I love taking the 17-mile drive in Monterey, California. Unfortunately for us, the thick fog started rolling in just as we began our drive, so by the time we reached the Lone Cypress, it was hard to see. Despite the low visibility, many other drivers, including tour buses, stopped to snap pictures and record videos as best they could. read more

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What an amazing sight. A cypress tree growing on a rock in an almost inhospitable environment. Can walk down stairs for great photos. read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

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Marker #12 of the 17-mile drive, this iconic tree is known as the most photographed tree in the world. Believe to have been seeded around 1750 by the Spanish, this lone tree growing atop a granite overlook has weathered harsh winds and salt spray from the ocean which has resulted in its worn and weathered look that we see today. Despite the extreme and inhospitable environment that it continues to survive in, this lone tree miraculously has continued to grow, in part due to various conservation efforts throughout the years, and stands as a testament to the history of the ancient land it resides upon. Access to the tree is closed off in order to protect the tree's roots, but is easily visible from a nearby viewing platform along the 17-mile drive. Parking is readily accessible, and people are constantly leaving as they finish their photo ops. read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

Of all the stops on the 17 Mile Drive, this is one of my top 3 spots to stop and visit. It has mostly earned that spot because of its historical nature to Pebble Beach as the Lone Cyprus has long been their icon. Subsequently, this stop is a bit larger than some of the prior stops as it has more parking space, more informational plaques, and different viewing levels to see the tree. You have the option to view it from street level or climb down some stairs to see it a bit closer. While the view is much prettier and more peaceful from down the stairs, if you're looking to get a good picture of it, vantage points are probably better at street level. Had this stop not had the historical relevance that it has, I would've toyed with giving it a 4 star. I kind of expected the tree to be a bit more lone than it was? But still worth a good stop on your drive. read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

Kind of cool having this loan tree sitting out there on this big rock I guess. Incredible view in the background. A lot of congestion with people in cars. I don't know what else to say. if you're going on this drive, you should get out and take a look. read more

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Cool spot to take photos and chill and watch the ocean! We actually saw some whales here so there's that too. Parking is kind tough since it's a touristy spot in pebble beach. Worth the views if your in Carmel! read more

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Danger Lone Happy Earth Day 2023! Stop #12 along Pebble Beach's world-famous 17-mile drive is the home to (possibly) the world's oldest Monterey Cyprus. Thought to be seeded in 1750 (±273 years), this tree has been documented in paintings since the 1850s and is thought to be the single most photographed tree in the world, and it's clear to see why; the stunning location, it's interesting shape and being one of the most unique species on Earth--as it only grows naturally here in Pebble Beach and in Point Lobos. It is probably one of the only trees in the world that has been trademarked so that's its image is only available to be used for non-commercial uses (such as Yelp). The oldest Monterey Cyprus recorded was 284 years old, so there may only be a (relatively) short time left to check out this icon of the Central Coast. read more

Great place to visit, had so much fun and enjoyed the weather. A good picture spot and place to go with family to sight see. read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

Just pure beauty. I did the 17 mile drive here and it is so beautiful. You can enter the gate on foot or pay $10 if you are driving a car read more

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IMHO The Lone Cypress is less than a mile from The Lodge at Pebble Beach, so it was a no brainer to head that way after our visit to the famed Pebble Beach golf course. We arrived around 4 p.m. which was about 45 minutes before sunset. We had no problem finding parking at this time of day and no crowds! Walked down the wooden steps to the viewing deck for a spectacular view of the famed Lone Cypress and a gorgeous pre-sunset vista. If you're driving the famed 17-Mile Drive through the Del Monte Forest, you must stop here. Just stop! You'll never forgive yourself if you don't! read more

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This was of the stops on our tour and man oh man it was a beauty to see! I am not that big on history, but a great scene to take a picture, I am here for it! And this spot did not disappoint. The weather was beautiful during this trip a few months ago so this made for an enjoyable day to walk the 17 mi trail to capture the memories of this trip. Whoever would of thought a tree would be a sight for sore eyes! Wear comfy shoes! If you are in the area, check out this site and its history... you may be surprised! Have fun and enjoy life! read more

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You may recognize this tree as the world famous logo for the Pebble Beach resorts and it was been so since it's founding in February 1919. Just like the beautiful Torrey Pine in San Diego, this tree is native to this specific area and is not found anywhere else in the world. It's a true California Landmark and another one of our beautiful native species. The area can get quite crowded with people taking pictures but honestly it is so beautiful that is some thing you need to see at least once. Driving on the 17 mile drive you will pass it as your midway point. It's hard to sum up in words how beautiful this place is, it's best to just go for yourself, be quiet, and take it all the natural beauty. read more

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I might have visited the 17 mile drive on a dozen occasions but this place never gets old. If you're visiting the 17 mile drive, I'd highly recommend ranking this place in your top 5 points. More specifically, if you're starting your day early, you'd want to visit this point while there's ample sunlight. The tree is located between Cypress Point Club and the Pebble Beach Golf Links. For folks who are short on time and don't wish to hike/ walk closer to the vista point, you could still take some really great pictures of the tree from off the road. read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

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Our vacation home was very close to the Lone Cypress and we stopped off here for a very serene hour yesterday. The Lone Cypress is over 250 years old and I believe the average age of these trees is 300 years old, so enjoy it while you can. The location of the tree, the conversation history, and vista are incredible. We saw several foreign tourists here and we are lucky to live so close to this beautiful area. It is well worth a stop when you are in this area. Also makes for a great photo opp. It was quite busy but were lucky to find a parking spot. read more

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I am appreciative to have made it here to The Lone Cypress...the iconic tree that makes up famous Pebble Beach and is situated along 17-Mile Drive. The Lone Cypress is Stop #12 on 17-Mile Drive. It's a very popular area. When I was here visiting on a Sunday afternoon back in August...at least I was able to find a parking spot on the side of the road, lol. Also good for being here at 1pm was that...the sun was at my back and made for the tree to be very photogenic standing high above the cliffside waters of the Pacific Ocean. What else was terrific about my time at this Lone Cypress was the fact that I was able to snap some pictures of myself and the tree in the background without being disturbed by random strangers getting in the way! These are all important aspects for me, lol. So, during my 30-minute pullover...I was living in the moment and enjoying myself. Another great aspect was even zooming in on the tree with my phone...it really stood out in the background. I was pretty mesmerized just staring at it. I'd like to relay what the road stop sign mentioned about this long-standing symbol of the Pebble Beach Area, basically what it's all about.... "For more than 250 years, the world-famous Lone Cypress has braved the elements atop its rocky pedestal overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Known as the Midway Point on the original 17-Mile Drive, this iconic tree has been the logo for Pebble Beach Resorts since its founding in 1919". Well said! Lastly, the overall setting and coastline was so scenic with wonderful picture taking opportunities. When the sun is shining brightly, the scenery cannot be beat! Luckily for me when I stopped on by...the sun was out in full force. Yet though earlier in the day when I started 17-Mile Drive...it was very overcast with clouds and the beach shores weren't nearly as beautiful. My obvious suggestion is to plan 17-Mile Drive in advance (lol, if possible) in case of poor weather. The Lone Cypress! One of the best and most monumental areas to the entire 17-Mile Drive. Getting a few pictures of it standing tall in its glory high over the rugged California coastline was truly a memorable experience for me. read more

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I thoroughly enjoyed the entire 17 Mile Drive. By the time we arrived at the Lone Cypress it was sunny and warm, and it made the backdrop for photos spectacular! There's pretty much one or two prime photo spots, so it gets crowded. Pro-tip: specify when you ask someone to take your picture that you want the Lone Cypress in the shot. I asked a gentleman who took the photo and mostly blocked the entire photo op.....HAHAHA!!!!! read more

The Lone Cypress - Beautiful day, beautiful location. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

Just a heads up -- in order to see the Lone Cypress (one stop along the scenic 17-mile drive), you have to pay an entrance fee so you might as well just carve out a chunk of your day to enjoy the entire 17-mile drive and see all/most of the stops. The cypress wasn't looking too healthy when I came by as it unfortunately lost a limb (likely in a storm). I also came in February (2020) on an overcast day. It was beautiful but not on par with most of the photos you'll find online. Plan accordingly and set realistic expectations. read more

The Lone Cypress (also referred to as the "Lonely Cypress," the "Lone Tree," or erroneously as the "Lone Ranger" and "Loni Anderson") is a tree. It stands on a hill off the 17 Mile Drive... (27.359 Kilometer Drive isn't catchy, is it, rest of the metric world). It is the Kim Kardasian of trees, likely the most photographed and equally as smart. It is 250 years old. Betty White planted it. The tree is scarred by fire and has been held in place with cables for 65 years. It looks like the English Patient. read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

Our last stop on the 17 mile drive & it's pretty cool to see that this tree has been standing for over 200 years. PARKING: there's a good amount of parking spots at the top & a clear path to a closer look at the tree. But even at the top, you can see the tree clearly & it's a good view of the ocean. Honestly every angle of this place is gorgeous. Although the tree looks a bit far, it's still cool to read & see history...we must protect nature as much as possible. It's very calm & lots of seats at the bottom. Must see during your time of the 17 mile drive! read more

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Very nice view from the parking just next to the road. Not enough parking spaces here for the amount of cars wanted to stop. You can expects you might have to wait for a parking space available! The view is excellent! Many people are waiting for the best spot for pictures. You can take many good pictures in this location. This stop has many shaded area by the trees. Very comfortable and enjoyable area! read more

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Review #193 - 2018 We showed up around 4 PM on Saturday, but didn't get to spend too much time walking around the place because the baby was sleeping in the backseat. Parking wasn't too hard to find since most people were doing the same things we were doing--jumping in and out just to get a photo with the Lone Cypress Tree and then drive off to their next destination. We got some pretty nice photos, but I was really hoping to hike down to get a close up. I guess I'll either have to come back again or just be happy that I finally got to cross this place off of my bookmarks. At first I was kind of disappointed that it was cold and gloomy on a summer day, since it was like 90-something degrees in San Jose. However, it actually made the photos turn out much nicer since the sun wasn't full blown in our faces leaving that extra greasy look. read more

The Lone Cypress - 06/30/2018: Checking this place off my bookmarks... - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

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Epic spot. Beautiful landmark. Definitely a place for a great photo and there are some cool tide pooling down below. read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

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Must stop! If you're on the 17-mile drive, this is probably the most iconic stop there is on the route. We passed through on a Friday afternoon, and although there were lots of cars and guests, it wasn't super crowded or too much traffic. I've always seen this tree in photos but never really thought it was an actual site! Be mindful when you approach the parking for this stop. Everyone stops here and parking is limited. If you wait a few mins, a spot will free up. It's a hit and miss, however. People stop and take photos for about 10 mins max and then take off to the next pit stop. There are only a few picture spots that you're able to get a GOOD view, so there may be a "line" forming for that one spot you're standing at! Beautiful especially if it's a clear day and around when the sun sets! read more

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A beautiful icon of Pebble Beach and must visit & photograph fixture along the 17-Mile Drive, the Lone Cypress is a spectacular 250 year old Monterey Cypress tree that stands alone on a granite hillside. We trekked on August 21, 2017 on that gorgeous 17-Mile Pebble Beach drive from Monterey. It was another beautiful, clear sunny day and there were a number of cool places for picturesque photos but nestled between two of the worlds best known golf courses (Cypress Point and Pebble Beach Golf Links), the Lone Cypress tree on the coast of Pebble Beach is the La Grande Dame of cool places! No wonder the Lone Cypress is recognized as one of the most photographed trees in North America - it's absolutely a marvel to see firsthand -- a stunning lone cypress tree surrounded by the beautiful Pacific Ocean atop a granite hill. If you find yourself in Pebble Beach/Monterey, the Lone Cypress is a absolute must visit along the 17-mile drive! read more

The Lone Cypress - On the Pebble Beach 17-Mile Drive, photo op with the Lone Cypress on August 21, 2017 - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

It's something to do. I wonder how many people stop at the first stop and keep looking for the Lone Cypress, before realizing the next lookout is where this infamous tree stands. It is something to do, when you're looking for things to do that don't involve wine or food. But I don't get the hype. It's cool to see it and drive on the 17 mile drive for a bit, but maybe I'm just swimming against the stream here. Yes, it made for a nice picture. Yes, I've read about why it's special and it's species. But really, there's another tree so close to, it makes it a little silly. I appreciate that they built a fun little deck to go and get a closer look at the tree. But really, someone or a business, I should say, took the time to copyright and take rights to this pretty piece of nature. Its something to do. Take a pic of it, take a glance at it. But after that, it's nothing that exciting. All the twists and turns for a tree, at least it's something to do... read more

The Lone Cypress - 3.5.17 - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

Stop 16 on the 17 Mile Drive map. Its a famous tree that's been in existence for 200 years. There's not a lot of parking, but if you're patient, and can parallel park, there's parking against the hillside. read more

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The 17-Mile Drive stop I looked forward to the most - Sad to find out a major limb was knocked off during the Feb 2019 storms, so 1/3 of the iconic tree was lost. Still one of the nicest stops. read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

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Every time I think of the lone cypress or hear the name, I think of the hip hop group Cypress Hill. I even wondered if the rap group was so moved by this icon of a tree that they decided to name their band that. Turns out: the answer's no. I guess I was just "insane in the brain." This place is a stop along the scenic 17 mile drive by the golf range on Pebble Beach. It's extremely beautiful. My family likes to take all the folks from out of town here. They all seem to be pretty mesmerized by how the beautiful tree grows out of cement (insert adversity quote here). It's amazing that the tree is a few hundred years old. It's protected and is definitely iconic. I wanted to take my husband here this past summer but the drive is closed for COVID. read more

When planning your first adventure into California's wonderful coastal towns of Monterey and Carmel, there's one thing that everyone suggests you must ABSOLUTELY DO: The 17-Mile Drive. This tourist attraction is essentially a whirlwind tour of the most scenic and gorgeous locations along the Monterey Peninsula. There's 21 points of interest on the 17-Mile Drive (yes it's actually 17 miles) that are unique and worth visiting for various reasons (https://www.pebblebeach.com/content/uploads/17miledrive-map-20170920.pdf). One of the most famous spots that you HAVE TO SEE is The Lone Cypress. The Lone Cypress (officially labeled as Stop #16) is located towards the southern end of the 17-Mile Drive. Depending on where you enter (there are five points of entry), this may be one of the first or last stops on your tour. Personally, I recommend starting either at the Pacific Grove, Country Club, or Morse Gate entrance and then heading west so that The Lone Cypress ends up being the climax of your experience. If you ever get lost, just follow the signs. You literally stay on 17-Mile Street throughout the whole experience. If you're into historical landmarks, you are going to LOVE checking out The Lone Cypress. Having sat on its rocky perch for more than 250 years and counting, the Lone Cypress embodies the spirit of the Monterey Peninsula: Quaint, tranquil, and enduring. Even though you can't actually touch it, you can either stand farther off on the street or climb down to the viewpoint area and appreciate the awe-inspiring wonder of The Lone Cypress. Don't be alarmed if this tree becomes a powerful, life-defining moment. For me, The Lone Cypress served as a reminder to me that permanence actually exists in this world. One thing I really appreciate about The Lone Cypress is that there's plenty of parking along the street. Even though HELLA tourists come by, you shouldn't have TOO MUCH trouble getting a spot if you are patient. My girlfriend and I were able to pull right up as many people were leaving when we arrived. If you plan on coming, there are three things you should keep in mind. First off, admission is $10.25 (not sure where the quarter comes in) and they ONLY TAKE CASH. Second, I highly recommend bringing a jacket because it can get really windy here. Third, it's best to come around fall or spring to avoid the fog. You don't want to come when The Lone Cypress isn't visible right?! If I ever had any doubt about whether the 17-Mile Drive was worth it or not, The Lone Cypress was my validation. The historic tree was so beautiful, awe-inspiring, and transformative. I totally recommend stopping by during the drive. I definitely give this place a "nice-su, you can take your parents here and they'll be happy" rating! Have fun and prosper, read more

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Enchanting. Breathtaking. Remarkable. Today I celebrated my 32nd year with the 17-mile scenic tour, for the first time ever!! Seeing the Lone Cypress (stop #16) has been on my bucket list for awhile and I feel blessed to not only cross it off but to see it on an amazingly gorgeous day in December!! Sunshine kisses, sapphire water and sea breeze definitely gave my soul the rejuvenation it needed! $10 entrance fee gives you access to come in and out for the entire day which is a small sum for a priceless afternoon well spent. Come see it for yourself! read more

The Lone Cypress - amazing! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

I thought this was pretty cool how this famous tree has its own check in and yelp page lol. Well it deserves it! Why? Cause it's been there for over 200 years! Yeah, that one tree. It's inside the 17 Mile Drive, it's closer to the end of the drive. There's parking spots to stop and take pictures of it. There isn't a time limit so you could stay there as long as you want, but the parking is small, but most of the time people just park for not even five minutes to take a picture of it then leave. Also if you walk just a short way from the parking area you'll find these stairs that lead to a huge balcony where it has benches and a closer view of the tree and the ocean! I went during the mid-evening time so my pictures have the sun starting to set. It's totally worth it! Pay $10 to see a tree that's a survivor and also amazing views! It's something to see and read about. read more

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Poor thing has seen better days but it is still something to marvel at. I've never seen it before but I still got goosebumps just looking at it. read more

The Lone Cypress - The Lonely Cypress missing branches - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

The 17 Mile drive is amazing and beautiful and the lone Cypress is one of the best stops along the way. It's a busy stop, but don't pass it by. read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

So beautiful and iconic. If you get the chance to do this drive and see this landmark, do not pass it up. It's so cool to see and read about the history of the tree. The drive itself is incredible but this landmark is definitely one of the highlights along the way! read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

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Great place to take pics . I think it's 16 th stop on 17 mile drive . The drive is spectacular. Honestly i don't understand the hype that much , ya ya I read about it on internet but I mean it's great place to take pics , but there are many other cypress near to this tree itself , which might be feeling envy . But 100% worth visiting this spot for amazing view of pacific n pics with dearest cypress read more

The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

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Sometimes I feel alone... Like the Lone Cypress Tree. But Then I realize It's just a bunch of selfie stick tourists. read more

It's a simple cypress tree, but it's worth stopping for on the 17 mile drive. It has withstood winds and storms for over 200 years...amazing! read more

The Lone Cypress - It may look like "just a tree", but it's been around for more than 200 years. That makes it worth seeing! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

I don't know how this could get less than a 5. I mean, it's nature and an icon of the area. I didn't know that it was in 17 mile drive park, so it was cool to see it unexpectedly on our drive. We didn't have a ton of sunlight so we got a shadowed picture, but it was still a very beautiful sight. Parking is a breeze and there are people there usually so that you can ask folks to take a pic instead of doing the selfie. Very cool! read more

The Lone Cypress is a lone standing tree in a rock overlooking the ocean. There's a staircase that makes it easy to walk down and get a better view of the tree. We came around 3:30pm, but I could only imagine how pretty a sunset would be here. read more

The Lone Cypress - The Lone Cypress - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Del Monte Forest, California

it was pretty, there was like 5 people fishing off the rock though