Three of the world's top 15 courses sit on a single peninsula on California's Central Coast. Pebble Beach Golf Links — host of six US Opens — wraps around Stillwater Cove and gives you ocean views on seven holes. A mile down 17-Mile Drive sits Cypress Point, the most private club in American golf, where Mackenzie's 16th hole vaults across the Pacific. A few minutes inland is Spyglass Hill, the under-loved younger sister whose first five holes plunge through coastal dunes that wouldn't look out of place in Bandon.
The catch is what you'd expect: Pebble's green fee is $695 ($725 in peak), Cypress is unplayable without a member host, and the Lodge at Pebble Beach starts around $1,200 a night. The way around it is the AT&T Pro-Am package — Pebble, Spyglass, and Del Monte (the oldest course west of the Mississippi) in a 3-night booking that includes accommodations and saves about 20% if you'd been paying à la carte.
What people miss when they obsess over the headline courses: Monterey itself is a great long-weekend town. Cannery Row, the aquarium, the wine country up in Carmel Valley, and 17-Mile Drive as a stand-alone scenic loop. Bring a non-golfer and they'll have plenty to do while you finish a 5-hour round at Pebble.
Best courses
The pilgrimage. Six US Opens, the most famous closing stretch in American golf, and the only way to play it short of being a US Open qualifier. Stay at one of the four Pebble Beach Resort hotels — they get tee-time priority.
Considered by most insiders to be the best course in the world. Private, no public access — your only path in is a member invitation. The 16th hole (a 220-yard carry over the Pacific) is the most photographed hole in golf.
Trent Jones's underrated companion to Pebble. First five holes through coastal dunes, then thirteen more through Del Monte Forest. Bookable as part of the AT&T package — and at $475 it's the value play of the area.
- Check tee times →
The Links at Spanish Bay
Watson + Trent Jones Jr. Bagpiper plays from the dunes at sunset. Not in the Pebble / Cypress class but the only true links on the peninsula. $355 green fee, easier walk than Pebble.
- Check tee times →
Pasatiempo
Alister Mackenzie's California masterpiece, an hour north in Santa Cruz. Cheaper, less hyped, and several top architects consider it the most under-rated course in the US. $400 green fee makes it the smartest add-on.
- Check tee times →
Del Monte
The oldest course west of the Mississippi (1897). Short, walkable, character-laden — and only $200. The third leg of the AT&T package and the round you'll remember most fondly.
On the map
Where the best Pebble Beach & Monterey courses sit relative to each other.
Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Sub-areas to know
The Pebble Beach Resort
Four hotels, four courses, one 17-Mile Drive. The Lodge sits next to Pebble's first tee; the Inn at Spanish Bay is on its own course. Stay here for tee-time access, expect $1,100+ nights.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
10 minutes south of Pebble. Boutique hotels at half the resort price, walkable downtown, the best restaurants on the peninsula. The smart-money base for non-Cypress guests.
Monterey downtown & Cannery Row
15 minutes north. Marina-side hotels, the aquarium, easier flights into MRY. Cheaper than Carmel, more touristy, fine for a 2-night base if Pebble is the only round.
Carmel Valley
20 minutes inland from the coast. Quail Lodge, Bernardus, several wineries. Warmer than the peninsula (no fog), good for a non-golfer partner.
When to go
Best monthsApril through October
Marine layer until 10am most mornings June-August (the famous Monterey fog). Sunny afternoons, 60-68°F highs year-round. Winter is mild but stormy — sustained rain can shut down the cliff-side play.
Sample itinerary
4-day Monterey peninsula
- Day 01Land MRY or SJC, settle in Pebble
Monterey Regional is closest (10 min to the Lodge) but limited. San Jose is 90 min and has the connections. Check in at the Lodge or the Inn at Spanish Bay. Loosener at Del Monte in the afternoon.
- Day 02Spyglass Hill
Play the value round first so the budget shock lands second. Lunch at the clubhouse, then drive 17-Mile Drive in the afternoon. Dinner at Tarpy's.
- Day 03Pebble Beach
The main event. Caddies recommended (~$120 + tip). Allow 5 hours from tee off — the course plays slowly on weekends. Reserve a table at the Tap Room for after.
- Day 04Pasatiempo or fly home
If you can extend, drive 1h north to Santa Cruz for Pasatiempo — Alister Mackenzie's overlooked gem. Otherwise SJC for the afternoon flight.
What it costs
$4,500–$7,500 per person for 4 days
Pebble's $695 green fee is the headliner. Spyglass ($475), Del Monte ($200), Spanish Bay ($355). Add the AT&T package and you save ~20%. Lodge at Pebble Beach runs $1,100-$2,200/night — staying off-peninsula (Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey downtown) cuts hotel cost in half but loses you the tee-time priority. Caddies $120-150/round, dinner $80-150/person at the resort.
Want a real number for your group? The planner produces a per-person estimate based on your dates, party size, and course choices.
Getting there
- MRY · Monterey10 min to Pebble Beach driveClosest by a mile. Limited connections — mostly United and American via SFO/LAX/PHX. Direct from Dallas, San Diego, Denver.
- SJC · San Jose1h 20m driveThe smart compromise. Broad connections, half the rental-car cost, and the drive south on 101 is mostly open road.
- SFO · San Francisco2h driveDefault international option. The trip down 101 takes longer than it looks (Bay Area traffic), so try to land before noon.
Rent a car — public transit on the peninsula is non-existent and the resort shuttle only covers Pebble Beach Resort properties. The drive between courses is part of the experience.
Practical
- New York (JFK) → SJC6h 30m direct (JetBlue, United)
- Chicago (ORD) → SJC4h 30m direct (United, American)
- Dallas (DFW) → MRY3h 50m direct (American)
- SpringCool (55-65°F), occasional rain through April, courses lush. Wildflowers along 17-Mile Drive in May.
- SummerThe famous fog mornings — 55°F at 7am, 68°F by noon. Tee off late, finish in sunshine. Driest months.
- FallSeptember and October are the locals' favorites. Clear skies, 70°F afternoons, fewest crowds.
- WinterMild (55-62°F) but stormy. Pebble can close for surf or rain. Green fees drop ~$100 December-February.
FAQ
How do I actually get a Pebble Beach tee time?
Easiest path: book a room at one of the four Pebble Beach Resort hotels (Lodge, Inn at Spanish Bay, Casa Palmero, the Lodge cottages). Resort guests get tee-time priority 18 months out. Non-guests can book through the resort tee-time line 60 days ahead but availability is thin. The AT&T Pro-Am 3-round package is the most reliable way for a non-member to lock in Pebble + Spyglass + Del Monte.
Can I play Cypress Point?
Realistically, no — unless you know a member, and even then they bring guests sparingly. Cypress is one of the three most private clubs in American golf. There's no waiting list, no public lottery, no path in. Spend the energy on Pebble and Spyglass.
Is the AT&T Pro-Am package worth it?
If you want all three Pebble courses in a single trip, yes — it bundles Pebble, Spyglass, and Del Monte with two nights at the resort, includes the resort cart fees, and saves ~15-20% versus à la carte. The catch is fixed dates and a 2-3 person minimum.
Should I bring my clubs or rent?
Bring them. Pebble's rental sets ($150) are TaylorMade demo bags but you give up the comfort of your own clubs on a $700 round. United doesn't charge for golf bags; American charges $40-65 each way. Use Ship Sticks if you're flying multiple connections.
Is the Lodge at Pebble Beach worth it over a Carmel hotel?
For tee-time access, yes. For pure value, no. A Carmel-by-the-Sea boutique runs $300-450/night vs the Lodge's $1,100+, and Carmel is a 10-minute drive to the first tee. The break-even depends on whether resort-guest priority gets you a Pebble time you wouldn't otherwise get.
Ready to start planning?
Generate this Pebble Beach & Monterey trip in minutes- Pebble Beach · Monterey, California, USA