The Insider's Guide to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

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This guide to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is like having a tournament tour guide in your back pocket. It's filled with insider tips on how to see the stars, score the best views, and more. Plus, it's got every one of the basic but often-overlooked details that you need to know to ensure you have an enjoyable time.

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Tickets

Tickets for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, available online, are $50 per day ($60 when bought after February 4, 2012) for each tournament round (Thursday-Sunday). Children 12 and under get in free alongside an adult ticket holder. Many packages are also available.

Military Day

Wednesday is Military Day at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. All law enforcement, firefighters and military personnel plus one accompanied guest will be admitted free of charge. Eligible personnel must present their active official department ID or badge at any ticket booth.

Stars In the Morning: The Breakfast Scene

The fun of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am begins at breakfast. There's plenty of great places to eat in Pebble Beach and the surrounding towns. The Tap Room at the Lodge at Pebble Beach, in particular, is a popular spot for the traditional before- and after-play Bloody Mary, says local golf pro Brad Cursio.

If you're looking for another place to spot stars during the AT&T tournament, Cursio says, two other go-to breakfast locations are Katy's Place and The Cottage Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea. While many celebs prefer to order room service and avoid the crowds, several rub elbows with the public at these spots.

Stars At Night: The Post-Play Party

Just because the play at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is over for the day doesn't mean it's time to go home. While some players may rest up for the morning, many take advantage of the local social scene. As mentioned before, the first go-to spot for extracurricular AT&T tournament imbibing is the Tap Room, but that's not where the party ends!

Clambake for a Cure

Once upon a time, celebs flocked to Bing Crosby's Clambake, the event now known as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Today, the golfers and celebrities playing in the AT&T also flock to a clambake: the Clambake for a Cure at Gilbert's on Fisherman's Wharf. At this event, held on February 10 from 4pm to 9pm, attendees can meet celebrities and top golfers, drink fine wine and eat food from nine top chefs, and bid on one-of-a-kind auction items. Tickets are $125 and proceeds go to the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research and Treatment.

After-Dinner Drinks

Some of the most popular spots for after-round drinks, says Cursio, are Carmel-by-the-Sea's Il Fornaio (right after the round) and Jack London's (for the dedicated late-night partiers). The younger crowd tend to skip the warm-up events and head either straight for Jack London's, or the nearby Hog's Breath Inn. In Monterey, Cannery Row's Sardine Factory has a history of being a celebrity magnet; in 2008 celebrity sightings included Clint Eastwood (whose film "Play Misty For Me" was filmed in part at the restaurant), Kevin James, Tom Brady, Vijay Singh and Ray Romano, among others. If you're lucky at one of these spots, you'll get a chance to congratulate someone on how they played at that day's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am — or buy them a consolation drink.

Celebrity Souvenirs: Autographs and Photos

If you want celebrity autographs, or celebrity snapshots, you must get tickets for the AT&T tournament's practice round. The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am does not allow autographs during the tournament rounds. Cameras are also banned from the AT&T's tournament rounds, so the practice rounds are the only days you can take photos at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. It's easiest to get autographs on Monday. After that, players are likely to be more focused on their game than their public.

Where to Watch: Best Viewing Spots

The grandstands at the 18th hole are always popular spots from which to watch the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, and with good reason. But it's not the only place to catch the action.

If you stand on the rough that borders holes 6 and 8,  Cursio says, you can watch the players come up the 6th hole, round the 7th and hit their second shot on the 8th. Jack Nicklaus famously called the second shot on the 8th "the finest second shot in golf," so if you get this spot you're bound to see some beautiful play.

Two other recommended spots for viewing the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am are the tee box on the 13th hole, and the grandstand by the 17th green, which allows spectators to both watch players coming up the 17th hole and see them tee off on the 18th.

What to Bring — and What Not To Bring

You won't be able to implement the insider tips if you inadvertently bring contraband to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, and you won't have fun if your clothes can't stand up to the weather. Know before you go, and you'll be well on your way to a great AT&T tournament.

Clothing

Temperatures can vary widely during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The record high for that time period is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the record low is 26. Winds off Monterey Bay can make the temperature feel even colder than the mercury suggests. Local golf pro Brad Cursio recommends wearing layers to the AT&T tournament, and a rain or wind shirt that is warm, but light enough to take off and carry. For traction, he recommends spectators who own them wear comfortable soft spikes. Don't don your metal spikes; metal spiked golf shoes are not allowed at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Cameras, Cellphones and Other Tech Toys

If you want a great snapshot of your favorite star, make sure to attend the AT&T tournament's practice rounds on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday; cameras are not allowed Thursday through Sunday. As for any other tech toys, including (but not limited to) televisions, radios and transmitting radios? Leave them all behind.

Cell phones are permitted as long as they are on the silent mode and the camera function is turned off. Courses will have special areas where phone calls may be made. New to this year's event is AT&T Chatter. This feature will allow fans and visitors to receive exclusive updates and information to their cell phones throughout the tournament. Once onsite fans can text CHATTER to 33992 to receive relevant alerts.

Food and Beverage

The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am allows food to be brought in that is packed in a container that, when full, is 8" high, 8" wide and 8" deep or smaller. Make sure to measure before you bring it in!

Visitors may not bring alcohol to the AT&T tournament. Alcohol can be purchased on site.

Water may be brought to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in plastic bottles, which must be placed in a pocket or carrying bag.

Bags

No bags are permitted at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am that are larger than 8" high, 8" wide and 8" deep when full.

Other Prohibited Items

Other items prohibited from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am include ladders, signs, banners, posters, pets (except service animals), bicycles, and noisemaking or distracting devices and weapons. If you're in doubt as to whether you can bring it to the AT&T tournament, it's best to leave that item behind.

Getting There

Parking at Pebble Beach for the AT&T tournament is only available on Monday and Tuesday. From Wednesday through Sunday, parking for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am will be at California State University in Monterey Bay (CSUMB), about 30 minutes north of Pebble Beach on Route 1. A free shuttle will take spectators from the satellite parking lot to the AT&T tournament.

Please note: 17-Mile Drive is closed to through traffic during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am!

Monterey Shuttle

For $15, you can take a shuttle from Monterey to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The shuttle stops on Cannery Row at Wave Street and Prescott and at the Monterey Conference Center at the Portola Hotel & Spa. Parking is available near both stops at municipal garages for $5. See the Monterey Express Shuttle flyer for more information.

Pacific Grove Shuttle

The Pacific Grove Shuttle to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am picks up and drops off in front of the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. It leaves every 30 minutes starting at 8:00am on Wednesday and 6:30am Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $20 for each day, or $60 for a five-day pass. Tickets can be purchased at the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce at Central and Forest Avenues. For more information call 831-373-3304.

Carmel Shuttle

Shuttles from Carmel to the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am are $20 for a 1 day pass or $75 for a 4 or 5 day pass. The shuttle will depart from Carmel Plaza on Ocean between Junipero and Mission every 15 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the Carmel Visitor Center or at the shuttle bus stop. Free parking is available at Vista Lobos at 3rd and Junipero as well as on the street. Visit the Carmel Chamber of Commerce website for more information.

• Insider's Guide to the AT&T