Mini pebble is definitely less rough than regular. I originally wanted plaster because i always hated pebble feel, and the darker colors make the pool look dirty in my opinion. Who wants to walk on rocks in their pool? Some PB won't even do plain plaster anymore. My PB offered Quartscape plaster. What changed my mind was my neighbors pool. She just got hers redone with Stonescapes aqua cool mini pebble and I stepped on it in the water. It wasn't bad at all. So that, coupled with the fact pebble finishes add value to your house if you resale, changed my mind. ( i read recently plaster refinish doesn't) In Phoenix, it was only $540 difference for mini. Today is the acid wash and start filling.
Aggie, I thought salt/pepper looked too yellowish. The white was another option I liked, but went with Aqua cool because it had more blue specks in it. Must be a Texas thing that they charge extra for other colors. lol. We had many shades of blue, green, gray, dark to choose from.