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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.
The 18-hole Plumas Pines Golf Resort in Blairsden, CA is a public golf course that opened in 1980. Designed by Homer Flint, Plumas Pines Golf Resort measures 6421 yards from the longest tees. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels. The greens are blue grass.
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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!
Escena Golf Club in Palm Springs is a return to what made desert golf great. This Nicklaus Design course with stunning views stretches to almost 7,200 yards to challenge the most skilled players.
Indian Canyons Golf Resort boasts two championship courses, the North and South. The courses are surrounded by the San Jacinto Mountains, providing scenic views while also sheltering them from the wind. The North Course is the longer of the two. It has a classic layout that was designed by William Bell. Thousands of trees blanket the course, including palms and olive trees as well as several varieties of native trees.
SilverRock Resort is the city of La Quinta's first municipal golf course. This Arnold Palmer Classic Course is the home course of the Bob Hope Classic. At 7,578 yards, it is the longest course in Palm Springs and one of the longest courses on the PGA Tour.
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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 Mount Shasta Resort in Mount Shasta, CA is a resort golf course that opened in 1993. Designed by Jim Sommers and Sandy Tatum, Mount Shasta Resort measures 6065 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 121 and a 68.
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.
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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.
Located less than an hour east of San Francisco, the Course at Wente Vineyards sprawls across the lush, rolling hills of Livermore Valley. Greg Norman carefully crafted the golf course, creating one of northern California's most challenging layouts. The course incorporates three different landscapes: woodlands, grassy meadows, and mature vineyards.
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.
Wildhawk Golf Club is a challenging championship layout that is one of Sacramento's most popular public courses. The verdant landscape is dotted with scenic water features, including a cascading waterfall. Water is naturally a prominent presence but the unique shape and positioning of the bunkers also makes the course stand out from other public tracks.
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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.
Paradise Valley Golf Course was voted the top course in Solano County and it is considered one of the best values in the North Bay area. Mature oaks line the fairways and meandering creeks wander across the course, coming into play on nine holes.
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.
Located less than an hour east of San Francisco, the Course at Wente Vineyards sprawls across the lush, rolling hills of Livermore Valley. Greg Norman carefully crafted the golf course, creating one of northern California's most challenging layouts. The course incorporates three different landscapes: woodlands, grassy meadows, and mature vineyards.
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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.
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.
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.
The 18-hole Stone Tree Golf Club in Novato, CA is a public golf course that opened in 2000. Designed by Jim Summers, Johnny Miller and Sandy Tatum, Stone Tree Golf Club measures 6810 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 143 and a 73.
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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.
The aptly named Hidden Valley Golf Club feels secluded set between two large hillsides, amongst carefully preserved boulder outcroppings, ravines, and an abundance of native flora and fauna. The challenging layout demands accuracy and it will also test your shot-making skills.
The Links at Summerly borders Lake Elsinore, southern California's largest natural lake. The Ortega Mountains and the Cleveland Natural Forest are also the golf course's neighbors. Although it feels nicely secluded, the Links are conveniently just minutes from Temecula.
Situated next to the Cleveland National Forest, the Golf Club at Glen Ivy winds across canyons and sloping hillsides and through groves of citrus trees. The layout also has rolling fairways and the wind definitely comes into play, but the more challenging elements are balanced by generous landing areas that are welcoming to beginners.
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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.
Sterling Hills Golf Club sprawls across acres of lush countryside surrounded by avocado groves and citrus orchards. The layout winds through the verdant hills between Oxnard and Ventura. The versatile layout balances areas of wide-openness with target-style golf. There is contoured mounding along the fairways and some interesting elevation changes.
Nestled in the foothills of the Conejo Valley, Los Robles Greens Golf Course is less than 40 miles from L.A. but feels much further thanks to the beautiful mountain surroundings. It sits at 900 feet above sea level and tumbles across a variety of elevation changes.
The David L. Baker Memorial Golf Course is an affordable public course located in Fountain Valley. It has an approachable layout that is versatile enough to appeal to a range of different skill levels. No two holes are alike but all of the greens and fairways share the same excellent conditions.
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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 North Course is Lake San Marcos Resort & Country Club's exclusive course, but the club also offers the shorter South Course for public play. Its proximity to the ocean also provides refreshing coastal breezes. The North Course has a traditional layout that offers some of the best greens in San Diego.
Pala Mesa Golf Resort is situated between Temecula wine country and the beautiful countryside of San Diego's North County. The course was carefully carved from the surrounding hillsides, providing rolling fairways and undulating greens throughout the layout.
Maderas Golf Club is one of San Diego's most popular courses. Although it is less than an hour from Torrey Pines, it has a stunning landscape and challenging design that rivals that of the famed seaside course. Maderas may not have the ocean views, but its beautiful landscape provides just as much scenery.
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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.
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.
Nestled in the foothills of Yorba Linda, Black Gold Golf Club sits on the site of a former Shell Oil Field. Arthur Hills, the course's designer, thought the location, with its dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views overlooking Orange County and Palm Beach, was the perfect place for a round of golf.
The David L. Baker Memorial Golf Course is an affordable public course located in Fountain Valley. It has an approachable layout that is versatile enough to appeal to a range of different skill levels. No two holes are alike but all of the greens and fairways share the same excellent conditions.
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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.
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.
Located less than an hour east of San Francisco, the Course at Wente Vineyards sprawls across the lush, rolling hills of Livermore Valley. Greg Norman carefully crafted the golf course, creating one of northern California's most challenging layouts. The course incorporates three different landscapes: woodlands, grassy meadows, and mature vineyards.
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.
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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.
Carmel Valley Ranch Resort stretches from the outskirts of the coastal village of Carmel-by-the-Sea to the heart of the St. Lucia Mountains. The ideal location enjoys a warmer and less foggy climate than the coast and it being a popular area for wine growing, scenic vineyards accent the beauty of the landscape.
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.
The Faldo Golf Institute at Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert is a great place to sharpen your game
Escena Golf Club in Palm Springs: Where classic ideals meet modern-day pleasures
