17mile drive

Question

Hello, I am planning on taking a bike and go ride it at the 17mile. But wanted to ask if anyone could help me recommending where would be the best spot to park the car and start bike riding and where to stop and turn around? It will be just myself and I am not planning on doing the whole 17mile just some parts of it. TIA

Answer

Great question — biking on 17-Mile Drive is a wonderful experience, but it takes some planning (especially when you don’t want to do the entire 17 miles). Here’s a detailed breakdown of where to park, good segments to ride, and safety tips.

Key Things to Know Before You Ride

Bicycles are allowed on 17-Mile Drive, and the entrance fee is waived for cyclists from sunrise to sunset.
The road is partly narrow and winding, and some sections do *not* have a real shoulder.
There are Class II bike lanes on some stretches, but other parts (especially between Cypress Point and the Lodge) are more challenging because of limited space.
Because of traffic and narrow turns, it’s safest to ride single file.
There are multiple entrance gates for 17-Mile Drive (Pacific Grove, Highway 1, Carmel, etc.).

Where to Park to Start Biking

Sunset Drive / Pacific Grove Gate — One of the most commonly recommended spots. As described by Bike It or Hike It, you can park on Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove (on-street) and access the Pacific Grove Gate to start your ride.
Crocker Avenue or Grove Acre Avenue — According to cycling discussion on TripAdvisor, these streets have free all-day curb parking, and they are very close to 17-Mile Drive.
If you are coming from Highway 1, you could also start near the Highway 1 Gate. Some guides recommend entering there so you hit key scenic spots in a logical order.

Recommended Bike Route / Where to Turn Around

Given that you don’t want to do the full 17 miles, here are some good segments to consider for a partial ride that are scenic, manageable, and relatively safer for less-experienced cyclists:

Pacific Grove Gate → Spanish Bay → Point Joe → Cypress Point — This stretch offers beautiful ocean-coast views, places to stop, and fairly good biking lanes in sections.
Turnaround at Fanshell Beach / Fanshell Overlook — According to some guide reviews, this is a good stop for rest and views, then you can head back from there.
Alternate route: Start from Shepherd’s Knoll viewpoint — As one cyclist suggested, you can start mid-route (rather than at a gate) from a vista point parking, then do a part of the loop and return.

Safety & Practical Tips

Ride early in the morning when traffic is lighter. Bicycling Monterey specifically recommends biking during low-traffic times for safety.
Bring lights and reflectors if you might bike during lower-light hours or when fog is present.
Be especially careful in the tighter sections (e.g., around Cypress Point) — these are winding, and sometimes there is limited shoulder.
Stay alert for cars, especially tourists who may stop suddenly for scenic viewpoints. Several riders note that shared use of the road requires extra caution.
Bring water; on some parts there are limited refill / restroom stops.

Suggested Plan for You

Here’s a simple, recommended plan for your ride:

Park on Sunset Drive (Pacific Grove) early in the morning.
Enter the 17-Mile Drive from the Pacific Grove Gate.
Bike southward toward Spanish Bay, then continue on to Point Joe and on to Cypress Point (or turn around earlier, depending on how much time / distance you want to do).
Return the same way to your starting point.

Bottom Line: Yes, you can bike part of 17-Mile Drive without doing the full loop, and there are good, safe places to park to start your ride. The Pacific Grove Gate area is a top pick to start, and a scenic out-and-back ride to Spanish Bay or Cypress Point gives you a rewarding slice of the drive. Just be cautious in narrow segments, avoid busy traffic times, and enjoy the views!

17mile drive

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