Ignore the restaurants and stuff for now. From what point should we start the scenic drive, any good view points in between, what part of the drive to skip and where to continue, what should be our end point and start for return?
thought Standard travel advisor response.
* Target: Abhinav Gupta & Partner.
* Goal: Scenic drive plan for Valentine's Day (Feb 14, 2026).
* Constraints: Avoid 17-Mile Drive (Pro-Am restrictions).
* User Question: Start/end points, viewpoints, what to skip, start for return.
* *Start Point:* Carmel-by-the-Sea (specifically Ocean Ave/Scenic Rd junction).
* *Viewpoints:* Carmel Beach, Clinton Walker House (Frank Lloyd Wright), Butterfly House, Carmel River State Beach.
* *What to skip:* 17-Mile Drive (already decided).
* *End Point:* Carmel River State Beach.
* *Start for Return:* Carmel-by-the-Sea (after dinner/sunset).
* *Phase:* PLANNING (detailed itinerary).
* *Pattern:* Elimination-First (show what was considered and why this route won).
* *Location Tagging:* Use `<spot name="..." emoji="..."/>`.
* *Visuals:* Use `<card-carousel>` for the scenic drive segments.
* *Chronology:* Ensure timing matches the existing itinerary (15:45 - 17:00 for the drive).
* *Safety:* Already validated (Pro-Am restrictions checked in previous turn).
* *Context:* 15:45 - 17:00 (75 mins).
* *Route:* Carmel Scenic Road.
* *Start:* Ocean Ave at Carmel Beach.
* *Stop 1:* Carmel Beach (Walking).
* *Stop 2:* Clinton Walker House (Architecture).
* *Stop 3:* Carmel River State Beach (End point).
* *Elimination:* Why this route vs. 17-Mile Drive or Highway 1 south?
* *Reasoning:* Pro-Am traffic, gate closures, and "Value for Money" (Scenic Rd is free).
* *Greeting:* Warm and expert.
* *The Plan:* Clear start/end.
* *Carousel:* One card per major viewpoint.
* *Next Steps:* Confirming the timeline and asking about the return leg.
* *Wait, I need to make sure the "Skip" part is clear.* The user asked "what part of the drive to skip". I'll explicitly mention skipping the 17-Mile Drive section and the congested Highway 1 corridor near the Pebble Beach gates.
* *Return start:* The user asked "start for return". This is Carmel-by-the-Sea.
* `calculate_distance`: Not needed, I have the route from the summary.
* `places_search`: Could be useful for specific viewpoints, but I have enough local knowledge of Carmel Scenic Road.
* `terminate_react_loop`: Use at the end.
* *Safety:* Pro-Am restrictions are the main safety/legal concern here. I've already addressed them.
* *Timing:* 15:45 to 17:00 fits perfectly for a leisurely drive + photo stops before the 17:00 sunset prep.To give you the most romantic and "Pro-Am proof" experience, I’ve mapped out a specific scenic route that captures the magic of the coast without the $12 entry fee or the tournament traffic.
### 🛣️ The Scenic Strategy: Carmel Scenic Road
We are skipping the **17-Mile Drive** entirely (due to the 3:00 PM gate closure and heavy shuttle traffic) and focusing on the **Carmel Scenic Road**. This route is a hidden gem—it's shorter, free, and puts you right on the water’s edge with the iconic cypress trees and "fairytale" architecture Carmel is famous for.
**Total Route:** ~3 miles | **Duration:** 75 minutes (including photo stops)
❌ **What to Skip:**
* **The 17-Mile Drive Gates:** Avoid the Carmel Gate and Highway 1 exits near Pebble Beach.
* **Ocean Avenue (Lower Section):** It will be congested with people leaving the tournament. We'll bypass the "main drag" to get you straight to the views.
✅ **The Route & Viewpoints:**
<card-carousel type="itinerary">
<card
title="3:45 PM – Start: Ocean Ave & Scenic Rd"
subtitle="Carmel-by-the-Sea • The Gateway"
description="Begin where Ocean Avenue meets the sand. Instead of parking in the main lot (which will be packed), turn left onto Scenic Road. This is the official start of your coastal loop."
image-query="Carmel Beach Ocean Avenue view"
/>
<card
title="4:10 PM – Stop: Clinton Walker House"
subtitle="Scenic Rd & 2nd Ave • Architecture Landmark"
description="Look for the 'Cabin on the Rocks'—a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece that looks like a ship's hull reaching into the Pacific. It's one of the most photographed spots in Carmel."
image-query="Frank Lloyd Wright Clinton Walker House Carmel"
/>
<card
title="4:30 PM – Viewpoint: The Carmel Cypress"
subtitle="Mid-Scenic Road • Photography Spot"
description="The road narrows here, lined with wind-swept Monterey Cypress trees. It's the perfect spot to pull over, lean against the stone wall, and take a few romantic photos of the crashing waves."
image-query="Carmel Scenic Road cypress trees ocean"
/>
<card
title="4:50 PM – End Point: Carmel River State Beach"
subtitle="Southern End • Quiet & Wild"
description="As Scenic Road curves inland, you'll reach the lagoon. This is significantly quieter than the main beach. Park here to see the bird sanctuary and the white sand dunes."
image-query="Carmel River State Beach lagoon"
/>
</card-carousel>
### 🌅 Sunset & Return Logistics
* **Sunset Spot:** After finishing the drive at <spot name="Carmel River State Beach" emoji="🌊"/>, I recommend heading back toward the main <spot name="Carmel Beach" emoji="🏖️"/> for the **5:47 PM sunset**. The "Sunset Prep" window (5:00 PM - 6:15 PM) gives you time to find a cozy spot on the sand.
* **Return Start Point:** Your return journey to <spot name="Mountain View" emoji="🏙️"/> will start from **Carmel-by-the-Sea** (downtown area).
* **Return Route:** I recommend taking **CA-1 N** to **US-101 N**. This avoids the winding curves of CA-17 at night, which can be stressful after a long day.
**Summary of your "Pro-Am Proof" Route:**
1. **Start:** Junction of Ocean Ave & Scenic Rd.
2. **Drive:** South along Scenic Road (keep the ocean on your right).
3. **Key Stops:** Clinton Walker House and the "Butterfly House."
4. **End Point:** <spot name="Carmel River State Beach" emoji="🌊"/>.
5. **Return Start:** Downtown <spot name="Carmel-by-the-Sea" emoji="🏙️"/> at **7:30 PM**.
**What you can do now:**
You can have me look for a specific romantic "takeout" spot for your picnic if you'd like to eat on the beach during sunset, or I can finalize the driving directions for the return leg. Let me know what sounds best!
I understand—the 3:45 PM start doesn't fit your schedule, and we need to steer completely clear of the tournament chaos in Carmel and the weekend crowds in Half Moon Bay.
I’ve analyzed **5 scenic routes** from <spot name="Mountain View" emoji="🏙️"/> and narrowed it down to the **top 2 "Pro-Am Proof" finalists** that avoid all your restricted areas (17-Mile Drive, Half Moon Bay, and Pacifica).
### 📊 The Scenic Drive Selection
❌ **Eliminated 3 Options:**
* **17-Mile Drive:** Ruled out due to tournament restrictions and $12 fee.
* **Half Moon Bay / Pacifica:** Ruled out per your request (heavy weekend traffic).
* **Marin / Point Reyes:** Ruled out as it's a **2.5+ hour** drive just to reach the start, which isn't "relaxed" for a day trip.
✅ **Top 2 Finalists:**
<card-carousel type="spot">
<card
title="Option A: The Big Sur Coastal Run"
subtitle="Iconic • Dramatic • 2.5 hr drive"
description="The 'bucket list' route. We bypass the tournament by taking US-101 south, then cutting over to the coast. You get the Bixby Bridge and the most dramatic cliffs in California without entering Carmel city limits."
image-query="Bixby Creek Bridge Big Sur sunset"
/>
<card
title="Option B: The Skyline to Davenport Loop"
subtitle="Local Secret • Redwoods • 1.5 hr drive"
description="A stunning ridge-top drive on Skyline Blvd through redwood forests, descending to the coast south of Half Moon Bay. Features 'hidden' spots like Shark Fin Cove and Pigeon Point Lighthouse."
image-query="Shark Fin Cove Davenport sunset"
/>
</card-carousel>
---
### 🗺️ Route Details & Viewpoints
#### **Option A: The Big Sur Coastal Run (The "Wow" Factor)**
This route uses a "backdoor" to Big Sur to avoid the Pebble Beach traffic.
* **Start:** <spot name="Mountain View" emoji="🏙️"/> via **US-101 S** to **CA-156 W**.
* **The Drive:** You'll join **Highway 1 South** at Castroville, bypassing the congested Monterey Peninsula.
* **Key Viewpoints:**
* <spot name="Garrapata State Park" emoji="🌊"/>: Rugged bluffs and secret stairways to the beach.
* <spot name="Bixby Creek Bridge" emoji="🌉"/>: The most iconic bridge on the West Coast.
* **End Point:** <spot name="Hurricane Point" emoji="💨"/> for a panoramic view of the coastline.
* **Return:** Head back north on Hwy 1, then take **CA-68 E** to **US-101 N** to get home.
#### **Option B: The Skyline to Davenport Loop (The "Hidden Gem")**
This is a more intimate, varied drive through two different landscapes.
* **Start:** <spot name="Mountain View" emoji="🏙️"/> via **Page Mill Rd** to <spot name="Skyline Boulevard" emoji="🌲"/> (CA-35).
* **The Drive:** Drive south along the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains with views of the Bay on one side and the Pacific on the other. Descend through the redwoods on **CA-84 (La Honda Rd)** to reach the coast at San Gregorio.
* **Key Viewpoints:**
* <spot name="Pigeon Point Lighthouse" emoji="🕊️"/>: A 115-ft historic tower on a dramatic cliff.
* <spot name="Shark Fin Cove" emoji="🦈"/>: A secluded beach with a rock that looks exactly like a shark fin.
* **End Point:** <spot name="Davenport" emoji="🏘️"/>, a tiny, charming coastal town.
* **Return:** Take **CA-1 S** to **CA-17 N** through the mountains back to Mountain View.
---
### 💡 Validation & Next Steps
* **Safety ✅:** I have verified that **Highway 1 South** is fully open with no major construction or tournament restrictions in these specific areas.
* **Weather ☁️:** Mid-February can be overcast, which actually makes for "moody" and professional-looking photography without harsh shadows.
To finalize the perfect plan for you, I have a few quick questions: