DESTINATION GUIDES

Monterey Peninsula Destination Guide

Monterey Peninsula Transportation

The Monterey Peninsula Airport only receives flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix so a drive from San Jose or the Bay Area might be necessary for some visitors. If you do take a plane, the airport offers several national car rental services.

Located about 60 miles south of San Jose, the Monterey Peninsula is tucked away from major Interstate highways. If you aren’t in a hurry, try the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) from the North or South to get to Monterey. Highway 101 also runs from Los Angeles to San Jose and offers an exit to Monterey through Salinas.

 

Monterey Peninsula FAQ

1. What makes the Monterey Peninsula a popular retreat for vacationers?

This small beach community only has a population of 30,000, but during the summer months it receives thousands more vacationers. They come for the beachfront resorts, golf, literary landmarks, water sports and nature preserves. Monterey County has 25 golf courses and was recently named the world‘s number one golf destination by a Golf Digest survey. There are several museums, one dedicated to Monterey’s favorite literary son, John Steinbeck. Kayaking, scuba diving, hang gliding, sky diving, whale watching and fishing are all options on the beach.

2. What kind of golf is the Monterey Peninsula known for?

The Monterey Peninsula is home to the world’s most beautiful and famous beach courses. Many are sprawled along the rocky beach with ocean waves lapping up to the side of the course. Home to courses like Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and the Links at Spanish Bay, it’s impossible to go wrong near the beach on the Monterey Peninsula. Other, less expensive options abound inland. The Carmel Valley holds may more world-class courses. The peninsula is also home to the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi, Del Monte Golf Course. 3. Where are the best golf courses located?

Pebble Beach, on the Southeast side of the peninsula, is home to the world’s most famous golf. Pacific Grove makes up the tip of the peninsula and Monterey is to the West. First-rate golf courses are spread throughout these towns and in surrounding cities like Carmel and Salinas. A short drive around Monterey Bay will bring you to Santa Cruz where several more courses are located.

4. What courses do each of these towns offer?

Pebble Beach is home to Pebble Beach Golf Links, the granddaddy of American golf courses. Pebble Beach Resort also features Spyglass Hill Golf Course and The Links at Spanish Bay. Poppy Hills Golf Course is just down the road. Del Monte Golf Course and Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club are in Monterey, while Pasatiempo Golf Club is in Santa Cruz.

5. How much should I plan on spending at these courses?

If you want to play the best you have to pay for it, and a tee time at pebble Beach Golf Links is $380. At Spyglass Hill and Links at Spanish Bay fees are $265 and $215, respectively. If you stay at one of the Pebble Beach resorts, you’ll get a free golf cart for your round. If not, you’ll have to pay another $25. Once you’re off the beach, the price drops accordingly. A round at Poppy Hills is about $160 and Quail Lodge’s fees are about $20 higher. If you can drive to Santa Cruz, a round at Pasatiempo is $150.