Big Sur

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17 Mile Dr
No. 11 of Fall Viewing Attractions in California

17 Mile Dr

5.8
4.4/5
291 reviews
17 Mile Dr is a coastal scenic road that runs through the private coastal community of Pebble Beach, named for its total length of approx. 17 miles. On one side of the road are the rolling pine forests and Monterey cypress of the Del Monte Forest, and on the other is the rocky coastline of the Pacific Ocean, with over 10 viewpoints along the way. The iconic view of this scenic route is The Lone Cypress, a Monterey cypress that has grown alone on a granite rock for approx. two and a half centuries. It has long been considered the symbol of Pebble Beach and is a highly popular photo spot along the entire route. Bird Rock is home to flocks of seabirds, sea lions, and harbor seals all year round. The rocks are stained white by years of bird droppings, making it a lively place. In the Seal Rock area, you can often see seals lazily basking in the sun. Spanish Bay features an open beach, a rarity along the route, where visitors stack smooth pebbles into small towers. At sunset, a bagpiper plays by the sea, a tradition that has continued for decades. China Rock holds the history of Chinese fishermen who sought shelter and settled there, while Ghost Tree has become a unique photography subject with its twisted, bleached trunk. There are many attractions along the way. The scenic route also passes through several championship-level golf courses, including the prestigious Pebble Beach Golf Links.Del Monte Forest · 39km from Big Sur

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Experiences you can't miss in Big Sur

Featured Day tours in Big Sur

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Redwood forest steam train 1-day tour (Chinese and English tour)
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From€ 173.22
CA-1 | 17-mile drive coastal highlights check in 1-day tour
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Duration: 12 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€ 156.82
1-day tour of CA-1, Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Roaring Camp in San Francisco
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Duration: 10 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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From€ 120.12
San Francisco Day Tour | Redwood Forest Steam Train, Santa Cruz Wharf & Rainbow Houses
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From€ 90.76
Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour
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Duration: 6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
From€ 203.61

Featured Nature & wildlife in Big Sur

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Whale Watching Tour From Monterey
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4.9/5
· 334 reviews· 40 booked
Duration: 210 mins
English
Free cancellation
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97 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 66.82
3-Hour Whale Watching Tour from Monterey
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4.8/5
· 69 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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95.7% of travelers recommend
From€ 66.82
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
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4.9/5
· 291 reviews
Duration: 3–4 hrs
Free cancellation
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96 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 67.04
Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour
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4.9/5
· 152 reviews
Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
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97.4% of travelers recommend
From€ 40.09
Monterey Bay Whale Watching
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Duration: 2–3 hrs
Free cancellation
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From€ 62.32
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 75 mins
Free cancellation
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From€ 58.08
Monterey: Whale Watching Cruise
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4.5/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
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From€ 64.29
Monterey: Tide Pooling Tour with Naturalist Guide
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
From€ 52.09

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Big Sur Today's weatherClear 9-22℃
Big Sur weather for the next 2 days11/5: 11-24℃, 11/6: 12-26℃

Free things to do in Big Sur

What travellers say about Big Sur

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sculptor2 May 2022
4.0
大瑟尔是美国西海岸加利福尼亚中央海岸崎岖多山的地区,位于卡梅尔和圣西蒙之间,圣卢西亚山脉从太平洋陡然升起,这里是美国西海岸风景最漂亮的海岸线。

Big Sur

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健康美丽的芳芳20 September 2020
5.0
Pfeiffer Beach is a sandy beach close to Highway 1. The sea and sky are truly one color. The scenery is so beautiful that it makes people feel suffocated. The air is also very fresh. There are really no words to describe it.

Pfeiffer Beach

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DEAR张小球23 April 2020
5.0
The waterfall is located in Big Sur, and it is also a popular attraction on Highway 1. However, we gave up this attraction due to time constraints, which is a bit of a pity. If you have enough time, don't miss this attraction.

McWay Falls

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chenweiwen22 April 2021
5.0
The Bixby Bridge is an open single arch bridge with a span of about 100 meters, making it the longest concrete arch bridge in the California highway system. It is located in Big Sur, California, about 190 kilometers south of San Francisco. The budget for the construction of the bridge was nearly $200,000. Before the bridge opened in 1932, residents of the Big Sur area were almost cut off from the outside world during the winter. The Bixby River under the bridge was named after Charles Henry Bixby, who came from Livingston County, New York, and came to the Monterey Peninsula in 1868. He bought a large piece of land in the Big Sur area and worked in the production of railroad sleepers.

Rocky Creek Bridge

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Apple17 July 2025
5.0
The 17-mile toll road is highly recommended. It costs about $12 and includes Bird Rock, a stunning private residence, a golf course, and a sapphire blue coastline. Every time you visit a photo spot, you will be amazed.

17 Mile Dr

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Big Sur?

Don't miss these attractions in Big Sur: Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, and Pfeiffer Beach. If you like Day tours, try Redwood forest steam train 1-day tour (Chinese and English tour). If you enjoy Nature & wildlife, try Whale Watching Tour From Monterey.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Redwood forest steam train 1-day tour (Chinese and English tour), CA-1 | 17-mile drive coastal highlights check in 1-day tour, and San Francisco coastline 1-day tour: Monterey + Carmel-by-the-Sea + 17 Mile Dr (join-in tour). Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 5 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Big Sur is around EUR 90.76 – EUR 203.61. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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