Pebble Beach & the Del Monte Legacy
From Grand Hotel to Golf Mecca (1880–present) · Monterey County
The Del Monte Hotel, built in 1880, was the most luxurious resort west of the Mississippi and put the Monterey Peninsula on the world map. Its 17-Mile Drive, originally a carriage route for hotel guests, became one of the most scenic drives in America. From its grounds grew Pebble Beach Golf Links — today the most famous public golf course in the world.
Timeline
Hotel Del Monte Opens
Charles Crocker and the Southern Pacific Railroad open the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, a palatial resort that attracts America's wealthy elite. Its grounds include a polo field, horse track, glass-roofed swimming pavilion, and the winding 17-Mile Drive through the Del Monte Forest. The hotel burns twice (1887 and 1924) and is rebuilt each time.[1],[4]
Pebble Beach Golf Links Founded
Samuel F.B. Morse — grandnephew of the telegraph inventor — purchases the Del Monte Forest and builds Pebble Beach Golf Links along the rocky coastline. The course, designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, opens on February 22, 1919. Its ocean-cliff holes — particularly the par-3 7th and par-5 18th — are considered among the greatest in golf.[1],[3]
The Bing Crosby Clambake
Bing Crosby moves his celebrity pro-am golf tournament to Pebble Beach, creating one of the most glamorous sporting events of the postwar era. The 'Clambake' (now the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am) draws Hollywood stars and top golfers, cementing Pebble Beach's worldwide fame.[3]
Six U.S. Opens and Counting
Pebble Beach has hosted the U.S. Open six times (1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019), with Tiger Woods' dominant 2000 victory — winning by 15 strokes — considered one of the greatest performances in golf history. The Lone Cypress, a wind-sculpted Monterey cypress on 17-Mile Drive, is one of the most photographed trees in the world.[2]
Then & Now
Archive photos paired with the same place today.
Visit these historical sites
Real places in our directory connected to Pebble Beach & the Del Monte Legacy.
Related reading from our blog
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Golf, Celebrity Sightings, and Coastal Spectacle
Discover the magic of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: a unique blend of world-class golf, celebrity sightings, and picturesque coastal views in Monterey Bay.
- A Visitor's Guide to Pebble Beach: Beyond the Golf Course
Pebble Beach is best known for its world-class golf courses, but there is so much more to explore beyond the greens. For visitors who aren’t golfing, Pebble Beach offers breathtaking coastal views, rich natural beauty, and delightful dining experiences. Discover iconic landmarks like the Lone Cypress and the Ghost Tree, stroll along the sandy beaches, or enjoy fine cuisine at o
- Driving the 17-Mile Drive: A Self-Guided Tour of Pebble Beach's Iconic Coastal Loop
The 17-Mile Drive is a breathtaking stretch of road that encapsulates the stunning beauty of the Pebble Beach area, marked by dramatic coastal views and iconic landmarks. As you navigate this scenic corridor, the salty breeze from the Pacific Ocean fills the air, and the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the rugged coastline mingles with the distant calls of seabirds. Th
- Pet-Friendly Accommodations Around Monterey Bay: Hotels and Rentals That Welcome Dogs
Discover the best pet-friendly accommodations around Monterey Bay! From hotels to cozy rentals, explore where your furry friends are welcome in this stunning coastal region.
Sources
Citations behind the dates, names, and numbers on this page.
- 1Pebble Beach Company — History
Official corporate history: 1880 Hotel Del Monte, 1919 golf links, AT&T Pro-Am.
- 2USGA — U.S. Open championship history
Roster of U.S. Opens hosted at Pebble Beach (1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019).
- 3Wikipedia — Pebble Beach Golf Links
1919 opening; AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am lineage from 1937 Crosby Clambake.
- 4Wikipedia — Hotel Del Monte
1880 opening of the original Hotel Del Monte and Del Monte Forest land assemblage.