Pebble Beach is to golf what Paris is to cuisine: it isn't that there aren't other reasons to visit, but all of them pale by comparison. This private 5,300-acre enclave on northern California's Monterey Peninsula embraces not only some of the most picturesque coastline anywhere in the west but also three of the nation's most alluring golf courses. Sooner or later, anyone with a bag of clubs has to make a pilgrimage to the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links, which traditionally ranks as the No. 1 resort course in America.

Nothing matches its breathtaking scenery, as many of its holes trail along the cliffs, rocks, and beaches at the very edge of the Pacific Ocean. And having come to play Pebble Beach, you can also look forward to Robert Trent Jones's gorgeous if formidable Spyglass Hill (the oldest course west of the Mississippi) and the narrow, duney Links at Spanish Bay (not to mention Cypress Point, a course nearly as magnificent as Pebble Beach but so private that not even the PGA can gain access). So what if you need to take out a second mortgage to cover the greens fees?

The stellar nature of Pebble Beach golf is an almost impossible act to follow, so it is surprising to find that this quintessential golf resort has paid exceptional attention to tennis. Tennis on the Monterey Peninsula does in fact have a tradition going back to before the turn of the century. Bill Tilden, Don Budge, Ellsworth Vines, Bobby Riggs, Elizabeth Ryan, Helen Wills Moody, and Alice Marble were among the greats who frequented the courts at Monterey's old Hotel Del Monte. Following World War II, when the hotel was sold to the Navy, the center of tennis action shifted to Pebble Beach where the late John Gardiner was head professional. He put Pebble Beach on the tennis map by bringing in the Kramer Pro Tour and the California State Championships.

Gardiner later established his luxury camp a few miles away, of course (see Gardiner's Resort), but Pebble Beach still means tennis. In 1994, the old complex was obliterated and replaced by a handsome $3.2 million Tennis Club. Beautifully designed, from the wooden shelving in its boutique-like pro shop to the broad patios overlooking the dozen hard and clay courts, this has already become a place to meet and linger. Long the poor stepchild to golf at the resort, tennis had struggled as a perfunctory amenity, present in body but not in spirit. It has obviously helped to have friends in high places, in this case the president of the company who is himself an avid tennis player.

No one who passes on 17-Mile Drive can fail to notice the change. Neither does it hurt that the courts are part of a wealthy and exclusive community, where not a few of the 5,800 residents have taken the phrase "a man's home is his castle" literally and where they can afford to impose stringent building regulations that ensure that the natural beauty of the area remains unspoiled.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 831-625-8509

Tennis director Kie Foreman took over this operation in the fall of 2000 and continues the tradition of providing the same level of service at the courts that guests are accustomed to receiving at the nearby Lodge. A ranked junior in the Pacific Northwest, Foreman went on to play for Idaho State University and subsequently ranked as high as No. 14 in the Pacific Northwest Open Division. He later put in stints at two very active racquet clubs, one in California, the other in Oregon, and at the posh Boulders resort north of Phoenix.

Tennis Programs. The principal emphases are private lessons and game matching, though there is also a daily clinic and a "Beat the Pro" session, the last of which is free if you win.
Courts & Fees. The club has 10 hard and 2 clay courts laid out below an elegant full-service pro shop. Court fees: $12/person/day.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Lodge at Pebble Beach.

• "The Value is great. I enjoyed the instruction. I also enjoyed the location. Everything was top knotch."—C.L., Adv. Int., November 2008

• "Nike Tennis Camp was a great experience. The Pros were awesome and the facility was spectacular. I will be going at least once a year."—D.M., Int., November 2008

• "All of the pros were incredibly knowledgeable and fun. My friend and I both had a blast, and we met a lot of fun people to play tennis with."—B.S., Low Int., November 2008

• "I highly recommend this camp. It is great to go solo or go with a few friends. This fall was my first time and I plan on returning at least once a year. The format was very good and I felt all aspects of my game were touched on and improved upon after the camp. Wish it was longer."—C.S., Low Int., November 2008

• ""—R.A., Int., November 2008

• "The camp was very nice. I would go back again, but next time I would go with friends and/or team mates that were 4.0s to make sure there were enough players my level attending that session. The staff was excellent and very fun. The setting and the resort were beautiful. Definitely a first class camp!!!!"—M.Y., Adv. Int., November 2008

• "I would recommend this Nike Camp and location to anyone. I was lucky to be able to attend in that I didn't even know about it until about 12 hours before it started when a late cancellation occurred and I was asked if I would be interested in attending. We happened to be on vacation in Carmel at the time and so I already has a local place to stay. It was a great mix of people and all 6 of the coaches were outstanding. When we did our rotations, there were no disappointments and the input, corrections and suggestions that the 6 different pros gave us were invaluable. While each coach may have used different perspective or wording and perhaps a little different emphasis --- the overall lessons that I learned will definitely give me incentive and different approaches to implementing all I learned for a long time. I also liked the mix of people in my group and the re-arranging of our individual groups on the second main day of the camp. The camp started late afternoon on a Thursday and had 2 Full Days on Friday and Saturday and then half day on Sunday. We had a great lunch together on Friday and a great dinner together on Saturday Night. On Sunday we had a Round Robin type tournament that was great in that we got to play actual games with some of the people we didn't meet in our daily groups on Friday and Saturday. And all the Pros also took part and so got to partner with the pros or play against them in some cases. I almost forgot to mention that maybe the 2 things that I will remember the most were the 2 "games" we played at the conclusion of the 2 Main Tennis Days (Friday and Saturday). The 2 games were called Catapillar (spelling???) and Cardiac. It was amazing that all 24 "campers" and the 6 pros all played the game of the day on 1 tennis court. AND the game moved so fast, that it was no problem at all having so many particiapants. We all felt that we had plenty of on court time and it was so enjoyable when we got to rotate out and watch the others have their turns. The only problem I would foresee in attending this camp again would be if I didn't have a pre-arranged location to stay like I did this year. The location of the camp is a high end destination and the additional cost of hotel room would have brought the price over the top. I would definitely like to do this camp again especially if it dovetailed into another time we were vacationing in the area already...or if I lived in the area as a full time resident."—C.O., Int., November 2008

• "The Nike Tennis Camp at The Beach & Tennis Club at Pebble Beach was ideal!!! Not only was the facility fantastic the Pros were the best. The time spent was very productive and fun. I have told my tennis teammates and friends that this camp is the best ever in every way!"—O.K., Adv. Int., November 2008

• "I went to the Lodge at Pebble Beach with some friends expecting that we would have a great weekend away from our everyday routines. I knew we would all have fun being together. I expectec the tennis part of the holiday to be secondary. I didn't expect too much from the tennis part. I thought the tennis pros probably will act like they've done this camp 100 times and we're no different from the tennis campers at the last camp! Was I ever wrong!! Delightfully wrong!
  The tennis turned out to be the highlight of the trip. I was amazed how "into it" our instructors were. I never expected our tennis pros to be so enthusiastic, encouraging and interested in us. But they were! They really were! They knew all our names; they enjoyed talking to us; they came to lunches and dinners with us. They complimented us on the strong parts of our game and helped us with the week links. They knew our game because they were in interested in us as tennis players and they say us as tennis players. And, if you can believe this, they never once were caught looking at their watches hoping the day was over.
  I felt their enthusiasm and energy was sincere. They loved the tennis camp and they wanted to make sure that we loved it too. We did. We had four fabulous days of tennis drills, skills, games and fun! I loved the weekend and am planning to reutrn this spring with even more friends in tow. We've convinced a bunch of people at our club to join us! Thank you Kie, Andrew, Steve, Bill and Travia."—D.W., Adv. Int., October 2008

• "Absolutely fantastic! I love the small class size, 1 professional tennis instructor for every 4-5 people, rotating every hour. This provides the opportunity to focus on different skills at various levels of tennis and with many professionals teaching (not just one or two) you learn through each professional personal style of teaching.
  In addition, the local and hospitality at Pebble Beach are wonderful. I have now been to Pebble Beach Nike Tennis Camp 4 times and every time is a new experience and raises my level of tennis :)"—L.V., Adv. Int., October 2008

• "September Nike Tennis Clinic
  It was great. Lots of fun and informative. Lodging at the Pebble Beach resorts is expensive. Luckily for me, there were no rooms available at the Lodge when I made my reservation for the Nike Camp four months ahead. We ended up staying in Carmel, at a great motel, for about half the price of a room in the PB Lodge.
  The Beach and Tennis Club is a great facility with a wonderful, helpful, staff. They welcome visitors, making them feel like members. Plus playing there is great way to experience the beauty of the Pacific coast. I see why the golfers love the area. Luckily, there is no waiting list to get on one of the courts."—V.F., Int., October 2008

• "Fantastic Tennis - I'll be back. They always take such good care of me. Kie Foreman and his staff are top notch"—T.U., Adv. Int., October 2008

Other Recreation

Spa & Fitness Center. The resort has a new spa in an historic estate home called Casa Palmero not far from the racquet club.

See Also

If you're looking for a tennis resort with strong golf and a seaside setting, look at:

• Sea Island Resort, Georgia
• Kapalua Resort, Hawaii
• Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina

Travel Essentials

Seasons. Year-round; however the best tennis weather—and most activity—occurs from March to November.

Travel Instructions. By Air: The nearest major airports are San Jose, 80 miles to the north and San Francisco, 117 miles north. However, there is also a small regional gateway in Monterey Peninsula Airport, 13 miles from the resort. By Car: From San Francisco or San Jose, take Hwy. 101 South to the Monterey Peninsula Exit and Hwy. 156 West.

General Tourist Information. Visit the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at P.O. Box 1770, Monterey, CA 93942. Phone: 877-MONTEREY.

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