17 Mile Drive
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Lonecypress.jpeg
The 17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, California much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses and mansions of the rich and famous. At the north end, 17-Mile Drive originates in Pacific Grove at the intersection of Del Monte Blvd. (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Del+Monte+Blvd+at+%2217+Mile+Drive%22,+Pacific+Grove,+CA+93950&hl=en)
The famous portion of 17-Mile Drive begins a few miles south of the north origin, within Pebble Beach (http://www.pebblebeach.com/17miledrive.html), is the main road through the private gated community, and is used by local residents every day. The road runs adjacent to beaches and up into the coastal hills, providing scenic viewpoints. Entry into Pebble Beach costs visitors US$8.50 (residents of Pebble Beach and their guests can enter for free); 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. There are no services in the area (that is, no gas stations or restrooms), nor are there any restaurants, although 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." The coastline drive south of Pebble Beach, starting at Carmel-by-the-Sea and continuing to Big Sur and beyond, is world famous.
The roads with Pebble Beach, including the main portion of 17 Mile Drive, are privately owned and operated by the Pebble Beach Company (http://www.pebblebeach.com).
Jordan Plaut owns the Pebble Beach Company.