Del Monte Golf Course

Set amid the forested hills of the Monterey Peninsula, Del Monte Golf Course is a classic, walkable parkland layout and the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River. Opened in 1897 and today part of Pebble Beach Resorts, this par-72 course trades ocean cliffs for tree-lined fairways, small greens, and understated strategy, offering a timeless, affordable round steeped in more than a century of California golf history.

Quick Facts

Course History

Del Monte Golf Course opened for play in 1897, laid out by Charles Maud as part of the resort complex surrounding the famed Hotel Del Monte. It holds a distinguished place in American golf as the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River, predating almost every other course on the West Coast and helping to establish the Monterey Peninsula as one of the game's great destinations.

Originally a nine-hole course, Del Monte was expanded to a full 18 holes in the early 1900s, making it one of the first 18-hole courses in California. Over more than a century it has hosted countless amateur and professional events and today operates as part of Pebble Beach Resorts, welcoming public and resort play while retaining the character of a genuine turn-of-the-century layout.

The Design & Architecture

Del Monte is a classic parkland design routed through gently rolling, tree-lined terrain rather than along the coast. Mature pines and oaks frame the fairways, and the course relies on subtle strategy rather than length: light, well-placed fairway bunkering guards small, firm greens that put a premium on accurate approach play and a sharp short game. The compact, walkable routing rewards positioning and course management over raw power, a hallmark of golf's earliest era.

Playing the Course

Playing 6,365 yards to a par of 72 from the Blue tees, with a course rating of 71.6 and a slope of 131, Del Monte offers a fair yet engaging test for golfers of all abilities. Multiple sets of tees keep it accessible, but the small greens demand precision, and holes played in the shadow of the adjacent Hyatt Regency give the finish a memorable, historic feel. Its gentle terrain makes it an ideal walk, and it is frequently recommended as an affordable, must-play companion to the Peninsula's more famous coastal layouts.

Know Before You Go

• Access: A public, resort course operated by Pebble Beach Resorts and open to all players; tee times can be booked through the resort.

• Location: 1300 Sylvan Rd, Monterey, CA 93940, just inland from downtown Monterey; reach the course at (831) 373-2700.

• History: Opened in 1897, it is the oldest continuously operating golf course west of the Mississippi River.

• Amenities & tip: A practice facility is on site. The classic, walkable layout and small greens reward accuracy and a solid short game more than distance.