A Day Trip to Monterey's 17-Mile Drive: Top 6 Must-Visit Spots

Monterey 17 Miles Drive | Introduction

The 17-Mile Drive is a coastal road in Monterey, Northern California, renowned for its stunning scenery. Back in 2014, when I first visited Monterey, I passed by the entrance to 17-Mile Drive, but at the time, I only knew to stay on Highway 1 and missed the chance to detour onto this iconic route. A few years later, I finally had the opportunity to plan a day trip there. Let me share the route starting from Monterey to help others avoid making the same mistake I did.

The key is to make the turn onto 17-Mile Drive. This road is privately owned, and there is a $10 entrance fee. After paying the fee, you’ll receive a map with explanations of the attractions along the route. In this article, we’ll share the Top 6 must-visit spots on 17-Mile Drive. Don’t miss out!

Attractions | Spanish Bay

Entering from the northern end, the first stop is Spanish Bay, where we were greeted by a cloudless beach. On clear days, you can stop anywhere along the road for photos, and every view is stunning. We visited in April and were lucky to see plenty of lovely wildflowers. Here, you can enjoy the water and take in the beauty of nature.

Attractions | Restless Sea

Restless Sea, as the name suggests, is known for its particularly large waves. The main attraction here is listening to the powerful sound of the ocean. The strong currents contribute to the dramatic waves, but the primary reason for the large, frothy white spray is the rocky terrain, which causes the waves to crash earlier and more intensely, creating the illusion of exceptionally expansive white crests.

Attractions | Point Joe

Back in the 1900s, a Chinese man named Joe lived here, making a living by herding sheep and selling goods to tourists. It’s unclear whether the place was named Point Joe because of him or if he simply adopted the name since it was already called that. Either way, the scenery at this spot is stunning, with vast fields of wildflowers and gorgeous ocean views. So, does it really matter what his name was? Everyone comes here to enjoy the breathtaking landscape!

Attractions | Bird Rock

Bird Rock is a rocky outcrop in the ocean, appearing like a small island from a distance. At first glance, it seems to be covered entirely by seabirds. But if you look closely, you’ll notice that many sea lions are lounging on it as well. It’s an excellent spot to observe sea lions up close!

Attractions | Lone Cypress

The Lone Cypress is the most iconic landmark on 17-Mile Drive. This ancient cypress tree, over 250 years old, stands perched on a cliff, giving it a rather solitary appearance. To find it, look for “Cypress Lookout” on the map, where you can view it from a distance, or head to the next stop for a closer look.

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Attractions | Ghost Tree

Ghost Tree is a twisted, pale, and weathered tree that up close gives off an eerie atmosphere. However, from a distance, the Ghost Tree paired with the spring wildflowers creates a unique and striking coastal view.

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