“Some roads get you somewhere. This one makes you slow down and stare.”
Along California’s Monterey Peninsula, 17-Mile Drive feels like it was built for daydreamers. One minute you are gliding past windswept dunes and glassy coves, the next you are looking at a lone cypress clinging to a rocky cliff like it has a personal grudge against gravity. Sea spray, golf greens, storybook mansions, and Pacific blue all share the same frame.
This coastal route is a greatest-hits reel of the California shoreline. You get iconic viewpoints, hidden beaches, and stretches where the ocean looks almost too perfect to be real. From the literary echoes of Cannery Row and the calm waters at Lovers Point to wild surf at Point Joe and the constant chatter of Bird Rock, the drive switches moods without ever losing that classic West Coast feel.
The self-guided driving tour turns the route into a relaxed conversation rather than a scramble to read signs. You choose whether to start in Carmel or Monterey, stop often or cruise straight through, while the audio explains what you are seeing, shares local stories, and points out easy-to-miss details along the way.
Highlights unfold throughout the loop. You can wander Cannery Row, pause at Lovers Point Park, or spend extra time at Monterey Bay Aquarium if you choose. Out on the drive, Point Joe, Bird Rock, and Seal Rock reveal a wilder side of the coast, with waves, seals, sea lions, and flocks of seabirds in constant motion. Crocker Grove tells the story of how this scenic road was protected, while Asilomar State Beach offers one of the most peaceful stretches of sand and rock around. Cypress Point Lookout, Fanshell Beach Overlook, Pescadero Point, Pebble Beach, Stillwater Cove, and of course the Lone Cypress all add their own version of “pull over and take this in” to the day.
Possible side effects : May cause frequent photo stops, arguments over which lookout is “the best one,” and a strong temptation to drive the whole loop again in the opposite direction, just to see the views from the other side.
Hello and Bonjour – Explore Road to 17 Mile Drive Tour in English and French!
All languages are available to you when you purchase the tour.
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Know Before You Go
Note: This tour passes through residential neighborhoods. Please respect private property and don’t turn into driveways or disturb local residents.
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17 Mile Drive Map
Where To Start?
Starting Point Address :
(The tour begins on Carmel Way, just past the Carmel Gate entrance to 17-Mile Drive. As you approach, the entrance station should be behind you, and you’ll see a stone, cottage-style garage on your left. Please note this is a suggested starting point. We are not affiliated with the entrance station or any nearby businesses, and their staff will not have information about this tour.)
17 Mile Drive (Carmel to Monterey): 542 Archer St, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
(The tour begins on Archer Street in Monterey, near Archer Park Center. As you approach, the Park Center should be on your left, and residential homes will be on your right. Please note this is a suggested starting point. We are not affiliated with the Park Center or any nearby businesses, so their staff will not have information about this tour.)
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome
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Cannery Row
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Monterey Bay Aquarium
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Waterfront Living
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Lovers Point Park
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The Kissing Rock
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Point Pinos Bend
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The Light and the Lens
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Asilomar State Beach
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Start the 17 Mile Drive
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Links at Spanish Bay
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Spanish Bay
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Point Joe
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China Rock
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Bird Rock
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Seal Rock Creek Beach
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Fanshell Beach Overlook
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Cypress Point Lookout
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Cypress Crocker Grove
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Lone Cypress
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Pescadero Point
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Pebble Beach
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Stillwater Cove Access
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Carmel-by-the-Sea
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Entry to the 17-Mile Drive is only $11.25 per vehicle, but it can also be free! How? Well, if you end up eating at a restaurant in the Pebble Beach area and spend at least $35, you’ll be refunded the full cost of your entrance fee!
The best way to enjoy the 17-Mile Drive is to allow yourself plenty of time to experience it. Although the drive itself doesn’t take very long, you’ll want to stop frequently to enjoy the views, visit the beaches, and check out the local shops and restaurants!
The 17-Mile Drive begins in Carmel and ends in Pacific Grove, just outside Monterey. You can also take the drive in the opposite direction.
The 17-Mile Drive is famous for its beautiful coastal views and plentiful parks, shops, and restaurants along the way. Its most iconic landmark, however, has to be the Lone Cypress.
You should allow around three hours to fully experience the 17-Mile Drive. While the whole thing can be completed in about half that, you’ll want to leave room for plenty of exploration along the way. Read in depth about the length of 17-mile drive in one of our blog here.
As a matter of fact, the 17-Mile Drive really is just 17 miles! But you’d be surprised how much beauty can be crammed into that seemingly small stretch of road!
The speed limit for almost the entire 17-Mile Drive is 25 mph. That’s because there are tons of places to stop and enjoy the scenery, so if you drive too fast you might miss something!
While wildlife isn’t one of the main attractions along the 17-Mile Drive, you might spot some harbor seals or California sea lions on the drive. Also be sure to keep your eyes on the shore for pelicans!
You can absolutely stop along the 17-Mile Drive, and are in fact encouraged to do so! Just make sure you’re only stopping in designated turnouts and other parking areas, not in the middle of the road!
Nope! Carmel is just a shorter way to refer to the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. But regardless of what you call it, this fairytale town is more than worth a visit!
There’s really no bad time to do the 17-Mile Drive, but spring might just be the best season for it. That’s when the wildflowers are most in bloom, transforming the drive from a beautiful one to something downright unforgettable.
Absolutely! The drive is cheap, easy, but positively packed with gorgeous scenery and fun activities. If you’re in the area, it’s a must-se
To start the 17-Mile Drive, simply head to either Carmel or Pacific Grove, right outside Monterey. There are plenty of signs for either entrance, and once you’re on the drive itself it’s extremely easy to follow!
For most visitors, the 17-Mile Drive is open from sunrise to sunset. If you’re staying in one of the Pebble Beach resorts, however, you’ll have access to it 24/7!
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Valid for multiple visits up to 1 year after purchase.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
