Monterey Golf Trip Planning Guide
The Monterey Peninsula is the holy land for a golf buddies trip. Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and Spanish Bay sit on cliffs over the Pacific, with Cannery Row's bars and seafood five minutes away. Splurge once in your life — it's worth it.
Quick Facts
Spring, Summer, Fall
MRY (10 min drive)
$55–$695
$550/night
5 of 6
~$436/person
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Monterey. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.
Day 1
Pebble Beach Golf Links — coastal, $675–$695 · 4.9★
The most famous public course on earth — finish on the cliffside 18th where the U.S. Open is decided
Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar — seafood, $$$ · 4.4★
Cannery Row patio over the bay — fresh local seafood and a long beer list at sunset
Cooper's Pub & Restaurant — sports bar · Open late
Cannery Row Irish pub with games on every screen and live music on weekends
Day 2
Spyglass Hill Golf Course — coastal, $475–$525 · 4.8★
RTJ Sr. brute — the first five holes hug the dunes before plunging into the Del Monte Forest
Monterey Bay Whale Watching — half day, $60–$110/pp
Humpbacks, orcas, and dolphins year-round out of Fisherman's Wharf — a great hangover morning
Montrio Bistro — upscale, $$$ · 4.5★
Downtown Monterey institution in a 1910 firehouse — wood-grilled meats and a deep wine list
Alvarado Street Brewery — brewpub
Award-winning downtown brewery — the best taproom on the Peninsula for a big group
Day 3
The Links at Spanish Bay — links, $330–$370 · 4.7★
True Scottish-style links by the sea — a bagpiper plays you off at sunset every night
17-Mile Drive — 2-3 hours, $12–$15/pp
The scenic coastal loop past the Lone Cypress and every Pebble Beach course — fee waived if dining on-property
Abalonetti Bar & Grill — seafood, $$ · 4.4★
Old Fisherman's Wharf calamari joint — casual, big tables, and the local catch fried fresh
Sly McFly's — dive · Open late
Live blues and rock seven nights a week on Cannery Row — no cover, strong pours
Course-by-Course Guide
Monterey has 6 courses worth playing, including 3 bucket-list tier layouts. 5 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.
Where to Stay
Monterey has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $550/night for the whole house. Several options include hot tubs — a non-negotiable for most groups.
$700–$2200 /night
Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, or Carmel-by-the-Sea — forest and coast homes within minutes of the courses
$550–$1100 /night
The Lodge at Pebble Beach or Inn at Spanish Bay — required for guaranteed Pebble tee times
Group Dining Guide
4 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.
Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar
$$$Cannery Row patio over the bay — fresh local seafood and a long beer list at sunset
Montrio Bistro
$$$Downtown Monterey institution in a 1910 firehouse — wood-grilled meats and a deep wine list
Abalonetti Bar & Grill
$$Old Fisherman's Wharf calamari joint — casual, big tables, and the local catch fried fresh
Peter B's Brewpub
$$Monterey's original craft brewery with a dog-friendly patio — easy post-round burgers and pints
Nightlife
4 bars curated for groups. 3 stay open past midnight.
Cooper's Pub & Restaurant
Late nightCannery Row Irish pub with games on every screen and live music on weekends
Alvarado Street Brewery
Award-winning downtown brewery — the best taproom on the Peninsula for a big group
Sly McFly's
Late nightLive blues and rock seven nights a week on Cannery Row — no cover, strong pours
Crown & Anchor
Late nightBritish pub with 20+ beers on tap and a heated courtyard a block from the water
Activities Beyond Golf
4 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.
Monterey Bay Whale Watching
Humpbacks, orcas, and dolphins year-round out of Fisherman's Wharf — a great hangover morning
17-Mile Drive
The scenic coastal loop past the Lone Cypress and every Pebble Beach course — fee waived if dining on-property
Carmel Valley Wine Tasting
Folktale and Holman Ranch pour big reds 20 minutes inland where the sun actually shines
Deep Sea Fishing Charter
Rockfish and lingcod in Monterey Bay — charters out of the wharf handle full crews
Getting There
Fly into Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) — it's a 10-minute drive to Monterey. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Monterey Touring Vehicles and Pure Luxury Transportation). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.