramatic.
How long does it take to drive the 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach?
Frequently Asked Questions. How long does 17-Mile Drive take? Allow about three hours to explore 17-Mile Drive, especially if you stop to take photographs or eat along the way. You can enter 17-Mile Drive through the four gates, where you pay the $10.50 fee and can pick up a map of the road's iconic sites.
How much does it cost to drive through Pebble Beach?
Admission to 17-Mile Drive is $11.25 per vehicle. The gate fee is reimbursed with a purchase of $35 or more at all Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants, excluding Pebble Beach Market. Admission for tour buses is $5.50 per passenger.
Do you have to pay to drive through Pebble Beach?
You will want to stop and take photos of the white beaches, iconic Pebble Beach golf courses, rocky cliffs, ancient trees, natural wonders and a breathtaking coastline. You can enter 17-Mile Drive through any of four gates, where you stop to pay the $10.50 entry fee and pick up a 17-Mile Drive map.
39 related questions foundDo you need cash for the 17-Mile Drive?
17-Mile Drive is one of the most famous scenic drives in the world. It passes through the gated community of Pebble Beach. Access to this exclusive neighborhood is available at five guard gates in Carmel or Pacific Grove where a fee is charged per vehicle ($11.25 cash only as of 2022).
How can I get on the 17-Mile Drive for free?
Things to Know About the 17-Mile Drive
Bicycles can get in for free if they enter through the Pacific Grove gate. Once you get inside the gates, you'll find signs and red-painted dashed lines on the pavement to help you follow the route.
Which is better Monterey or Carmel?
Monterey is more of a working town; larger and more spread out. Carmel is more of a village, with lots of tiny shops and restaurants. It's not very easy to get an ocean view in Carmel, unless you get out of the village.
Who lives on the 17-Mile Drive?
Who lives in the houses in 17-Mile Drive?
- Yanni and Nancy Kavayiotidis in their home.
- This 17-Mile Drive home is currently on the market for $9.6 million.
- The home was owned by Texas rancher Jim Whittenburg and his wife Katsy, both of whom recently died.
Can you walk the 17-Mile Drive?
This is a scenic drive, but at several sections you can park and walk along the coast. Only a few are connected by trails. In order to do the full scenic drive on foot, you'd be walking on the road, so this is really for biking or driving only and less of a hiking trail. Started from my hotel in Carmel-by-Sea.
Can you drive through Pebble Beach?
The 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach in Monterey County is one of the most scenic road trips in California. The drive is known for its spectacular setting by the Pacific Ocean.
Can you run on 17 Mile?
17 Mile Drive, which spans (oddly enough) 11 miles of coast between Carmel and Monterey, is an absolutely gorgeous road with a nice, flat paved surface. While the entire road is acceptable for running, the best section, with the widest shoulder, is the 4 miles (miles 6-10), between Cypress Point and Asilomar.
Where does the 17-Mile Drive stop?
A Tour of the 17 Stops on 17-Mile Drive
- SHEPHERD'S KNOLL. The first stop on 17-Mile Drive branches off from the Highway-1 Gate and winds through the Del Monte Forest, up to a vista at Shepherd's Knoll. ...
- HUCKLEBERRY HILL. ...
- SPANISH BAY BEACH. ...
- THE RESTLESS SEA. ...
- POINT JOE. ...
- CHINA ROCK. ...
- BIRD ROCK. ...
- SEAL ROCK.
Why is it called 17-Mile Drive?
A tour left Monterey's magnificent Hotel Del Monte and traced the picturesque peninsula, circling the coastline of Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and Carmel, before returning to its starting point. The day-long journey lasted 17 miles, eventually earning the world-famous route its name.
Is Pebble Beach private?
Is Pebble Beach open to the public? Yes. Unlike most of the USA's famous courses, like Augusta National, for example, Pebble Beach is in fact open to the public. You can either play the course as a guest of the resort.
Is 17-Mile Drive a loop?
The 17-Mile Drive is a 17-mile (27 km)-long scenic loop having four primary entrances - the main highway entrance at California State Route 1, and entrances in Carmel and Pacific Grove.
Who owns the house behind the 11th green at Pebble Beach?
Yes, it belongs to Clint Eastwood, a long-time resident of the area and chairman of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and next week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Eastwood, a co-owner of Pebble Beach Golf Links, bought the 6,922-square foot home on 4.7 acres for nearly $4 million in 1994.
Is Pebble Beach a good place to live?
Approximately 4,531 residents experience the privilege of living in the Del Monte Forest and behind the private gates of Pebble Beach. Pebble Beach is considered a very affluent community which is home to many retirees and sophisticated business entrepreneurs.
Who lives on hole 18 at Pebble Beach?
Perched on the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links, the home long owned by San Francisco liquor distributor Loris di Grazia and his wife Patricia measures about 5,000 square feet.
Is Carmel-by-the-Sea worth visiting?
Finally, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is overflowing with fine wine and dining, luxury hotels and sweeping golf courses, and outdoor activities and naturescapes galore, it's also worth visiting for the charming, laid-back village vibes. The area is nothing if not incredibly Instagrammable, like a storybook come to life.
Is there a difference between Carmel and Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Carmel-by-the-Sea (/kɑːrˈmɛl/), often simply called Carmel, is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916. Situated on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel is known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history.
How long to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
A typical visit lasts anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. That said, there is a LOT to see and do on the Monterey Peninsula as a whole. We have several beautiful beaches, lots of shopping, art galleries, parks, theaters, and some of the most important historic sites on the west coast.
Are dogs allowed on 17-Mile Drive?
This toll road costs $8 and allows you to access a very scenic section of coastline, walking trails and beaches. Dogs are allowed all along 17 mile drive on leash.
Are things open in Monterey?
Monterey County is open and welcoming travelers to explore its awe-inspiring Central Coast destination safely and responsibly.
Where do you fly into for Pebble Beach?
FLY INTO ONE OF THREE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS WITHIN A 2-HOUR DRIVE OF PEBBLE BEACH
- San Jose (SJC; 90-minute drive)
- San Francisco (SFO; 2-hour drive)
- Oakland (OAK; 2-hour drive)