The Jet Lagged Vagabond: 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach & Spanish Bay

17 Mile Drive is an absolute must do when you are in the Monterey/Carmel area. World class golf courses are mixed in with the natural rugged beauty of the California coast line making this one of the most magical and special areas in the world.

We started at Pebble Beach and headed north ending at Spanish Bay. This was the number one priority on my already very important list of things to do.

Even though my husband and I are not golfers we still enjoyed a walk around Pebble Beach and a drink at the Tap Room.

Pebble Beach:

When I was a kid my Dad played a couple of rounds of golf at Pebble Beach while my Mom and I went to Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was neat to come back and enjoy this area as an adult and pick up some Pebble Beach souvenirs for my Dad.

The famous Lodge at Pebble Beach

View from the main entrance - lots of people that day

Tasty beer - the Tap Room Ale

The back side of the Lodge

17 Mile Drive:

It doesn't matter what time of day you take this drive there are always cars and people out taking pictures and enjoying the views.

Here is a link to a map of 17 Mile Drive: http://www.pebblebeach.com/interactive-map

The Lone Cypress

Fanshell Overlook

Bird Rock - can you see them on the top?

What about those sea lions!

Spanish Bay:

When Spanish Bay first opened back in the mid 1980s my father the golfer booked our family vacation in Monterey/Carmel so he could play golf and my Mom and I could do other things - like let him golf!

We drove from Texas to California and when we finally arrived at the Inn at Spanish Bay - they did not have our reservation! So what did they do? The put us in the Presidential Suite! Oh yeah! Amazing!

Six balconies, two separate living areas, four fireplaces, two large bathrooms, a jacuzzi and a baby grand piano. We were in shock!

So it was an absolute treat to end our drive at the Inn at Spanish Bay and revisit the place that was so amazing to me and my parents.