Top Things to do in California
The 10 Best Golf Courses in California, United States
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
Restaurants in California
1. Pebble Beach Golf Links
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 800 reviews
Since 1919, the exquisite beauty and unique challenges of Pebble Beach Golf Links have electrified golfers and spectators alike. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course hugs California’s rugged coastline, providing wide-open vistas, cliff-side fairways and sloping greens. Over the years, Pebble Beach Golf Links has been the site of golf’s most prestigious tournaments such as the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and five U.S. Open Championships, including the 2010 U.S. Open. We are excited and honored to welcome back the U.S. Open to Pebble Beach for the sixth time in 2019!
Reviewed By dalenilsson - Apex, United States
I had a Sunday to play golf in the Bay Area and have always wanted to play Pebble Beech. I got there early at 8am and asked the starter if there was room for a single. To my luck there was a 3-some at 8:40. I was so happy, the weather was perfect, mid-60's with a slight breeze and I was going to play Pebble Beech. Green fees are $525, the most I have ever payed for a round of golf, but to play the Pebble it was worth it. We took a lot of pics with our phones, but I also took a lot of time to enjoy the experience. There are so many famous golf holes to experience. Number 7 is a great short par 3, number 17 is a tough par 3, and number 18 next to the ocean and heading to the Lodge. The greens are fast and there are a lot of traps, so you better have a decent short game. I'll always remember my round at the Pebble.
2. Rams Hill Golf Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
Rams Hill's Restaurants and Golf Club are open to the public. The restaurant has spectacular views and food, and an extensive wine list. The Rams Hill Golf Course, designed by Tom Fazio, has been rated the best resort course in Southern California by Golfweek Magazine. It has 5 sets of tees, and is known for its perfect Bent grass greens, incredible mountain vistas, exciting elevation changes, manicured fairways and spectacular water features.
Reviewed By SunCaLBoy - Oceanside, United States
Course was lush and golf play management is a must! Had a great time enjoying each hole with views everywhere. Hard pin placements made putts challenging.
3. Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 155 reviews
Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, designed by George Fazio in 1968 and later renovated by Tom Fazio, offers the premier setting of a championship caliber golf experience with breathtaking views of the High Sierra. Challenging yet fair, the course offers a choice of four sets of tees, ranging in length from 5,343 yards to a demanding 7,529—providing a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The Golf Course has been consistently selected by Golf Digest as one of “America's 100 Greatest Public Courses,” and has attracted some of golf’s greatest players, including Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson, John Daly, and Lee Trevino. Edgewood has played host to the USGA's 1980 US Public Links Championship and 1985 US Senior Open Championship, and has been the home to the annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship since 1991. Edgewood has also specialized in hosting golf groups and tournaments of all sizes, regardless if they stay in the Lodge or not.
Reviewed By mauiwolf - Las Vegas, United States
I play a lot of top courses around the country and this is now one of my favorites. It was immaculate, beautiful, tough and fun. The greens are slick and speedy and tough to get used to. The pine trees are problematic. The bunkers are everywhere, plus a bunch of water. My only complaints are that I wish there were more holes on the lake and that a 12oz can of soda wasn’t $4.25. That was such a joke to me that I wouldn’t buy one. Highest price I had ever seen. Ridiculous. I liked the complimentary valet service, though.
4. Aviara Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Named by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as one of the best resort golf courses in America, and the #1 golf resort in Southern California according to the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, the Aviara Golf Club overlooks the beautiful Batiquitos Lagoon ecological reserve. The only San Diego golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, Aviara features a memorable coastal layout: par 72, 18 holes over 7,007 yards uniquely sculpted around rolling hillsides, native wildflowers, and plenty of bunker and water challenges.
Reviewed By Dreamer536450
This is our second time playing this beautiful golf course where the LPGA plays the Kia Classic. It is a challenging but fair golf course that requires your putting to be spot on. The course is in great condition and the greens were rolling about 11 (golfers will know what that means). A must play course on the Carlsbad area.
5. Torrey Pines Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 535 reviews
Torrey Pines offers two PGA courses.
Reviewed By CoachJJDC
I believe this is the secret of Torrey Pines…. Its the little brother and lesser known of the two gems that make up one of our country’s most beautiful Municipal courses The course is challenging with breathtaking views of the ocean, La Jolla cove, cliffs and undeveloped pacific areas. I walked the course for a better feel of the land and less distractions during the round. Pick the right tees, take a few pictures and enjoy your round. Torrey pines North is busy for a reason, it’s one of the best values in golf with breathtaking views set overlooking the pacific ocean. Unfortunately, from now through the US Open, the North course will be closed.... but for $68 in the PM and $115 in the morning, it's a great value. Carts are per cart and $40... but walking is the way to go. Tips: 1. The AM rounds, until 9:30 or 10:00 AM can have fog or the “marine layer” obscure the holes, particularly near the ocean. 2. In the “winter months” or near June gloom, you might want to take an extra pair of socks, in case your golf shoes are not waterproof… the rough can be wet and having a dry pair of socks to change into, can make it more comfortable. 3. Take an extra towel to lay your clubs on, when you are near the green, if you are playing in the morning. In addition, if playing near the Farmers open, the rough will be extremely long, you might want to bring along a white marker (short towel), to lay beside your ball, if you have to go back to the cart for a club…. More than once, even when walking a short distance, I turned around and could not find my ball in the “elevator rough”. At times you have to be looking straight down, to find the ball in the long rough. 4. It is famously difficult to get a T-time on this course if you are not a local. With the system now accepting T times 90 days ahead and requiring a $40 booking fee, it’s even harder. I have found, when in town, as a “single” if you show up in the early AM, I could ALWAYS get on one of the courses, since some people don’t show up. You can also stay at the Torrey Pines lodge and they can get you on the course, since they have reserved Tee times at both the South and North courses. The day I was there, they even accommodated a foursome walk-up, but that's unusual. 5. After your round, do yourself a favor and stop by the Grill at Torrey Pines lodge and have yourself a meal, a beer, some wine or appetizers. Nothing more relaxing and serene and relaxing than to stay by the fire-pits, or at the tables overlooking the famous course and the pacific sunset. Torrey Pines North, the secret of Torrey pines... Hope you agree
6. Coronado Municipal Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Golf course near San Diego.
Reviewed By SteveGl - Boston, United States
Great golf with beautiful views of Coronado Bridge and Hotel. Great value for a course of this type. Be sure to plan ahead, very popular for reasons listed above .
7. The Links at Spanish Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
One of America's leading Scottish-style links golf courses features rolling fairways, white sand dunes and a bagpipe performance that signals the end of each day.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We played golf at Spanish Bay on Labor Day Week-end, This is a beautiful world class golf course with scenic ocean views The golf course of course is in excellent condition, It can be a bit of a challenge to play. There were many other players there the day we were there.
8. Lincoln Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
This park in northwest San Francisco overlooks the Marin Headlands and contains scenic hiking trails.
Reviewed By KerryOnSF - San Francisco, United States
The famous golf course is once the site for a cemetery and then it was decided that all the burial plots should be moved to South San Francisco/, Colman’s, California. At the top of the hill is the very famous palace of Legion of honor Museum. A must see!
9. Maderas Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
A golf course designed by Johnny Miller.
Reviewed By acidrain - Murfreesboro, United States
This is a great course in the hills of Poway. I came to the San Diego area from Nashville on a golf vacation. This was my favorite course in the area and yes, I played Torrey Pines (both North and South). It is challenging but fair and it was in great shape when I played it. I found a deal on GOLFNOW so my green fee was $110 including cart for 18 holes. Do yourself a favor and book a tee time if you are in the area.l
10. Pelican Hill Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
One of the nation's premier golf clubs, Pelican Hill Golf Club(R) boasts 36 holes designed by Tom Fazio with stunning ocean panoramas from every hole, a luxurious 44,000-square-foot clubhouse with separate men's and women's locker rooms and lounges with a full array of appointments and amenities, the acclaimed Pelican Grill and lounge, Caffe II Italian coffee bar, a golf shop offering the latest golf fashions and accessories, and an intelligently designed, full-service practice facility. Conveniently located right outside the clubhouse door, the practice facility features an expansive driving range, practice greens and tour-event Nike Platinum One balls waiting for guests when they arrive. The two 18-hole courses, Ocean North and Ocean South, are both ranked among Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses. A preeminent institution of golf instruction in California, Pelican Hill Golf Academy offers dedicated teaching facilities, including two greens, bunkers and driving tees. The Director of Instruction, Glenn Deck, is one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America and one of Golf Tips magazine's Top 25 U.S. Instructors. He offers monthly golf schools, special guest instructor programs, private lessons and a seasonal Junior Golfers' Academy.
Reviewed By JIMDAWG13 - Orange, United States
This is a premier golf course on the Newport Coast. They have two 18 hole courses Each with stunning ocean views.
