This review of Pebble Beach CA and the Casa Palmero were made possible by my participating in the Ford #CMAXDrive event but was not part of the event. All opinions are my own.

Casa Palmero - Courtyard Room Private Outdoor Sauna

I recently participated in a Ford Drive event for the new CMAX. During the event we traveled in their fun little hybrid car from San Francisco to Pebble Beach, CA. It was my first trip out to the coast there and my first time in this historic location.

Pebble Beach CA: 17-Mile Drive

Pebble Beach is part of a private  gated community where nonresidents have to pay a toll to use the road. Much of the beach is blocked from view with just a few exceptions along the 17-Mile Drive. Still, what is accessible is insanely gorgeous. My driving partner insisted in checking out the Ghost Tree located just a few miles from our resort for the evening, the Casa Palmero.

As it turns out, the Ghost Tree is a bit of a disappointment, but in that same area is an amazing vista of the Pacific Ocean. So many beautiful plants, flowers, and birds on a craggy and rugged beach. It was stunning and one of the highlights of the trip, Ghost Tree disappointment and all.

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Casa Palmero: Pebble Beach, CA

But one of the other pleasant surprises was the extravagance of the Casa Palmero. It’s a Spanish-style boutique hotel with just 24 rooms available. The welcoming brick paved driveway only hints at the simple opulence behind the wrought iron gates.

Once inside, the California lifestyle comes into play with water features, wide meandering paths, lush plantings in every direction. There is a spa onsite, but sadly we were unable to make use of it due to time restraints. There’s also a small but incredibly private pool, a billiards and game room, a lounge where cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served nightly, and so many amazing little alcoves to hideaway in.

The rooms are spectacular. Large and beautifully appointed with bathrooms the size of many people’s apartments. Double vanities, a separate rain shower, a large-enough-for-two soaking tub with doors which open to the bedroom, a makeup table with lighted magnifying mirror, and fabulous toiletries that include a sugar scrub and bath salts for that tub.

My room was a Courtyard Suite room (view the virtual tour – mine was very similar to the tour room). The room had a wood burning fireplace, already set and ready for a flame (though I couldn’t get any of their matches to light and eventually worth the flint down – I never did get the fire burning), a Bose radio set to spa music for my arrival, an enormous flat screen TV which I never turned on that came with a keyboard which I assume accessed their free wi-fi. There were several comfortable chairs, a large executive desk and office chair, plus a loveseat and table.

But I saved the best for last. A semi-private hot tub of my own. Sadly, I didn’t know of its existence or I would have brought a bathing suit. I say semi-private because although it was all mine, there was a room above mine that could look into it if they happened to be glancing out their window. Still the vine covered private patio was amazing and truly an extravagance.

The Casa Palmero staff was incredibly kind, accommodating, and friendly and my experience there while much too short was incredible. Nightly rates start at $800 so this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime extravagance.

The Bench Restaurant, Pebble Beach

We spent a few hours at The Bench, a small little getaway that was incredibly noisy and fun. The meal was fabulous but dessert was the star. While most of The Bench has a view of the 18th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Course, we were in the bar area. Still a great place to eat and spend time with friends.

A few hours is not nearly enough time to experience this area. I only scratched the surface and will need to go back again in the future to really discover all of its charm and beauty.

Have you been to this hidden gem?

Pebble Beach CA Travel Links