How Long Is 17 Mile Drive?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Allow about

three hours

to explore 17-Mile Drive, especially if you stop to take photographs or eat along the way.

Where does 17-Mile Drive begin and end?


Most start the drive on the Monterrey side and end in Carmel

I believe. We spent the day in Carmel by the Sea and finished the day with 17 mile drive back toward Monterey since we were staying there.

Can you go in and out of 17-Mile Drive?

We normally start here and then exit at the Carmel gate. But

you can enter (and exit) at any gate and still see all of the sights

. This is an easy attraction to visit along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Is 17-Mile Drive actually 17 miles?

Although the route has changed since it opened in 1881,

17-Mile Drive is still exactly 17 miles long

. There are seven championship golf courses along 17-Mile Drive, plus the nine-hole Peter Hay GC.

How does 17-Mile Drive work?

Things to Know About the 17-Mile Drive


You’ll pay a fee (per car) to drive on it and motorcycles are not allowed

. The per-car fee gets you in, and you’ll get a driving guide to take along with you. Bicycles can get in for free if they enter through the Pacific Grove gate.

Can you walk 17-Mile Drive?

Scenic drivingGreat! 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.

Does 17-Mile Drive cost money?

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. Admission for tour buses is $5.50 per passenger.

Is the 17-Mile Drive worth it?

Many say that this 17-Mile drive is a must-do when in the area, with great views of the ocean, and access to beautiful beaches, but other reviews say

do not waste your money and you won’t see anything here that you won’t see elsewhere.

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 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.

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

.

Can you bike the 17-Mile Drive?

Walking and cycling is free.

Motorcycles are not allowed on 17 mile drive

. If you eat at one of the 17 mile drive restaurants, you will get your gate fee reimbursed.

Who lives in the 17-Mile Drive?

Do any celebrities live on 17 Mile Drive? Some of its famous residents include

Charles Schwab, King Merrill Chase (GM Executive), George Lopez, Clint Eastwood and Condoleeza Rice

. On the drive, you also come upon the Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Pebble Beach Lodge.

Why is Pebble Beach famous?

Making History Since 1919

The 2019 U.S. Open marked Pebble Beach’s 13th USGA Championship, and sixth U.S. Open.

Pebble Beach is the only course to host USGA championships in back-to-back years more than once

, and will host the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2027 U.S. Open Championship.

Can you drive through Big Sur?

Can you drive through Big Sur?

Absolutely!

Big Sur is a coastal drive along Highway 1 in California. Along this scenic drive, you will pass famous view points and state parks such as Point Lobos State Park, Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, Hearst Castle and more!

What is Pebble Beach known for?

It’s a place where both elegance and Mother Nature’s raw spirit reign.

One of the most famous scenic motorways in the world

, 17-Mile Drive is a route best taken at leisure so you can enjoy time with the legendary Lone Cypress, the giant trees at Crocker Grove, and the boardwalk above the beach at Spanish Bay.

Is Big Sur open?


Highway 1 is fully open

to travelers who may now travel without interruption from Monterey/Carmel area to Cambria/Morro Bay along the Big Sur Coast.

Where does 17-Mile Drive start in Carmel?

The

Pacific Grove Gate (off Sunset Drive)

is one of the popular start points of the 17-Mile Drive. You will likely start at this entrance if you approach from Monterey or Pacific Grove.

Is Pebble Beach in Carmel or Monterey?

Geography. Pebble Beach is in

Monterey County

on the Monterey Peninsula at 36°33′59′′N 121°56′48′′W. It is bordered by Carmel-by-the-Sea to the south, Pacific Grove to the north, the City of Monterey to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Which is nicer Carmel or Monterey?

Carmel boasts a huge selection of tasting rooms for local wineries, hip, and modern restaurants and boutique shops that will certainly make it more appealing for couples looking for a romantic weekend away. On the other hand,

Monterey is a more suitable destination if travelling as a family

.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.