Destination Guide
Pebble Beach, California
The most famous course in the United States. Eighteen holes along the Pacific, a finishing hole that has ended careers and made others. Pair it with Carmel-by-the-Sea for partners and Spyglass Hill for a second round — this is the Monterey Peninsula golf trip.
Best time to visit: May — October (driest, warmest; fog burns off by noon)
Updated
The cheat sheet
- Typical cost:
- Pebble Beach Golf Links is $595 to $625 per round plus $100 to $150 for a caddie. Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay run about $280 to $325; Poppy Hills $90 to $130.
- Best time:
- May to October is driest. Expect cool, foggy mornings (55 to 65°F in July) that usually burn off by midday.
- Top courses:
- Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill, The Links at Spanish Bay, Poppy Hills.
- For partners:
- Carmel-by-the-Sea (10 minutes), Monterey Bay Aquarium, the 17-Mile Drive.
Best Courses
The Monterey Peninsula courses
Tee times for Pebble Beach Golf Links are booked directly at pebblebeach.com — not GolfNow. Resort guests book first.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Bucket list18 holes along the Pacific cliffs. Host of 6 US Opens, 3 AT&T Pro-Ams, the 2019 US Open. The 18th hole is the most iconic in American golf.
$595–625/round
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
PremiumRobert Trent Jones Sr. Starts in the Del Monte Forest, finishes along the ocean. A harder round than Pebble — many golfers rate it higher for pure golf.
$285–325/round
Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore)
PremiumSeth Raynor design. Private, but the Pebble Beach Company offers limited public access through resort packages. Worth pursuing if you can secure a spot.
$300–375/round
The Links at Spanish Bay
PremiumScottish links-style on the dunes north of the main resort. Bagpiper plays at sunset on the 18th. Windy, firm, playable for all skill levels.
$280–320/round
Poppy Hills Golf Course
Mid-rangeNCGA members' course adjacent to the resort property. Best value on the Peninsula — good conditioning, wooded layout, no ocean but well worth the price.
$90–130/round
Pasatiempo Golf Club — Santa Cruz
PremiumAlister MacKenzie design. 45 minutes north of Pebble. Considered one of the top 50 courses in the US — a worth detour if adding a Santa Cruz day.
$170–225/round
Booking
How to actually get a Pebble Beach tee time
Pebble Beach Golf Links is not on GolfNow or any third-party booking platform. You book directly at pebblebeach.com or by calling the resort.
Only resort guests can reserve more than 24 hours ahead. Guests of The Lodge at Pebble Beach and The Inn at Spanish Bay can book up to 18 months in advance (Casa Palmero up to 12 months), and a minimum 2-night stay is required to play Pebble Beach Golf Links. Non-resort guests can book just one day in advance.
So the reliable route is a resort stay. The premium over off-resort hotels is real, but for a once-in-a-career round it removes the booking gamble. If you’re not staying on-resort, plan around Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay or Poppy Hills and treat a Pebble tee time as a bonus.
Budget
What it actually costs
All-in cost for a 3-night trip for 4 golfers playing 2 rounds (Pebble + Spyglass):
| Cost item | Per person |
|---|---|
| Pebble Beach green fee + cart | $595–625 |
| Spyglass Hill green fee + cart | $285–325 |
| Accommodation (3 nights, split 4 ways) | $400–900 |
| Flights (varies widely) | $200–600 |
| Food and drink (3 days) | $250–400 |
| Transport/car hire | $100–150 |
| Total estimate | $1,830–3,000 |
The green fee at Pebble is the floor. Caddies ($100–150 each) are optional but recommended for a first visit — they know the breaks. The Lodge at Pebble Beach hotel rooms run $800–1,800/night. Off-resort accommodation in Carmel or Monterey runs $150–400/night and cuts the total significantly.
Sample Itinerary
A 3-night Monterey Peninsula itinerary
Day 1 (Thursday evening)
Golf
Arrive, check in. Dinner at Carmel-by-the-Sea — Casanova or Aubergine for a special occasion.
Partners
Same — arrive together, explore Carmel village before dinner.
Day 2 (Friday)
Golf
7:30am tee time at Spyglass Hill. Finish by 1pm. Afternoon: 17 Mile Drive in the car, or rest at the resort. Group dinner.
Partners
Morning: Carmel shops, galleries, and the beach at Carmel City Beach. Afternoon: 17 Mile Drive together. Evening: group dinner.
Day 3 (Saturday)
Golf
7:30am tee time at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Finish by 1:30pm. Afternoon: decompress, optional range session, group drinks at The Tap Room.
Partners
Morning: Point Lobos State Reserve (sea otters, coastal walking). Afternoon: Monterey Bay Aquarium or spa. Meet for drinks.
Day 4 (Sunday)
Golf
Optional: early twilight round at Spanish Bay or Poppy Hills. Fly home afternoon/evening.
Partners
Optional: Big Sur drive (1 hour south — dramatic coastline). Or brunch and a slow morning before departure.
Partner Activities
What non-golfers do near Pebble Beach
Carmel-by-the-Sea
10 minutes from the resort. One of California's most charming towns — boutique shops, art galleries, Carmel Beach. Full day of exploring without a car once parked.
Free to explore
Monterey Bay Aquarium
World-class aquarium 20 minutes from Pebble. The open ocean exhibit and jellyfish displays are genuinely impressive. Book tickets in advance on weekends.
$50–65/person
17-Mile Drive
Self-guided scenic drive through the Del Monte Forest and along the coast. Lone Cypress Tree, Stillwater Cove, Fanshell Overlook. $12.25 entry fee per car.
$12 per car
Carmel Valley Wine Tasting
15 miles inland, Carmel Valley has 20+ tasting rooms. Mendo, Holman Ranch, Boekenoogen. Quieter and more relaxed than Napa, with excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
$25–60/person
Big Sur Coastal Drive
30 miles south on CA-1. Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Point Lobos State Reserve. A half-day drive that is arguably the most scenic in California. No cell service.
$10–15 park fees
Sanctuary Beach Resort Spa
Marina, 25 minutes north of Pebble. Smaller, quieter spa than the main resort options. Excellent treatments without the luxury hotel markup.
$150–280/person
Where to Stay
Hotels near the courses
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
On-property at the 18th hole. Priority tee times, ocean views, five restaurants. The benchmark Pebble Beach experience. Book 6+ months ahead.
$900–1,800/night
Inn at Spanish Bay
On-property at Links at Spanish Bay. Full resort access, slightly lower rates than The Lodge, excellent dining. Bagpiper at sunset on the 18th.
$600–1,200/night
Carmel Valley Ranch
15 miles inland. Golf on-property (Pete Dye design), full spa, quieter than the oceanside properties. Good base for groups mixing Pebble with Carmel Valley wine.
$400–800/night
Packing Guide
What to bring to Pebble Beach
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Frequently Asked Questions
Pebble Beach golf trip FAQ
How much does a round at Pebble Beach cost?+
How do you get tee times at Pebble Beach?+
What is the best time of year to visit Pebble Beach?+
What do non-golfers do near Pebble Beach?+
Is Pebble Beach worth the cost?+
Plan your Pebble Beach trip
5 questions, dual itinerary for golfers and partners, one shareable link.
From the blog
Further reading
Pebble Beach for Non-Golfers: A Partner's Guide
The full partner-side guide. Carmel, the Aquarium, 17-Mile Drive, Big Sur, the spa.
Bandon Dunes vs Pebble Beach: Which Should You Pick?
A friendly head-to-head with the other great West Coast golf trip.
Pinehurst vs Pebble Beach: Which Should You Pick?
A friendly head-to-head with the great East Coast bucket-list option.
Golf Trip Budget Breakdown
Real cost breakdown by destination and group size — including Pebble Beach.
Best Bachelor Party Golf Destinations
How Pebble Beach compares to the other top US golf destinations.
The Golf Trip Packing List
What to bring for a coastal California golf trip — the windproof layer is non-negotiable.
Bandon vs Pebble vs Kiawah
Add the East Coast option and compare all three premium trips.
Not sure about Pebble Beach?