The Must-Drive Routes of the Central California Coast
By John Oreovicz
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A unique driving region like California’s Monterey Coast is made even more special by a unique car. Like the Lexus LC500.
It’s difficult to classify the LC500, because it’s a car capable of playing many roles. The quad-cam, 5-liter V-8 engine produces 471 horsepower, with performance and a sonorous soundtrack to rival the most capable of supercars. But the sportiest model in the Lexus lineup can also morph into a quiet, refined cruiser with the added benefit of “2+2” seating that can accommodate children, dogs or that second set of golf clubs that doesn’t quite fit in the surprisingly capacious 5.4-cubic foot trunk.
With that in mind, we set out to explore the Monterey/Carmel area following IMSA’s Motul Course de Monterey weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The legendary 17 Mile Drive, home to some of the world’s most renowned golf courses, was a logical place to start.
The Drive is a 17-mile loop that winds along the Monterey Peninsula south of Pacific Grove, interspersing gated housing communities and spectacular coastal views with premium golf courses. You don’t need to pack your sticks to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area, and visitors are encouraged to visit the pro shops and diverse restaurants at the Pebble Beach, Spyglass and Spanish Bay courses.
Portions of the 17 Mile Drive were once used for road racing, but these days, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour and the region is heavily patrolled. A perfect opportunity to drop the windows and enjoy the remarkable clarity of the LC500’s Mark Levinson Reference System audio, pumping out 835 watts through 13 speakers. The Masters theme song “Augusta,” written and performed by Dave Loggins (Kenny’s less famous cousin), never sounded so good.
Exit the southern end of the 17 Mile Drive near Pebble Beach Golf Links to find yourself in the village of Carmel by the Sea, where actor/director Clint Eastwood was elected to a two-year term as mayor in 1986. It’s best to explore this quaint little burg by foot, with many small galleries, boutiques and restaurants that will surprise and delight.
Just south of Carmel, California Highway 1 resumes its run down the coast. The 150-mile stretch from Carmel to Morro Bay is arguably the most famous segment of the Pacific Coast Highway, but the road is closed about 50 miles south of Big Sur due to landslides. Again, check for road closures, but an excellent alternative is the 40-mile run inland down Carmel Valley Road, where a car like the LC500 can really stretch its legs. There’s an especially enjoyable twisty stretch south of Jamestown before the highway transitions into Arroyo Seco Road for the final few miles to the intersection with U.S. 101 at Greenfield.
Time for a late lunch? If you’re sticking with the 101 for the drive north to the Bay Area, try the Prunedale Deli & Market just north of Salinas for its renowned tri-tip sandwich. Owner Martin Munoz smokes the meat daily, serving it up from around 10 a.m. until he runs out.
Or veer back west toward the coast on California Highway 183, merging with Highway 1 south of Castroville. From there, it’s 30 miles to Santa Cruz, with dozens of dining options at the Beach Boardwalk and Municipal Wharf.
PCH traffic thins out north of Santa Cruz, as many drivers opt to take California Highway 17 up to the southern edge of San Jose. We might do the same if we were in a less exciting car, but the 40-mile cruise up the coast from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay is one last chance to enjoy the scenery and the combination of traits that make the LC500 a modern-day successor to exotic 2+2 GT cars like the Ferrari 365 GTC/4 and the Lamborghini Espada.
Befitting a car with a $98,850 suggested retail price, the LC500 is rare; Lexus has sold a little more than 6,000 in the U.S. since its introduction as a 2020 model. It also feels special, with a luxurious interior lined in leather and Alcantara, and did I mention that stereo?
Akio Toyoda, grandson of Toyota Motor Corporation founder Kiichiro Toyoda, served as the company president and CEO from 2009 until earlier this year, when he was named Chairman of the Board. During his tenure, Toyoda dedicated himself to enhancing the traditional Toyota and Lexus brand attributes of quality, comfort, and reliability with a healthy dose of driving excitement.
When Toyoda unveiled the LC500 as a concept car at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, he said: “I was determined to make sure we became a more emotional brand, and that the words ‘boring’ and ‘Lexus’ never showed up in the same sentence again.
“I can confidently say this is a brave new Lexus,” he added. “We want to make cars to fill people’s hearts.”
Suffice to say that with cars like the Lexus LC 500 – and the recently unveiled fifth generation Toyota Prius hybrid, a beautifully shaped machine that is garnering rave reviews from the automotive press – Toyoda is succeeding in that goal.