Last April, my husband Chris and I took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Pebble Beach Golf Resort, a pilgrimage for any avid golfer. It had specifically been on his bucket list for quite some time, and in supporting this dream, we finally made it happen. Our adventure began with a direct flight from Seattle to San Jose Airport, followed by a scenic drive to the coastal town of Carmel by the Sea– a perfect blend of oceanside charm meets elegance.
For the first two nights, we stayed at Hotel Carmel, enjoying the local shops, and eating delicious meals at local eateries like Cafe Luna– highly recommended if you’re looking for a light lunch option. On day one, before we went and played our first fun round of golf at The Hay, we went Folktale Winery. A cute winery that’s tucked away in the Carmel hillsides, where we sampled their Spring lineup amidst vineyard vistas.
The highlight of the first part of the trip was undoubtedly our afternoon at The Hay, a par 3 course nestled within the iconic Pebble Beach 17-Mile Drive with views of Stillwater Cover. Designed for short game practice and sheer enjoyment, all while having a fun energy to it, it offers a patio with great Mexican cuisine, craft cocktails and trendy music.
The history of The Hay is as grand as its setting. Originally created by Peter Hay, long-time Head Professional at Pebble Beach and Del Monte golf courses, and then later rejuvenated by Tiger Woods and his TGR design firm, it has welcomed some of the sport's most legendary figures, including Bing Crosby and Clint Eastwood. Its allure lies in its ocean backdrop and the short course excitement it brings.
Energized by our experience at The Hay, we decided to book a tee time at Pacific Grove in Seaside, which is located just about 15 minutes from The Hay, where we savored 18 holes of open greens alongside coastal views. Surrounded by wandering deer, Spring flowers, and sunshine, California golf welcomed us well!
The pinnacle of our journey was the following day: Pebble Beach Golf Links. As Chris's lifelong dream course, it exceeded all expectations, with its rugged beauty and formidable challenges. Every hole was a masterpiece of design and strategy. Designed by legendary golf architect Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the par-3 7th hole, perched atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific, is one of the most photographed and challenging holes in golf–I can attest to this as I shanked my first couple drives into the ocean out of nerves and awe that I was playing if not the most iconic hole in golf. It’s funny how your greatest moment in golf can also be your worst! Another highlight of the course is the par-5 18th hole, with its stunning ocean backdrop and small, undulating green, there is usually a crowd of people watching you come in cheering you on out of pure encouragement to finish the greatest round you might ever play. Pebble Beach is a symbol of golfing excellence and is known to be the #1 course in the country, after playing here we can definitely agree with that statement. Because of its fame, it has a storied history of hosting major championships, with the U.S. Open being the most prominent.
As we played, we were reminded of Chris's unwavering determination to achieve his goals—a trait instilled in him from a young age. It was a day of pure immersion in the game, where phones were mostly forgotten, and every moment was savored in the pursuit of achieving his lifelong goal. As a life partner, it’s an amazing feeling to witness your other half make their dreams become a reality.
After our unforgettable round, we capped off the day with dinner at The Tap Room, an iconic pub that is all about meat and potatoes, and fine wine and spirits. The atmosphere exuded a classic masculine vibe– the interior design including the color green and complimentary dark woods. It’s always fun to people watch in restaurants like this. There were multiple groups of guys trips and husbands and wives all giddy over just being at Pebble Beach. People from all walks of life and all over the world, dining under one golfers pub roof to either banter about their round that day or plan their purist of the the grand Pebble Beach Golf Links. If you’re looking for an experience to bask in golfers' camaraderie and the pure excitement they have over the game, this is the place.
Our stay at Pebble Beach Resorts was nothing short of extraordinary, made even more memorable by an unexpected room change to their Sloat Suite. Our original room type had been accidentally overbooked, and to our surprise, we got an upgrade of a lifetime. Compliments to The Lodge at Pebble Beach the best customer service I have ever experienced. Overlooking the 18th hole and the crashing waves below, it was a taste of luxury we never imagined. However, that night Mother Nature had her own plans, as a hurricane swept through the coast, testing the resilience of our suite with fierce winds and pounding rain. Despite the chaos, it added an element of thrill to our stay, we still bring up that night to this day how crazy that night was!
The next day we played The Links at Spanish Bay, also a partial waterfront course. It’s known for its environmental sensitivity, with native vegetation and wildlife habitats carefully integrated into the design. The course features several memorable holes that showcase its unique coastal setting. The par-3 5th hole, known as "The Dunes," for its dramatic ocean backdrop and strategic bunkering. The course was designed by golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., Tom Watson, and Frank “Sandy” Tatum. The design inspiration came from the traditional links courses of Scotland, characterized by undulating terrain, coastal winds, and natural dunes.
After our early morning round, we headed off to the Spa at Pebble Beach Resorts for a much needed afternoon filled with relaxation. After walking multiple 18 holes throughout our trip, our bodies and feet were hurting! The Spa was just as elegant as the rest of the grounds. When you step inside you’re greeted with a warm hello, beautiful spa scents, calming music, and a key to a personal locker. Right away it sets the tone for clearing the mind and getting your body ready to treat itself to one of the many treatment rooms they offer. With a purchase of a service, you are given access to their steam room, sauna, salt meditation room and hot tub. I highly recommend planning on arriving early to take advantage of these complimentary offerings as they are the perfect way to relax before your scrub, massage or facial.
My husband and I started with pedicures so that we could relieve our aches and pain from the last few days on our feet and ended with facials and a massage. Afterwards we had lunch at the Spa where they offer salads, soups, and sandwiches amongst pressed juice options before we started our drive back to San Jose airport to head home. The last day of a trip, especially one like this, is so bittersweet. Mixed feelings of being sad to leave this beautiful golfer's haven, and also very much looking forward to getting back to our Golden Retriever, Finn.
As we drove off the Pebble Beach Resort grounds it was an emotional experience. Our trip to Pebble Beach was a cluster of unforgettable moments—achieving goals, culinary delights, scenic wonders, personal growth, and, of course, the joy of golf. It was a journey that reaffirmed our love for the game, deepened our bond as a couple, and left an indelible mark on our golfer hearts.