Best golf courses in California.

Pebble Beach Golf Links

Pebble Beach, CA

Pebble Beach Golf Links, designed by amateur golfers Jack Neville and Douglas Grant in 1919, was conceived with the audacious vision of placing as many holes as possible directly along the rugged Pacific coastline. This design philosophy resulted in a course that seamlessly integrates with its dramatic natural surroundings, offering breathtaking ocean views and a challenging, strategic layout. Among its iconic holes, the par-3 7th, a mere 106 yards, demands precision over a chasm to a tiny green perched precariously above the crashing waves, while the par-5 18th, curving majestically along the Carmel Bay, provides a thrilling finish with the ocean as a constant companion. Pebble Beach has hosted numerous major championships, including multiple U.S. Opens, solidifying its reputation as a premier championship venue. Its unparalleled beauty, strategic demands, and rich history make it a truly unique and unforgettable golfing experience, where every shot is played against a backdrop of natural splendor.

Pasatiempo Golf Club

Santa Cruz, CA

Pasatiempo Golf Club, a historic gem in Santa Cruz, California, stands as a testament to Alister MacKenzie's genius. Designed in 1929, MacKenzie himself considered Pasatiempo his favorite layout, even making his American home alongside its sixth fairway. His design philosophy, centered on creating a course that offers constant pleasure to all players, is evident in its masterful routing, strategic bunkering, and innovative two-tiered greens. The course seamlessly blends with the natural undulations of the land, offering breathtaking views of Monterey Bay. Pasatiempo is renowned for its challenging greens, which have tested golf legends like Bobby Jones, Ken Venturi, and Tiger Woods. The 16th hole, with its famously diabolical putting surface, is a signature challenge. Having hosted USGA Championships and the Western Intercollegiate for decades, Pasatiempo is a truly historic course that delivers a memorable and challenging golf experience, making it a must-play for any golf enthusiast.

Spyglass Hill Golf Course

Pebble Beach, CA

Spyglass Hill Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece in Pebble Beach, California, is perennially ranked among the toughest and most revered courses in the world. Jones Sr.'s design philosophy, famously aiming to make every hole a hard par but an easy bogey, is vividly brought to life across Spyglass Hill’s dramatic terrain. The course begins with five holes that roll through sandy seaside dunes, demanding precision and strategic navigation. The subsequent thirteen holes are carved through the majestic Monterey Pines of the Del Monte Forest, offering a stark contrast in landscape and challenge. Signature features include the challenging par-3 4th hole, which plays downhill to a green guarded by bunkers, and the iconic par-4 8th, offering stunning ocean views. Spyglass Hill annually co-hosts the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, cementing its status as a championship venue. Its unique blend of seaside links and tree-lined parkland holes, combined with Jones Sr.'s strategic brilliance, makes it an unforgettable and demanding test of golf.

TPC Harding Park

San Francisco, CA

TPC Harding Park stands as a testament to classic municipal golf, offering a championship-caliber experience within the vibrant heart of San Francisco. Designed by the esteemed duo of Sam Whiting and Willie Watson in 1925, this public gem embodies a timeless parkland style, characterized by tree-lined fairways and subtle elevation changes that demand thoughtful shot-making. The course gracefully navigates a rolling landscape adjacent to Lake Merced, presenting a serene yet challenging visual character. Players often recall the demanding par-4 18th, a fitting climax that has decided major championships, and the picturesque par-3 17th, where accuracy is paramount. Harding Park provides a strategic test for golfers of all abilities, rewarding precision over brute force. Its rich history includes hosting the 2009 Presidents Cup, the 2015 WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship, and the 2020 PGA Championship, solidifying its reputation as a venue for golf's elite. This storied layout is ideally suited for destination golfers seeking a significant challenge and a taste of championship history, as well as locals who appreciate a meticulously maintained, accessible course with a prestigious pedigree.

Torrey Pines Golf Course (South)

La Jolla, CA

Perched atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific, William Bell and Rees Jones’s Torrey Pines South is a championship test. Host of the 2008 and 2021 US Open, its dramatic ocean views and challenging layout make it one of the most iconic public courses in the nation. A true major championship venue.

Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Pete Dye ocean-view drama on the Pacific bluffs — one of the most spectacular public courses in America.

PGA West - Stadium Course

La Quinta, CA

The PGA West Stadium Course, a Pete Dye masterpiece opened in 1986, was born from a bold vision to create one of the world's most challenging golf experiences. Dye, known for his dramatic and often intimidating designs, sculpted this desert landscape with his signature mounding, deep bunkers, and deceptive sightlines, often creating features from seemingly nothing. The course is famously home to two of golf's most iconic finishing holes. The par-3 17th, dubbed "Alcatraz," demands a precise tee shot to its island green, surrounded by imposing boulders and water, a true test of nerve. Following this, the water-lined 18th presents a formidable challenge to close out the round. The Stadium Course has a rich championship pedigree, having hosted the Skins Game from 1986-1991 and serving as a host course for the PGA Tour's Humana Challenge (formerly the Bob Hope Classic), where it witnessed David Duval's historic 1999 final-round 59. This course is a relentless examination of skill and strategy, offering an unforgettable and often humbling playing experience that truly embodies Dye's philosophy of pushing golfers to their limits.

Yocha Dehe Golf Club at Cache Creek

Brooks, CA

Rees Jones masterpiece in the Capay Valley

Sandpiper Golf Club

Santa Barbara, CA

Spectacular ocean views on the Santa Barbara coast

Poppy Hills Golf Course

Pebble Beach, CA

Tucked within the majestic Monterey Pines of the Del Monte Forest, Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California, is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that embodies his philosophy of creating courses that are fun, environmentally sensitive, and offer strategic challenges. Following a significant 2014 renovation, the course was reimagined to expose the sandy soil and create a firm, fast-playing experience reminiscent of a heathland course. Jones Jr.’s design is evident in the natural integration with its surroundings, offering glimpses of the iconic Monterey Bay. The course now features sand-capped fairways for firm and fast conditions, and meticulously crafted bentgrass greens. Poppy Hills is celebrated for its championship-ready turf and is recognized by Golf Digest as one of the 'Top 100 Courses You Can Play.' The course provides an engaging experience for golfers of all abilities, with wider fairways and open entrance greens promoting enjoyable play while still demanding thoughtful shot placement. It's a true 'hidden jewel' of Pebble Beach, offering an incredible blend of beauty, challenge, and hospitality.

Maderas Golf Club

Poway, CA

Half Moon Bay Golf Links - Ocean

Half Moon Bay, CA

The Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links, designed by renowned architect Arthur Hills and opened in 1997, offers a unique links-style experience along the dramatic California coastline. Hills' design philosophy embraces the natural elements, with firm, wide-open fairways bordered by wispy native grasses, challenging bunkers, and undulating greens. The course is heavily influenced by the prevailing on-shore winds and coastal fog, creating a true test of links golf. While ocean views are present throughout, the final three holes are particularly spectacular. The blufftop 17th, a par-three, is often compared to Pebble Beach's famous 7th, demanding precision over a ravine to an elegantly placed green just steps from the Pacific. The course hosted the 2008 LPGA Samsung World Championship, won by Paula Creamer, cementing its championship pedigree. Playing the Ocean Course provides an authentic links golf experience with breathtaking scenery and a challenging layout that rewards strategic shot-making.

Monarch Beach Golf Links

Dana Point, CA

Pelican Hill Golf Club (Ocean South)

Newport Coast, CA

La Purisima Golf Course

Lompoc, CA

California's best public value in the Santa Ynez Valley

Torrey Pines Golf Course (North)

La Jolla, CA

Half Moon Bay Golf Links (Old)

Half Moon Bay, CA

The Old Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links, an American classic designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane and opened in 1973, embodies Palmer's iconic coastal parkland design philosophy. The course winds through mature cypress trees, featuring challenging dog-legs, multiple water hazards, and tree-lined fairways that reward strategic play over brute force. Its dramatic setting culminates in the renowned 18th hole, a 405-yard par-four stunner framed by the Pacific Ocean, consistently ranked among golf's best finishing holes. This parkland-style layout has hosted numerous U.S. Open Qualifiers, testing every facet of a golfer's game. Beyond the challenge, the course offers a memorable experience with its pristine conditions and breathtaking ocean views, particularly on the back nine. Playing the Old Course is an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of legends and experience a timeless design that seamlessly blends natural beauty with strategic golf, making it a must-play for those seeking a classic coastal golf adventure.

Barona Creek Golf Club

Lakeside, CA

SilverRock Resort

La Quinta, CA

SilverRock Resort, nestled against the dramatic Santa Rosa Mountains in La Quinta, California, features the challenging Arnold Palmer Classic Course. Palmer's design philosophy, evident in this 7,239-yard layout, emphasizes a strategic and sustainable approach, creating a course that is both beautiful and inspiring. The course sprawls over 200 acres, characterized by massive native bunkers and stunning water features that demand precision and thoughtful shot-making. SilverRock was a former home course for the PGA Tour’s American Express Golf Tournament from 2008-2011, showcasing its championship pedigree. While specific signature holes are not explicitly detailed, the entire course offers a memorable experience with its dramatic desert landscape and mountain backdrops. Playing SilverRock Resort provides a unique opportunity to test one's game on a course designed by a legend, amidst a truly spectacular natural setting, making it a must-play for those seeking a challenging and visually rewarding desert golf experience.

Aviara Golf Club

Carlsbad, CA

Indian Wells Golf Resort (Celebrity)

Indian Wells, CA

Desert Willow Golf Resort (Firecliff)

Palm Desert, CA

Goat Hill Park

Oceanside, CA

Beloved affordable public course with ocean views near San Diego

Tahoe Mountain Club: Gray's Crossing

Truckee, CA

The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing is a Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy-designed championship mountain golf course gently placed on a beautiful high-alpine meadow in Truckee, California, in the shadows of Mt. Rose. Stretching 7,470 yards from the tips with a slope of 140 and course rating of 74.3, the layout offers a premier 18-hole mountain resort experience with stunning Sierra Nevada views. Sister course to Old Greenwood at Tahoe Mountain Club, Gray's Crossing features some brutishly long par-5s even at altitude and a strategic 18th hole that demands careful decision-making. Public access is available, making it one of the most accessible top-tier mountain courses in the Lake Tahoe region.