This is a favorite tourist location, famed for Bird Island with its roosts of Brandt's Cormorants year-round and a breeding colony in spring, plus Brown Pelicans in summer/fall. Slightly to the south (i.e., left when looking at Bird Island) are lower, smaller Seal Rocks used by Harbor Seals, California Sea-lions, and rocky shorebirds at low tide. A small sandy beach (Seal Rocks Beach) is also adjacent just south, where a small creek enters the sea (when running) or forms a small lagoon (in summer). There are in-place tourist 'scopes' in the parking lot, but a personal high-quality scope is very useful. 

Beyond the Brandt's Cormorants and Brown Pelicans, check Bird Rock for Brown Booby (rare, but several records). There is a nice gull roost at the north end of the parking lot, and also gulls frequent Seal Rocks Beach. Black Oystercatcher is resident on the rocky shoreline, and from August to early May that habitat is good for Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Whimbrel, Black-bellied Plover, and scarcer waders such as Ruddy Turnstone, Wanderling Tattler (particularly in spriing and fall migrations), and Rock Sandpiper (very rare). Flocks of Surf Scoter with Western and Eared Grebes winter in front of Bird Rock and on the sea southwards; check those flocks for rarities like Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, White-winged or Black Scoter, and (very rare) an eider. Seawatching for shearwaters and alcids can be good at times, especially in blustery winds or NW gales.

There is an entrance fee to enter Pebble Beach on 17-Mile Drive (see more below). There are large restrooms at the Bird Island parking lot.

Pebble Beach is an unincorporated, gated community that encompasses the southwestern portion of the Monterey Peninsula. It is about 10.6 sq.mi. in size and has a population of about 4,500 residents, most in single-family homes. It is internationally known for its golf courses and as a tourist destination. The world-famous 17-Mile Drive hugs the spectacular, rocky coastline; there is a substantial fee to enter 17-Mile Drive or other roads via five 24-hour gates. Public restrooms for tourists are at the Bird Rock parking lot. Upslope, the Del Monte Forest is a dominated by a Monterey Pine forest, portions of which include the SFB Morse Botanical Reserve for endangered species.