John Steinbeck, a local, penned the novel Cannery Row about this historic Monterey Bay site where sardines were once canned. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the best in the world, is located here. Around the corner from the base of Ocean Avenue is the Pebble Beach gate of 17-Mile Drive, could be the world's most scenic stretch of road. If the visibility is good, meaning less mist or fog, you can see Point Sur Lighthouse 20 miles south. Stop at the Lone Cypress and the Ghost Trees for photos.
Ghost trees are a stand of bleached-white, twisted Monterey cypress trees.
The Lone Cypress is the trademark of The Pebble Beach Company. The Monterey Peninsula is a year-round destination, but the best weather is in September and October when the cold Pacific warms up a little. The rainy season runs from December through February. The temperature is fairly moderate year-round, but even summer can be cool, especially when the frequent fog rolls in. Typical daytime temperatures from July through October are in the high 60s to low 70s.