Explore the Monterey Peninsula by E-Bike: Scenic Rides, Rentals & Coastal Adventures
There may be no better way to experience the Monterey Peninsula than on two wheels — especially when those two wheels come with a little electric assistance.
More and more visitors are discovering e-bikes as a fun, easy way to explore Pacific Grove, Monterey, Pebble Beach and Carmel. Bring your own e-bike or rent one locally and you can spend the day following the coastline, stopping at beaches and overlooks, visiting Cannery Row, exploring 17-Mile Drive or simply seeing where the road takes you.
Best of all, when you stay at Monterey Peninsula Inn, some of the area’s most beautiful cycling begins practically outside your door.
Why the Monterey Peninsula Is Made for E-Bikes
The Monterey Peninsula packs an extraordinary amount of scenery into a relatively small area. Oceanfront roads, coastal trails, cypress forests, beaches and neighboring communities are all within biking distance — although the hills and distances can sometimes make a traditional bicycle ride more ambitious than visitors expect.
That’s where an e-bike shines.
Pedal assistance makes it easier to ride farther, tackle hills and enjoy the scenery without turning your sightseeing day into an endurance event. Couples and groups with different cycling abilities can also ride together more comfortably.
And there is certainly plenty to explore.
Ride the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
One of the easiest introductions to biking the area is the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, an 18-mile paved waterfront trail extending from Pacific Grove north toward Castroville.
From Pacific Grove, riders can follow the coastline toward Lovers Point and continue past the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row toward Fisherman’s Wharf and beyond.
This can be an especially enjoyable ride for visitors who haven’t been on a bicycle for a while. Choose your own distance, stop for coffee or lunch, watch for sea otters and harbor seals, and turn around whenever you’re ready.
Suggested ride: Pacific Grove → Lovers Point → Monterey Bay Aquarium → Cannery Row → Fisherman’s Wharf → return to Pacific Grove.
Allow plenty of extra time. On the Monterey Peninsula, stopping for the view is part of the ride.
E-Bike 17-Mile Drive
For something a little more adventurous, head toward one of America’s most famous scenic roads: 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach.
From Pacific Grove, cyclists can enter near the Pacific Grove gate and follow portions of the legendary route past Spanish Bay, Point Joe, Bird Rock, Seal Rock and other coastal landmarks. More experienced cyclists may continue toward Cypress Point, the Lone Cypress and The Lodge at Pebble Beach.
The beauty of an e-bike becomes especially apparent here. Hills become much more manageable, leaving more energy for enjoying the dramatic coastline, Del Monte Forest and famous Pebble Beach scenery.
Keep in mind that portions of 17-Mile Drive share the roadway with automobiles and some stretches have limited shoulders. Less experienced cyclists may prefer a shorter out-and-back ride from the Pacific Grove entrance or a guided e-bike tour. Access can also occasionally be restricted during major Pebble Beach events, so checking current conditions before setting out is always a good idea.
Follow the Pacific Grove Coast
You don’t need to make your ride complicated to make it memorable.
From Monterey Peninsula Inn, head toward the ocean and enjoy Pacific Grove’s spectacular shoreline. Point Pinos Lighthouse, the rocky coastline along Ocean View Boulevard, Lovers Point and Asilomar State Beach provide plenty of reasons to stop.
A ride along the Pacific Grove coast can be as short or long as you like, making it ideal for a leisurely morning or late-afternoon excursion.
Bring a camera. And don’t be surprised if deer, sea otters, harbor seals or other local residents make an appearance along the way.
Make a Day of It: Pacific Grove to Carmel
Experienced riders looking for a longer adventure can use an e-bike to connect several of the Peninsula’s best-known destinations.
Start in Pacific Grove, explore portions of 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach and continue toward Carmel-by-the-Sea. Park your bike and wander Carmel’s shops and galleries, enjoy lunch, visit Carmel Beach and then make your way back toward Pacific Grove.
It’s a wonderful example of what makes an e-bike so useful here: in one day, you can experience three very different sides of the Monterey Peninsula without spending much of that day inside a car.
Don’t Have an E-Bike? Rent One Here
Several local companies make it easy to try e-biking while you’re visiting.
Big Sur Adventures – Pacific Grove
Located on Sunset Drive near the Pacific Grove entrance to 17-Mile Drive, Big Sur Adventures specializes in e-bike rentals and guided tours. Its location makes it particularly convenient for guests interested in exploring Pebble Beach and 17-Mile Drive.
Adventures by the Sea – Monterey & Pacific Grove
A longtime local recreation company with several waterfront locations, Adventures by the Sea offers e-bike rentals as well as guided electric bicycle tours of 17-Mile Drive. Its locations are convenient for riders interested in the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen – Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea
This specialty bike company offers premium electric-bike rentals and guided tours from locations in Monterey and Carmel. They even offer some unique dog- and family-friendly cycling options.
Coastal E-Bike Connection – Pacific Grove
A mobile e-bike rental and tour company serving the Monterey Peninsula, with rentals that can be particularly convenient for visitors staying in Pacific Grove.
Rental offerings, hours and availability can change, so reservations and advance confirmation are recommended.
Prefer to Ride with a Guide?
A guided tour can be an excellent choice for first-time e-bike riders or anyone who would rather follow a knowledgeable local than study a map.
Local operators offer guided e-bike experiences through Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and 17-Mile Drive. Tours typically combine cycling with stops at scenic overlooks and local landmarks, while your guide handles the route planning.
It’s an easy way to experience a lot of the Peninsula in just a few hours.
Bringing Your Own E-Bike? Monterey Peninsula Inn Makes a Great Home Base
We’ve noticed an increasing number of our guests arriving with e-bikes of their own — and we understand why.
At Monterey Peninsula Inn, you’re staying at the tip of the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, just 2.5 blocks from the ocean, approximately one mile from the entrance to 17-Mile Drive and close to Pacific Grove’s coastal biking routes.
Our nearly two-acre property offers on-site parking, with many accommodations providing convenient access between your vehicle and guest room or cottage. Unload your bikes, leave the car behind and set out to explore.
After your ride, come back, put your feet up and relax. Enjoy our peaceful grounds, gather around the outdoor fire pit or soak tired cycling muscles in the hot tub.
Tomorrow, there will be another road to explore.
Park the Car. Ride the Peninsula.
One of the pleasures of staying in Pacific Grove is discovering just how much of the Monterey Peninsula is within reach without getting back into your car.
Follow the coast for a few miles. Spend an afternoon exploring Monterey. Ride through Pebble Beach. Make your way to Carmel. Or simply pedal until you find a beautiful spot where you want to stop.
With an e-bike, getting there is half the fun.
Bring your e-bike — or rent one when you arrive — and make Monterey Peninsula Inn your home base for exploring the Monterey Peninsula on two wheels.