Everyone in the golf world knows that the Monterey Peninsula is the mecca of American golf. From possibly the most familiar course name in all of golf at Pebble Beach to what many purists consider the best course in the world at Cypress Point, Monterey County is no stranger to the best that golf has to offer.
Throw gems like Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills and Tehama into the mix, and the area is literally filled with top-100 courses.
With the PGA Tour’s best making their way to the California coast for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am this week, so begins one of the most entertaining weeks of the entire season. The best players in the world get together with some of the biggest celebrities in the world for arguably the best pro-am in golf.
Much like last week in Phoenix, Pebble Beach attracts crowds of both local and nomadic fans. Now we know the pros are going to tear up the course but, what’s the area have to offer once the golf is over?
Best Pub: The Crown and Anchor – 150 W. Franklin St. – Monterey, Calif.
If you’re at all impressed by historical items and everything that represents old time Great Britain, then Crown and Anchor is the spot for you. Featuring over 20 international beers on tap and a bar and dining area filled with all kinds of historical British memorabilia, you’ll truly feel like you’re across the pond at a local English pub. With a menu that features what the locals consider the best fish and chips you can buy, The Crown and Anchor is the perfect place to check out after catching the action at Pebble Beach. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll catch some European pros stopping in to get a taste of the homeland. Cheers!
Best Local Food Joint: Flying Fish Bar & Grill – Mission St. between Ocean & 7th Ave – Carmel, Calif.
I think we can all agree that when you visit a certain area there is that sense of need to try and acclimate with the surroundings. That feeling you get when you step off a plane and you just need to find all the places that make the region so desirable. Well, Flying Fish is one of those places. Having been regarded as the best seafood spot around for years now, this place takes traditional seafood and gives it an oriental spin. With an eccentric menu that features the locally famous “clay pot” dinners, Flying Fish is a no-brainer for any seafood lover.
No Need to Leave the Lobby: Best Hotel Bar & Restaurant – Schooners Coastal Kitchen and Bar – Monterey Plaza Hotel
There’s nothing better than staying at a hotel with a top-notch bar/restaurant. Being able to simply take the elevator down and walk into one of the best bars in town can really make your stay that much more enjoyable. Schooners is a local hot spot and is located in one of the best hotels in the area. Fully equipped with scenic views of the Pacific thanks to the enormous bar windows, Schooners offers delicious local grub, brews and the perfect bar to watch a game all at the same time. So, if you’re looking to kill two birds with one stone, book your stay at the Plaza and head down to Schooners for one of the best environments on the Monterey Peninsula.
Best Place to Take a Date: Casanova Restaurant – 5th Avenue & Mission Street, Carmel, Calif.
Chances are that if you’re visiting the area for the golf tournament that you will want to map out at least one night to pony up a few extra bucks and treat yourself (and perhaps a lucky someone else) to a special dinner. Having been voted the most romantic restaurant in the area, Casanova is as close as you can get to being in a villa on the French countryside without actually going there. The menu is a compilation of traditional French and Italian cuisine which is complimented by an extensive wine selection. Mangia!
