Monterey & 17-Mile Drive
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United States drives

Monterey & 17-Mile Drive

United States · Central Coast

Cypress forest, granite coast and four verified stages around the Monterey Peninsula.

49 miles · 2 Days · 5 rally points

Guide statusPublished and available
Editorial updateAugust 12, 2026
Road conditionsVerify locally

The route

This verified Monterey Peninsula itinerary begins in Carmel-by-the-Sea, follows the signed 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay, then continues into Monterey. Day two turns south to Point Lobos before crossing Carmel Valley Road to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The private 17-Mile Drive has its own gate rules, operating hours and event closures. Point Lobos parking can fill early, and access hours can change. Check both official sources and Caltrans QuickMap immediately before departure. Motorcycles are prohibited on 17-Mile Drive.

The route is enjoyable throughout the year, but coastal fog, rain, major events and visitor traffic can change the pace. Build in time for legal pullouts and never stop in a traffic lane for a photograph.

“A compact peninsula journey with a remarkable change of scene at every turn.”

The whole Drive Pack, not just a line on a map.

This complete edition includes the practical tools, considered places and editorial context listed below.

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Route

Exact route map

The complete route, every rally point and sequential navigation links ready to open in Google Maps.

Itinerary

Full rally-point itinerary

A day-by-day sequence with distances, driving time and the stops that shape the journey.

Field notes

Road character & timing

Surface notes, corner character, suggested departure windows and the stretches that demand attention.

PDF

Downloadable roadbook

A premium PDF edition of the complete Drive Pack, designed for print and reliable offline use.

Web + PDF

Pre-drive checklist

Interactive and printable checks for the car, fuel, bookings, weather and offline navigation.

Live tools

Live departure desk

Official road-condition links and practical departure checks gathered in one place.

Curated

Stops, stays & tables

Curated accommodation, restaurants, wineries and worthwhile pauses matched to the route.

Journal

Stories from the route

Relevant journal guides and deeper reads for the places, people and driving culture along the way.

Route map

See the territory. Keep the discovery.

The shaded area shows the landscape of the drive. Members receive the verified road, sequence and navigation.

Explore the route region
  1. 01

    Day 1, Morning

    Carmel-by-the-Sea

    12.4 miles · 30 minutes driving, plus stops
  2. 02

    Day 1, Late Morning

    17-Mile Drive Entrance

    12.4 miles · 30 minutes driving, plus stops

  3. Days 2–3 · Member Drive Pack

    The rest of the journey

    3 further rally points with verified routing, timings and road notes

Day by day

The drive, unfolded.

Carmel-by-the-Sea01

Day 1, Morning

Carmel-by-the-Sea

The Storybook Village

Begin in Carmel , the village of no street addresses, no chain restaurants, and more art galleries per capita than anywhere in California. Walk Ocean Avenue, visit the Carmel Mission, and taste Chardonnay at Folktale or Bernardus before heading north.

Distance
12.4 miles
Drive time
30 minutes driving, plus stops
17-Mile Drive Entrance02

Day 1, Late Morning

17-Mile Drive Entrance

Pebble Beach & the Lone Cypress

Enter via the Carmel Gate (the current published fee per vehicle; the fee is reimbursed with a qualifying $35 purchase at Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants, excluding Pebble Beach Market). Wind past Spanish Bay, the Lone Cypress on its granite headland, and the Pebble Beach Golf Links , one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Stop at every pullout; each one frames a different composition of rock, sea, and cypress.

Distance
12.4 miles
Drive time
30 minutes driving, plus stops

Complete Drive Pack

3 more rally points await.

The complete itinerary includes exact timings, road character, every stop and the downloadable roadbook.

Public preview · 2 of 5 rally points
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Beyond the road

Worth stopping for.

Places selected because they belong to the journey, not because they happened to be nearby.

Food & wine

3 more curated picks
The Sardine Factory
Fine Dining$$$$

The Sardine Factory

Monterey

Monterey institution since 1968. The Captain's Room wine cellar holds 30,000 bottles and the abalone bisque is legendary.

Read our review
Booking note

Book 2-3 weeks ahead for weekend dinner.

Parking

Valet parking available, or self-park in the adjacent lot.

Restaurant$$$

Passionfish

Pacific Grove

Sustainable seafood with an extraordinary wine list at accessible prices. One of the best value restaurants on the Peninsula.

Read our review
Booking note

Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends.

Parking

Street parking is available but can be limited. There are public lots nearby.

Italian$$$

La Balena

Carmel

Authentic Italian cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. The handmade pasta and wood-fired dishes are exceptional.

Read our review
Booking note

Reservations are essential, book well in advance.

Parking

Street parking in Carmel can be challenging. There are paid public lots within walking distance.

View all 6 food & wine recommendations
Winery$$

Folktale Winery

Carmel Valley

Beautiful grounds, live music weekends, and excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the heart of Carmel Valley.

Read our review
Booking note

Reservations for tastings are recommended, especially on weekends.

Parking

Ample free parking on-site.

Winery & Dining$$$$$

Bernardus Lodge & Winery

Carmel Valley

World-class Bordeaux-style wines and a Michelin-starred restaurant. The Marinus dining room is one of the finest on the Central Coast.

Booking note

Reservations are required for the restaurant, and recommended for the tasting room.

Parking

Complimentary valet parking for guests.

Resort Dining$$$$

Pebble Beach Resorts Dining

Pebble Beach

The Inn at Spanish Bay's Roy's restaurant and The Lodge's Club XIX offer exceptional dining with golf course views.

Read our review
Booking note

Reservations are strongly recommended for all restaurants at Pebble Beach.

Parking

Valet parking is available at all resort locations.

Where to stay

1 more curated picks
Ultra-Luxury$$$$$

The Lodge at Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach

The iconic resort on the 18th fairway. Fireside rooms, ocean views, and direct access to the most famous golf course in America.

Visit website
Parking

Valet parking is included in the resort fee.

Luxury Resort$$$$

Carmel Valley Ranch

Carmel Valley

Sprawling ranch resort with treehouse suites, vineyard, and spa in the sunny inland valley away from coastal fog.

Visit website
Parking

Complimentary self-parking is available.

Boutique Hotel$$$

Cypress Inn

Carmel

Co-owned by Doris Day, this pet-friendly boutique hotel is steps from Ocean Avenue with a beloved bar and afternoon tea.

Visit website
Parking

Limited on-site parking is available for a fee. Street parking can be difficult to find.

View all 4 where to stay recommendations
Waterfront Hotel$$$

Monterey Plaza Hotel

Monterey

Oceanfront hotel on Cannery Row with rooftop spa, bay views, and direct access to the waterfront path.

Visit website
Parking

Valet parking is available for a nightly fee.

Before departure

Know before you go.

Fuel Stops

Fuel is readily available in Monterey and Carmel, but stations are sparse along 17-Mile Drive and in Carmel Valley. Fill up before heading out for the day.

Cell Coverage

Cell service is generally good in towns but can be spotty on 17-Mile Drive and in the more remote parts of Carmel Valley. Download maps for offline use.

Book Ahead

Dinner reservations at top restaurants like The Sardine Factory and Passionfish, and lodging in Carmel and Pebble Beach, should be made several weeks in advance, especially for weekend travel.

17-Mile Drive Toll

The the current published fee 17-Mile Drive gate fee is reimbursed with a qualifying $35 purchase at Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants, excluding Pebble Beach Market. Keep your receipt; cash and card are accepted at the gate.

From the journal

Stories along this route.

Continue exploring

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The complete journey

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