Pebble Beach, California
Pebble Beach, California, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, situated along the rugged Pacific coastline of the Monterey Peninsula. The area is famous for its dramatic views of the ocean, majestic cypress trees, and pristine, pebble-strewn beaches. The 17-Mile Drive offers one of the most scenic coastal routes, showcasing iconic landmarks such as the Lone Cypress and the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, which is often ranked among the top golf courses in the world.
First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Pebble Beach: What You Need to Know
- Entry Fee: To access Pebble Beach, you’ll need to enter via the famous 17-Mile Drive, which has a toll (it was $11.25 per vehicle during my 2024 visit). Keep your receipt as it’s credited towards purchases at select restaurants or pro shops.
- 17-Mile Drive: This scenic route offers stunning views of the rugged coastline, the iconic Lone Cypress, and several golf courses. Plan to stop at designated viewpoints to soak in the beauty and snap photos.
- Golfing Paradise: Pebble Beach is home to world-renowned golf courses, including Pebble Beach Golf Links. Even if you’re not golfing, the courses are worth a visit for the scenery alone. Reservations for golf are essential, and the greens fees can be quite steep.
- Dress Accordingly: Pebble Beach is often cool and breezy, even during summer. Layer up and bring a jacket, especially if you plan to walk along the beach or explore the 17-Mile Drive.
- Dining Options: From casual cafes to fine dining, Pebble Beach offers a range of options. Popular spots include The Lodge and The Bench, which both offer fantastic views and delicious meals.
- Lodging: We opted to stay in nearby Caramel-By-The Sea, but Pebble Beach does offer its own lodging options. For an overnight stay, the luxurious accommodations at Pebble Beach Resorts, including The Lodge and Casa Palmero, provide upscale experiences.
- Outdoor Activities: Beyond golf, Pebble Beach offers plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking along the coast, cycling the 17-Mile Drive, or exploring nearby Carmel Beach.
- Wildlife Viewing: Keep an eye out for wildlife, including sea otters, seals, and a variety of bird species. The surrounding area is a haven for nature lovers.
- Sunset at Spanish Bay: End your day by watching the sunset at Spanish Bay. Each evening, a bagpiper plays as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean, creating a magical ambiance.
- Respect the Environment: Pebble Beach is a protected area, so be mindful of littering, stay on designated paths, and respect wildlife.
Enjoy your first trip to this iconic coastal destination!
Thanks for Reading!
Thanks for reading a bit about my time in Pebble Beach. The serene environment, crashing waves, and the blend of coastal cliffs with lush, green forests make it a haven for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone seeking a peaceful yet invigorating escape.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Operating since 1907, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the perfect spot for some California fun! The vibrant seaside park features a spectacular beach setting, great rides, food, and a friendly atmosphere. Best of all, The Boardwalk is super affordable, admission is free and the ride tickets are very inexpensive. A visit to The Boardwalk is truly a unique California experience!
Boardwalk History
The family-operated Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the oldest amusement park in California and one of the last seaside amusement parks on the West Coast of the United States. The Giant Dipper roller coaster and Loof Carousel are both National Historic Landmarks and the entire Boardwalk property is a California Historic Landmark.
According to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk website, the Boardwalk’s roots date back to 1865. John Leibrandt opened a public bathhouse near the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Other bathhouses opened and tourists began visiting Santa Cruz to enjoy the natural medicine of bathing in salt water. Soon more concessions began to pop up including restaurants, shops, and photo stands. Toward the end of the century, The Boardwalk had plans to become the Coney Island of the West.
Fun For The Entire Family
If you’ve been following me along here on the blog, you know for my birthday I went on a Pacific Northwest Road trip. I flew in to Seattle, and drove to San Jose California, with stops in Portland Oregon, Santa Cruz, Carmel By The Sea, and Big Sur. After being on the Highway for several hours, the Boardwalk was the perfect stopping point in Santa Cruz. The salty beach air, the smells of the concession foods, and the sounds of all the rides were so welcoming after a long car ride.
The Boardwalk is packed full of attractions. You’ll find miniature golf, an arcade with over 300 video games, laser tag, air hockey, bowling and so much more. Most of the attractions are open from 9am to 12am, but be sure to check for seasonal hours online before you visit. As you stroll along The Boardwalk you’ll find lots of classic Midway games and fun vendors offering caricatures, photo booths, face painting (and henna) and so much more. You could spend hours out here and not be bored!
Boardwalk Eats
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk features a wonderful variety of fun and delicious food choices. Most of the food locations open with ride hours, and there are options for indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeout. I was amazed by the amount of food choices on the boardwalk! You have options for sandwiches, fries, burgers, ice cream, fish & chips, crepes, Boba tea, pizza, corn dogs (Surf City Grill offers vegetarian corn dogs), gyros, cheesesteaks, beach tacos & nachos, BBQ, pretzels, saltwater taffy, caramel apples, and so much more! Needless to say, you won’t leave The Boardwalk hungry!
A Day To Remember on The Boardwalk
Spending the day in Santa Cruz and on The Boardwalk was one of the highlights of my birthday trip. I can’t recommend a visit to the boardwalk enough. The family-friendly atmosphere was so inviting and of course, I couldn’t get enough of all the food. It reminded me of the State Fair back home in NC but with much nicer weather! For a true California experience make sure to add a stop to Santa Cruz on your itinerary.
Thanks for Reading!
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you’ll stick around for more of my time on the West Coast!
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Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument is part of California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, known for its towering redwood trees. I enjoyed visiting Muir Woods during my recent visit to San Francisco, and it was an experience I’ll cherish. Walking among the towering redwood trees was truly my nature-lover dream!
Muir Woods is just a short drive (about 12 miles) north of San Francisco, making it the perfect day trip when you’re in the city. The National Recreation Area covers 554 acres, of which 240 acres are old-growth coast redwood forests, one of only a few remaining in the San Francisco Bay Area. An old-growth forest is a forest that has attained great age without significant disturbance. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908, Muir Woods welcomes over 800,000 visitors per year.
Visiting Muir Woods
Muir Woods is currently open from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The hours do change seasonally so be sure to check their website for operating hours before your visit. Muir Woods has a great visitors center where you can purchase souvenirs and merch; you don’t want to miss it (the Visitors Center features a Cafe).
To park at Muir Woods, you MUST have a reservation. The process is simple but must be completed before your arrival. There is no cell phone service or WiFi at or around Muir Woods National Monument so you must download your parking reservation in advance. GoMuirWoods.com is where you’ll secure your parking reservation.
Muir Woods has a $15 per person entrance fee and this is SEPARATE from the parking fee. Individuals 15 or younger do get in free. Only service animals are permitted at Muir Woods, no pets are allowed. Unlike the parking pass which must be purchased in advance, entrance fees can be purchased upon arrival at the park.
The Magic of Muir Woods
Spending a day in Muir Woods was the highlight of my trip to San Francisco. I’ve always looked to nature for hope and inspiration during tough moments in my life. The peacefulness I found walking amongst the towering redwood trees was exactly what I needed. I arrived at Muir Woods almost as soon as they opened, so there wasn’t a large crowd at all, just a few early birds in awe of the forest like me!
The main attraction of Muir Woods is the coast redwood trees. The tallest redwood in Muir Woods is 258 feet, but they can grow to nearly 400 feet! The trees come from a seed no bigger than that of a tomato seed. According to the Muir Woods website, most of the redwoods in the monument are between 500 and 800 years old, and the oldest is at least 1,200 years old. Visiting Muir Woods really is to take a walk among ancient giants.
Thanks for Reading!
Thank you so much for reading and I hope this post inspires you to visit Muir Woods National Monument, I 1000% recommend it!
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