Is The 17-Mile Drive in California Worth It? My Honest Review in 2026

We obviously had to drive the 17-Mile Drive while we were in Monterey. It was basically the number one thing that kept coming up whenever I was researching what to do around Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, so I wanted to see for myself what it was actually like.

We started in Monterey and drove down toward Carmel-by-the-Sea, stopping along the way to check out the coastline, take some pictures and see what kind of wildlife we could spot. And we actually got pretty lucky with that, because we saw some sea lions hanging out along the coast, which was awesome.

The weather, on the other hand, wasn’t exactly on our side. We got absolutely hit by June Gloom, so it was pretty overcast for most of the drive. Not ideal when you’re driving a scenic coastal route, but we still had a really good time, and I definitely don’t regret doing it.

So, is the 17-Mile Drive in California worth it, or is it one of those things you can skip when you’re visiting Monterey? I’ve put together this guide based on our own experience, including what I liked, what I wasn’t so impressed by, and a few things I’d know before driving it myself.

Is The 17-Mile Drive in California Worth It? My Own Experience

I’ll be honest, I didn’t know too much about the 17-Mile Drive before we got there. I did a little bit of research beforehand, and a few friends who grew up in California had recommended it to us, so we figured we’d just give it a go and see what it was like.

We started our drive at the Pacific Grove Gate, which is the northern entrance to the route, and paid the entrance fee of $12.50 per vehicle. The staff were super friendly and even gave us a map with recommendations for where to stop along the way, which was really helpful!

From there, the drive was pretty straightforward. You follow the road, stop wherever something catches your eye, and eventually make your way toward Carmel-by-the-Sea. There isn’t really much to figure out, so you can just take your time and enjoy the drive without worrying too much about the logistics.

We stopped at around five different viewpoints, which I thought was plenty. There are quite a few stops along the route, but some of them are fairly similar, so I personally don’t think you need to pull over at every single one. I’d rather spend a little longer at the spots I actually enjoy than turn the whole thing into a checklist.

My favorite stops for wildlife were definitely Seal Rock and Bird Rock. We saw a bunch of seals and sea lions hanging out along the coast, and there were plenty of birds around too.

And then there’s Pebble Beach Golf Links, which was actually much cooler to see in person than I expected. I’m not a massive golf fan, but there’s something pretty impressive about seeing a golf course built right along the cliffs, with the Pacific Ocean just beyond it.

Even though we had some pretty gloomy weather thanks to June Gloom, I still really enjoyed the drive. The coastline was beautiful, we got to see some awesome wildlife, and it was a really easy way to spend a few hours between Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. I am glad though that I brought my jacket because it got quite windy and chilly at times!

Quick Tips for Driving the 17-Mile-Drive

The 17-Mile Drive Isn’t Free

The first thing you should know is that the 17-Mile Drive costs $12.50 per vehicle. Since the road runs through a privately managed area rather than being a regular public road, you have to pay an entrance fee to drive through.

I’ll be honest, I was a little surprised when we rolled up to the toll booth because I hadn’t really thought about it beforehand. But considering how beautiful the coastline is and how many viewpoints you can stop at along the way, I still thought it was worth the money.

You Can Get Your Entrance Fee Reimbursed

Here’s a little tip that could save you some money: if you eat at certain restaurants within the Pebble Beach area, you may be able to get your entrance fee reimbursed. For example, The Bench and Stillwater Bar & Grill are options to look into, although I’d check the current spending requirements and reimbursement policy before you go ($35 As far as I know).

Apparently, guests staying at the hotels within Pebble Beach Resorts can also enter without paying the usual fee, so that’s worth knowing if you’re planning to stay overnight in the area.

Start in Monterey

If you’re driving the 17-Mile Drive as part of a trip along the California coast, I’d recommend starting at the Pacific Grove Gate in Monterey and driving south toward Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

That’s the route we took, and I really liked it because you gradually make your way along the coastline before eventually reaching Carmel. It also makes it easy to combine the drive with a little wander around Carmel-by-the-Sea afterward.

Visit on a Weekday if You Can

If you have some flexibility with your itinerary, I’d try to visit on a weekday, ideally in the morning.

The 17-Mile Drive can get pretty busy on weekends, especially during the summer, and I imagine it’s much more enjoyable when you’re not constantly dealing with other cars at every viewpoint.

We visited during June Gloom, so the weather wasn’t exactly amazing, but it also meant we didn’t have to deal with huge crowds.

Plan for Around 2–3 Hours

I’d set aside around 2–3 hours for the drive, depending on how many stops you want to make.

We spent roughly two hours exploring the route and stopped at around five viewpoints, which I thought was plenty. Some of the stops are fairly similar, so I didn’t feel the need to pull over at every single one.

If you get beautiful weather, though, I can easily imagine spending closer to three hours here. You’ll probably want to take more pictures, hang around at the viewpoints a little longer and just enjoy the coastline.

There’s a Free Alternative Nearby

If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee or simply don’t have time to drive the entire route, I’d recommend checking out Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove.

It’s right near the northern entrance to the 17-Mile Drive, it’s free to visit, and you still get that beautiful rugged coastline with rocky shores and ocean views.

Obviously, it isn’t quite the same experience as driving through Pebble Beach and stopping at all the famous viewpoints, but it’s a great alternative if you just want to enjoy some coastal scenery without paying the entrance fee.

What I Liked About the 17-Mile Drive

The Coastal Scenery Is Beautiful

The scenery is obviously one of the biggest reasons to do the 17-Mile Drive in the first place. You’ve got rocky coastlines, little beaches, really cool cliffs and the Pacific Ocean stretching out right next to you.

I do have to say that our experience was probably a little different from what it could’ve been on a sunny day. We got absolutely hit by June Gloom, so everything was pretty overcast when we visited. And you know how it is: pretty much everything looks better when the sun is out and the sky is blue!

But even with the gloomy weather, I could still appreciate how beautiful this stretch of coastline is. I’d love to see it again on a sunny day.

It’s Great for Wildlife Watching (If You’re Lucky!)

One thing I really enjoyed was all the wildlife we spotted along the way. We saw loads of birds, but the highlight for me was definitely the seals and sea lions around Seal Rock and Bird Rock.

And trust me, you’ll probably hear the sea lions before you even spot them. Those guys are LOUD!

I’m always a sucker for seeing wildlife while traveling, so I really enjoyed being able to pull over, get out of the car and watch them hanging out along the coast. Apparently, you can sometimes spot whales from the shoreline, too, although we didn’t get lucky with that.

It Wasn’t Overly Busy When We Visited

I can’t speak for every time of year, but we visited on a weekday in summer, and I was actually surprised by how quiet the 17-Mile Drive felt.

Don’t get me wrong, we weren’t the only people there. At most of the viewpoints, there were other cars parked nearby, and we definitely saw other people stopping to take pictures. But it never felt completely overrun, and we could still enjoy the scenery without constantly having to deal with crowds.

What I Didn’t Like About the 17-Mile Drive

I’ve Seen More Impressive Scenery Elsewhere

Okay, I know I’m probably going to sound like a Debbie Downer here, but hear me out!

Yes, the scenery along the 17-Mile Drive is beautiful, and I still think the entrance fee was worth it. But I’ve also spent quite a bit of time exploring the surrounding Central California coast, especially Big Sur.

Big Sur just has some absolutely incredible coastal scenery, with huge cliffs, insane viewpoints, waterfalls and most of those things are totally free.

So while I enjoyed the 17-Mile Drive, I wouldn’t necessarily say the scenery blew me away compared to some of the other places I’ve visited nearby.

Parts of the Drive Feel Quite Built-Up

Another thing worth knowing is that the 17-Mile Drive isn’t just untouched coastline from beginning to end.

Especially as you get closer to Pebble Beach, you’ll see some absolutely massive mansions and incredibly expensive properties along the road. And don’t get me wrong, I actually enjoyed looking at some of these houses, too!

But it does change the experience a little. In certain sections, we were basically just looking at enormous houses and manicured yards rather than the beautiful coastal scenery.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just part of it I would say, I just think you should come with the right expectations.

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FAQs About How to Do the 17-Mile Drive in Monterey

Should I Stay in Monterey?

I think Monterey is a fantastic budget-friendly place to stay, especially compared to nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea, where accommodation can get pretty expensive.

Is the 17-Mile Drive Free?

Nope! The 17-Mile Drive costs $12.50 per vehicle because it runs through a privately managed area. That’s what we paid when we visited. But here’s a little tip: you may be able to get your entrance fee reimbursed if you spend enough at certain restaurants in the Pebble Beach area.

Is Monterey Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Monterey has some fantastic whale-watching opportunities, a beautiful waterfront, and, of course, the 17-Mile Drive right next door.

But what I really like about Monterey is that it’s such a good base for exploring Central California. I personally love this part of the state, so if I were coming back, I’d stay in Monterey and use it to explore as much of the surrounding coastline as possible.

Should I Visit Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

I’d visit both! They’re only about a 10-minute drive apart, so there’s really no reason to choose one over the other if you have the time.

Carmel-by-the-Sea feels more like a fairytale village, with adorable cottages, upscale restaurants and is generally more expensive. Monterey, on the other hand, is a little more laid-back and tends to be more budget-friendly.

When Is the Best Time to Drive the 17-Mile Drive?

If you can, I’d aim for late summer or early fall to give yourself a better chance of avoiding June Gloom. We visited during June, and the overcast weather definitely took a little away from the scenery.

I’d also try to go on a weekday morning. We visited on a weekday and found it pretty manageable, but I can imagine the viewpoints getting much busier on weekends, especially during the summer.

Final Thoughts on Driving the 17-Mile Drive California

To wrap this up quickly, yes, I think the 17-Mile Drive is absolutely worth doing when you’re visiting Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Even though you have to pay $12.50 per vehicle, I still thought it was worth the money. Do I think it’s the ultimate nature experience on the California coast? No, definitely not. After all, I found some of the landscapes around Big Sur, just down Highway 1, way more impressive, and a lot of those viewpoints didn’t cost me anything to visit.

But not everything has to be a competition, right?

If you’re just spending a weekend around Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, then heck yeah, drive the route, stop at a few viewpoints, and finish the day by parking your car and exploring the cute little town of Carmel.

I hope this little guide on whether the 17-Mile Drive in California is worth it gave you a better idea of what to expect and helped you decide whether it’s something you want to include in your own trip.

Check Out My Other Monterey Guides

Where to Stay in Monterey California: My Favorite Areas and Hotels

Cafes & Coffee Shops in Monterey: My Top Spots for a Good Coffee

How Many Days in Monterey Do You Need? My Honest Day by Day Guide

Is Monterey California Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Things to Do in Monterey California: My Top Activities and Places to Visit

Is the 17-Mile Drive Worth it? My Honest Review