If you were planning a family trip to one of these for the guys to golf and women to do spa, etc,...which one would you choose and why? None of the fam has ever been to either.

TIA

I would think pebble would cost quite a bit more in everything that y'all would do....golf, spa, food....

Unless that doesn't matter

Pebble if the budget is plentiful. Can get reasonable flights to SF, the drive down the PCH is absolutely awesome, and Monterey is a great place to make a full trip vs. just golf-focused. But the lodging and the green fees are gonna be pricey, which you have to stay at the lodge if you want to lock up an advanced tee time at Pebble. A room will run in the ballpark of $1k per night with a 2 night minimum (and sometimes 3) at the PB lodge. Then there is the $500 green fee for one round at PB (Spyglass is $400). Throw in a caddy which is another $150 or so.

I've done Pebble more cheaply by staying elsewhere (still $400/night but very nice with spa, etc) in Monterey, but on those trips, I'm just playing golf as a single and we time it to mid-week outside of their late summer/early fall busy season, so making a tee time 24 hours is not a big deal - and they've usually let me book a couple of weeks out. You could probably pull this off as a 2some. You can book Spyglass and the other courses at least 3 months out

Great feedback, thank you. Keep it coming.....

Pebble.... every single time

Pebble.

Stayed at La Playa Hotel in Carmel for a few days before the UCLA game last year and it was awesome. Don't remember it being over 300 a night and the complimentary morning breakfast was great.

A friend and his wife went a couple months later after hearing about our trip and they stayed in a VRBO. Looking back I probably would have gone that route but it was still incredible.

Oh...Spyglass > Pebble > Spanish Bay. Heard there are some cheaper local courses that are pretty awesome too.

Bayonet and Blackhorse are both great (Bayonet is TOUGH). Can play one of those for full price for about $145, although the twilight kicks in pretty early and less than $100. And I think you can do a 36 hole special for around $170. They are playing the PGA Professionals championship there this summer -> the tournament where the top 20 qualify for the PGA Championship. Pretty sure it's hosted before.

Then there is Pacific Grove, aka Poor Man's Pebble. Short with a boring front 9, but the back 9 has great views right on the coast. That will only run you $70ish full price and twilight is steal. Go take a 6-pack out there in the early evening and just the back 9 at twilight rates.

I think Pebble and Spyglass are worth playing, but I'd go over to Bayonet/Blackhorse before I'd play Spanish Bay again. It is scenic, but the course is kind of a goofy setup where you'll find yourself hitting some weird clubs off the tee.

shakenbake said:

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Great feedback, thank you. Keep it coming.....

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Pebble.

Not even close.

For a family trip.................Pebble. Just make sure you play Spyglass as well.

If the kids are going I'd do Pebble and take a day and hit the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. That place freaking rocks.

I've played and stayed at both as well. The wife was along for both. She much preferred Pebble.

Texmid said:

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I've played and stayed at both as well. The wife was along for both. She much preferred Pebble.

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Mine too.

AND, if you are going in the summer, wearing pants and a sweatshirt at Pebble DESTROYS sweating your balls of in Carolina.....

Pinehurst. End your round at the Deuce, which overlooks the 18th green on #2. Amazing food and great cocktails. The kids will enjoy the challenging 18 hole putting course that is free. Bring your drinks! Perhaps, you can enjoy the brand new short course, "The Cradle", that is fun for all levels in your group! Pick any of the courses offered, I play #6 recently and got my @ss handed to me. What a Course!

Pro-Tip, to save money, stay at the Homewood Suits by Hilton Olmsted, beautiful rooms and suits there. Putting green in the back! Close to everything.

So much to do in town while you are in between rounds or done for the day. Visit the Drum and Quill or The Sly Fox for some British Pub food. Visit Elliot's on Linden for a fresh farm to table variety and Carolina atmosphere.

In a hurry? Enjoy an amazing pimento sandwich at the Villager Deli right in downtown Pinehurst which is a 2 min drive from the Resort and Country Club.

Southern Pines Growler Company is a great establishment with over 30 local beers on tap and a wonderful outdoor patio area. The Southern Pines Brewing Company is just right down the road as well. Try their Duck Hook or a Man of Law if you are an IPA guy.

Beautiful area! Many other courses around the area too!

This is good information, but I couldn't help but read this in a Stefan SNL voice . . .

Done both, answer is pebble 1000%.

Pebble. Pinehurst is just for golf. Been to
Both. Tons to do on Monterey peninsula. It's family fun and wife approved.

Matsui said:

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Pebble. Pinehurst is just for golf. Been to
Both. Tons to do on Monterey peninsula. It's family fun and wife approved.

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Matsui,

What do you suggest on Monterey peninsula after we're done playing golf?

I'd go to sleepy John's. They've got fresh caught salmon on the barbecues, there are people jammin' to the all night blues. Life is good out in Santa Cruz.

You don't even need to leave Pebble, assuming you stay there, to enjoy activities outside of golf. But if you do driving up and down 17 mile drive is great, and the town of Carmel is awesome to spend a day or two walking around. Watch the sunset on the patio at Spanish Bay and hear the bagpipe player close the course.

If you like to eat and drink well you'll be plenty entertained in the Carmel area.

Monterey Bay aquarium is awesome for kids as well.

Acquarium
Canary row
Just the entire penensuila
Carmel by the sea
17 mile drive

It has so much history quaintness and aloofness that is great. Weather in July is jacket weather too

Food is outstanding wines etc.

Go with your buddies to pinehurst. It would be boring for a wife.

Matsui said:

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Go with your buddies to pinehurst. It would be boring for a wife.

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I agree with this. And, as said above, you will sweat your azz off at Pinehurst in the summer. Weather in Carmel is beyond great. But for just a bunch of guys, I prefer Pinehurst. Just play golf, eat and drink. And a lot cheaper.

OR

For another option with the family, The Greenbrier or The Homestead. One is in West Virginia mountains and the other in Virginia mountains, I believe. Historic places with lots of activities and golf.

One other option to consider on a Pebble trip - either on the way in or the way out, stop in Santa Cruz and play Pasatiempo. Girls could go check out SC, maybe hit up a vineyard (like MJA Vineyards) while the guys play golf. Could make sense just to tack one night's stay on one end or the other.

totally agree with this

Or half moon bay

Bunch of wimps and Pinehurst haters!

come back in the fall then!

I'll be here.

champagnepapi said:

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Bunch of wimps and Pinehurst haters!

come back in the fall then!

I'll be here.

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No, Pinehurst is awesome. The problem is that Pebble is just a little better for the wife. A guys trip to Pinehurst would be phenomenal.

Texmid said:

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champagnepapi said:

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Bunch of wimps and Pinehurst haters!

come back in the fall then!

I'll be here.

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No, Pinehurst is awesome. The problem is that Pebble is just a little better for the wife. A guys trip to Pinehurst would be phenomenal.

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Haha I agree.

Most groups I see around the clubhouse are an older group of gentlemen drinking beer and playing golf.

Ages 35-55

Anything older than that is old couples.

I get the wimp factor comment about the weather. But when it comes to golf challenge, playing Spyglass, Bayonet, and Pasatiempo back-to-back-to-back will turn you from a boy to a man.