Region: Monterey Peninsula, California, USA | Best Time: April–October | Nearest Airport: Monterey (MRY) — 30 mins; San Jose (SJC) — 1h 30m
Editor’s Note: No stretch of coastline on earth concentrates more great golf than the 17-Mile Drive. Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Spyglass Hill, Monterey Peninsula Club and Spanish Bay — five courses within a 10km radius, each world-class, each fundamentally different. Add the Monterey Peninsula’s extraordinary food scene, wine country and marine wildlife, and this is the definitive North American golf journey.
The 5 Courses to Play
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Jack Neville & Douglas Grant (1919)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 6,828 yards | Rating: 75.5 / 145
- Why Play It: The most beautiful round of golf in the world. Eight holes play directly on the Carmel Bay cliffs. The 7th (par 3 over the sea), 8th (blind approach to ocean-edge green) and 18th (along the bay) are collectively the finest finishing stretch in all of golf. Host of six US Opens.
- Book: pebblebeach.com | Green fees from $625
2. Cypress Point Club ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Alister MacKenzie (1928)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 6,536 yards | Rating: 73.8 / 139
- Why Play It: Considered by many architects the greatest course ever built. The 15th, 16th and 17th — across Pacific rock and ocean — represent golf at its most elemental and dramatic. Private members’ club; access by introduction only. Pursue it.
3. Spyglass Hill Golf Course ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1966)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 6,960 yards | Rating: 75.4 / 143
- Why Play It: The hidden gem of the Pebble Beach resort — five opening holes through Del Monte Forest, then 13 holes in the valley below. Considered by PGA Tour professionals the most difficult of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am venues. Dramatically underrated.
- Book: pebblebeach.com | Green fees from $295
4. Monterey Peninsula Country Club — Shores Course ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Seth Raynor redesigned by Robert Hunter
- Par / Yardage: 71 / 6,866 yards | Rating: 74.2 / 141
- Why Play It: Accessible by introduction, the Shores Course offers everything Pebble Beach does aesthetically at a fraction of the green fee — spectacular ocean-cliff holes, pristine conditions and a members-only atmosphere. Work your network.
5. The Links at Spanish Bay ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson & Sandy Tatum (1987)
- Par / Yardage: 72 / 6,820 yards | Rating: 74.0 / 135
- Why Play It: Scotland on the Pacific coast — a genuine links layout with beach dunes, fescue rough and ocean winds. A bagpiper plays at sunset as you finish. The Inn at Spanish Bay provides the finest post-round experience on the peninsula.
- Book: pebblebeach.com | Green fees from $275
Where to Stay & Practical Information
- The Lodge at Pebble Beach (5★): Golf’s most famous address. Rooms overlooking the 18th green. The stillroom fire in winter after a round is priceless. Check availability on Expedia →
- The Inn at Spanish Bay (5★): The sunset suite with a glass of Caymus and the bagpiper is a golf travel memory that lasts forever.
- Getting There: Fly to San Francisco (SFO) or San Jose (SJC); 2-hour drive south on Highway 1. Alternatively, fly directly to Monterey (MRY) on American or United from LAX.
- Best Months: April–October. Fog is common June–August mornings; it usually burns off by 10am. Avoid the AT&T Pro-Am week (February) unless attending.