Del Monte Forest in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Point Joe
Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 27, 2026
1. Point Joe Marker
Early mariners mistook Point Joe as the entrance to Monterey Bay, making it the site of many shipwrecks. In the early 1900s, a man named Joe lived in a driftwood hut here, selling trinkets to tourists and tending goats. It is debated whether Joe was named for the point, or the point was named for Joe.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters.
Location. 36° 36.586′ N, 121° 57.428′ W. Marker is in Del Monte Forest, California, in Monterey County. It is on 17 Mile Drive west of Old 17 Mile Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach CA 93953, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast and specifically on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: China Rock (approx. Ό mile away); Balance Lost and Found Again (approx. 1.2 miles away); Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds (approx. 1.2 miles away); Bird Rock (approx. 1.3 miles away); Rocks and fog spell disaster (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Gipsy (approx. 2.1 miles away); Point Pinos Lighthouse Oil House (approx. 2.1 miles away); Frank L. Buck House (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Del Monte Forest.
Regarding Point Joe. Marker is only accessible on the 17-Mile Drive, which charges a toll for visitors/non-residents. The road is a scenic route located in Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, along with five primary entrances. There are 15 notable stops that people are encouraged to visit while driving on it. All 15 of them are identified by number (in the brochure guide provided on the route), as this is stop #5. Some of the stops have markers that have the same text from the brochure, as this one does.
Also see . . . 17-Mile Drive. From the community of Pebble Beach,
Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 27, 2026
2. Point Joe Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
