Pictures of Famous 17 Mile Drive in California ~ Pebble Beach

One vacation trip of a lifetime!

This portion of my friend's and my trip from Houston, Texas to California and back will focus on the pictures taken along the famous 17 Mile Drive which includes such notable places like Pebble Beach and the Lone Cypress of which many of you might be familiar.

For those who are not, you might be interested in viewing some of the pictures that were taken and learn more about these scenic and interesting places.

This consists of a portion of a trip that a fellow nursing buddy of mine joined me in taking many years ago.

We drove from Houston to California and focused on getting to see as many National Parks and other scenic places as we could possibly schedule in the time-frame of the three weeks+ that we spent on this vacation.

(c) Peggy Woods - All Rights Reserved

Ice Plants are seen everywhere along this coastline.

Long before I ever personally gazed upon the sand dunes covered with flowering Ice Plant in California, I had seen some beautiful slides taken of this prolific ground-cover taken by my husband long before I knew him.

As a youngster he had enjoyed a trip to California with his mother and had taken the slides which I got to view after we were married.

These succulent plants seem to thrive along the moderate climate of the salty coastline in the area of Monterrey and Carmel as well as the 17 Mile Drive which is the subject of this hub.

According to the link inserted here, it is actually an invasive species of plant life that easily spreads and chokes out other endemic species of plants.

It does however provide protection against beach erosion.

One thing is certain...Ice Plant provides a colorful palate pleasing to the eye!

As my friend and I were traveling along this 17 Mile Drive Scenic Tour, we often stopped our car and got out to enjoy the beauty of the different areas.

Part of the circuitous route is along the coastline where one passes world class golf courses among other things and then the tour heads inland.

There is a fee to travel this route, but we thought it well worth the money to be able to enjoy...if ever so briefly...these magnificent views.

At one point we saw a posted sign which had the following on it:

"MARINE LIFE SANCTUARY

FISHING BY HOOK AND LINE PERMITTED ONLY

ALL MARINE ANIMALS AND PLANTS PROTECTED

CITY OF PACIFIC GROVE MUNI CODE, CHAPTER 1404"

Many free roaming deer were present and one can get quite close to them. Obviously they are used to seeing a regular parade of tourists traveling through these parts as were my friend and myself doing.

Perhaps the deer know that they are safe in this sanctuary area?

This is a golfing mecca!

We were to pass four golf courses on this 17 Mile Drive.

Some people dream of getting to play these courses and whether one is a golfer or not, most people have heard of Pebble Beach.

The photo below shows a view of the first one that we saw which is the Spanish Bay Golf Links.

Apparently it is reminiscent to some of the classic links found in Scotland and one can view the Pacific Ocean while spending the day on these manicured grounds.

Others we passed include Spyglass Hill Golf Course; Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Besides the golf, there are very luxurious resorts at this locale where one can be pampered.

This was slightly (actually a bit more than slightly!) out of our price range. 

My friend and I were staying at an Embassy Suite Hotel on Monterrey Bay while in this part of California which was more than sufficient to meet our needs.

The Pacific Ocean views are wonderful all along this 17 Mile Drive.

Multi-million dollar mansions are dotted throughout this alluring area in addition to the golfing resorts.

Unless one resides in this resplendent locale, it costs nine dollars to take the 17 Mile Drive.

The large rock in the background of the photo to the right is called Bird Rock with good reason.

One can hear the sounds of the many birds who call this rock home even over the noise of the ocean waves.

Bird Rock is also the haven for the numerous sea lions and harbor seals who frequent these salty waters.

We could see the dark shapes on the distant Bird Rock as some of them were sunning themselves.

Also photographed were some seals resting on some rocks closer to shore.

Additional photos taken along this beauteous 17 Mile Drive...

The Crocker Grove

Thirteen acres of native pine trees as well as cypress trees comprise the Crocker Grove.

I took a picture of a sign in this Crocker Grove which stated the following:

"Monterey Cypress, naturally

In this grove are the oldest Monterey cypress trees - some nearly 300 years old. These trees occur naturally only here and at Pt. Lobos south of Carmel; all others have been planted. The grove, named for a founding family of this area, became a nature reserve in 1952."

Thus, these magnificent trees have been in place longer than the United States has been a country!

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Drum roll please................!

Now for the most familiar landmark of not only this 17 Mile Scenic Drive, but also the Pebble Beach Company...

THE LONE CYPRESS

The Lone Cypress is probably the most photographed iconic tree in this entire area.

Seemingly clinging to life on an outcropping of bare rock, photographers and artists and vacationers are all drawn to this site.

Hopefully you enjoyed this look at the famous 17 Mile Drive in California from my pictures that were taken while there on vacation. Perhaps some of you have even played golf at Pebble Beach?