17 Mile Dr California — Local services in Pacific Grove

With time to kill on a cool Saturday morning we hit the road and headed to do the 17 Mile Drive and here’s what we found:

The stops are beautiful. We won’t list them all out because we honestly forgot the names of all the stops, but for a drive that geographically is in a smaller area there is an incredible amount of diversity to see. Early on in the drive you see beautiful beaches and rock formations bursting out of the cliffside that you can take photos on (and we did). Just down the road you’ll hit even more beaches but by this point it has shifted from human photo ops to a beautifully diverse wildlife area. There are birds grouped on rocks, seals crying from rocks in the distance, otters playing in the seaweed, etc. It was spectacular to see all those animals together in just one area. Next thing you know you’re on the road and stopping around beautiful cypress trees lining cliffs and creeping up onto beachsides. Again, the different things you can see just by heading down one road is alarmingly surprising and provides so much context to the dedication Carmel has towards preserving its native animals and ecosystem.

We could go on and on and get into the nitty gritty details of every single stop and what’s there, etc. But to be honest, this is a drive you need to take to really have the scope of it feel real. It’s beautiful, real; something that sometimes felt like you were flipping through a list of postcards. We very much recommend making this drive alone to take photos, but on a more real level, it’s a great way to see what the beauty of the California Coast...

The 17-Mile Drive is a captivating journey along one of California's most scenic coastlines. It's an excellent option for nature lovers, photography enthusiasts, and those seeking a relaxing drive with stunning views. Whether you're exploring the famous landmarks, enjoying the wildlife, or simply appreciating the beauty of the ocean, this drive offers an unforgettable experience. There’s an entry fee to this one and when I went there I remember paying around $10 per car. We also saw some sea lions and otters on our way. The sunset was really...

It’s worth doing it for the latter part of the scenery- some huge waves can be seen hitting the shores. Initial part of the drive is just driving through the tenant landscape who nobody cares about - you want to admire nature at its best. Entered from the main entrance and exited the Carmel exit in the south. Even if you stop at all spots - should not take you more than 3-4 hours tops. $12 entrance fee. Had I seen the Carmel scenic drive first - would not have cared to do this one- that one is much...