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Best golf resorts in California
Discover the best golf resorts in California
Renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery, year-round sunshine, and world-class golf course, California is a premier golf state on the West Coast. From the iconic fairways of Pebble Beach and the dramatic cliffs of Torrey Pines to the desert layouts of Palm Springs, California’s golf resorts blend championship golf with exceptional accommodation, dining, and recreation in some of America’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery, year-round sunshine, and world-class golf courses, California is a premier golf state on the West Coast. From the iconic fairways of Pebble Beach and the dramatic cliffs of Torrey Pines to the desert layouts of Palm Springs, California’s golf resorts combine championship golf with exceptional accommodation, dining, and recreation - all in one place - making for a seamless, hassle-free getaway in some of America’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Why book a golf resort package to California?
- Tick off bucket-list courses including PGA Tour venues
- Experience iconic golf destinations across one of America’s most diverse and scenic states
- Stay & play at top-rated resorts featuring legendary championship courses
- Enjoy coastal golf with dramatic ocean views, desert landscapes, and year-round sunshine
Best golf resorts in California
Here are our top golf resorts in California. Did you know, they are all fully customizable? Call up one of our Golf Travel Experts, and they'll help tailor your trip to your preferences!
Top resort courses in California
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Top golf resorts in California
Here are our top-rated California golf resort experiences - ideal bases for your next stay-and-play golf trip across the Golden State:
- Pebble Beach Resorts – Pebble Beach, CA
Golf: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill & The Links at Spanish Bay Best for: Iconic bucket-list golf & spectacular coastal scenery | Customer rating: 4.9 / 5
Why stay here? Pebble Beach Resorts is one of the most legendary golf destinations in the world. Set along the dramatic Monterey Peninsula coastline, the resort combines championship golf with luxury accommodation and unforgettable ocean views. Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and remains one of golf’s most celebrated courses.
Resort highlights:
- Three world-famous championship courses
- Luxury accommodation at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and The Inn at Spanish Bay
- Stunning Pacific Ocean views on nearly every hole
- Fine dining, spa experiences, and scenic coastal drives along 17-Mile Drive
- The Lodge at Torrey Pines – La Jolla, San Diego, CA
Golf: Torrey Pines North & South Courses Best for: Championship golf with ocean views | Customer rating: 4.7 / 5
Why stay here? Overlooking the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, The Lodge at Torrey Pines offers one of the most scenic golf experiences in California. The adjacent Torrey Pines South Course regularly hosts the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open and famously staged the 2008 U.S. Open.
Resort highlights:
- Two championship courses with dramatic coastal scenery
- Luxury craftsman-style lodge accommodation
- Award-winning spa and fine dining
- Easy access to San Diego’s beaches, restaurants, and nightlife
- La Quinta Resort & Club – La Quinta, CA
Golf: PGA WEST courses including Stadium Course, Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course & more Best for: Desert golf variety & sunshine-filled golf escapes | Customer rating: 4.6 / 5
Why stay here? Located in the heart of the Palm Springs golf region, La Quinta Resort & Club offers an incredible variety of desert golf. With access to the legendary PGA WEST complex, golfers can play some of the most famous layouts in California, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery and warm desert sunshine.
Resort highlights:
- Access to several PGA WEST championship courses
- Classic Spanish-style casitas and luxury resort accommodation
- Beautiful mountain backdrops and year-round sunshine
- Multiple pools, spa facilities, and excellent dining
- Omni La Costa Resort & Spa – Carlsbad, CA
Golf: North Course & South Course Best for: Classic Southern California golf resort experience | Customer rating: 4.5 / 5
Why stay here? Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is one of Southern California’s most established golf resorts. Located just north of San Diego in Carlsbad, the resort blends championship golf with luxury spa facilities and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Resort highlights:
- Two championship courses recently redesigned by Gil Hanse
- Spacious resort rooms, suites, and villas
- Renowned spa and wellness facilities
- Close to beaches, shopping, and attractions in Carlsbad and San Diego
- Silverado Resort & Spa – Napa Valley, CA
Golf: North Course & South Course Best for: Wine country golf & relaxed luxury | Customer rating: 4.6 / 5
Why stay here? Set among vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley, Silverado Resort & Spa offers a unique blend of championship golf and world-class wine country experiences. The resort’s North Course, redesigned by PGA Tour legend Johnny Miller, regularly hosts PGA Tour events.
Resort highlights:
- Two championship courses in scenic wine country surroundings
- Elegant resort rooms, suites, and private cottages
- Close to Napa Valley’s famous wineries and restaurants
- Spa, tennis courts, and outdoor recreation
- Carmel Valley Ranch – Carmel, CA
Golf: Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course Best for: Relaxed luxury & scenic Monterey Peninsula golf | Customer rating: 4.5 / 5
Why stay here? Carmel Valley Ranch offers a tranquil golf retreat just inland from the famous Monterey Peninsula courses. Surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, the resort provides a laid-back luxury experience paired with a beautifully designed course and spacious suite-style accommodation.
Resort highlights:
- Scenic championship course set among vineyards and oak-covered hills
- All-suite accommodation with private terraces
- Farm-to-table dining and outdoor activities
- Easy access to Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Big Sur
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The best golf California has to offer
Golfers will discover some of the most iconic and diverse golf experiences in the world in California, where spectacular coastlines, desert landscapes, and rolling wine country provide unforgettable backdrops for championship golf. From dramatic oceanfront layouts along the Pacific to sun-soaked desert courses in Palm Springs, the Golden State offers a remarkable range of designs by legendary architects including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, and Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Whether playing a bucket-list round overlooking the Pacific Ocean, tackling a PGA Tour host venue, or enjoying a scenic course set among vineyards or desert mountains, every round in California delivers a truly memorable golf experience.
Some of California’s best golf courses include:
Pebble Beach Golf Links One of the most iconic courses in the world
Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, Pebble Beach is famed for its breathtaking oceanfront holes — particularly the unforgettable par-3 7th and the dramatic finishing stretch along the Pacific. With stunning scenery and championship pedigree, this legendary layout has hosted multiple U.S. Opens and remains a regular stop on the PGA Tour calendar.
Torrey Pines South Course A dramatic cliff-top layout overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Located in La Jolla just north of San Diego, Torrey Pines South is one of the most famous public courses in the United States. Redesigned by Rees Jones, the course hosted the 2008 U.S. Open and regularly stages the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course A challenging Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece
Often ranked alongside Pebble Beach as one of the top courses in the United States, Spyglass Hill delivers a superb championship challenge. The opening holes wind through coastal dunes before the course transitions into a forest of towering Monterey pines.
PGA WEST Stadium Course A Pete Dye design famous for its dramatic risk-reward holes
Located in La Quinta within the Palm Springs region, the PGA WEST Stadium Course is one of the most famous desert courses in the world. Designed by Pete Dye, it is known for its bold bunkering, island greens, and dramatic finishing stretch. The course regularly hosts the PGA Tour’s American Express tournament and challenges golfers with strategic shot-making and visually intimidating hazards - particularly the famous island green par-3 17th hole.
Silverado Resort North Course A Napa Valley layout with PGA Tour pedigree
Set among vineyards in the heart of Napa Valley, the North Course at Silverado Resort offers championship golf in one of California’s most scenic regions. Redesigned by PGA Tour legend Johnny Miller, the course hosts the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship each year.
Indian Wells Golf Resort – Celebrity Course A desert masterpiece with spectacular mountain views
Located in the Coachella Valley, the Celebrity Course at Indian Wells blends immaculate conditioning with breathtaking desert scenery. Designed by Clive Clark, the course features wide fairways, dramatic bunkering, and stunning views of the surrounding Santa Rosa Mountains.
Pasatiempo Golf Club A historic Alister MacKenzie design
One of California’s most historic and revered courses, Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz was designed by legendary architect Alister MacKenzie, the mastermind behind Augusta National. Known for its strategic bunkering, undulating greens, and classic architecture, Pasatiempo remains a must-play course for golf purists seeking a traditional championship layout.
Travel tips for California
Best time to visit: California offers year-round golf, but the best time depends on the region. Coastal destinations like Monterey and San Diego are ideal from spring through fall (April–October) when the weather is warm and clear. Desert destinations such as Palm Springs and La Quinta are best from November to April, when temperatures are comfortable and perfect for golf.
Top tip: Coastal courses can experience morning marine layers that usually clear by late morning, so mid-morning tee times often offer the best conditions and views. In desert regions, early tee times are recommended during warmer months to avoid afternoon heat.
Travel time: California’s major golf destinations are served by several international airports. Some of the most convenient gateways include San Francisco (SFO), San Jose (SJC), San Diego (SAN), and Palm Springs (PSP). Common flight routes include:
- New York (JFK) → San Francisco (SFO) 6h 30m
- Chicago (ORD) → San Diego (SAN) 4h 20m
- Dallas (DFW) → Palm Springs (PSP) 2h 45m
- Seattle (SEA) → San Jose (SJC) 2h 15m
- Denver (DEN) → San Diego (SAN) 2h 20m
From these airports, many of California’s top golf resorts are within 30 minutes to two hours’ drive, depending on the region.
Transport: Renting a car is highly recommended when planning a California golf trip. Distances between golf destinations can be significant, but the drives are often spectacular - from the Pacific Coast Highway along Monterey Bay to scenic desert highways around Palm Springs. However, staying on-site means convenience and doesn't necessarily require car rental.
Booking tip: Iconic courses such as Pebble Beach Golf Links, Torrey Pines South Course, PGA WEST Stadium Course, and Spyglass Hill are extremely popular and can book out months in advance. Securing tee times early is essential, particularly during peak seasons and weekends.
Top attractions in California
Scenic coastal drives: Take in breathtaking ocean views along the Pacific Coast Highway and the famous 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula. These routes showcase some of California’s most spectacular coastal scenery.
Wine country escapes: Visit Napa Valley and Sonoma, where world-renowned wineries, vineyard tours, and gourmet restaurants provide the perfect off-course experience after a round of golf.
Desert adventures: Explore the natural beauty of Joshua Tree National Park, where dramatic rock formations and unique desert landscapes create unforgettable hiking and sightseeing opportunities.
San Diego waterfront: Enjoy the laid-back coastal lifestyle in San Diego, with its beautiful beaches, waterfront dining, and attractions like the historic Gaslamp Quarter and Balboa Park.
Hollywood & city highlights: For a taste of California culture, explore Los Angeles attractions such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier, and world-class shopping and dining.
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