46 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2024-2025 CARMEL VALLEY Carmel Valley Ranch Semi-Private This renovated course meanders along the Carmel River and climbs through forested elevations, offering stunning panoramas, fogfree weather and glimpses of local wildlife. Carts required (you’ll see why). 6,117 yards. Designed by Pete Dye. Open to members of any private club. Full-service restaurants (outdoor and indoor seating), driving range. 1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel. (831) 620-6406, carmelvalleyranch.com The Quail Semi-Private This course wanders along the lush banks of the Carmel River, where fast greens, blue-sky summer days, sunny meadows and numerous lakes combine to create an alluring golf setting. The course isn’t as difficult as some others in the region, but watch out for the water hazards. 6,500 yards. Original design by Robert Muir Graves. Updated design by Todd Eckenrode. Full-service restaurant and bar (outdoor and indoor seating), driving range. 8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel Valley. (831) 620-8808, quaillodge.com MONTEREY Del Monte Golf Course Public The Monterey Peninsula is home to a rich golfing tradition, and this is where it all started back in 1897. And thanks to thrifty dusk and member rates, you don’t have to be rich to play. Old Del Monte may also have been the first in the world to feature green fairways year-round and is also the oldest running golf course west of the Mississippi. A pretty course, and more forgiving than most, it is the cheapest of the Pebble Beach Resorts courses. 6,365 yards. Designed by Charles Maud. Restaurant and bar (outdoor and limited indoor seating). 1300 Sylvan Road, Monterey. (831) 373-2700, pebblebeach.com Laguna Seca Golf Ranch Public A challenging course and a locals’ favorite noted for its majestic oaks, numerous bunkers, elevation changes and elevated tees. Its warm inland microclimate inspires locals to call it “the sunshine course.” Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Sr. teamed up to design Laguna Seca and—unfortunately for hackers—a tough 15th hole featuring two water hazards that demand a technical drive and a couple of long irons just to hit the dance floor. 6,226 yards, par-71. Restaurant, snack bar. Natural grass practice range. 10520 York Road, off Highway 68, Monterey. (831) 373-3701, lagunasecagolf.com Monterey Pines Golf Course Public Located next to the Monterey County Fairgrounds, the remodeled Monterey Pines features wide fairways, a sprinkling of trees, four small lakes and very affordable greens fees. Manageable par-4s and unique parPebble Beach. These two words reverberate through the world of golf. Indeed, it is unlikely any golfer doesn’t list Pebble Beach Golf Links at or near the top of their wish list. It’s where the likes of Palmer, Nicklaus, Woods and Didrikson Zaharias reign—and where breaking 100 for the average golfer would be a lifetime achievement. But did you know the iconic course is not considered the toughest on Pebble Beach? Even professionals tremble at the thought of Spyglass Hill. Nor is it the most historic. The Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey is the oldest continuous course west of the Mississippi. Nor even the most scenic, as it can be matched by Pacific Grove Golf Links or Seaside’s Bayonet and Black Horse. The entire Monterey Peninsula is, in fact, synonymous with the sport. Note that private courses are not included in these pages, but some of these are also on most bucket lists—just as historic and scenic and revered. In other words, there is a course for all. GOLF Spyglass Hill Golf Course PEBBLE BEACH COMPANY
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