Monterey Peninsula - Pebble Beach

Situated right along the Big Sur coastline, the Monterey Peninsula is one of California's most iconic destinations. Taking the famous drive down the Pacific Coastal Highway is incomplete without stopping to admire Monterey's staggering scenery.

Traveling from the north, you'll be greeted with massive dunes followed by a crescent of beach and dense forest. Approaching from the south provides even more dramatic views as the narrow highway winds between two mountains and the headlands above the Pacific, bringing you through Big Sur.

Besides the scenery, there is plenty to do in Monterey, from visiting the historic Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row to playing one of the 20 world-class golf courses. A discussion of California golf courses would be incomplete without mentioning the renowned Pebble Beach, a perennial top-10 selection on Golf Magazine's list of "Top 100 Courses in the World."

Playing the course is an experience like none other, but if you can't swing the green fee, Pacific Grove Golf Links is an affordable option that will still give you stunning coastal scenery. The layout mimics the seaside courses of the British Isles as closely as any course you'll find in the U.S.