Trip Advice

[Ralphyboy84]

Hi guys looking for some advice here.

im heading over to LA from Scotland as I have been lucky enough to be invited for a game at riviera. Whilst I’m there I’m looking to try and play a few other places. I’m arriving Saturday 18th of April at 6pm and leaving Thursday 23rd of April at 8pm. I’m playing riviera the Tuesday.

I would absolutely love to play pebble and Pasatiempo whilst I’m across. With the schedule and the timings I have, is it practical to try and fit that in? Google maps suggest it’s 5hrs up to pebble from LA which whilst long, I have done drives like that in the states before.

Whats everyone’s thoughts? Am I crazy? Is there anywhere else closer to LA I’d be better off playing?

[Zac1321]

I dont think youre crazy, if you have the means to do so and arent sure if youdhave the opportunity to do so again. my question is if you have any access to other privates in the LA area (the likes of LACC etc). If youre interested in playing courses on the US open rota and havent played before Torrey is going to be much closer. Palm springs is an option. Rams Hill is closer than Pebble and is considered the best public course in southern california, PA and/or RH might be pretty cool for you as dessert golf isnt something you get at all in the UK

[tw422]

Just my opinion but 5 hours from LA to Pasatiempo/Pebble isn't realistic. More like 6-8 hrs (or more) best case if you are driving. I lived in the Bay Area before moving to LA and did the drive many times. It would take me 8 -9 hrs (best case) to go from Marin (north of SF) to to LA area (just south of LAX). Riviera to Pebble/Pasatiempo (Santa Cruz) can be a nice drive and if you have full day to kill between rounds take the coastal route and go through Big Sur. I've done the drive from London to St. Andrews and the drive you're thinking of doing will be much longer. As another post said if you have access to Riviera you are better off trying to get on LACC North, Brentwood, Bel Air or Wilshire in the LA area. There aren't any public courses that will even come close to Riviera in the LA area. Pebble and Pasatiempo are worth the trip though.

[James the Hogan Fan]

It will be incredibly day-of-the-week and departure time specific. If youre rolling out of LA at 6am on a Sunday morning 5-6 hours is realistic to Santa Cruz via I-5 -> CA-152 -> CA-1

Another possibility: fly Southwest airlines from LA to San Jose on a 6 am commuter flight. Arrive 8:30 in bay area. It's a 40 minute drive from that airport to Pasatiempo or 90 to Pebble. Here's a hypothetical itinerary for your dates:

Downside is probably not enough time to play both rounds unless you want to be up north across multiple days. Also have to deal with a rental car in San Jose. Southwest will take your clubs for free as one of two complimentary checked bags. Just wanted to point this out as an alternative to driving.

All in all your plan is ambitious but not impossible. The problem I see is being able to play both courses on the same day, I don't think there is enough time.

[tw422]

Agreed on leaving LA at 6am and getting to Santa Cruz in 5-6 hrs. The key is leaving at 6am or earlier. Otherwise normal congestion will add 1-2 hrs getting out of the area. Depends where OP is staying too. if staying near Riv then Brentwood/Pacific Palisades to the 5 isn't terrible that early.

Fly out Tues night after round out of LAX to San Jose. Drive to Santa Cruz get a cheap hotel and play Pasatiempo early AM then shoot down to Pebble....then get 18 in before sunset around 745pm PT. You could also Play Pebble early on Thursday 23rd and make it back to San Jose for flight to LAX for your flight home. It can be done but agreed flying between LAX and NorCal makes it more doable.

[shaneyank]

As others have noted, the traffic is a huge factor. And since you asked, yes, I do think you're crazy. But I realize we all do crazy things for golf :)

You also need to understand the difficulty getting a round a round at Pebble Beach and/or Passatiempo. It could be a headache making it all work along with such a long drive. The flight is a novel idea, but the traffic, delays, getting a car, etc. will probably add up to much more than 40 mins from San Jose.

Is there a reason you didn't mention Torrey Pines? Or as another person mentioned, Palm Springs? Coming from Scotland, one of the many Palm Springs mountain or desert courses would surely be fun.

For reference, I live in San Francisco but come from Ireland. The traffic really is as bad as we are letting on :)

[duffer987]

Once you land, hop in the car hire, have a tin of IrnBru and start heading North.

Stop in Paso Robles or SLO (San Luis Obispo) for the night, then continue onto Monterey/Santa Cruz the next morning.

Play Pasa Sunday and Pebble Monday (or vice versa if that's how it plays out). Keep Poppy Hills, Bayonet/Blackhorse, Spyglass in your back pocket incase Pebble doesn't come off. Drive back down to LA Mon evening.

Have your Riveria round Tues and for Weds/Thurs IDK :-)

[puttnforthe8]

I would personally also consider, it it suits, to pay a little more money and see if a flight like this suits as well: Burbanck right into Monterrey on a non-airline flight with JSX.

 

 

 

[duffer987]

Took a quick look and one HUGELY important thing. It looks like Pasatiempo is starting their Spring aeration on Monday April 20th. The course is closed for a couple days and then their greenfees are dropped considerably after that.

IDK what state it will be in the day before they aerate, but I would definitely give it a miss on that Weds/Thurs after they punch. The green complexes are one of the real treats of Pasa and not having them in top shape makes it frustratingly not worth it IMHO.

[Ralphyboy84]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys really appreciate it.

I actually hadn’t considering flying. I will need to look into that more. It does concern me a touch it Pasatiempo are punching their greens.

I also hadn’t considered Torrey pines either. Will look into that.

The desert course suggestion is interesting. I have the option of playing the quarry at la Quinta. What is it like?

 

[MaxBuck]

The Quarry is a beautifully conditioned course with phenomenal views. Good test of golf, too, and friendly. I believe it's still in the Golf Digest top 100 in the US.