17 Mile Drive turnout south of China Rock

The Michael F. Gibbons & Todd C. Spruance bench and The George & Ruth Rhoda bench

There are some benches on the Monterey Peninsula that are true treasures, amazing gifts that are situated in some of the most stunning and incredibly scenic locations. Some of the bench locations are super easy to get to, as easy as stepping out of the car, and some have to be earned, seemingly as rewards for trekking out along any of the myriad of walking or hiking paths that the Peninsula has to offer.

I have always wanted to share these discoveries with others, which is what I will do in this and future blogs.

The featured Bench of this Month has to be combined with its close neighboring bench just down the path. It would be an injustice to not feature them as a pair. They are located on 17 Mile Drive between Bird Rock and Point Joe at the first parking area turnout just south of the China Rock turnout parking area. It appears there is no name for this turnout and maybe the reason why the benches are for the most part always vacant. I say benches because there are two different benches. One is closer to the parking area yet still a 50 yard walk from the car but the better of the two benches, in my opinion, is another hundred yards down the sandy path to the South.

The first bench along the path, The Michael F. Gibbons bench (1956-1993) dedicated by “Mom, Dad & Amy”, gets serious credit for being one of the highest quality places along 17 Mile Drive to stop the clock and sit at the edge of the continent undisturbed for the most part and away from cars and noise. Cheers to you Michael for a perfect spot to turn off the mind. 37 was way too young to go but your memory lives on for me and many others in your bench. This bench is co-dedicated to Todd C. Spruance (1970-1996) with “Love finity all kind, Roxayne”. Here at their bench, the waves crash seemingly at one’s feet and God’s fresh breeze blows with what must be some of the freshest air in the world.

For a more isolated experience with fewer people and farther away from the road, a hundred yards further down the path, and out on the point a wee bit, is the George & Ruth Rhoda bench dedicated in 1993. This is my favorite bench along 17 Mile Drive because of its isolation. The bench is held up on one side by a lower rock boulder that, with a little sweat-shirt rolled up as padding, acts as a perfect pillow to rest one’s head and gaze at the Milky Way splashed across the sky… No hour is ever the same sitting upon these benches… The colors in the sunsets and crystal clear and stormy skies alike, are as vast as any rainbow, and the ever changing colors of the Pebble Beach waters, from aqua marine to deep purple, shiny silver and all the blues you can think of are a delight to behold. The waves are never the same and fill one’s soul with good vibrations and high energy...again, slowing down time. Enjoy.

The Michael F. Gibbons & Todd C. Spruance bench

The George & Ruth Rhoda bench