If you have had the opportunity to travel to California’s central coast you’ve probably heard of the 17-Mile Drive. Tucked between the seaside towns of Pacific Grove and Camel-by-the-Sea, is where you will find the famous 17-Mile Drive, an amazing trail of nature and history, all conveniently lined up along a road that skirts the coast of Monterey Peninsula. The privately managed roadway (fee to drive; biking and walking are free), takes you through a wind-sculpted forest of cypress trees to a rocky coastline dotted with beautiful homes as this is some of the most exclusive real estate in the world.
Over the years, Brion and I have vacationed many times in the Carmel / Monterey area on the Central Coast of California. As a rule, we make Pacific Grove ‘home base’ and from there do numerous day trips. 17-Mile Drive is always one of our favorite day trips. As a matter of fact, we rented a tandem bike a couple of times just to experience it in a different way. Cycling the road gives you a whole different perspective on such awesome natural beauty.
Before 17-Mile Drive became one of California’s most celebrated scenic roads, it was merely a description. Created as a tourist attraction for Monterey’s Del Monte Hotel, the 17-Mile Drive opened in 1881 to day-trippers in horse carriages. It traced the picturesque peninsula, circling the coastline of Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and Carmel, before returning to its starting point.
The route varied slightly depending on the driver’s preference, but the idea was to show affluent guests the spectacular forests, coastal views, and beaches between Monterey and Carmel.
Today there are a total of five gates where you can pay a toll, pick up a map, and enter the exclusive gated community of Pebble Beach that the drive cuts through.
This winding, coast hugging journey has, coincidentally, 17 marked points of interest. Seascapes, animal antics, cypress groves—it’s all there, with frequent turnoffs for views and for historical and natural information. The signage along the way mixes bits of history and legend with natural history; not only the look of the coastline but why this area formed a natural harbor.
China Rock, one point of interest, was named for the Chinese immigrants who made their homes in lean-tos against the rocks in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They fished and polished agates to sell to tourists to make a living.
Another interesting vista point is Bird Rock. Named for the thousands of birds that roosted there. Bird Rock was harvested for its rich deposits of guano back in the early 1900s (bird droppings made great fertilizer!) and after the guano was gone, the seals and sea lions decided this rock seemed like a good place to lay in the sun. So now, Brandt’s Cormorants, Western Gulls, pelicans and Ashy Petrels hang out with California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals, all vying for the perfect spot.
Fanshell Beach Overlook is a crescent-shaped, white-sand cove that is one of the primary pupping habitats for harbor seals on the Central Coast.
Probably the most famous sight along 17-Mile Drive is the famed Lone Cypress Tree. The dramatically situated, wind-and-sea-sculpted tree lost a branch in a 2019 storm, but it still makes for a nearly too-perfect focal point in what is already a jaw-dropping setting. Monterey Cypress trees are native to only two small areas, at Cypress Point in Pebble Beach and at Point Lobos near Carmel. The trees in these native stands are up to 40 meters tall, 2.5 meters diameter and 300 years old. These trees are unique because as they age, they take on a twisted, spread-out form due to the high winds that they are exposed to on the coast of California. The Lone Cypress Tree is estimated to be around 250 years old. Little wonder that it’s one of the most photographed trees in the world.
The Restless Sea directly off Point Joe, is one of the few places in the world where ocean currents meet. The result is unusual turbulence, present even on the calmest days.
On the drive, you also come upon the famous Pebble Beach Golf Links and Pebble Beach Lodge. The lodge is open to the public, and so is the golf course. Out of curiosity, Brion asked what the green fee for a round of golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links was currently. Answer: $675, plus a $55 cart fee per person. Definitely won’t be golfing there anytime soon but nothing says we can’t enjoy lunch at the Gallery Café that overlooks the 1st tee of Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Whenever we make the 17-mile drive trip, we have made this restaurant our lunch spot. On this trip I decided to try a ‘ratatouille panini’ and Brion had a ‘sunrise burger’. The panini consisted of balsamic roasted Portobello mushroom, squash, red bell pepper, provolone with basil pesto aioli. Brion’s burger was quite unique with Applewood-smoked bacon, Monterey jack, red onion, over-easy egg, green chili on a brioche bun. It is such a wonderful setting to enjoy lunch.
There is so much beauty to take in, I found it hard to condense it into a blog so I guess all I can say is try to experience it if you get the chance. I have added a few photos I hope you enjoy.
- Gallery Restaurant outdoor seating overlooking the first tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links
- 2 views of Golf Course
- 2 views of 17-Mile Drive
- Lone Cypress Pie
- Bird & Seal Rock
| Servings |
|
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 fresh basil leaves, thinly slivered
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 large Portobello mushroom caps, gills removed & sliced
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- olive oil
- 1 jar red roasted peppers
- 1 small Butternut squash, sliced into 1/4-inch slices or any yellow squash you prefer
- 1 small sweet onion, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
- salt & pepper to taste
- 8 thick slices of ciabatta bread or rolls
- 220 gm Provolone cheese, sliced into 8 slices
Ingredients
Basil Aioli
Ratatouille Panini
|
Rate this recipe!
|
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Line one large baking sheet with parchment. Line a second baking sheet with foil then place a wire rack over it. Set aside.
- Remove & discard stems & gills from mushrooms then slice in 1/2-inch slices. Spray one end of the wire rack (over the baking pan) with cooking spray. Place mushroom slices on it & drizzle with balsamic vinegar, oil & sprinkle with garlic salt.
- Spray a small piece of foil paper. Lay drained red roasted peppers on it & place it on the other half of the mushroom baking sheet.
- Peel & slice Butternut squash. Arrange on one half of the parchment lined baking sheet. Brush slices with oil & sprinkle with salt & pepper.
- Slice onion & place on the other half of the parchment lined sheet. Drizzle with oil & sprinkle with salt & pepper.
- Place the two baking sheets in the oven. Roast the mushrooms & peppers about 30 minutes. Roast the squash & onions 45-50 minutes.
- Combine mayonnaise, garlic, basil & lemon juice in a small bowl & whisk together. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Slice cheese. Spread all 8 slices of bread with basil aioli. Layer 1/2 of the bread slices with a slice of provolone cheese, onions, squash, peppers & Portobello mushrooms. Top each with another slice of cheese & remaining bread slices.
- Spray a double-sided grill with cooking spray, cook the sandwiches until cheese has melted , the sandwiches are hot in the center & the bread is golden brown, 4-5 minutes.
