Monterey & Pebble Beach
The perfect golf setting
The place
Home to the best designer holes.
Situated right along the Big Sur coastline, the Monterey Peninsula is one of California's most iconic destinations featuring massive dunes followed by beaches, dense forests and astonishing views as the highway winding between mountains and the Pacific.
Discover the “17-Mile Drive” the scenic road that runs along the coast between Pebble Beach, through the Del Monte forest, offering views of some of the most famous golf courses, the “Lone Cypress” and mega-mansions.
The Monterrey peninsula is home to several of the best courses in the world, and many of them are public (they authorize non-members to play).
Golf
Experience the wonders of Pebble Beach, discover Spyglass Hill, and visit Alister Mackenzie's home.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
- Ranked the #1 public golf course in the US, host to the US Open and the AT&T National Pro-Am PGA Tour event every year. Its impressive layout unfolds along the cliffs of the Pacific, and offers unforgettable shots on all 18 holes.
- Packed with golf memorabilia from the US Open, like Tom Watson's winning shot at the 1982 US Open, or Jack Nicklaus at the tee of the 100th US Open edition that Tiger Woods won by 15 shots.
Spyglass Hill
- Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones considered the best course in the Resort although it bears less fame than its brother Pebble does. Its unique links layout is a wonderful meeting of sand and trees, and deliberately reminiscent of Augusta National.
- Demanding from the tee, featuring very fast greens with a lot of movement, the course is a true test of golf skills and an opportunity to use every club in the bag.
Pasatiempo Golf Club
- Pasatiempo was designed by world-renowned golf architect Alister MacKenzie, who also designed Augusta National and Cypress Point. It was renovated by Tom Doak. Alister MacKenzie says that the 16th hole is his best two-shotter par 4 he has ever designed.
- Dr. Mackenzie's House: Pasatiempo was his favourite layout and where he made his American home, which still borders the sixth fairway.
The Links at Spanish Bay
- Difficult course due to its frequent windy conditions, most compare its playing conditions to courses on the British Isles.
- Ranked among the best public courses in the state of California and the US, it features 14 holes running along the sand dune coastline, and several weaving between towering Monterey Pine forest, where it is common to cross paths with wild deer.
Poppy Hills Golf Club
- Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and redesigned in 2013 by team architect Mike Gorman, it is a heavily wooded course with large undulating greens, many of which are well protected by water and bunkers.
- With beautiful views of the Pacific, this location has hosted the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am until 2009.
Other recommended golf courses
Black Horse and Bayonet. Monterrey Península and Cypress Point (#2 of the world) are private courses and they are highly recommended.
Other things to do
The bay stretches from the Monterey Peninsula to Santa Cruz, California's surfing mecca. San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco are neighboring cities. If you are visiting San Francisco, don’t miss Napa Valley’s vineyards and wineries.
Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea and discover an enchanting one-square mile village nestled along California's Central Coast, filled with: art galleries, restaurants, and boutique shops.
17-Mile Drive takes you on a leisurely driver's seat tour of some of the world's most scenic natural treasures. This leisurely road winds its way through pristine Del Monte Forest and quietly luxurious Pebble Beach. We recommend doing a bicycle tour.
Thinking of more golf: consider playing in nearby cities, such as San Diego, Palm Springs and San Francisco.
Planning
Where to stay
In order to play the Pebble Beach Resort golf courses, you will have to stay at the resort at least 2 nights.
Our golf experts recommend a variety of housing options like condos and mansions with views of the Pacific. Stay in one of these locations and play other courses, and end your trip playing and staying at the Pebble Beach Resort.
Time to book
Plan 6 to 8 months ahead of your desired travel date to guarantee tee times, specially if you want to play Pebble Beach.
When to travel
Travel from May to September and experience perfect golfing weather.
How to get there
The best option is the fly into San Francisco International airport and from there rent a car and drive 1:45 to Monterrey. From Los Ángeles International airport, you have a 5-hour drive.
Testimonials
There's no doubt: Pebble Beach is my place in the world
Gustavo Lichtmajer
A great memory of our trip to Pebble Beach in 2016
Augusto Portais
Cypress Point 16th hole... I’ll never forget that day!
Lucas Raznoznik
Unforgettable afternoon recreating Nicklaus' picture of his last US Open round in 2000
JP
Amazing trip with friends playing Spanish Bay!