17-Mile Drive Road Trip

If you love the ocean, driving, photography, pine forests, unique rock formations, and seabirds — then you can’t miss 17-Mile Drive! 🌊🚗📸 This iconic loop along the California coast offers breathtaking views of Pacific cliffs, white sand beaches, ancient cypress groves, and world-class golf courses — every turn is a postcard waiting to happen. ｜Road Trip Tips: • Entry Fee: $11.75 per vehicle (you’ll receive a map with marked points of interest 🗺️) • Recommended Direction: Pacific Grove → Carmel-by-the-Sea (clockwise route) ｜Top 5 Must-See Stops: The Lone Cypress 🌲 The most famous landmark — a solitary tree standing strong on a cliff against storms, time, and Pacific tides. So poetic and symbolic. Photo tip: Wide angle + silhouettes during golden hour = pure magic. Bird Rock 🐦🪨 Home to hundreds of seabirds and sea lions. You can smell the salt and feel the wild energy here! Bring binoculars or a zoom lens to spot seals sunbathing lazily 😎. Spanish Bay 🏖️ White sands + coastal pines — perfect for a stroll, picnic, or flying a kite (it’s windy — hold onto your hat! 👒). Cypress Point Lookout 🌅 One of the best Pacific viewpoints. Watch waves crash layer by layer against the rocks — incredibly soothing. Especially dreamy at sunset. Pebble Beach Golf Links ⛳ (Optional) A world-renowned golf course. Stop by if you’re curious about where the pros play! ｜Hidden Gem at Bird Rock 🤫 Bird Rock is famous for birds and sea lions… But the real “hidden NPC” here is the California Ground Squirrel! 🐿️ We had just parked to see the seals when this little guy came sprinting over — stood up straight like: “You got snacks?” 😂 My kid was delighted — it even “followed” us around while birds chirped nearby. Felt like an impromptu animal committee meeting 🐦🐿️👀! These cuties aren’t shy, are fluffy, and sit upright adorably — but please don’t feed them! Wild animals should eat naturally to stay healthy. Just observe, take photos, and enjoy their cute antics from a distance 📸💚 #17MileDrive #CaliforniaCoast #MontereyTravel #CarmelCA #FamilyTravel #CouplesRoadTrip #ScenicDriveUSA #HiddenGems #PacificCoastHighway