It’s trip-sharing time!
This trip from start to finish was such a whirlwind! We only learned of the trip three weeks prior to actually leaving, but it was too good to pass up for my hubby! As most of you know, he’s a golfer and it’s a dream to be able to golf at Pebble Beach! His friend reached out after someone had to back out of their golf trip and he thought of Kyle, which was so sweet, and the men’s wives were tagging along so it allowed me a spot too!
The trip doubled as a ten-year wedding anniversary celebration too, and it was definitely one to remember!
In case you missed it, you can see what I wore in Monterey here!
Grab your coffee (or fave beverage!) and let’s dive into the first Pebble Beach recap!
Travelling Across the Country
Literally! California is a long way from home here in southern Ohio.
To be honest, I dreaded writing about this part because who likes to be on an airplane for 7+ hours and during a shutdown?! We had a 7 am flight and quite literally almost missed it altogether, we were the very last people on the plane and because of a mix-up with our check in, they gave the seats we chose away to other people and we had to sit apart in the only two seats left on the plane. Ugh, I so wish we could redo this entire morning over again and make things much smoother, but thankfully we made it safely to Dallas which was our only layover and we were able to sit together in our assigned seat for that flight.
We had a bit of an adventure trying to land in the Monterey Regional Airport. We were finally ready to land, the plane starts going down and almost touches the landing strip…and then it took off quickly back up in the air. All I could see was the Pacific Ocean and I was hoping I wasn’t going to crash into it! But I guess the wind can really mess with the planes and it’s such a small airport, so they had to circle back and then we had a bit of a rough landing but I was thankful we were on the ground at least!
Lovers Point
While this wasn’t the very first place we went after the airport, it sadly was such a bust going to In-N-Out. I can remember going there when I went to California a long time ago and thought it was the best fast food place ever!
That was not our experience at all when we grabbed a burger and fries this time. I felt bad I even suggesting it since Kyle had never tried it before, that’s just how awful it all was, and we already had a super rough morning.
Anyway, onto the good stuff – we went to Lovers Point after eating lunch and I was just taken aback by this gorgeous view! There’s not a filter needed for anything in Monterey, it’s just that beautiful (and somehow even more beautiful in person!).
As you can see, we climbed these massive rocks and it was a cool view from there. Look at the little ground squirrels! I tried to zoom in on them for you. They’re literally everywhere in this area and we saw a lady feeding them and they were coming right up to her, they’re adorable! I didn’t want them to bite me so I just kept my distance, haha.
Golf Bag Pickup, Hotel Check-In, & Fresh Seafood
Kyle checked in with his friend and hunted down which golf course (there are many courses in Pebble Beach) had his golf clubs, which ended up being Spyglass Hill. We didn’t learn that before arriving at Pebble Beach Golf Links, so I snapped a few photos while we were waiting on them to check if the clubs had arrived there or not. What a beautiful place! It’s sacred ground for anyone who golfs or knows about golf.
This is the putting green at Pebble Beach. There is a string of shops along with you see the cute green awnings, we explored those later in the trip when he played this golf course.
Something that will make you giggle is that because I didn’t know we would end up at a golf course during our travel day to Monterey, I was in jeans! I was so embarrassed, haha! But people were so friendly and Kyle wasn’t actually playing golf on the course, so it was probably fine. If I had known, I absolutely would have been wearing some slacks!
We drove some of 17-mile drive to meet his friend and his wife at Spyglass Hill, and us wives chatted while our husbands were at the range.
Next, we checked into our hotel, Monterey Bay Lodge, for the night afterwards and it was a cute little place! We just needed a place to stay until the following day, as the trip covered The Inn at Spanish Bay for three days. Wait until I share that room – I think it was as large as our house, haha!
After getting everything settled, we were starving so we grabbed dinner at Sandbar & Grill. If you’re ever in Monterey, this is a must-stop! Easily the best shrimp I’ve ever had (they’re called prawns on the menu and I had to ask the lady if they had fried shrimp and she was so nice about it, haha!), so fresh and you get to eat right on the water. I got these yummy potatoes, I think similar to scalloped, and fresh green beans. Kyle got the fish and chips.
We were so tired afterwards, so we showered and watched some tv in bed before falling asleep. I may have took a leftover box from the restaurant and snacked on shrimp in bed, it’s vacay, right?!
That’s a wrap on the first Pebble Beach recap, sweet friends! Stay tuned for three more days’ worth of recap posts over the next couple of weeks! Have you been to Monterey/Pebble Beach area before? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Since it’s a holiday week, I want to wish you all the very best Thanksgiving! I am very thankful for YOU!
I am so sorry about the plane situation! Pebble Beach looks lovely, though.
Jennifer
https://curatedbyjennifer.com
Thank you tons Jennifer, it was quite the experience, but all that matters is we made it to that beautiful place safely and it was a fantastic rest of the trip!
Ohhh! I don’t think you told me about that landing OR that the In-N-Out food wasn’t the best. I think I would have had a mini heart attack, but I’ve heard that planes have to redo their landing more often than you’d think due to all kinds of things that can come up. It is good to know that all in all, they’re keeping us safe, but it is scary when you’re in the middle of it and weren’t expecting it! Oh my, but those views were SO worth the long travel day AND that seafood must have made up for the sub par In-N-Out experience!!!!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
It was a little wild on the plane note and I really can’t believe how awful the In-N-Out was, haha! You are so right, it all ended up being a fantastic trip and I’m missing the beautiful ocean view for sure!
Ugh sorry that your plane ride and start of trip was so rocky. But the rest of the trip looked incredible what a great place to stay. It is truly beautiful and so much great scenery to be had. The food looked super tasty. Glad you had such a good time on your trip.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Thanks so much Allie, I’m so thankful it all worked out and was such a stunning place. It’s one of those areas you could just sit down and take it all in. The food was incredible, I wish I had some of that right now, haha!
Pebble Beach looks amazing. And what a trip!
Thanks so much, it was a bit of a rough start but certainly a beautiful place to end up! 🙂
So sorry about the rough start to the travel day, but what an awesome way to celebrate your 10th anniversary. It was meant to be! That area is just stunning. Can’t wait for more details.
That’s such a great way to look at it Melody, God had it all worked out! 🙂 It was a gorgeous place and excited to share more photos and fun with you soon!
Traveling is so rough these days!! But gosh, that ocean view would be worth it! That 2nd picture with the rocks and ocean would make a beautiful screen saver!
Very true, Kristen!! The view truly was worth it and walking those golf courses was just incredible. I almost have my second recap post ready to go, so excited to share that with you next week! I was so happy with that photo too, it just looks like a dream and it really was a dream to be there! Thanks so much!!
Sorry about the rough landing, but I’m glad you guys were ok! Other than that and the In-N-Out it looks like a fun trip so far!
Thank you so much friend, I’m very grateful that God was watching over us! It truly was the best trip after those things!!
Well it was worth the trip as the beach looks so inviting!
Yes Nancy, it absolutely was worth all the chaos to see that beautiful ocean view! Thanks so much for popping over! 🙂
So sorry about the plane issue. I totally feel you on In and Out. The first time I went there, I was hooked! The second time was not as good. I had no idea that your husband was a golfer. So glad you were able to take this trip. Wondering if you went to Monterey aquarium. It’s one of the best in the world!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
It seems like we had the same experience! I bet it’s like most fast food where it just depends on the people making your food at that time, and it just isn’t consistent. My husband loves to golf! While it isn’t his full-time job (yet!), he is so talented with it. He’s actually golfing now and it’s chilly out there, he’s committed, haha! We didn’t go to the aquarium while we were there, but I really need to put that on my list if we are blessed enough to go back someday!! That’s amazing!
So sorry that your trip got off to such a stressful start! But, it looks like the rest of the trip made up for it! Pebble Beach is lovely and a golfer’s dream (I’m not a golfer but my hubby is)
Julia x
Thank you friend, it was very nerve wracking but well worth pushing through it and enjoying the rest of the trip! So neat that our husbands are both golfers!
I’m sorry your trip had a rough start! Pebble Beach looks amazing – I know my husband would love to golf there one day! I’ve heard that In and Out isn’t that great – I think it gets hyped up on Instagram lol.
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you friend, I appreciate it! It was one of those quirky things, but thankful we were safe and able to enjoy the rest of the trip! Haha that’s such a good point about it being overhyped. Truly it was the best fast food hamburger I had the very first time I had it, but it was equally the worst I’ve had this time around, ha ha! Hope you and your hubby will be able to go to Pebble Beach sometime, there’s definitely so much to do!