Pebble Beach Golf Links is located in Pebble Beach, California, a stunning coastal community on the Monterey Peninsula. This article will not only pinpoint its exact location but also act as your complete guide to the area, covering the other world-class courses nearby, how to get there, and even providing some on-course strategy for its most famous holes.
When you ask "What part of California is Pebble Beach?", the specific answer is the Monterey Peninsula. This breathtaking stretch of coastline in Central California, about 120 miles south of San Francisco and 325 miles north of Los Angeles, is a golf paradise. It’s a place where jagged cliffs meet churning Pacific surf, ancient Cypress trees frame emerald fairways, and the cool sea air is almost always a factor in your game.
The peninsula is home to some of the most celebrated golf courses anywhere, with Pebble Beach Golf Links as its undisputed crown jewel. The entire area lives and breathes golf. It's not just a course, it's a destination. Nestled between the charming towns of Monterey to the north and Carmel-by-the-Sea to the south, Pebble Beach is an unincorporated community primarily made up of the famous 17-Mile Drive and the resort that bears its name.
So, you’re not just heading to a specific golf course, you're heading to a region synonymous with epic golf, stunning natural beauty, and a rich history that has seen the greats of the game walk its fairways.
One common point of confusion is thinking "Pebble Beach" is just one golf course. While Pebble Beach Golf Links is the most famous, the name actually refers to Pebble Beach Resorts, which manages four outstanding 18-hole courses and a spectacular short course. If you’re making the trip, it’s good to know all your options.
This is "The One." The main attraction. Ranked consistently as the #1 public course in America, playing it is a bucket-list item for nearly every golfer. Famous for its cliffside holes hugging Stillwater Cove and its long history as a host of the U.S. Open, its beauty is matched only by its difficulty. The views are so distracting that they become part of the course's defense.
Many golf purists will tell you that Spyglass is, on balance, an even tougher test of golf than Pebble Beach. The opening five holes are a dramatic trip through coastal dunes with ocean views that rival Pebble. After the 5th green, the course turns inland and winds through the dense Del Monte Forest. It’s like playing two different courses in one round: one parts coastal links, one parts Augusta National. It's a stout challenge that demands every shot in your bag.
Spanish Bay offers a different but equally compelling experience. It’s an authentic Scottish links-style course, an homage to the game's roots. It runs along the rugged coastline, exposed to the elements. The fescue grasses, pot bunkers, and rolling fairways make the ground game essential. It invites creative shot-making, and as the sun sets, a lone bagpiper serenades players, making for a truly memorable finish.
Opened in 1897, Del Monte is the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi. It's an inland parkland course with a classic, "old-school" feel. Characterized by tight, tree-lined fairways and small, tricky greens, it offers a more traditional American golf experience. It provides a welcome, more affordable, and quieter alternative to the other three resort courses.
Redesigned by Tiger Woods, The Hay is a 9-hole short course that is pure fun. It’s the perfect place to warm up, settle a bet, or just enjoy the game with family. It features a stunning replica of Pebble Beach's iconic 7th hole, allowing every visitor to experience one of golf's most famous shots.
Pebble Beach is relatively accessible, though it requires a bit of planning. The journey is part of the experience.
No matter which airport you fly into, you’ll be driving the last leg. The most iconic route is the 17-Mile Drive, a privately owned road that winds through Pebble Beach and the Del Monte Forest. It takes you past famous landmarks like the Lone Cypress and Restless Sea, offering turnouts for stunning photo opportunities. Access to the drive is open to the public for a fee, but this fee is often waived for resort guests or those with reservations at the courses or restaurants.
Okay, let’s get down to the fun part. You’ve made it. You're standing on the tee. All the history, the Major championships, the pros who walked these fairways - it can be a lot. As a coach, my biggest piece of advice is to stay in the moment but have a simple, clear plan for the signature stretches.
On paper, a 100-yard shot is simple. Here, it’s one of the most intimidating shots in golf. You're high on a cliff, hitting straight down toward a tiny green surrounded by bunkers and the Pacific Ocean. The wind is the real challenge. It can howl off the ocean and completely change club selection.
Jack Nicklaus called the second shot on this hole the single greatest shot in golf. After a well-placed drive, you face a blind, uphill approach shot over a deep ocean chasm to a small, sloping green.
This is arguably the greatest finishing hole in golf. A sweeping dogleg left that hugs the cliffs of Carmel Bay for its entire length. With that iconic Cypress tree in the fairway and the waves crashing on the seawall, it’s easy to get lost in the moment. The key here is smart management.
In short, Pebble Beach Golf Links is situated on the beautiful and historic Monterey Peninsula in Central California. But the destination represents far more than just its geographic coordinates, it's a hub for some of the best links on earth and a must-see pilgrimage for anyone who loves the game of golf.
Playing a course like Pebble Beach comes with its own unique set of challenges and decisions. Our app, Caddie AI, is like having that expert caddie right in your pocket. Imagine standing on the 8th tee trying to figure out the blind approach, you could get instant, personalized strategy based on your game. When you find one of those tricky lies in the seaside rough, you can even snap a photo of the ball and I'll give you clear advice on the best way to play the shot, helping you make smart, confident decisions on a course where every stroke matters.
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