Will the best views be on the driver's side or will either side be great?

There is no 17 Mile Drive in San Francisco, at least not that I am aware of. There is a 17 Mile Drive in the Monterey Bay Area. In answer to your question, the views on either side will e great.

The 17mile drive is a "toll road" on the Monterrey Peninsula (sp?).

From San Francisco, it's a good day trip.

OK - what are you asking about 1) 17 Mile Drive on the Monterrey Peninsula -- OR -- 2) 49 Mile Drive in San Francisco??

We need clarification before any answers will make sense.

From other posts, mct is taking a tour to the Monterey Pen. and 17 mile drive.

Mct, the 17 mile dive is as much about "fancy" houses and golf courses as scenery, so either side of the bus will be fine.

There is a 49-mile drive in San Francisco. I actually drove it for the first time last year since my house is one street away from it.

Some of it is really nice - but I can't imagine what city officials were thinking with other parts. No one really needs to drive down Cesar Chavez (Army) Street.

I'm going to assume you'll be in a bus because otherwise you'd have a great view no matter where you were sitting in a car. If you are riding from Monterey to Carmel (counter-clockwise) you'll want to be on the right side of the bus (not the drivers side) to see the ocean views but you'll see the houses and golf courses from either side (at first it will seem like all the houses are on the left, because the ocean is on the right, but eventually it's all houses - and by houses I mean mansions). Visa-versa if you're riding from Carmel to Monterey. There are plenty of turn-outs where you'll unload for great photo ops either way. Enjoy, it's a spectacular drive!

I'm sorry about the confusion (mine) on the '17 Mile Drive'. I should have said Monterey 17 mile drive and we'll be leaving from San Francisco. Thanks for your help!