As you drive ‘Route 1’ along the dramatic Big Sur Pacific shoreline, we recommend to stop a while at The Lodge at Pebble Beach™ , a precious spot where flourishing forests of pine surround scenic inlets… just one beautiful part of a thousand miles of dramatic California coastline.
A regular haunt of celebrities and golf aficionados, the resort incorporates the legendary 17-Mile Drive, one of the most scenic drives in the world, with its iconic Lone Cypress standing proudly on a rocky crag above the ocean.
On a recent trip to San Francisco, Carrier's Managing Director, Steve Kimber (pictured) was impatient to leave the city behind and head to this very spot to play golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links™ . Read his review below to find out more...
On a glorious sunny March day, with temperatures rising into the seventies, we teed off on Pebble Beach. And the experience was every bit as amazing as we had imagined. The opening holes lead you beautifully to the ocean where the 6th, the tiny par-3 7th and the 8th holes take you out around the most challenging headland. We had to remind ourselves to enjoy the scenery and the sea breezes as we continued on to the 10th before turning inland. Finally, the 17th returns back to the coast before you stand beside the sea to tee off on the most famous finishing hole in golf.
There are three exceptional hotels within the property. The Lodge at Pebble Beach stands grandly beside the course, overlooking the ocean, and resonates with the history and passion of golf. Many rooms and suites overlook the 18th hole, 'the most famous finishing hole in golf'. To the north stands The Inn at Spanish Bay, on its own Scottish- style links golf course which winds through glorious natural scenery by the ocean. Sitting out beside the Fire Pits at dusk, as a lone kilted bagpiper strolls down the closing fairway, is a special experience in itself.
Casa Palmero is probably my favourite of the three - an intimate, boutique hotel with just 24 rooms, is just steps from the spa and features open log fires, large hot tubs and balconies overlooking the first hole. The Resort hosts five incredible golf courses in total, including the aforementioned Links at Spanish Bay, Del Monte Golf Course and Spyglass Hill - one of the world's toughest courses, beloved by many a tour pro. But to me the most special is Pebble, home to five US Open Championships.
Jack Nicklaus said: "If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach." I can fully understand why.