Best Public Golf Courses in California

San Diego, California · William F. Bell / Rees Jones (1957) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,698 yards

Perched on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, Torrey Pines South is one of America's most famous municipal courses and host of the Farmers Insurance Open. Tiger Woods' legendary 2008 U.S. Open victory here cemented its place in golf history.

San Diego, California · Johnny Miller & Robert Muir Graves (1999) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,167 yards

Carved through rugged North County San Diego terrain, Maderas is consistently rated the top daily-fee course in the region. The dramatic layout features waterfall-backed greens, canyon carries, and elevation changes that create a memorable experience.

Los Angeles, California · Gil Hanse & Geoff Shackelford (2002) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,900 yards

A Gil Hanse/Geoff Shackelford design in Moorpark, Rustic Canyon is a links-inspired layout that stands as one of the best public golf values in America. The no-frills, walk-friendly course lets the architecture speak for itself.

San Francisco, California · Willie Watson / Tom Doak (renovation) (1925) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,169 yards

Host of the 2020 PGA Championship and Presidents Cup, Harding Park is one of America's finest municipal courses. Set along Lake Merced with eucalyptus and Monterey pine corridors, the renovated layout punches well above its municipal weight class.

Palm Springs, California · Michael Hurdzan & Dana Fry (1997) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,056 yards

A city-owned desert masterpiece in Palm Desert, Firecliff at Desert Willow delivers championship desert golf at municipal pricing. The Hurdzan/Fry design features dramatic elevation changes, native desert landscaping, and the Santa Rosa Mountain backdrop.

San Diego, California · William F. Bell (redesigned Tom Weiskopf) (1957) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,874 yards

The more accessible sibling to the famous South Course, Torrey Pines North was redesigned by Tom Weiskopf in 2016 to bring more strategic interest and championship character. The clifftop location overlooking the Pacific Ocean is equally stunning, with more forgiving fairways and approachable greens.

Los Angeles, California · Jack Nicklaus (2004) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,016 yards

A Jack Nicklaus design in the San Fernando Valley foothills, Angeles National offers a challenging, well-conditioned public golf experience with dramatic views of the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains.

San Francisco, California · Robert Trent Jones Jr. / Dye Designs (renovation) (1986) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,002 yards

Located on the Monterey Peninsula alongside Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills is the NCGA's home course and part of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rotation. The 2014 renovation by Dye Designs dramatically improved playability and aesthetics through the Del Monte Forest.

Palm Springs, California · Arnold Palmer (2005) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,578 yards

An Arnold Palmer Signature design in La Quinta, SilverRock is a city-owned championship course that formerly hosted the Bob Hope Classic. At 7,578 yards with dramatic Santa Rosa Mountain framing, it delivers a premium desert experience at public pricing.

Seaside, California · Gen. Robert McClure (1954) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,104 yards

Originally built for soldiers at Fort Ord, Bayonet is a military-heritage course now open to the public. The demanding layout through Monterey pines and coastal terrain features narrow fairways and firm conditions, offering a challenging and affordable alternative to Pebble Beach.

San Jose, California · John Harbottle III (1998) · 27 holes · Par 72 · 6,861 yards

A 27-hole John Harbottle III design in the rolling hills of south San Jose, Cinnabar Hills consistently ranks among the best public courses in the Bay Area. The three distinct nines wind through oak-studded hillsides with panoramic Silicon Valley views and excellent conditioning for a daily-fee facility.

San Diego, California · Gary Player (1991) · 27 holes · Par 72 · 6,741 yards

A Gary Player design with 27 holes offering three distinct nines through the canyons of eastern San Diego County. The course provides excellent value with varied terrain and dramatic elevation changes.

San Francisco, California · Robert Johnstone (1895) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,477 yards

Set within the Presidio National Park with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, this historic course is one of the most scenically located public courses in America. The eucalyptus and cypress-lined fairways offer a peaceful retreat from the city.

Palm Springs, California · Jack Nicklaus (2006) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,191 yards

A Jack Nicklaus design in central Palm Springs, Escena offers accessible desert golf with mountain views and wide playing corridors. The well-conditioned layout is one of the best public values in the Coachella Valley, delivering Nicklaus design pedigree at reasonable prices.

Morgan Hill, California · Jack Nicklaus (2000) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,067 yards

A Jack Nicklaus design south of San Jose in Morgan Hill, the Tournament Course at Coyote Creek offers championship-level public golf through the Coyote Valley. The 7,067-yard layout features Nicklaus's trademark strategic bunkering, bold green complexes, and views of the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range.

San Francisco, California · Robert Johnstone (1895) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,477 yards

Nestled in the Presidio national park lands in San Francisco, this historic municipal course offers golf among towering eucalyptus and Monterey cypress with Golden Gate Bridge views. The Arnold Palmer Management-operated facility provides a unique urban golf experience within a national park at the gateway to one of the world's most beautiful cities.

Pacific Grove, California · Jack Neville (1932) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 5,732 yards

Known as the "Poor Man's Pebble Beach," Pacific Grove Municipal offers ocean-side golf at a fraction of the cost. The Jack Neville back nine plays along the rugged Pacific coastline with crashing waves, tide pools, and views of Point Pinos Lighthouse — a remarkable value on the Monterey Peninsula.

San Jose, California · Forrest Richardson (2004) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 6,598 yards

A Forrest Richardson design in the eastern San Jose foothills, The Ranch offers a scenic hillside golf experience with views stretching across the Silicon Valley floor. The accessible par-71 layout features rolling terrain, strategic bunkers, and native California grasslands that keep the course playable and enjoyable for all levels.

San Diego, California · Jack Daray (1957) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,633 yards

With views of downtown San Diego, the Coronado Bridge, and the Pacific, this bayside municipal course may be the most scenic affordable golf in America. While the layout is straightforward, the setting is world-class.

San Diego, California · unknown (1971) · 18 holes · Par 70 · 5,740 yards

A hidden gem in Ramona northeast of San Diego, Mount Woodson offers one of the most dramatically scenic golf experiences in the county. The short but challenging mountain layout features boulder-framed holes, dramatic elevation changes, and panoramic views that rival any course in the state for sheer visual drama.

Pacifica, California · Alister MacKenzie (1932) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,275 yards

The only Alister MacKenzie-designed municipal course on the West Coast, Sharp Park in Pacifica sits between the Pacific Ocean and a coastal lagoon along the dramatic San Mateo County coast. The affordable layout offers classic MacKenzie strategic bunkering and green complexes in an unforgettable oceanside setting.

San Jose, California · Robert Muir Graves (1968) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,633 yards

A solid Robert Muir Graves municipal course in central San Jose, the muni offers an affordable gateway to golf in the heart of Silicon Valley. The flat but well-maintained layout features mature trees, strategic water hazards, and consistent conditioning that keeps it a popular after-work option for local tech professionals.