There are some trips that are wonderful while you're on them, and then there are trips you realize are going to stick with you for a very long time.

Our four nights at Pebble Beach definitely fall into the second category.

I knew Pebble Beach was going to be beautiful. I knew the golf would be special. But I don't think I fully understood how much I would love the entire experience until we were there.

It all just feels special.

And for me, there was another layer to this trip.

Because believe it or not, this wasn't my first time playing Pebble Beach.

The First Time I Played Pebble Beach

Here's a fun fact about me that makes me laugh every time I think about it.

I was 24 years old, pregnant with JR, and my husband had a meeting in Monterey. He wanted to play Pebble Beach and told me I could come along and follow him around the course.

Excuse me? Follow along and WATCH?

I said, "No, I'll play!"

There was just one minor issue.

I had barely played golf. 😂

At that point, I had only played nine holes of golf at a time on my own, plus a few scrambles. That was basically the extent of my golf experience.

And somehow I decided Pebble Beach Golf Links seemed like an appropriate place to continue learning.

So there I was, 24 years old, pregnant, wildly inexperienced and playing one of the most famous golf courses in the world.

Looking back, I don't think I had nearly enough appreciation for what I was doing or where I was doing it. I certainly didn't understand the history of Pebble Beach the way I do now.

Which made coming back all these years later incredibly special.

And there was something pretty wonderful about thinking back to that 24-year-old pregnant girl who basically said, If you're playing, I'm playing.

Turns out, she was onto something.

Getting to the Monterey Peninsula

We flew into Monterey, which I would absolutely recommend if the flights work for you. It's such an easy way to get to the area, especially compared with flying into one of the larger airports and having a long drive ahead of you.

We did have a long layover in Phoenix on our way there, but we made the best of it with a meal at Stan's. They serve a delicious breakfast all day. It’s an excellent choice if you find yourself with some time to kill at the Phoenix airport!

Once we landed in Monterey, we rented a car and spent our first night at the Monterey Marriott.

For dinner, we went to Schooners, which has a lovely view of the water. The food was good, although I wouldn't say it was one of the culinary highlights of the trip. The setting was definitely the star.

The next morning, it was time for Carmel.

Carmel-by-the-Sea... Oh My Goodness

Carmel is to die for. Seriously.

If you're planning a Pebble Beach trip, I would absolutely carve out several hours to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea rather than heading straight to the resort.

The little streets, shops, architecture, flowers and overall charm make it feel like you've stepped into a completely different world.

We had lunch at La Bicyclette and LOVED it. This was one of those restaurants that perfectly matched the setting: cozy, charming and delicious.

After lunch, we wandered through town, shopped and just enjoyed being there.

I could have spent much longer in Carmel.

Reservations are recommended at La Bicyclette.

Driving the Famous 17-Mile Drive

From Carmel, we made our way toward Pebble Beach via the iconic 17-Mile Drive.

Here's something I didn't know before our trip: 17-Mile Drive has been attracting visitors since the 1800s.

It began as a scenic carriage route for guests of Monterey's famous Hotel Del Monte. Today, it's still one of the best ways to experience the incredible coastline of the Monterey Peninsula.

And you understand why as soon as you drive it.

The rugged coastline, enormous trees, crashing Pacific waves and landmarks like the Lone Cypress make the drive itself part of the Pebble Beach experience.

Eventually, we arrived at our home for the next four nights: The Lodge at Pebble Beach.

Why Pebble Beach Is So Special

Even if you aren't a huge golf history person, you can feel that Pebble Beach is different.

Pebble Beach Golf Links opened in 1919, designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant. Their goal was to bring golfers as close to the spectacular coastline as possible, and more than 100 years later, much of their original routing remains.

Pebble Beach has hosted multiple U.S. Opens, including Tiger's historic 15-stroke victory in 2000, one of the most dominant performances in major championship history.

It will host the U.S. Open again in 2027. (I cannot wait to watch!)

So when you're walking Pebble Beach, you're not simply playing a beautiful golf course.

You're walking through golf history.

That's also one of the reasons I loved having a caddie. The stories were almost as much fun as the golf.

Our caddie told us stories about the course, famous moments, the houses along the property and the people who have played there.

Those little details made the experience so much richer.

Our First Night at The Lodge

Our first dinner at Pebble Beach was at the Tap Room, and it was wonderful.

I had the beer can chicken, which was delicious.

The Tap Room has exactly the atmosphere you'd expect at a legendary golf resort: comfortable, lively and filled with golf history.

It was the perfect first night.

Ready for day one! (Wonderful practice facilities at Pebble Beach, too!)

Day One: The Hay

The next morning, we played The Hay, Pebble Beach's nine-hole par-3 course.

SO fun.

The original short course dates back to 1957 and was created by longtime Pebble Beach head professional Peter Hay. Tiger Woods later redesigned the property, with the new version opening in 2021.

One of the coolest features is a replica of Pebble Beach's famous No. 7.

It's relaxed, approachable and just plain fun to play with a group.

The guys headed toBayonetthat afternoon, while I took full advantage of being at Pebble Beach.

I walked over to the Beach & Tennis Club, got in a workout at their amazing gym and then spent some time by the pool.

That night, our group had a private dinner overlooking the 18th hole.

Talk about a pinch-me moment.

Breakfast at The Gallery

We ate breakfast at The Gallery all three mornings we were at the resort, and I highly recommend it.

There is something pretty incredible about starting your morning at Pebble Beach, coffee in hand, looking out at one of the most recognizable settings in golf.

We loved The Gallery enough that we never felt the need to find somewhere different for breakfast.

Day Two: Spyglass Hill

Our second golf day was Spyglass Hill.

And let me warn you about something if you're thinking about walking it:

After the fifth hole, Spyglass is basically ALL uphill.

😂

I walked the entire course, and I'm glad I did because I love experiencing a course on foot.

But it is a workout.

If you have room in your itinerary, this would be an excellent day to schedule yourself a massage afterward!

Spyglass is absolutely gorgeous and has such a different feel from Pebble Beach. The opening holes take you toward the ocean before the course turns into the forest, surrounded by beautiful Monterey pines.

It is challenging, dramatic and beautiful.

Dinner at Pacific's Edge

That evening, we had a group dinner at Pacific's Edge, and this was a true highlight of the trip.

The views are spectacular!

The restaurant sits high above the Pacific in Carmel Highlands, and it's the kind of setting that makes you stop talking for a minute when you first see it.

Between the scenery, the food and being there with our group after a full day of golf, this was one of my favorite evenings of the entire trip.

Day Three: We Played Pebble Beach

One thing that made the experience even better was having the same caddie I'd had at Spyglass the day before. By then, he knew my game, I knew him, and we'd already spent hours walking a golf course together.

Having a great caddie at Pebble Beach is about so much more than reading greens and choosing clubs.

You're also getting a tour guide and storyteller.

And then there is the actual course.

The ocean is right there.

The cliffs are right there.

You're standing on holes you've watched professional golfers play.

It's hard not to stop every few minutes and just look around.

I walked Pebble Beach as well, and I'm so glad I did.

Walking lets you absorb everything in a way that's hard to replicate any other way. You see the coastline changing as you move through the course. You hear the waves. You have time between shots to look around and realize where you are.

And for me, there was something extra special about walking it this time.

At 24, pregnant with JR and barely knowing how to play golf, I certainly never imagined I'd return all these years later and appreciate the game, and this course, the way I do now.

There's More to Pebble Beach Than Golf

One of the things I didn't realize before this trip was how much I would enjoy simply being at The Lodge.

You don't have to disappear after your round.

There are so many places where you can sit outside and watch the action around the 18th hole.

I had lunch outside at The Bench, which I loved. You can eat, have a drink and watch golfers coming through one of the most famous finishing holes in the world.

I also thoroughly enjoyed shopping for Pebble Beach swag around the putting greens.

The whole area around The Lodge has an energy to it. Golfers are heading to the first tee. Others are finishing on 18. People are practicing on the putting greens. Guests are having lunch or drinks outside.

If you love golf, you could happily sit there for hours.

Another fun idea, head over to the Inn at Spanish Bay for sunset and the bagpipe player! Sit out by the firepits and enjoy the views with a cocktail.

Our Final Dinner at Stillwater

Our last evening was another special one: a private group dinner at Stillwater at The Lodge.

It was such a wonderful way to finish our four nights at Pebble Beach.

By that point, we had played The Hay, Spyglass and Pebble Beach, eaten some incredible meals, walked a LOT of miles and soaked in as much of the experience as we possibly could.

Would I Recommend a Pebble Beach Trip?

One hundred percent.

Pebble Beach is obviously a bucket-list destination for golfers, but what makes it so special is the entire experience surrounding the golf. Exploring Carmel, driving 17-Mile Drive, staying at The Lodge, the incredible views and restaurants, and simply sitting outside watching golfers come up 18 were all part of what made these four days so memorable.

If you're planning a trip, my biggest advice is not to rush it. Stay at The Lodge if you can, make time for Carmel, play The Hay, get a caddie and walk the courses if you're able. And if you're walking Spyglass, I stand by my recommendation to schedule that massage. 😉

For me, coming back to Pebble Beach all these years after playing it for the first time at 24 made this trip even more special. I definitely appreciated where I was and what I was experiencing in a way I couldn't have back then.

Four nights felt just right, and I left feeling incredibly lucky to have experienced Pebble Beach for a second time.

Next stop: Napa Valley!

Four Nights at Pebble Beach: Golf, Carmel, Incredible Food & One Very Special Return