The Scenic 17-Mile Drive of the Monterey Peninsula

China Rock

One of America’s great scenic drives is 17-Mile Drive on California’s Monterey Peninsula.  As is the case with many of America’s scenic drives (some of our other favorites include the scenic Apache Trail and the historic Columbia River Highway), 17-Mile Drive has been a tourist attraction for a very long time.  The first travelers along 17-Mile Drive explored the Del Monte Forest by horse-drawn carriage as early as 1881.  Now visitors pay an entrance fee at one of five gates to view the Monterey Peninsula’s dramatic coastline, visit 17-Mile Drive’s 21 marked points of interest, and get a glimpse of what is probably the Monterey Peninsula’s most famous attraction, Pebble Beach Golf Links. 

Driving the Scenic Apache Trail

Part of the Apache Trail dirt road follows along the edge of the Salt River.

There are many scenic drives in the USA and one of the great American scenic drives is Arizona’s Apache Trail.  In addition to the natural beauty of this desert trail, travelers will be able to visit some great sites including Goldfield Ghost Town, Tortilla Flat, Roosevelt Dam, and Tonto National Monument.

The Apache Trail is easily reached from Phoenix, Arizona and runs as Highway 88 for approximately 80 miles from Apache Junction, past Apache Lake and Theodore Roosevelt Lake, to the Highway 60-70 junction.  Most travelers turn the drive into a loop, returning to Phoenix via Highway 60.

Driving Oregon’s Historic Columbia River Highway

View of the Columbia River Gorge from the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.

One of the most beautiful days you can spend in Oregon is driving through the Columbia River Gorge.  The Columbia Gorge, just a few miles east of Portland, is a long canyon cut through by the Columbia River.  The Columbia Gorge has historical significance.  Lewis and Clark paddled down the Columbia River.  The Columbia River Highway, one of America's great scenic drives, was built in the early 1900s and was one of the first paved roads in the Pacific Northwest.  Today there is also a major highway that travels through the Columbia River Gorge, but sightseers will want to avoid the interstate and instead follow the slower Historic Columbia River Highway, making stops along the way to enjoy the views, waterfalls, and trails.