History of Pebble Beach, California in Timeline

Pebble Beach, California, is an unincorporated coastal community on the Monterey Peninsula, renowned as a resort destination and residential area with primarily single-family homes. It's particularly famous for its golf courses, including Cypress Point Club, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and Pebble Beach Golf Links. The 17-Mile Drive, the area's main road, requires a toll for non-residents, effectively acting as a gate, which contributes to its exclusive atmosphere.

1900: Discovery of Hickman's Potentilla

In 1900, Alice Eastwood, a botanist, first discovered Hickman's potentilla within the Del Monte Forest in present-day Pebble Beach.

1907: Automobiles Replace Horses on 17-Mile Drive

In 1907, automobiles completely replaced horses on the 17-Mile Drive, marking a shift in transportation and recreation in the area.

1908: Lewis P. Hobart Hired to Design Pebble Beach Lodge

In 1908, architect Lewis P. Hobart was hired by PIC manager A.D. Shepard to design the Pebble Beach Lodge, which was planned to be a rustic, log-cabin-style inn.

1909: Completion of the Pebble Beach Lodge

In 1909, the rustic, log-cabin-style Pebble Beach Lodge, designed by Lewis P. Hobart, was completed. The lodge featured private patio nooks, a wide pergola, a large assembly room, fireplaces, a tavern, and cottages for overnight guests. It served as a community center and rest stop.

1916: PIC Decides to Create a Golf Course

In 1916, Samuel Finley Brown Morse convinced the PIC to create a golf course at the edge of Pebble Beach and Stillwater Cove.

December 17, 1917: Pebble Beach Lodge Burns Down

On December 17, 1917, the Pebble Beach Lodge burned down while the golf course was under construction. It was later replaced by the Del Monte Lodge.

February 22, 1919: Grand Opening of the Golf Course and Del Monte Lodge

On February 22, 1919, the golf course and the new Del Monte Lodge held their grand opening, marking a significant milestone in the development of Pebble Beach.

February 27, 1919: Morse Forms Del Monte Properties Company

On February 27, 1919, Samuel Finley Brown Morse formed the Del Monte Properties Company and acquired the holdings of the PIC, including the Del Monte Forest, Del Monte Lodge, and Hotel Del Monte.

1937: Inaugural Crosby Clambake

In 1937, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, formerly known as the Crosby Clambake, began at Rancho Santa Fe near San Diego.

1942: Final Crosby Clambake at Rancho Santa Fe

1942 marked the final year the Crosby Clambake tournament was held at Rancho Santa Fe near San Diego.

1947: Crosby Clambake Moves to Pebble Beach

In 1947, after World War II, the Crosby Clambake (now known as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am) moved to Pebble Beach and has continued annually since.

1948: John Boit Morse Becomes President

In 1948, John Boit Morse, son of Samuel Finley Brown Morse, became president of the Del Monte Properties Company.

1950: First Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Since 1950, the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance auto show has been held in Pebble Beach, featuring classic cars, an auction, a classic car tour, and an automotive art exhibit.

1951: Witch Tree Featured in Mr. Imperium

In 1951, the Witch Tree at Pescadero Point was featured as scenic background representing the coast of Italy in the movie Mr. Imperium, starring Lana Turner, Ezio Pinza, Marjorie Main, and Barry Sullivan.

1954: Richard Osborne Named President

In 1954, Richard Osborne, Samuel Finley Brown Morse's son-in-law, was named president of the Del Monte Properties Company.

1956: Witch Tree Featured in Julie

In 1956, the Witch Tree was part of the background in an early scene from the movie Julie, featuring Doris Day, while she was fleeing from her psychopathic husband, played by Louis Jourdan.

January 14, 1964: The Witch Tree Falls

On January 14, 1964, the famous landmark known as the "Witch Tree" at Pescadero Point fell during a storm, marking the end of its decades-long presence.

1969: Death of Samuel Finley Brown Morse

Samuel Finley Brown Morse died in 1969. He was the manager of the PIC who created the golf course and the Del Monte Lodge.

1972: US Open Held at Pebble Beach Golf Links

In 1972, Pebble Beach Golf Links hosted the US Open.

1976: Presidential Election Results Listed for Pebble Beach

Starting in 1976, presidential election results were listed for Pebble Beach in the Monterey County statement of vote for some elections.

March 30, 1977: Del Monte Properties Reincorporated as Pebble Beach Corporation

On March 30, 1977, the Del Monte Properties Company was reincorporated as the Pebble Beach Corporation, and the Del Monte Lodge was renamed the Lodge at Pebble Beach.

May 1979: 20th Century Fox Purchases Pebble Beach Corporation

In May 1979, 20th Century Fox, later bought by Marvin Davis, purchased the Pebble Beach Corporation, marking a change in ownership.

1982: US Open Held at Pebble Beach Golf Links

In 1982, Pebble Beach Golf Links hosted the US Open.

1985: Davis Keeps Pebble Beach Company

In 1985, when 20th Century Fox was sold to Rupert Murdoch, Marvin Davis kept several assets not directly related to film and TV, including the Pebble Beach Company.

1990: Davis Sells Pebble Beach Company to Minoru Isutani

In 1990, Marvin Davis sold the Pebble Beach Company to Japanese businessman Minoru Isutani, making it a subsidiary of Taiheiyo Club Inc. under the Lone Cypress Company.

1992: Hickman's Potentilla Listed as Protected Species

Following a survey in 1992 by Earth Metrics Inc., Hickman's potentilla was listed as a protected species by the U.S. Government.

1992: US Open Held at Pebble Beach Golf Links

In 1992, Pebble Beach Golf Links hosted the US Open.

1999: Pebble Beach Company Acquired by Investor Group

In 1999, the Pebble Beach Company was acquired from Lone Cypress by an investor group led by Clint Eastwood, Arnold Palmer, and Peter Ueberroth.

2000: US Open Held at Pebble Beach Golf Links

In 2000, Pebble Beach Golf Links hosted the US Open.

2000: Measure A Development Proposal Initiated

In 2000, the Pebble Beach Company initiated Measure A, a controversial development proposal, leading to a legal and advertising campaign featuring Clint Eastwood.

2000: Presidential Election Results Listed for Pebble Beach

Presidential election results are listed for Pebble Beach in the Monterey County statement of vote for some elections. The totals listed are for the seven presidential elections from 1976-2000.

2006: Measure A Plan Goes Before California Coastal Commission

In 2006, the Measure A plan went before the California Coastal Commission for approval, marking a significant step in the development proposal's process.

June 14, 2007: Measure A Denied by California Coastal Commission

On June 14, 2007, Measure A was denied by the California Coastal Commission in an 8 to 4 vote after being resubmitted. Commissioner Sara Wan called it "wholesale destruction of the environment."

2009: Ghost Tree Surf Break Becomes Off Limits

Effective 2009, the surf break of Ghost Tree became effectively off limits due to a decision by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that personal watercraft were no longer permitted in specified waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

2010: US Open Held at Pebble Beach Golf Links

In 2010, Pebble Beach Golf Links hosted the US Open.

2013: Pebble Beach Authors & Ideas Festival

Since 2013, the Pebble Beach Authors & Ideas Festival has been held in September each year at Pebble Beach, after moving from its original venue at Carmel-by-the-Sea.

2014: Pebble Beach Filming Location for Big Little Lies

In 2014, Pebble Beach was the location for the show Big Little Lies, a drama which showcases relationships between high income status individuals based on the book of the same name.

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2017: Big Little Lies Airs

In 2017, Pebble Beach was the location for the show Big Little Lies, a drama which showcases relationships between high income status individuals based on the book of the same name, aired.

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2017: Pebble Beach Resort Partners with IBM Watson

In 2017, the Pebble Beach golf resort partnered with IBM to use the artificial intelligence Watson as a live concierge embedded in a mobile app to guide visitors around the resort.