San Francisco to Monterey Trip Report

[Argonne69]

I'm flying out Saturday for a 6 day dream golf vacation. At this point I'm booked to play TPC Harding Park and The Presidio on Sunday, The Links at Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill on Tuesday, Poppy Hills on Wednesday, Pasatiempo and Half Moon Bay Ocean on Thursday, and Half Moon Bay Old on Friday. I'm hoping to get on to Pebble Beach on Monday, but I'm taking a calculated gamble that I can snag a tee time within the 24 hour window for non-resort players. 'Just not willing to shell out $975 for a room at the inn. At this point there appears to be several openings for singles. If not, Wednesday would be my Plan B. I might also play at Pacific Grove if I think my back can handle it.

 

This is pretty much a bucket list trip for me. If all goes as planned, Pebble Beach will be my 400th course played. If not, The Links at Spanish Bay is probably worthy of the spot. I'll post reviews throughout the week, and photos when I return. I hope I get some decent weather, but I'll be playing regardless. My bag always contains my rain gear.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Fantastic trip enjoy it

[spud3]

Wow - what an awesome itinerary!

 

Looking forward to the trip report(s)!

[duffer987]

It's NCGA/Summer Special time at Pebble Beach Resorts - have you managed to use that to save a fair whack?

If you've not done it for Pebble yet, give them a ring, mention the summer special and it's $395 + $75 gift card.

 

Depending on how much play you can stomach - it'd be a shame to go down there and not play Bayonet. I'd put it after Pebble and Pasa and just a notch ahead of Poppy as my faves from your list.

 

Regardless what you get up to, you'll have a great time, Enjoy!

[npham]

It's NCGA/Summer Special time at Pebble Beach Resorts - have you managed to use that to save a fair whack?

If you've not done it for Pebble yet, give them a ring, mention the summer special and it's $395 + $75 gift card.

 

Depending on how much play you can stomach - it'd be a shame to go down there and not play Bayonet. I'd put it after Pebble and Pasa and just a notch ahead of Poppy as my faves from your list.

 

Regardless what you get up to, you'll have a great time, Enjoy!

Can you purchase these if you are out of state(Canada) to get a discount?

[Matt J]

In for the follow. Have fun!

[Argonne69]

It's NCGA/Summer Special time at Pebble Beach Resorts - have you managed to use that to save a fair whack?

If you've not done it for Pebble yet, give them a ring, mention the summer special and it's $395 + $75 gift card.

 

Depending on how much play you can stomach - it'd be a shame to go down there and not play Bayonet. I'd put it after Pebble and Pasa and just a notch ahead of Poppy as my faves from your list.

 

Regardless what you get up to, you'll have a great time, Enjoy!

Can you purchase these if you are out of state(Canada) to get a discount?

 

Yeah, good question. I have to give them a call to see if I can weasel myself a tee time before the official 24 hour window. I'll ask them about the discount.

 

I was told that a caddie request must be received 48 hours in advance, but how does that work when they won't give a tee time earlier than 24 hours in advance? They sure have a screwed up system. If I wind up getting on the course, but without a caddie, I'm going to be peeved.

 

I was planning to take an electric cart for Spanish Bay and Spyglass, and was told that it's cart path only. Any real reason to get a caddie for the two courses?

[Thrillhouse]

I walked on at pebble a few weeks ago without staying at the resort, as a single I'd think you'll get out without any problems. I absolutely loved it, worth every penny for sure!

 

As far as caddies and carts go both courses are cart path only. Caddies can be hit or miss, I didn't use one but the guys in my group did at both pebble and spyglass. The pebble caddy was an awesome guy who made the experience better, he did a bunch of stuff for me as well even though he wasn't assigned to me and I wound up tipping him, great guy. At spyglass one of the caddies was a good guy, also helped me out and I also tossed him a few bucks. The other guy was really weird, like 60 years old with a brain fried from years of dropping acid who kept on patting his player on the back and trying to pump him up like its game 7 of the NBA finals.

 

The caddy experience may not be what you want (depending on what you want out of it). They do double bag, and some of them will just stand in the middle of the fairway, you'll take the club out of the bag, and you go hit. It's kind of like having a person act as your golf cart. They'll read putts and that sort of stuff, rake traps, but the quality of your experience will depend on who you get.

 

My plan for pebble when I go back, because I was being a tourist and taking pictures, is to take a caddy, walk the course, and leave the camera/phone in the car so I can just enjoy being there and being in the moment. It's a spectacular place.

[duffer987]

It's NCGA/Summer Special time at Pebble Beach Resorts - have you managed to use that to save a fair whack?

If you've not done it for Pebble yet, give them a ring, mention the summer special and it's $395 + $75 gift card.

 

Depending on how much play you can stomach - it'd be a shame to go down there and not play Bayonet. I'd put it after Pebble and Pasa and just a notch ahead of Poppy as my faves from your list.

 

Regardless what you get up to, you'll have a great time, Enjoy!

Can you purchase these if you are out of state(Canada) to get a discount?

 

Yeah, good question. I have to give them a call to see if I can weasel myself a tee time before the official 24 hour window. I'll ask them about the discount.

 

I was told that a caddie request must be received 48 hours in advance, but how does that work when they won't give a tee time earlier than 24 hours in advance? They sure have a screwed up system. If I wind up getting on the course, but without a caddie, I'm going to be peeved.

 

I was planning to take an electric cart for Spanish Bay and Spyglass, and was told that it's cart path only. Any real reason to get a caddie for the two courses?

 

You could always purchase an NCGA e-club membership, good through the end of the year and only $25.

Download the app onto your phone and login. There's your NCGA membership card to show at checkin, if they even ask.

 

We used it for Spy/SB/Pebble and I cannot remember whether I ever actually showed it or not. But that legitimately gets you NCGA membership and you're not dodging any requirements to take advantage of the deal: https://ncga.org/join-new/

 

As far as the offer:

 

 

Caddies for Spy or SB? No, no need.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Heck the NCGA E member or out of state membership is worth it solely to play Poppy at NCGA rates. If they are running Pebble Spy and SB specials when you are there it is a no brainer.

[Thrillhouse]

That pebble and spyglass deal is pretty smoking. I'd definitely use the gift card (bought a bunch of stuff at both courses), and $230 to play spyglass is an amazing rate!

[Argonne69]

Thanks for the NGCA info! I just signed up for $25. Once I get my membership number, I'll give PB a call and hopefully they'll give me the discounted rate.

 

Are there any decent golf shops in the Monterey area? If I have an hour to kill, I could use some new grips on my driver and irons.

[duffer987]

Heck the NCGA E member or out of state membership is worth it solely to play Poppy at NCGA rates. If they are running Pebble Spy and SB specials when you are there it is a no brainer.

 

Great point OPB! I'd forgotten that, as I took it for granted paying the NCGA rate.

 

Thanks for the NGCA info! I just signed up for $25. Once I get my membership number, I'll give PB a call and hopefully they'll give me the discounted rate.

 

Are there any decent golf shops in the Monterey area? If I have an hour to kill, I could use some new grips on my driver and irons.

 

There's a Golfmart in Seaside - a bit north of Monterey town itself, but there's nothing much around it, unless you go kick tires at the high-end car dealerships or need a shopping mall for supplies.

[tw422]

Please document with a ton of pictures. Looking forward to seeing the courses. Enjoy the trip.

[aloha b.]

Congratulations on your upcoming trip to my neck of the woods.You should be able to get a tee time at Pebble one week in advance and not 24 hrs when not staying on property. If you can, try to get Rocket or Casey Boyns for a caddie. Just because the NCGA is offering specials doesn't mean that you will be able to use them this late into the special as they only allowed so many tee times for the special. I'm a Dukes Club member and we get our email one day before the NCGA email and there were certain times and days where I couldn't use the special. You will definitely be able to use your NCGA card at Poppy to get your discount. If you want to buy Pebble Beach merchandise at a discount then go to the Pebble Beach outlet on Cannery Row. As mentioned Golfmart in Seaside would be able to re-grip your clubs. When driving through any of the gates into the Del Monte Forrest, tell the security guards that you're playing one of the courses and they will waive the $10.25 gate fee. Pebble Beach and Spyglass both have a range but Spanish Bay doesn't. By the way if I can ask what time are you playing Pasatiempo and Half Moon Bay?

[m5power]

I walked on at pebble a few weeks ago without staying at the resort, as a single I'd think you'll get out without any problems. I absolutely loved it, worth every penny for sure!

 

As far as caddies and carts go both courses are cart path only. Caddies can be hit or miss, I didn't use one but the guys in my group did at both pebble and spyglass. The pebble caddy was an awesome guy who made the experience better, he did a bunch of stuff for me as well even though he wasn't assigned to me and I wound up tipping him, great guy. At spyglass one of the caddies was a good guy, also helped me out and I also tossed him a few bucks. The other guy was really weird, like 60 years old with a brain fried from years of dropping acid who kept on patting his player on the back and trying to pump him up like its game 7 of the NBA finals.

 

The caddy experience may not be what you want (depending on what you want out of it). They do double bag, and some of them will just stand in the middle of the fairway, you'll take the club out of the bag, and you go hit. It's kind of like having a person act as your golf cart. They'll read putts and that sort of stuff, rake traps, but the quality of your experience will depend on who you get.

 

My plan for pebble when I go back, because I was being a tourist and taking pictures, is to take a caddy, walk the course, and leave the camera/phone in the car so I can just enjoy being there and being in the moment. It's a spectacular place.

 

Thrillhouse, by any chance was that 60 yo caddie named Rocket?

[Matt J]

I walked on at pebble a few weeks ago without staying at the resort, as a single I'd think you'll get out without any problems. I absolutely loved it, worth every penny for sure!

 

As far as caddies and carts go both courses are cart path only. Caddies can be hit or miss, I didn't use one but the guys in my group did at both pebble and spyglass. The pebble caddy was an awesome guy who made the experience better, he did a bunch of stuff for me as well even though he wasn't assigned to me and I wound up tipping him, great guy. At spyglass one of the caddies was a good guy, also helped me out and I also tossed him a few bucks. The other guy was really weird, like 60 years old with a brain fried from years of dropping acid who kept on patting his player on the back and trying to pump him up like its game 7 of the NBA finals.

 

The caddy experience may not be what you want (depending on what you want out of it). They do double bag, and some of them will just stand in the middle of the fairway, you'll take the club out of the bag, and you go hit. It's kind of like having a person act as your golf cart. They'll read putts and that sort of stuff, rake traps, but the quality of your experience will depend on who you get.

 

My plan for pebble when I go back, because I was being a tourist and taking pictures, is to take a caddy, walk the course, and leave the camera/phone in the car so I can just enjoy being there and being in the moment. It's a spectacular place.

 

Great post.

 

I live about 7 hours away and have been considering jumping in the car and driving down for about the last year. I have a friend who lives on the peninsula so would have a place to stay and just need to pay greens fees and caddie. I've thought I would do it the second way you mentioned, no camera, no expectations, just a golf bag full of balls and a caddie.

 

Looking forward to the updates Argonne69!

[Argonne69]

Pasatiempo at 7:00 am on Thursday, and Half Moon Bay Ocean in the afternoon at 1:30 pm. I'll likely arrive at HMB early, and see if I can move it up.

 

I called PB a few days ago, and they wouldn't give me a tee time. I'll try again today.

[krtgolfing]

Seems like a great trip! Hoping to have a huge golf trip to Monterey, Bandon, or Wisconsin. Flights to Bandon are just awful, so leaning towards the other two.

[duffer987]

Pasatiempo at 7:00 am on Thursday, and Half Moon Bay Ocean in the afternoon at 1:30 pm. I'll likely arrive at HMB early, and see if I can move it up.

 

I called PB a few days ago, and they wouldn't give me a tee time. I'll try again today.

 

That's a shame. I think their specials slots go pretty quick for Pebble, but ya keep at it, something should open up even if it's on the day. That said, at least you've saved a fair whack at Poppy ;-)

I wouldn't think HMB would be that busy at all on a Thursday afternoon, but grabbing a drink and watching folks play 18 on the old can kill sometime, as they have no range just a dinky pitching green, so you cannot kill time the usual way.

[aloha b.]

Pasatiempo at 7:00 am on Thursday, and Half Moon Bay Ocean in the afternoon at 1:30 pm. I'll likely arrive at HMB early, and see if I can move it up.

 

I called PB a few days ago, and they wouldn't give me a tee time. I'll try again today.

 

There is a basic range not too far away called Ocean View Driving Range where you can warm up. There are two ways that you can drive from Pasatiempo to Half Moon Bay one all the way on highway one along the coast and the other 17 north to 85 north to 280 north and then 92 into Half Moon Bay. It should take you approximately a little more than an hour either way unless 92 has traffic.

[Argonne69]

Seems like a great trip! Hoping to have a huge golf trip to Monterey, Bandon, or Wisconsin. Flights to Bandon are just awful, so leaning towards the other two.

 

Yeah, traveling to Bandon from east of the Mississippi is pretty much an all day affair. I flew into Portland, and drove down the Pacific Coast Highway. It was a long day, but at least the scenery was beautiful. Still worth it, though. Bandon is special.

[Argonne69]

Pasatiempo at 7:00 am on Thursday, and Half Moon Bay Ocean in the afternoon at 1:30 pm. I'll likely arrive at HMB early, and see if I can move it up.

 

I called PB a few days ago, and they wouldn't give me a tee time. I'll try again today.

 

There is a basic range not too far away called Ocean View Driving Range where you can warm up. There are two ways that you can drive from Pasatiempo to Half Moon Bay one all the way on highway one along the coast and the other 17 north to 85 north to 280 north and then 92 into Half Moon Bay. It should take you approximately a little more than an hour either way unless 92 has traffic.

 

Thanks again. When I'm playing two rounds a day I usually skip the morning warmup. I've gotten pretty good at stepping on the 1st tee at daybreak and getting the ball in play. I played 9 rounds in 5 days a few years back, starting with walking 18 at Erin Hills. This should be a cakewalk. Lol.

 

I'll probably drive up the coast. It is a vacation after all, and a little ocean scenery would be nice. I believe I have the first tee time of the day at Pasatiempo, so I should be able to finish in less than 2.5 hours.

[Argonne69]

Best place to get a steak in the Monterey area?

[Thrillhouse]

I walked on at pebble a few weeks ago without staying at the resort, as a single I'd think you'll get out without any problems. I absolutely loved it, worth every penny for sure!

 

As far as caddies and carts go both courses are cart path only. Caddies can be hit or miss, I didn't use one but the guys in my group did at both pebble and spyglass. The pebble caddy was an awesome guy who made the experience better, he did a bunch of stuff for me as well even though he wasn't assigned to me and I wound up tipping him, great guy. At spyglass one of the caddies was a good guy, also helped me out and I also tossed him a few bucks. The other guy was really weird, like 60 years old with a brain fried from years of dropping acid who kept on patting his player on the back and trying to pump him up like its game 7 of the NBA finals.

 

The caddy experience may not be what you want (depending on what you want out of it). They do double bag, and some of them will just stand in the middle of the fairway, you'll take the club out of the bag, and you go hit. It's kind of like having a person act as your golf cart. They'll read putts and that sort of stuff, rake traps, but the quality of your experience will depend on who you get.

 

My plan for pebble when I go back, because I was being a tourist and taking pictures, is to take a caddy, walk the course, and leave the camera/phone in the car so I can just enjoy being there and being in the moment. It's a spectacular place.

 

Thrillhouse, by any chance was that 60 yo caddie named Rocket?

 

Couldn't say, but probably not if others are recommending him. FWIW the awesome guy at pebble the first day was about 55-60 as well lol.

[Thrillhouse]

Best place to get a steak in the Monterey area?

 

Can't speak for the whole area as I didn't really do cannery row but I had a great steak in the tap room at the lodge.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

Best place to get a steak in the Monterey area?

Whaling Station.

 

Arg, also if playing Pebble doesn't happen I haven't read that you're playing Ford Ord Bayonet (and that is a serious omission). go do it.

[Argonne69]

The weather forecast for the week looks fantastic, with morning lows in the mid-50's, and daytime highs in the mid-60's. Shorts weather with a base layer and polo, and maybe a wind vest in the AM.

 

I called PB, and they were able to adjust my schedule to take advantage of the NCGA special at Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill. My morning tee time at SB was fine, but my SH tee time was shifted back 40 minutes. 'No big deal, as there should be plenty of daylight. Thanks for the tip!

 

I was not able to lock in a tee time at PB on Monday, but they insisted that I should have no problem getting one when I call Sunday morning, as there are currently a dozen openings for singles. Fingers crossed. I likely won't get the NCGA discount at PB, as the slots are fully booked. If I'm lucky there will be a cancellation, but given that the special slots are non-refundable, I doubt it.

[deadsolid...shank]

I walked on at pebble a few weeks ago without staying at the resort, as a single I'd think you'll get out without any problems. I absolutely loved it, worth every penny for sure!

 

As far as caddies and carts go both courses are cart path only. Caddies can be hit or miss, I didn't use one but the guys in my group did at both pebble and spyglass. The pebble caddy was an awesome guy who made the experience better, he did a bunch of stuff for me as well even though he wasn't assigned to me and I wound up tipping him, great guy. At spyglass one of the caddies was a good guy, also helped me out and I also tossed him a few bucks. The other guy was really weird, like 60 years old with a brain fried from years of dropping acid who kept on patting his player on the back and trying to pump him up like its game 7 of the NBA finals.

 

The caddy experience may not be what you want (depending on what you want out of it). They do double bag, and some of them will just stand in the middle of the fairway, you'll take the club out of the bag, and you go hit. It's kind of like having a person act as your golf cart. They'll read putts and that sort of stuff, rake traps, but the quality of your experience will depend on who you get.

 

My plan for pebble when I go back, because I was being a tourist and taking pictures, is to take a caddy, walk the course, and leave the camera/phone in the car so I can just enjoy being there and being in the moment. It's a spectacular place.

 

Thrillhouse, by any chance was that 60 yo caddie named Rocket?

 

We had Rocket.

 

Gosh, I think it's been seven years since we played there.

[aloha b.]

Best place to get a steak in the Monterey area?

 

The Tap Room does have really good steaks and no view. I like having lunch at The Tap Room sometimes with rib-eye chili or a Kobe burger with truffle fries and then topping off the lunch with the best chocolate sundae. We get the 1/2 order of chocolate sundae which isn't on the menu but it's still big enough for 3 people so you can imagine how big the regular order is.

I used to like the Whaling Station but had a bad experience so I won't go their anymore. I do like the steaks at the Sardine Factory and also Peppoli at Spanish Bay plus if you get a window table you'll have a great view of the ocean. Peppoli isn't cheap but I've had both the Tuscan T-Bone for two (grilled on live fire and craved at your table and also the Grilled Tomahawk rib-eye which were delicious imo.