17 Mile Drive

On Saturday 4th Nov we went for the 17 mile drive with our friends Aparna aka Appy and her hubby Shashi.

Let me give a brief description of the drive:
The 17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, California, United States, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses and mansions. It also serves as the main road through the gated community of Pebble Beach. Like the community, the 17-Mile Drive is owned and operated by the Pebble Beach Corporation. Entry into Pebble Beach costs US$9 per automobile. Residents of Pebble Beach and their guests enter for free. Entry is also free for bicyclists and pedestrians.

At the north end, the road originates in Pacific Grove at the intersection of Del Monte Blvd. The famous portion of 17-Mile Drive then begins a few miles south of this point. The road runs adjacent to beaches and up into the coastal hills, providing scenic viewpoints. Travel along 17-Mile Drive takes as long as the traveler likes. There are numerous turnouts along the road to stop, take pictures, or get out and stroll along the ocean or among the trees. Each visitor receives a small map that points out some of the more scenic spots.

Chief among these is the Lone Cypress Tree, the official symbol of Pebble Beach and a frequent fixture of television broadcasts from this area. The only services open to the public in Pebble Beach (gas stations, restrooms, restaurants) are at Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay; there are plenty of comfortable and scenic spots to picnic.

Just outside the lower Pacific Grove gate to the gated community of Pebble Beach is Pacific Grove's Sunset Drive (which becomes Ocean View Boulevard), which follows Pacific Grove's scenic coastline and is called by some the "poor man's 17-Mile Drive."

It was indeed a beautiful drive and we saw both the sunset on one side and the moonrise on the other side! A truly awesome experience.