It’s a good place for a break and to take a nice hike to see the “granddaddy” of all Monterey Cypresses. A short pedal beyond is Crocker Grove, a 13-acre nature preserve that hosts numerous native species. Pause at Cypress Point Overlook to view the rugged Pacific coastline twisting southwards. He shared that the demand for distinctive architecture and unique interior facets draws many artisan crafters to the region.Īncient Monterey Cypresses Although planted elsewhere, the Monterey cypress only occurs naturally in two places in the California, both on the Monterey Peninsula – and 17-Mile Drive passes through one of them. On one ride, I stopped to chat with a carpenter who was hand-hewing, then smoothing down roof rafters from a massive pine. The architecture ranges from eclectic to elegant, from uber-modern to Spanish missionary. The multi-million dollar homes are built on a grand scale. It’s also easier to stop and stare through gates. Stand up on your pedals, and you can often peer over the walls to glimpse architecturally stunning homes. The second half of the ride snakes up a short steep hill, narrowing as it enters into a cypress forest, before twining its way among the mansions of the rich and famous. This is when biking 17-Mile Drive is actually becomes even more fun than driving it. Fanshell Overlook provides a sweeping vista of the route you’ve just covered. Near Seal Rock, listen for honking seals, happily sunning themselves or arguing on the rock’s crest. These guano-whitened heaps of rock jutting from the ocean provide safe haven for nesting cormorants as well as other species. With surf frothing over promontories against a backdrop of the infinite navy-blue Pacific Ocean, it’s a natural photo op.īird Rock is for the birds – literally. From the Pacific Grove Gate entry, the road swiftly descends to the coast, swinging along Spanish Bay’s south side, before curling towards Point Joe and China Rock, named in honor of the Chinese fishing villages once situated in the area. The Drive charges an entry free for cars, but it’s free for cyclists. As the area developed, the route shifted, yet still remains exactly 17 miles long. Situated between Pacific Grove and Carmel on the Monterey Peninsula, the 17-Mile Drive loop first opened in 1881. When it comes to biking, I’m in it for what there is to see, and the Pebble Beach 17-Mile Drive offers a perfect ride with its visual feast of twisted Monterey cypress forests, gorgeous coastal panoramas, golden beaches, and sneak peeks at the extraordinary homes of the rich and famous.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |