A romantic golf getaway along California’s spectacular Pacific Coast
Few golf destinations are as legendary as Pebble Beach on California’s Monterey Peninsula. For golfers and travelers alike, the area offers an unforgettable mix of world-class golf, dramatic coastal scenery, charming seaside towns, and incredible food and wine.
Bob and I are both avid — although admittedly mediocre — golfers, and playing Pebble Beach Golf Links had always been near the top of our bucket list.
When our 45th wedding anniversary was approaching, we decided it was finally time.
Our plan was simple: create a romantic getaway built around golf, while also taking time to explore the beautiful coastal towns of Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and the surrounding Monterey Peninsula.
⛳ Planning the Perfect Pebble Beach Golf Trip
The goal was to spend three nights at Pebble Beach Resort, allowing us to play four rounds of golf on the legendary courses that make the area one of the most famous golf destinations in the world.
Pebble Beach Resorts includes several iconic courses:
- Pebble Beach Golf Links
- Spyglass Hill Golf Course
- The Links at Spanish Bay
- Del Monte Golf Course
Our dream itinerary included:
• Two rounds at Pebble Beach Golf Links
• One round at Spyglass Hill
• One round at Spanish Bay
But golf would only be part of the trip. We also wanted time to explore the Monterey Peninsula, drive portions of the famous Pacific Coast Highway, and enjoy the restaurants, wine, and scenery of the region.
💻 Researching the Trip
My first step was doing what most travelers do today — diving into online research.
I quickly learned that securing tee times at Pebble Beach Golf Links almost always requires staying at the resort, especially if you want guaranteed access to the course.
Pebble Beach Resorts offers several accommodation options:
- The Lodge at Pebble Beach overlooking the 18th green
- The Inn at Spanish Bay, known for its coastal views and evening bagpiper tradition
- Casa Palmero, an intimate Mediterranean-style estate and spa retreat
For our anniversary trip, I chose Casa Palmero, which offered a more romantic setting. Our suite included a fireplace and a private outdoor jacuzzi — perfect for relaxing after long days on the golf course.
By staying three nights, we were able to secure tee times for four rounds of golf.
Because Pebble Beach is a luxury resort destination, we decided to extend the trip by staying at nearby hotels before and after our Pebble Beach stay. This allowed us to explore more of the Monterey Peninsula without spending our entire vacation budget on resort accommodations.
✈️ Using a Trusted Travel Agent
Once I had the overall plan mapped out, I turned the final booking details over to our trusted travel agent, Carmen Pelogruto.
Carmen handled the logistics for:
- airfare
- rental car
- hotel reservations
- dinner reservations
- golf scheduling
Having a knowledgeable travel professional manage the details made the process far easier and allowed us to focus on enjoying the trip.
✈️ Arriving in San Jose
We flew from Tampa to San Jose International Airport, arriving around midday.
San Jose is the most convenient airport for visitors heading to the Monterey Peninsula. From there, it’s roughly an hour’s drive to Monterey and Pebble Beach.
After picking up our rental car, we began the scenic drive south.
The early portion of the drive winds through fertile agricultural land, where California’s mild climate supports crops ranging from lettuce and strawberries to avocados and artichokes.
But as we approached the coast and climbed into the hills, the scenery began to change dramatically.
🌲 Entering the Monterey Peninsula
As we crossed into the Del Monte Forest, the weather changed almost instantly.
The warm sunshine we had enjoyed earlier gave way to the famous coastal marine layer — a cool blanket of fog that often drifts in from the Pacific Ocean.
Temperatures dropped noticeably, and suddenly we were very glad we had packed those extra layers of clothing for golf.
This coastal climate is one reason the Monterey Peninsula remains lush and green year-round.
🌊 Exploring Monterey and Cannery Row
For our first night we stayed at the Spindrift Inn, a charming waterfront hotel located directly on Cannery Row in Monterey.
The hotel sits right along the water and offers incredible views of Monterey Bay.
Our room was cozy with a fireplace and ocean view. For the best experience here, I recommend reserving one of the upper-floor oceanfront rooms.
Cannery Row itself is a lively waterfront district filled with:
- restaurants
- small shops
- wine tasting rooms
- waterfront walking paths
The area was made famous by John Steinbeck’s novel “Cannery Row,” which chronicled the working fishing industry that once dominated the waterfront.
Today, the area is more focused on tourism, but it still retains a fun and lively character.
One of the highlights of Monterey is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, widely considered one of the best aquariums in the world.
🏊 A Surprising Sight in Monterey Bay
As we walked along the waterfront paths, we noticed something surprising.
Several swimmers were out in the open bay doing long-distance ocean swims.
The water temperature rarely climbs above 60°F, which felt shockingly cold to us coming from Florida.
Yet these swimmers were confidently making their way through the thick kelp forests of Monterey Bay, some accompanied by small support boats while others swam solo.
It was impressive — and a little crazy from our perspective!
🍷 Wine Tasting Along Cannery Row
Before dinner we stopped into a local wine tasting room, where I sampled several wines from Napa and Sonoma Valley.
California wine culture is deeply woven into the region, and tasting rooms like these are common throughout Monterey, Carmel, and surrounding towns.
It was a relaxing way to wind down before dinner.
🍽️ Dinner at The Whaling Station
For dinner we had reservations at The Whaling Station Steakhouse, a long-standing Monterey restaurant known for its steaks and classic dining atmosphere.
Making reservations ahead of time is a good idea in Monterey, especially at popular restaurants.
Bob ordered the house specialty steak while I chose salmon — appropriate for a region famous for its Pacific seafood.
Both meals were excellent, and after sharing the restaurant’s signature dessert we returned to the hotel ready for a good night’s sleep.
The time change was starting to catch up with us.
⛳ Tomorrow: Our First Round at Spyglass Hill
The next day would mark the beginning of our Pebble Beach golf adventure.
We would tee off at Spyglass Hill Golf Course, widely considered one of the most challenging and beautiful courses on the Monterey Peninsula.
After that round, we would check into Pebble Beach Resort and begin the next phase of our anniversary golf getaway.
And of course, Pebble Beach Golf Links itself was still waiting for us.Planning a trip to Pebble Beach
🌊 Exploring the Monterey Peninsula
While Pebble Beach may be the most famous attraction on the Monterey Peninsula, the surrounding area offers far more than just world-class golf.
The peninsula includes several charming coastal towns, each with its own personality and attractions. Visitors can explore historic Monterey, stroll the galleries and courtyards of Carmel-by-the-Sea, enjoy ocean views from Pacific Grove, or take one of the most scenic drives in America along the 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach.
Nature lovers will also find incredible marine life in Monterey Bay, where sea otters, harbor seals, dolphins, and migrating whales are often spotted just offshore. The famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, located on Cannery Row, is widely considered one of the best aquariums in the world.
Just south of Carmel, the legendary Big Sur coastline begins, where Highway 1 winds along towering cliffs above the Pacific Ocean.
Because so much beauty and variety is packed into a relatively small area, the Monterey Peninsula is ideal for a multi-day coastal getaway combining golf, sightseeing, food, wine, and outdoor adventure.
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