Pebble Beach Travel Guide
Pebble Beach is more than just a golf destination. See our recommendations on where to stay, where to eat and things to do when you're visiting this popular, but relaxing vacation spot.
By:
Clint Johnston
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California’s Pebble Beach can be found on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula, which marks the beginning of the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the US. The natural beauty of this coastal destination draws golfers and nature lovers alike. Play golf at the world-class Pebble Beach Golf Links or simply rent a car and cruise 17-Mile Drive. Pebble Beach has something for everyone.
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The Lodge at Pebble Beach
The Lodge at Pebble Beach has earned its world-renowned reputation for service and excellence. Many travel to this golf mecca to enjoy the ultimate golf experience; in fact, Golf Digest has voted it the No. 1 golf course in America. The Lodge is known to pamper its guests as well. The 161 rooms and suites boast stunning views of flowering gardens, the surrounding golf course and Stillwater Cove. Sit back and relax at the Lodge and watch over the 18th green, which is one of the most beautiful and exciting finishing holes in golf.
Casa Palmero
Casa Palmero makes for a memorable and romantic getaway, with 24 lavish rooms and suites. This Mediterranean-style estate is known for its exquisite service and extraordinary staff, where a personal coordinator will tailor your stay whether you simply want to indulge at the spa or hit the links. The 22,000-square-foot spa will revitalize your body and mind with any number of signature treatments. Gently smooth your skin with the papaya pineapple scrub or enjoy the par-four massage, performed by 2 therapists, to work out those kinks from the golf course.
The Inn at Spanish Bay
The Inn at Spanish Bay is hidden among the pine trees, where it stands as one of 3 incredible resorts at Pebble Beach. This world-class resort offers 269 guest rooms with views of the surrounding Monterey Pines and Scottish-style golf links, which face the spectacular coastline. Relaxation-seekers will find the inn as welcoming as the avid golf enthusiast, courtesy of this tranquil backdrop.
Where to Eat
Roy’s
Celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi offers a Hawaiian-fusion cuisine, with menu items such as Roy's blackened rare ahi, Japanese-style Misoyaki butterfish and charred garlic honey-mustard beef short ribs. The view of the golf course and waves crashing along the shore alone would make this dinner worth the drive to its location at the Inn at Spanish Bay, even if you find yourself staying at another resort.
Arrive early, grab a blanket, and sit on the outside patio around the fire pit. If the gorgeous view of the sea isn’t enough for you, the sounds of the Scottish bagpiper making his rounds through the links will make the trip worthwhile. Also be sure to enjoy a glass of wine or a specialty cocktail such as the Pebbletini, Ketel One vodka with house-made bleu cheese-stuffed olives, while taking in the sights and sounds of the Pacific’s crashing waves.
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Most people head to The Bench, a restaurant overlooking the 18th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Links. The 18th hole is cut from a shoreline where golf and nature intersect. It is also one of the most iconic holes in golf where all of the greats, from Ben Hogan to Tiger Woods, have triumphed. The Bench offers a casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere for guests, where golfers retire after they hit the links and resort guests come to watch them finish their round.
The dining area offers enclosed, open-air and outdoor seating alongside the fire pits. Enjoy a carefully crafted cocktail, such as the Bench Sour, which is made with Buffalo showcases dishes that meld a wide range of Asian, Middle Eastern, Italian and Latin American flavors, such as the Penn Cove mussels, wood-grilled steak and organic salmon.
What to See & Do
Nature Walks
Exploring the beautiful shoreline is a wonderful way to lose oneself in the nature of Pebble Beach. Oceanfront pathways run along the coastline of Pebble Beach -- all perfect for nature walks and a little exercise. Many guests of the Inn at Spanish Bay are able to take advantage of walking paths leading to coves along the oceanfront. With more 30 miles of hiking trails nature lovers are sure to spot deer, foxes, and birds along the way.
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For the non-golfer 17-Mile Drive offers a scenic tour of the magnificent seashore. The iconic Lone Cypress -- the official symbol of Pebble Beach, still standing after 250 years -- can’t be missed, as it stands above the rocky shoreline. Other highlights of this route include Spanish Bay, where you’ll find a sandy beach with tables for a picnic by the bay. Spanish Bay is often the first stop on 17-Mile Drive, which means it tends to be a bit more crowded with onlookers.
Restless Sea is nestled between Spanish Bay and Point Joe, and gets its name from the constant motion of the water. Bird Rock is another great place, where you can stop to see pelicans, Brandt's cormorants and California sea lions. Each stop offers something unique and picturesque, which is why 17-Mile Drive is a must.
Play Golf
Pebble Beach Golf Links
A storied course that’s a must for any golfing fanatic, Pebble Beach Golf Links opened in 1919 and has been consistently ranked one of the best courses in America by golf pros. Every golfer dreams of teeing-up on the links here, where many legends have played before them. A round of golf runs around $495, which is steep, but every golfer deserves to play Pebble Beach Golf Links once in their life.
Getting There
Pebble Beach is located 1.5 hours from San Jose International Airport and just 2 hours from San Francisco Airport, making it easily accessible by air, with many flight options.
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