Monterey

Monterey County is a gorgeous idyllic cluster of seaside cities on the Pacific Coast of California. It is highly advised to drop by for a night or two if you’re enjoying the California Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

Within Monterey county are it’s most well known cities, Monterey and Carmel by the Sea. Monterey offers several beautiful attractions including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Old Fisherman’s Wharf, and 17 mile Scenic Drive. We had prioritized the 17 mile scenic drive which allows you to coast along Pebble Beach with a several specific attractions that offer a beautiful outlook into the coastal scenery.

*PROTIP – The 17 mile scenic drive is a two way drive with entrance and exit on both sides. Most start at the Inn at Spanish Beach – I HIGHLY SUGGEST starting from the opposite end at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. We had gone on Christmas Eve starting at the Lodge at Pebble Beach. As it got later in the day, we started to realize that the opposite side traffic was as a standstill while we were driving freely. This is because the parking spots are limited at each attraction leading to an eventual car pileup from the direction that more people take. It was to the point where we were driving and realizing the opposite side had several miles of cars lined up to wait for parking to clear up or just waiting to get past.

I am not certain which specific points the following photos were taken at, I will put the attraction if I am able to, but I hope you enjoy this montage of beautiful coastal photo collage.