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Desert hotbed Palm Springs anchors the Coachella Valley, a region home to a collection of cities with a wealth of golf communities. The valley is a favorite spot for seasonal residents and retirees, especially those after sunny winters on golf courses in prime, lush and green condition. Between January and April, few spots on earth are better for desert golf!
The Players Course is one of two championship courses at Indian Wells Golf Resort, both of which are ranked in the top 20 golf courses in California. Opened in 2007, the course is still young but the landscape's existing trees were carefully incorporated into the layout to give it a more mature feel. The terrain has many assets to offer a round of golf, including plenty of water features and elevation changes.
Desert Dunes Golf Course has a unique layout that combines a traditional links design with true desert-style golf. The course winds through natural sand dunes that are accented with mature trees and an abundance of native vegetation. It offers one of the most challenging rounds in the valley with narrow fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and fast, sloped greens.
It's not easy to outdo and overshadow Pete Dye. But many golf observers feel that Gary Player's done just that with this design at Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage.
Gary Player Signature Course is the second course at Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa, having followed Dye's South Course.
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Northern California's High Sierra makes for some of the world's most spectacular natural mountain wonders. It's home to Yosemite National Park, home to mighty waterfalls and marvelous glacial rock formations. To the north, sparkling Lake Tahoe sits at an elevation of over 6,000 feet and provides one of the West's great winter and summer escapes, home to skiing in the winter, and boating, mountain climbing and plenty of golf in the warmer months.
Located at the base of a ski resort, Northstar at Tahoe Golf Course possesses two completely different nines. Robert Muir Graves, the designer, fully utilized the rugged Tahoe landscape, creating a course that partly plays across grassy meadows before moving on to more mountainous terrain.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Gold Country, Apple Mountain Resort has a dramatic landscape that provides plenty of elevation changes, making it a nearly impossible course to walk. Some of the drops from tee to green are unbelievable, offering unrivaled views of the surrounding mountains. Nearly every hole enjoys a stunning backdrop.
Tahoe Donner Golf Course was carefully carved from forests of pine with streams and creeks that meander across the layout. Overlooking the Truckee Valley, the course epitomizes the beauty of the High Sierra and the commitment to preserving the environment was recognized with the course's certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
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Although Orange County might be best known as the original home of Mickey Mouse, the area anchored by Disneyland offers plenty of other entertainment options for travelers, including scores of diverse golf courses, both on the coast and inland.
Westridge Golf Club is a challenging layout designed by Robert Muir Graves, a familiar name in California golf. Graves has designed many of the state's most popular courses including Boundary Oak in Walnut Creek and Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel. At just under 6,600 yards, Westridge G.C. is seemingly short but what it lacks in length it makes up for with more than 60 sand bunkers strategically placed alongside the narrow fairways and sloping greens.
Meadowlark Golf Club in Huntington Beach is a player-friendly layout that is a popular choice amongst locals. Like most classically designed layouts, the course is short and tight but that also makes it easily walkable. The pin placements on the greens can be tricky and there are also some challenging water hazards that come into play on several holes.
Shorecliffs Golf Course wanders through the coastal canyons and valleys of San Clemente, heading towards the beautiful shoreline. Situated just steps from the ocean, the course enjoys cool ocean breezes and a temperate climate, which makes it a year-round haven for golfers.
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San Francisco is a favorite destination for travelers all over the world, thanks to a strong mix of cultures, unique attractions and mild weather year round. It's easy to stay busy on a San Francisco vacation, from riding cable cars throughout the city to exploring one of the many unique neighborhoods, each with its own appeal.
Established in 1892, Mare Island Golf Club is the oldest course west of the Mississippi. The course was originally just a nine-hole layout before it was recently expanded to a full 18 holes. Now, the golf course offers two distinct nines. It starts out with a more traditional front nine featuring small greens and tight fairways lined with Eucalyptus trees.
Nestled in the foothills of Napa Valley, Eagle Vines Vineyards & Golf Club is bordered by endless rows of grapes. Unlike many other vineyard courses that sell their grapes, Eagle Vines produces their own wines. Surrounding the vineyards is a landscape of 200-year-old oak trees and lush, grassy meadows, an ideal setting for golf.
Tucked away in the Pittsburg foothills, Delta View Golf Club offers exactly what its name implies, beautiful views of the Delta as well as Mount Diablo in the background. The course originally opened as a nine-hole layout in 1947 but it was lengthened to an 18-hole course in 1991. The rolling terrain allows for elevated tees and undulating greens that make it feel longer than the 6,333 yards indicated on the scorecard.
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The year 1849 and the California Golf Rush are long gone, but "Gold Country" is still an attractive region of the state. Also nicknamed the "Mother Lode" region, it includes the capital city of Sacramento to the west and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which head into Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park to the east in Mariposa County, the state's largest.
Lone Tree Golf & Event Center sits at the base of Mount Diablo State Park, tumbling across rolling hills that provide panoramic views of the scenic San Juaquin River Delta region. It is one of the most popular golf courses among local Bay Area golfers. The name of the course is misleading since the beautiful landscape is covered with mature forests filled with a variety of indigenous trees including majestic Red Oaks, Cypress, Eucalyptus, and Ponderosa Pines.
Perched just above the northern California fog line, Diablo Grande enjoys scenic views and sunny days throughout the year. The club is home to two of the area's finest golf courses, the Ranch and the Legends. The Ranch Course wanders through oak forests and across rolling green hills. The diverse terrain ranges from dramatic elevation changes to subtle contours. The natural water features, including the meandering creek, come into play on several holes.
Located in the Central Valley, Micke Grove Golf Links is surrounded by scenic vineyards. The course is mostly flat and measures to a reasonable 6,565 yards from the back tees, but it is not to be underestimated. There are some tough holes including the par-5 fifth, which requires an accurate tee shot in order to avoid the hazards on both the left and right.
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Nobody does weather better than San Diego, which makes the area a perfect location for many great outdoor activities such as shopping, hiking, surfing, sailing sunbathing and playing golf.
The Welk Resort San Diego offers two 18-hole championship golf courses, the Oaks and the Fountain. Both courses stretch out across over 600 acres of lush, beautifully manicured terrain that incorporates both forests and wetlands. The Oaks gets its name from the plentiful 100-year-old oak trees that blanket the golf course. The 18-hole, par-3 course is ideal for anyone looking to improve their short game, regardless of skill level.
Located at the base of Mt. Miguel next to a State Wildlife preserve, Salt Creek Golf Club has a traditional link-style layout that tumbles across the gently rolling hills of San Diego County. Although it stays true to its Scottish heritage in design, it has a truly southern Californian landscape.
Carmel Highland Golf Resort, a Doubletree Resort, tumbles across the sloping hillsides just north of downtown San Diego. It has a central location near many attractions that make it ideal for family vacations and golf outings.
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From wine tasting to redwoods to quaint small towns bursting with arts, shopping and history, the North Coast of California may be the most relaxing region in the state. Here, you can explore the famous Sonoma vineyards, drive a car through a giant Redwood or experience the best of outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, river rafting, mountain biking and, of course, golf.
Sitting at the gateway to Napa Valley, Chardonnay Golf Club wanders through 150 acres of Chardonnay and Merlot vineyards. Native trees, vast lakes, and meandering creeks make up the beautiful landscape, which is naturally home to an abundance of wildlife.
Situated along the beautiful Sonoma County Coast, the Links at Bodega Harbour enjoys stunning views of the Pacific. The golf course is a true links-style layout with rolling fairways and undulating greens. Accents of native coastal rough are reminiscent of its Scottish links heritage. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the back nine in 1978, which was the original course before the front nine was added in 1987.
Nestled in the foothills of Napa Valley, Eagle Vines Vineyards & Golf Club is bordered by endless rows of grapes. Unlike many other vineyard courses that sell their grapes, Eagle Vines produces their own wines. Surrounding the vineyards is a landscape of 200-year-old oak trees and lush, grassy meadows, an ideal setting for golf.
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The Los Angeles area, which includes Hollywood and Beverly Hills, has often been called the land of make-believe and dreams, but one thing is certain: There's plenty to do and plenty of ways to do it. From the movie studios, to the beaches, to the Dodgers and Lakers, to enjoying the sunny weather on the golf courses, it does indeed seem to never rain in Southern California.
The Sky Course is one of two championship courses at Lost Canyons Golf Club. It offers the same level of difficulty as its sister course, the Shadow, but it offers a different variety. Pete Dye and Fred Couples collaborated to design all 36 holes at the club.
Marshall Canyon Golf Course is nestled within the scenic foothills that overlook La Verne. The course is seemingly short at 6,110 yards from the back tees but it's not to be underestimated. The hilly terrain provides more than enough uneven lies and blind shots.
Situated within the Santa Ana Riverbed, River View Golf Course is conveniently located just minutes from Disneyland, Anaheim, and Long Beach. The course's design intertwines with the river, providing challenging hazards on several holes.
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California's Central Valley stretches over 450 miles through the center of the state and parallels the Pacific Ocean. Also called the "Sacramento Valley," it encompasses such towns as Bakersfield to the south, past Sacramento and Fresno to Stockton at the northern end.
Teal Bend Golf Club runs alongside the Sacramento River, enjoying a lush landscape covered in natural wetlands. One of the characteristics the course is known for is its stunning scenery, which works against the challenging layout by being almost too distracting.
Ridgemark Golf & Country Club has two championship courses, both named after the adjacent mountain ranges, Gabilan and Diablo. Given that they are nestled in the foothills of two different ranges, the courses boast some dramatic terrain and views. Diablo is the shorter of the two, but it is also considered more scenic. The layout has an interesting mix of holes that will appeal to low and high handicappers alike.
Diablo Grande offers two championship golf courses, the Legends and the Ranch. The Legends Course has a more traditional layout than the Ranch Course. The layout winds across rolling hills and canyons that are dotted with mature blue oaks. Although the fairways are wide and forgiving, the small greens require strategy and a deft touch thanks to tricky subtle contours.
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For travelers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the crowds, there's no better area than the Shasta Cascade region of northern California. Located in the shadows of Mount Shasta and the Cascade Mountains, this eight-county area, which makes up one-fifth of the state of California, is much the way it was centuries ago, albeit with a few more towns and a few peaceful golf courses sprinkled into the mix.
The 18-hole Wilcox Oaks Golf Club in Red Bluff, CA is a private golf course that opened in 1957. Designed by Ben Harmon, Wilcox Oaks Golf Club measures 6099 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 124 and a 70 USGA rating.
The 9-hole River Tasalmi Golf Course in Redding, CA is a semi-private golf course that opened in 1990. Designed by Bill Ralston, River Tasalmi Golf Course measures 4104 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 97 and a 61.
The 9-hole Lake Almanor West Golf Course in Chester, CA is a public golf course that opened in 1974. Designed by Doug Pohlson, Lake Almanor West Golf Course measures 5873 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 130 and a 72.
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Between the bustling metropolises of Los Angeles and San Francisco runs an unparalleled stretch of American beauty that is the Central Coast of California. State Route 1 along the Pacific has long been aptly numbered in inspirational value for painters, writers, vacationers, and, of course, golfers.
Cypress Ridge Golf Club stretches along the Central Coast, taking its name from the abundant cypress trees that are scattered throughout the course. The scenic and hilly terrain is the star of this layout, it provides challenging ups-and-downs but also stunning views.
Avila Beach Golf Resort is located right along the bay, giving it a scenic setting that has made it the most well known of the Central Coast golf courses. The layout offers plenty of variety with a hilly front nine that features small, often elevated, greens that are surrounded by oak-lined valleys and a back nine that that is routed across a tidal estuary.
The 18-hole Lakes/Canyon at Blacklake Golf Resort in Nipomo, CA is a public golf course that opened in 1965. Designed by Ted Robinson, Sr. , Lakes/Canyon at Blacklake Golf Resort measures 6401 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 123 and a 70.
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Those who drive the famous Highway 101 up the California coast will agree there is no better ocean drive in the United States -- and perhaps the world. The beauty of the coastline is highlighted by 17-mile drive along the Monterey Peninsula, which passes through beach towns as well as one of the world's most coveted golf vacation destinations.
Pacific Grove Golf Links is perched at the tip of the Monterey Peninsula looking out over Point Pinos and the sparkling blue Pacific. The championship course has an interesting layout that combines both parkland and links holes. The golf course begins inland through densely forested areas and then makes its way towards the coast.
For a variety of reasons, some of which include the challenging layouts and stunning views over the Monterey Peninsula, the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses have hosted to numerous PGA legends such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus as well as several U.S. Presidents and foreign dignitaries.
Nestled within the foothills that lie just next to Monterey wine country, Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Gilroy enjoys a stunning landscape with incredible views. The course takes advantage of the natural contours of the oak-studded hills, allowing them to dictate the placement of the bunkers for the maximum level of challenge but also utilizing the panoramic views offered by the dramatic elevations.
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Composed of the Ontario, Riverside and San Bernardino areas, the Inland Empire is the fifth largest urban area in the state of California and quickly becoming one of the most diverse. Although it holds onto to its agricultural roots, which includes the Temecula Wine Region, the area is growing in terms of cultural arts, sports and recreation, including golf.
Nestled in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, Yucaipa Valley Golf Club enjoys a stunning backdrop on most of its holes. Yucaipa Valley offers the unique combination of being both challenging and affordable, for this reason it's a local favorite. The layout is player friendly enough to appeal to a wide range of skill levels.
The Golf Club at Rancho California has had a tumultuous history since opening in 1970 including two different names and owners, but it has endured to become one of southern California's finest competitive venues today. The course sprawls across hilly terrain that provides elevated tees, rolling fairways, interesting elevation changes, and not to mention scenic views.
Situated amongst the foothills of the San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains, Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon boasts 36 holes of scenic championship golf. The two courses, the Champions and the Legends, are some of the area's most popular. The older Champions Course is host to the PGA Tour Q-School and it is a Nationwide Tour Qualifier.
Golf in the O.C.: Seven things you should know about your trip to Orange County
Bear in your mind on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West in La Quinta
