17-Mile Drive is a scenic loop on Monterey Peninsula that developed in the late 19th century as part of a resort and real estate venture tied to the Hotel Del Monte. Laid out by 1892 across land that had passed from a rancho into corporate ownership, it promoted tourism and sales of elite residential lots in what became Pebble Beach. The route follows beaches, rocky points, golf courses, large homes, and the Del Monte Forest, and its landmarks, especially the Lone Cypress, became widely recognized symbols of the peninsula. Despite changing ownership over time, it has remained a defining coastal drive and tourist destination.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain