There’s a reason jet-setters and golfers have visited Pebble Beach in Northern California for over a hundred years: the area is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Pebble Beach, a postcard-perfect gated community in Monterey, is the magical setting for any kind of getaway, boasting iconic golf courses, a pristine coastline and luxurious amenities. Even if you’ve never picked up a 5-iron, there’s plenty of delicious restaurants to try, relaxing spas to experience and world-class shopping to do. And if you’re seeking out a guide to fitting it all into two days, look no further.
Day One
While there are several hotels in Pebble Beach, one spectacular option is Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Casa Palmero. This 24-room resort, once a private home, exudes the exclusivity of a secluded Spanish-inspired residence. The recently reimagined design, unveiled in late 2024, is a testament to its timeless, chic and sophisticated appeal. The staff’s impeccable service and the charming courtyard, complete with lush flowers and a bubbling fountain, enhance the calming atmosphere even more.
The spacious rooms, with their high ceilings, fireplaces, cozy blankets and large bathrooms with soaking tubs, are their own luxurious retreats. A stay at Casa Palmero includes several complimentary perks, like a light breakfast delivered daily to your room, afternoon cocktail hour (if Robert is the bartender, you must try one of his creations) and after-dinner drinks and desserts.
Once you’ve settled in, tee off in paradise. Start the day with a round of 18 holes at one of Pebble Beach’s legendary courses. There are three distinct layouts: Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill. With challenging holes and incredible ocean views, Pebble Beach Golf Links is the most famous. It’s hosted the US Open six times and will bring back the world’s best players for the major’s 2027 installment. If you want to get an unparalleled experience, hire one of the resort’s caddies for expert guidance and local insights into each hole.
There’s also a sensational 9-hole, par-three course designed by Tiger Woods called The Hay for less serious players, beginners and those short on time. It has gorgeous vistas and holes that replicate what you’d see on the real courses, so playing The Hay is a great way to get a dose of Pebble without the four-hour time commitment.
Hay’s Place, the restaurant adjacent to The Hay, is an excellent destination for lunch. The Mexican eatery has a lively atmosphere, friendly waitstaff and satisfying cuisine. Grab a margarita and lobster-topped tin can nachos, a house specialty that can easily feed several people. There’s also an assortment of tacos, a hearty burger with roasted poblanos and chipotle aioli, and seafood enchiladas.
In the afternoon, take a leisurely drive along Pebble Beach’s scenic 17-Mile Drive. It has 17 stops that dot the Del Monte Forest. Some involve short hikes to scenic viewpoints, such as Huckleberry Hill. Visit the sandy beaches of Spanish Bay, snap photos of the ocean at Cypress Point or view wildlife — like sea lions, seals and pelicans — at Bird Rock.
For dinner, Pebble Beach offers several choices. While renovations at The Lodge have temporarily shut down eateries such as Stillwater Bar & Grill and The Terrace Lounge Stillwater Bar & Grill, the Tap Room, the resort’s signature steakhouse, has made the short-term move to a location overlooking the course at the first fairway. Diners can enjoy a variety of classic dishes, including French onion soup, grilled artichokes and prime rib. Other dining alternatives include Roy’s, the Hawaiian-influenced restaurant at the Four-Star Inn at Spanish Bay, and Peppoli, an Italian eatery with a Tuscan-inspired setting.
Day Two
After a relaxed breakfast in your room, treat yourself to an indulgent experience at the Five-Star Spa at Pebble Beach. The oasis is adjacent to Casa Palmero, so consider a bathrobe-donning walk over for your first bit of pampering for the day. Once you arrive, soak in a hot tub, scribble in an adult coloring book or sit next to a roaring fire until your name is called. A massage, facial or our favorite, The Royal Treatment (a 75-minute experience that includes a healing honey massage, a revitalizing foot scrub and a cooling facial mask), will leave you feeling rejuvenated.
If you’re ready for an outdoor adventure, Pebble Beach has many options. With 27 miles of marked trails in the Del Monte Forest, you can horseback ride or hike to your heart’s content. Bike along 17-Mile Drive or head further afield to Point Lobos or Big Sur, both less than an hour’s drive away. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is known for its dramatic cliffs, hidden coves and diverse marine life. Carmel’s Garrapata State Park offers hiking trails with memorable coastal scenes. And if you want to touch some white sand, Carmel Beach is perfect for a stroll or stretch in the sun.
Shopping is easy at Carmel-by-the-Sea, the quaint village perched above the beach. At Girl Boy Girl and Paloosh, you can find sophisticated styles and contemporary brands like Veronica Beard and Ganni. You can discover chic home goods and edible gifts at Host House Carmel and Olivier Napa Valley or shop for designer bags and jewelry at Bottega Veneta and Tiffany & Co.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is also home to some of the region’s best restaurants. If you’re in the mood for a fine dining feast, you can’t beat the Five-Star Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel. Chef Justin Cogley dishes up a seven-course tasting menu that’s a delectable celebration of seasonality.
For a more casual but equally unforgettable experience, head to Vesuvio, an Italian eatery with truffled gnocchi, burrata crostini and Napoletana pizzas on the menu. For a buzzy hot spot, you can’t beat Seventh and Dolores, where the bartenders are charming and the food (chicken under a brick, charred Spanish octopus, triple cream potato puree) is classic and comforting.
