Beaches are one of the
most popular travel activities and California is the Best Place
to see them. Focusing on our natural treasure, the beach,
visit over 250 California Cities by county from south to
north in this ever expanding web and see why people fall in love
with California.
17-Mile Drive pictured above
is one of the many beautiful California Beaches that stretch
approximately 1000 miles along California. It passes through the
Del Monte forest. Access to this haven is available at
five guard gates in Carmel or Pacific Grove where a fee is
charged (was under $10). The receipt you receive is a
voucher to be used like money. Present it to one of the
restaurants along the route when you make a purchase and
the entry fee on the voucher is credited to your bill.
As you pass through the
shady entry gates of 17-Mile Drive, you are also given a
brochure with extensive information and a map that makes a
"can't fail" excursion. With all the stops printed on the map
and neatly posted on road signs along the route, the popular
tour is somewhat like a Disneyland adventure. Popular with tour
groups traveling via bus, you can drive your car along the route
and see the same people departing the bus in front of you time
and again.
There are approximately 20
stops along the well marked route, each with a landmark of
interest and paved parking for your vehicle. From the
trademark Lone Cypress tree to the Restless Sea, Seal Rock to
Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill, if the names of these places
don't evoke emotion to the active imagination, the sights,
sounds and smells should do the trick. Daylight hours are
perfect guarantees to get the stunning photos--but don't miss
one of the awesome sunsets. A blazing, golden sun falling into
the ocean behind the Lone Cypress (trademark) tree is one of
California's most romantic pleasures to be experienced. We are
not kidding when we tell you it is trademarked. You cannot
use the tree and photos you take of it in promotional materials
for anything. If you ask how anybody can own images of nature,
the answer is that you are a guest visiting private
property owned by the Pebble Beach Company. They have based
their logo design on this tree that on our last visit, was held
in place by straps as it apparently was beginning to lean. Our
photo of a tree is not the Lone Cypress.
Like
the tree, the 17-mile drive is a two lane road which
has seen many years of activity. It was once a trail
in which covered wagons carried guests from a hotel
to picnic grounds along Pebble Beach over 100 years
ago. Though a century has passed, some things are
timeless in this enchanted forest. Today,
tourists continue to enjoy the crashing waves that
hit rugged rocks below vistas where pine trees frame
each photo perfectly. Picnics are still "in"
as are strolls along the sand near Seal Rock
lookout. And golf continues to be the number
one sport here for over 80 years.
The
public courses include Poppy Hills, home of the
Northern California Golf Association, the Links at
Spanish Bay which is accessible when you stay at the
Inn, Spyglass Hill which was designed by Robert
Trent Jones, Sr., Peter Hay Par-3 Course and famous
Pebble Beach Golf Links with the Lodge, shops and
dining.
Here's a partial list of highlights from the 17-Mile
Drive tour:
Shepherd's
Knoll - provides a vista with views of the
Monterey Bay and Gabilan mountains
Point Joe -
spot where many ships crashed into the rocks,
mistaking this for the Monterey Bay
Bird Rock -
thousands of birds, seals and sea lions on towering
off shore rocks. A pair of binoculars would be
helpful to see them in their off coast location.
The Lone
Cypress - You probably have seen this tree before.
It is the trademark for the resort and actually
exists, perched on a rock with a supporting cable to
keep it from falling.
Fanshell
Overlook - provides a vista to a white sand beach
where seals molt seasonally
The Ghost Tree
- A bleached white Monterey Cypress looks dead as
driftwood. Lighting to photograph is best in
the late afternoon. But look around and notice a
forest of bleached white trees along the cliffs.
Restless Sea -
powerful, crashing waves at this location are
created from the underwater rocks at Point Joe.
Not everyone
can afford the luxury accommodations in Pebble
Beach. The good news is that there are nearly
20 great hotels in Pacific Grove outside the
gates of this upscale coastal community.
