Pebble Beach Area
Pebble Beach Golf Links
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Number one on many golf's greatest courses lists (especially public) and a bucket list track for most of us, Pebble Beach Golf Links tops this list too. Coolest part about playing Pebble or somewhere close by like Pacific Grove Golf Links (if you can't fork out the $500 PB round fee): camping ON the beach! With lots of private RV campgrounds and parks around the Monterey and Carmel area, there are also a few state parks where campers with 36 feet or shorter rigs can set up home base with water and electricity but no sewage right smack dab on the beach.
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Spyglass Hill
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Spyglass Hill was ranked #11 in Golf Digest's 100 best public courses list and has hosted the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am since 1967. The Robert Trent Jones course is owned by the Pebble Beach Company, which also owns P.B. Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay and the Del Monte Golf Course. Resort guests pay $395 for a round of 18 while non-resort guests (us camping types) will pay the $395 + cart fee ($40). Twilight goes for $225 plus cart fee.
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Pacific Grove Golf Course
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5.7 miles from Pebble Beach Golf Links is this gem deemed "the poor man's Pebble." When I checked the rates there were three different prices on their online booking system which was set up much like GolfNow. $71, $47 and $29! This course with its back nine playing along the ocean was rated 23rd on Golf Digest's most fun public courses, just 22 spaces behind Pebble Beach. With a $50 camp spot and a $47 tee time this is a golf vacation that won't break the bank.
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Camping Near Pebble Beach
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
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Nicknamed a "mini Yosemite," Big Sur State Park is situated along the Big Sur River among redwood trees and California wildlife. The park is located 31 miles south of Pebble Beach off scenic Highway 1. There is ample camping with electric and water hookups for campers 32 feet and smaller but the park is very popular and fills up fast so you'll want to plan this trip and book it far in advance.
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Seacliff State Beach
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40 miles north of Pebble Beach up Highway 1 towards Santa Cruz is a nearly two mile stretch of sandy beach under sandstone cliffs known as Seacliff State Beach. With 26 full hookup sites and 37 non-hookup sites this is a better spot if you're pulling a bigger rig as the maximum length here is 45 feet. Maximum consecutive day stay is seven days so you can be sure to get lots of golf and beach time in here.
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New Brighton State Beach
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New Brighton sits on 93 acres of beach and campgrounds that perch on a bluff overlooking the Monterey Bay. Reservations can be made seven months ahead of time, which is a must as the 120 spots book up fast, especially the 10 water and electric hook-up sites. The premium sites along the bluff are said to be worth the extra bucks to secure them. There's a dump station and the maximum length for campers is 36 feet.
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Private Campgrounds
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If you can't get in to one of the popular state parks there's many private options in the area.Marina Dunes RV Park is just 10 minutes from Pebble Beach Golf Links and sits on a dune's preserve with just a short, sandy path to take you to 10 miles of undeveloped Monterey Bay beachfront. Full hook-ups (cable included here) are around $80 a night and water/electric only hook-ups are around $55. They have a maximum of 45 feet on camper length.
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Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground is located on 89 acres of forest land 5 miles off Highway 1 in Carmel. They also have cabins for rent and a gorgeous pool and clubhouse surrounded by redwoods and Monterey pines. All sites are full hook ups with a 30 feet max on camper length (they indicate bumper to bumper so make sure you fit that space). Average nightly rate is a whopping $112 with a minimum stay of three nights but the luxury of this park and its amenities along with being 10 miles from the Pebble Beach area is pretty awesome.
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For any military CGCCers: first and foremost THANK YOU for your service. You are why we can be Campground Country Club nation. Secondly, and really cool for you, there's a place called Monterey Pines RV Campground run by the Navy Postgraduate School that allows active and inactive members to camp there AND it has an awesome golf course right there on site! Check it out and let us know about it!
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Pinehurst Area
Pinehurst Resort
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This area of North Carolina has been deemed by many throughout the past century as "the home of American golf." Rightly so or not, there are 6 courses in the area that make Golf Digest's Top Public Golf Courses List. Pinehurst Resort sits on 5,500 wooded acres purchased in 1895 for $1.25 an acre. The first course was built in 1898 and now there are nine courses, three hotels and a spa. The most popular Pinehurst course by far is No. 2, site of the men's and women's 2014 U.S. Opens and the coming 2024 U.S. Open. Rated #6 on the Top 100 Public Courses List, Pinehurst No. 2 is a mammoth, historic bucket-list course that may take some proper planning to obtain your tee time. Rates vary and specials and packages are easy to find online, a round seemed to run between $320-$380. Pinehurst No. 8 also was featured on the Golf Digest list at #64.
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Dormie Club
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The Dormie Club is a Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore course designed around golf tradition. There are no cart paths, no roads,and no homes built on the course aiming for a purely undistracted round of golf imbedded in nature. Wide fairways and lack of significant rough makes this course (#49 on Golf Digest's Top Public Courses) playable for all (maybe). Weekday rates are $150 and weekend $165.
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Tobacco Road Golf Course
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Coming in at #55 on Golf Digest's Top Public Courses List, Tobacco Road gets much higher acclaim for the GolfGurus who say it's "the most extreme course you'll ever play...but on steroids!" With one signature hole after another they go on to compare in to Wolf Creek in Mesquite in wow factor. The Gurus gave it an A+ while giving No. 2 an A-. At $100-$130 a round it's a steal compared to No.2.
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Pine Needles & Mid Pines Golf Courses
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Two Donald Ross designed courses nestled in fragrant pine forrest, Pine Needles and Mid Pines both make Golf Digest's Top Public Courses list and also many more. They've hosted three women's U.S. Opens in the nearly century they've been in operation. The days I checked 18 holes was going for around $200.
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Camping Near Pinehurst
Morrow Mountain State Park
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50 miles west of Pinehurst resides Morrow Mountain State Park, with 15 miles of hiking trails, an Olympic size pool and gorgeous views of Lake Tillery from the lookout on top. In Loop C of the campground there are 22 RV sites with electric hook ups and fresh water stations available between every few sites. There is a dump station on the grounds. Maximum lengths vary based on specific sites with 46 feet being the longest they can accommodate. At the time of research sites were $18 a night.
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Jordan Lake State Park
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With over 500 RV campsites with water and electrical hook-ups Jordan Lake State Park has quite the selection from which to choose. There are three campgrounds that offer RV accommodations: Crosswinds CG (134 RV sites), Parker's Creek CG (120 RV sites) and Poplar Point CG (363 RV sites!) all with their own dump stations. There are 7 swim beaches including some reserved for campers only. The 14,000 acre reservoir is a popular boating destination in the summer and there are several boat ramps. The park is 54 miles northeast of Pinehurst.
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Private Campgrounds
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Sycamore Lodge Resort is 12 miles from Pinehurst and sits on 194 acres. It labels itself a "luxury RV resort" and offers lots of amenities like a swimming pool and jacuzzi area, a bass stocked lake with paddle boats available, mini-golf, and free internet at their hand-built log lodge. With 54 full hook up sites, 180 partial and cabins also available to rent there's lots of room for golfers. There is no restriction on rig size.
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Airport RV Park is also 12 miles away sitting right next door to the Pik N Pig Barbecue restaurant serving up North Carolina style cue. The park is quiet despite being next to a private, very limited traffic airport that does not allow night landings. There are some shady spots and some pull through spots available. All sites are level with full hook ups with free wifi internet. There is no bathhouse. Easy to get to, easy to park, easy to leave. A no frills newer RV park with nice, large sites. $35 a night.
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Northern Michigan Golf
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course
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Rated #3 in the state by Golf Digest, #13 in 100 American Top Public Courses, #17 for Most Fun Public Courses, and #56 in Greatest Golf Courses, is Arcadia Bluffs in Arcadia, Michigan. The course, built to resemble seaside Irish links, sits on bluffs looking over Lake Michigan with rolling terrain and natural fescues throughout. Strong elevation changes and 3100 feet of lake frontage make this course a must hit when in Michigan to golf. Rates vary by season topping out around $200 for 18 and dropping as low as $85 in the late fall and winter. Caddies are available upon request and juniors (16 and under) pay 50% of green fees.
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Forest Dunes Golf Course
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Located on 500 acres of heavily wooded Huron National Forest land, Forest Dunes is a parkland-style course with pine corridors, rugged native sand areas and fescues throughout. Rated #5 on Best Michigan Courses, #25 on Top Public U.S. Courses and #26 for Most Fun U.S. Public Courses this Roscommon golfing landmark has another 18 holes that was recently added to the Best in Michigan at #8, The Loop, which are reversible in that you play one direction one day and the opposite the next. Rates are not posted and you have to call the clubhouse for tee times.
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Threetops Par 3
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One of five golf courses located at the Treetops Resort, Threetops is one of the most well known par 3 courses in America, having hosted the ESPN Par 3 Shootout for years and being featured in many publications like Golf Magazine and Golfweek as the #1 par 3 course in the U.S. With panoramic views of the mountains, extreme elevation changes on every hole, and a $35-$55 9 hole rate, Threetops definitely makes MY bucket list, but then one of my favorite things to do in life is launch a wedge from way high-up and watch it droooooooooop.
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Grand Traverse (The Bear)
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The Bear is one of three courses located at Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Michigan. Ranked #16 in Best Michigan Courses, #78 in Top Public U.S. Courses and celebrated as Michigan's toughest 18 holes, you're going to have to bring your A game to the Bear. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it features Scottish terraced fairways, tiered greens,thick roughs, moguls, mounds and deep pot bunkers. It closes for the season in late fall.
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Lakewood Shores (The Gailes)
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Ranked #29 on list of Most Fun Public Courses in America, The Gailes course at Lakewood Shores rounds out our Northern Michigan list. The course was designed to recreate the look and feel of the seaside courses of Scotland. Long fescue grasses, sod faced pot bunkers and large double greens should fulfill expectations of a Scottish golf adventure. At the time of research rates were not posted and booking online was not a possibility.
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Northern Michigan Camping
South Higgins Lake State Park
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Sitting on 1000 acres with a one mile stretch of shoreline along Higgins Lake, South Higgins Lake State Park is a popular camping destination for boaters, hikers and for fishing. With a sandy beach, pontoon rentals and nature trails there is plenty for the family to do while you swing your sticks down the road at Forest Dunes Golf Course. In Roscommon and only 50 miles from Threetops Par 3 course in Gaylord, the state park has 400 shaded campsites with 20/30 amp sites for $33 a night, 50 amp sites for $37 and full hook-up sites for $45. In the off season those sites go for $25/29/29. *Quick note: Michigan state parks require the purchase of a recreation passport for $11 a year for Michigan residents and $32 a year or $9 a day for out of staters. This passport gives you entrance to all the state parks and the ability to camp in them with your window decal. They are available at the state parks when you check in or you can get them in advance online.
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Mitchell State Park
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Mitchell State Park is situated between Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell with a historic canal connecting the two lakes and running through the middle of the park. Located in Cadillac, Michigan, it is an hours drive west to Arcadia Bluffs or an hours drive north to Grand Traverse. It is open year round and has 221 sites offering 20/30 amp sites and 50 amp sites but no water or sewer hook-ups. There are water stations around every few sites and two dumping stations on the grounds. Rates are $33-$37 a night. The sites along the canal seem extra cool.
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Timber Ridge Rv and Recreation Resort (Private)
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There are a lot of private options for RV camping in Northern Michigan I just couldn't find many in my research that has consistently good reviews and feedback with the exception of Timber Ridge in Traverse City. It is a per friendly, all-season rustic resort with 250 sites and cabin rentals. Amenities include a pool, wi-fi, bike trails, playground, convenience store, golf cart rental, shower houses, dump station, pull-though sites and full hook-ups. They also have an enclosed sand dodgeball pit with a referee and music, disco lights and a sprinkler system for hot days. The best thing about this place is its 13 minutes from Grand Traverse (The Bear). It's also an hour and twenty minutes from each of the following: Arcadia Bluffs, Treetops Resort and Forest Dunes.
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Orlando/Tampa Area Golf
Streamsong Golf Resort (Red and Blue Courses)
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The Blue course at Streamsong, one hour southeast of Tampa and an hour and a half southwest of Orlando, was rated #4 by Golf Digest for Best Public Courses in Florida and #17 on Top 100 in U.S. The Tom Doak design features abundant elevation changes, deep water ponds, huge bunkers and towering sand dunes. The Red course at features Bermuda fairways snaking through sand dunes, lakes, natural bunkers and open savannah. It was designed by the prolific architectural team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Carts are available with a forecaddie but check their calendar because there are indicated days for walking and other days for carting. Rates vary with the season and range from $125-255 for the general public. Florida residents get to play 18 for $85 any time.
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World Woods Golf Courses (Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks)
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Man is this place cool!Golf Magazine named it the best practice facility in America with its 23 acre 360 degree practice range, a three hole practice course (a par 5, par 4 and par 3), a 36 hole two acre putting course, a nine hole short course (two par 4s and seven par 3s), and iron ranges and putting greens strategically placed next to both Championship courses first tee boxes for last minute warm-up shots. The Pine Barrens course, Tom Fazio's masterpiece sculpted from an expansive pine forest with dramatic elevation changes, is rated #4 in the state for top public courses, #73 in top 100 U.S. Public Courses and #24 for Most Fun Public Courses by Golf Digest. The Rolling Oaks course was rated #12 in Florida and trades in the pine trees for Giant Oaks draped in Spanish moss, bleached white sand and Azalea bushes making it reminiscent of Augusta National. The day I checked rates it was around $60 for 18 holes.
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Orlando Courses
Grand Cypress Resort Golf Courses
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Featuring 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus designed golf, Grand Cypress is home to the 18 hole championship New Course (rated #33 in the state) and home to three sets of nine holes (rated #39 in Florida): North Nine, the South Course and the East Course. The New Course is Nicklaus's homage to Scottish links style golf featuring double greens, stone bridges and walls, and 150 pot bunkers as deep as 12 feet. The Nines are all different style courses that can be paired together for an 18 hole round. The pro shop follows a dynamic pricing formula like airlines and hotels where rates rise and fall based on demand and availability. The day of my research the New Course was $69 and the Nines ranged between $69-90 for 18 with very good twilight rates after 4 p.m. ($40ish).
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Ritz Carlton Grand Lakes Course
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Following closely behind Grand Cypress at #34 in Florida is the Grand Lakes course at the Ritz Carlton Resort. This classic Greg Norman design features closely mowed turf, short roughs, generous landing areas and contoured greens. While creating the course Norman and his team put special emphasis on preserving the natural ecosystem of the area where ponds, wetlands, live oaks and cypresses thrive. The result is a gorgeous course with maximum playability. Prices vary greatly throughout the day based on desired tee time from $95-180.
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Waldorf Astoria Golf Course
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The Waldorf course might be a good place to get your Orlando golf vacation going since it houses a Golf Academy led by Golf Digest's Top 50 Golf Instructor Brian Mogg, who offers private lessons. There is also an expansive practice facility on the grounds which is included in the greens fee. The course itself was built to maintain the natural integrity of the area and so features natural foliage and the land's preexisting contours. It also is known for its small, elevated greens and cypress lined fairways. The day of my research rates were around $120-$130.
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Walt Disney World Golf
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Named for its beautiful Magnolia trees, the Magnolia Course features elevated tees, large greens and lots of water (11 of 18 holes are riddled with water hazards). Rated #55 in the state, the Magnolia course is a certified Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary rated 4 stars by Golf Digest. *Please do n0t feed the alligators.* The Palms Course at Disney World also received a 4 star rating from G.D. This course dazzles with shimmering lakes, tropical sands, palm trees and severely sloping greens. Lake Buena Vista Course is another 18 hole track that winds through pastel painted villas, pine forests, palmettos and beautiful lakes. There is also a nine hole course, Disney's Oak Trail, which is a walking only course geared towards family outings and especially junior golfers. Disney offers lots of specials and deals (like Sunrise and Sunset tee times) and it would be worth the effort to check them out before booking your tee times which we suggest you do well in advance.
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Tampa/Orlando Camping
Hillsborough River State Park
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Opened in 1938 making it one of Florida's oldest state parks, Hillsborough River State Park sits 9 miles north of Tampa on US Highway 301, 50 miles from Streamsong and 52 miles from World Woods.The park is full of live oaks, magnolias and sabal palms lining the swift water river which has class II rapids. There's lots to do at this park including visiting a reconstructed historic site called Fort Foster which was used in the Second Seminole War. Also there's a store that provides canoe, bike and golf cart rentals, breakfast and lunch menus, and souvenirs. There are seven miles of nature trails, kayak and canoe areas and a swimming pool. It's open year round and has 98 RV sites with electrical and water hook ups. Dump stations and bath/shower houses with laundry are available.$24 a night.
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Little Manatee River State Park
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South of Tampa, the Little Manatee River State Park is comprised of 2416 acres off US Highway 301 and has 27 RV sites with electric and water hookups. It is open year round and costs $22 a night. The river itself flows 4.5 miles through eleven unique natural communities within the park. It has great hiking trails, kayaking opportunities and 15 miles of equestrian and multi-use trails. The campground also offers four horse campsites. There is a dump station and shower house with laundry. The park is 35 miles from Streaming and an hour and a half to World Woods Golf Course.
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