Any advice on a San Francisco / Pebble Beach vacation?

[Will Peterson]

My father and I are taking our Pebble Beach trip that has been in the works for the past 24 years, ever since I was six and was not included on his first visit.

We are definitely playing Pebble, Spyglass, and Pasatiempo.  I have a few connections to potentially get some of the bigger name courses around San Francisco, but need some other ideas and have a few questions.

What are some hidden gems or places to avoid?

Which is better Harding Park or Presido?  Both seem to have a pretty good twilight, but I think we will only have time for one.

Any recommendations on places to eat or cool hotels?   

Any non-golf places to see besides the main attactions?

Thank you in advance to everyone for the help.     

[David_Tepper]

Will -

I have lived in San Francisco for almost 40 years and would be glad to offer whatever advice I can. I was a member at the Presidio Golf Club for 16 years, but rarely play there at all any more.

When are you thinking of coming? Where are you coming from? How many days are you planning to spend in Northern California? 
   
DT

[Scott Warren]

Will,

Re: hotels, I can't speak highly enough of the Huntington Hotel after my wife and I visited on our honeymoon last October. Worth looking into to see if it suits your requirements.

[JLahrman]

Will,

How many days will you be spending in the area and how many of them do you envision being golf vs. non-golf?

[Will Peterson]

It looks like the first week of May.  I will be coming in from Orlando and my dad from Wisconsin.

Depending on flights, arrive May 2 or 3.  Spend 2 days in SF and then 3 in Monterey and then 1 or 2 more in SF.  As for golf, I would like to play 36 a day, but not sure if Dad is up for it.  I imagine that we will have 1 or 2 days of 36 (probably 1 in SF and 1 in Monterey), one day of no golf, and 18 on the rest.  Looks like 7 or 8 rounds, with 3 being PB, Spyglass, and Pasatiempo.

[Adam Clayman]

Will, Have you done a search for this topic? There must be 30 threads choked full of great advice.

I'm not being flippant, just getting tired of re-writting the same recco's everytime someone visits the peninsula.

[Bob_Huntley]

Will, Have you done a search for this topic? There must be 30 threads choked full of great advice.

I'm not being flippant, just getting tired of re-writting the same recco's everytime someone visits the peninsula.

+4

[JR Potts]

I'm playing Pebble at 8am on the 25th of February.  I'm a solo...anyone wants to join me.....sign on up.

[Garland Bayley]

I'm playing Pebble at 8am on the 25th of February.  I'm a solo...anyone wants to join me.....sign on up.

No one would want to be humiliated by your driving machine.

As far as what to do, one of my most enjoyable times in the Bay area was visiting art galleries in Salsaulito. However, you spell it.

[Richard Choi]

I had always planned on going to Pebble for my big 4-0 (and it would have been the first week of May), but Pebble Beach Food and Wine festival is happening on my birthday and hotel availibility was tight so that settled that. I am beginning to doubt I will ever get out there.

Will, let me know how it goes.

[JR Potts]

As most of my tweeps know - and in what will surely bring gags of vomit to Melvin, I will be live tweeting my round with photos.

[Bill_McBride]

As most of my tweeps know - and in what will surely bring gags of vomit to Melvin, I will be live tweeting my round with photos.

No carts in the background, okay?  And none of those cart paths with curbs!

[Adam Clayman]

Ryan, The light will be best early in your round. If you're still a solo, the day of, arrive early and try to get first off. You'll be done in no time and have plenty of time for smelling roses and taking pics. Request a great caddy, a day or two ahead. Either Casey Boyns, Mike Lahotta or the Rocket. You'll have to tip harder, but it will be well worth it.