Best golf resorts in California

Spanning the west coast of the country, the backdrop to Californian golf can vary greatly; from the desert courses in the south, through to more links-style layouts around Monterey. However, one constant throughout the state is the sheer quality of the courses here, particularly when coupled with the excellent options for on-site accommodations.

There’s no greater feeling than arriving at your golf vacation destination knowing that everything is right on your doorstep, and few places do that better than The Golden State. Take a look below at some of the best golf resorts in California you can enjoy on your next golf vacation.

Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Silverado Resort and Spa is one of the top luxury golf resorts in Northern California. It offers two championship courses surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills, making it an exceptional choice for golfers who want to pair premium golf with classic wine country experiences. With spacious suite style accommodations, on site dining, a relaxing spa, and easy access to Napa tasting rooms, Silverado delivers one of the most unique golf trips in California.

Why go: A perfect blend of championship golf and world class wine country relaxation. Silverado is ideal for golfers seeking a premium California golf and wine getaway.

Courses at Silverado:

• North Course
• South Course

Ideal for: Golf and wine trips, couples retreats, buddy trip weekends, luxury California golf vacations.

Check out our article on Silverado Resort if you would like to know more.

Pebble Beach Golf Resort is one of the most iconic golf resorts in California and the world, anchored by Pebble Beach Golf Links- a course recognized as America’s top public golf course and a frequent U.S. Open host. With sweeping Pacific Ocean views, multiple world-class courses, and luxurious accommodations, Pebble Beach defines the bucket-list golf vacation.

Why go: Experience famed courses with dramatic coastal scenery, legendary tournament history, and resort amenities that combine golf, spa, and elegance on the Monterey Peninsula.

Featured Courses:

Pebble Beach Golf Links – World-renowned classical course with ocean holes and major championship pedigree.

Spyglass Hill Golf Course – Robert Trent Jones Sr. design known for challenging inland forest and ocean holes.

The Links at Spanish Bay– Scottish-style seaside course with dunes and ocean breeze.

Del Monte Golf Course – Historic course just minutes away offering classic parkland golf.

Ideal for: Bucket-list golf vacations, championship golf collectors, luxury coastal accommodations, and golfers seeking premier course access paired with resort lifestyle.

Carmel Valley Ranch blends resort relaxation with outstanding golf in the scenic Carmel Valley region near Monterey. Its Pete Dye–designed 18-hole golf course weaves through foothills, waterways, and oak trees, offering both challenge and scenic beauty. This California golf resort also features spa services, farm-to-table dining, and a relaxed club environment.

Why go: Play the only Pete Dye course in Northern California, enjoy cliff-lined views and dramatic elevation changes, and unwind with world-class amenities in a peaceful hillside setting.

Featured Course:

Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course (Pete Dye design) – A par-70 championship course with tactical shots, water hazards, and striking valley landscape.

Ideal for: Scenic golf escapades, couples’ golf getaways, golf groups seeking variety, and travelers who value intimate resort charm with renowned course design.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a legendary luxury golf resort perched above the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, California, offering breathtaking coastal views and direct access to one of Southern California’s most iconic golf destinations. This AAA Five Diamond resort combines championship-level golf with upscale accommodations, world-class dining, and spa experiences for an unforgettable California golf vacation.

Why go: Stay steps from the famous Torrey Pines North and South Courses- both perched atop dramatic Pacific cliffs and known for PGA TOUR competition- while enjoying refined coastal hospitality and resort-style amenities

Featured Courses:

Torrey Pines South Course – World-renowned championship layout overlooking the Pacific Ocean, host of multiple U.S. Opens.

Torrey Pines North Course – Scenic, player-friendly championship venue with stunning ocean views.

Ideal for: Bucket-list golf experiences, luxury golf vacations in Southern California, couples retreats with spa and ocean views, and golfers seeking iconic course access

The resort staff offer guided tours of this stunning landscape, one of the most idyllic spots in the country for a hike. The whole area is steeped in golfing history, from Tiger’s infamous win at the 2008 US Open through to Jon Rahm’s romantic clifftop proposal to his now-wife alongside the course that he’d go on to capture his own US Open title at in 2021. Torrey Pines is without doubt one of the best golf resorts in California.

La Quinta Resort & Club is a historic desert golf resort in the Palm Springs area surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains, known for its classic Spanish-style architecture, lush casitas, and access to multiple championship golf courses at PGA WEST. It blends desert luxury with world-class golf, spa experiences, and recreational amenities, making it one of the top resorts in Southern California.

Another much-loved PGA TOUR favorite of ours can be found at La Quinta Resort & Club. Set to the east of Los Angeles in the Californian desert, there are five fantastic courses to choose from here – including regular PGA TOUR stop, The Stadium Course at PGA West making it one of the top resorts in Southern California.

Why go: Play some of Southern California’s most talked-about courses including the PGA WEST Stadium Course (“Alcatraz” hole), Mountain, Nicklaus Tournament, and Dunes courses, all set against dramatic desert mountain backdrops.

Featured Courses:

PGA WEST Stadium Course – Home of the American Express Tour event and famous island-green 17th.

Nicklaus Tournament Course – Strategic fairways and classic Nicklaus design elements.

PGA WEST Mountain & Dunes Courses – Scenic and varied desert layouts offering contrasting play.

Ideal for: Desert golf vacations, multi-round stay & play itineraries, group golf trips, and travelers seeking a mix of championship golf and desert resort luxury.

While the resort of La Quinta is impressive, the golf next door at PGA WEST is the big draw. As a guest of the club, there are five championship courses to choose from designed by the likes of Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. The Pete Dye Stadium Course hosts the PGA TOUR each year, notoriously difficult, it has been ranked the 4th toughest course to play in the country by Golf Digest. Add the four other courses and you have a feast of golf that runs through the desert with surreal views of the Coachella Valley and mountain landscape.

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is a premier Southern California golf and leisure destination in Carlsbad, combining luxury accommodations, multiple pools, full-service spa facilities, and two championship golf courses that have hosted PGA TOUR and NCAA championships.

Why go: Experience legendary golf history on meticulously maintained courses just steps from your resort room, then unwind with top-tier spa services, tennis, family amenities, and vibrant dining- all in one world-class Southern California escape.

Featured Courses:

North Course (Champions) – Recently renovated championship course hosting NCAA events and offering flexible tee options.

Ideal for: Golfers of all skill levels seeking championship golf and resort comfort, family golf vacations, solo golf trips, and multi-activity California golf holidays.

The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa is a celebrated Palm Springs golf retreat featuring a Pete Dye-designed championship golf course, lush desert landscapes, and extensive wellness, tennis, and leisure facilities. Its blend of stylish resort amenities and exceptional golf makes it a standout stay & play choice in Southern California.

Why go: Play the resort’s Pete Dye Championship Course, where elevated tees, strategic bunkering, and panoramic desert views create a memorable round for all skill levels. Off the course, unwind at the spa, enjoy multiple resort pools, or explore dining and social spaces designed for relaxed desert evenings.

However, due to its prime Rancho Mirage location in the Greater Palm Springs golf region, you’re also not short of options nearby- notably the Gary Player Signature Course at Mission Hills, along with several other championship layouts that make it easy to build a multi-round desert golf itinerary.

Featured Course: The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Course – A Pete Dye-designed championship layout blending generous landing areas with strategic bunkering, elevated tees, and mountain backdrops that define desert golf in Palm Springs. Gary Player Signature Course at Mission Hills – A classic desert layout known for its immaculate conditioning, expansive fairways, water features, and traditional championship design — a must-play option just minutes from the resort.

Ideal for: Palm Springs golf vacations, desert golf buddy trips, couples’ golf getaways, and players looking to combine on-site championship golf with access to additional top-rated Palm Springs courses nearby.

The Resort & Spa is set on more than 300 acres within the Rancho Mirage community, with 500 luxury rooms the ideal place to unwind. Those looking for even more peace and quiet should note that the resort boasts an ‘adults only’ pool, creating a slightly calmer atmosphere than those of the other two spacious swimming pools on-site.

Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas is a high-end four-star desert golf resort in the heart of Greater Palm Springs, offering luxury accommodations, expansive pool complexes, and direct access to championship golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort. It delivers a premium stay-and-play experience while also providing a smart option for golfers looking to maximize their green fee budget without compromising on comfort.

Why go: Stay just steps from 36 holes at Indian Wells Golf Resort while enjoying spacious guest rooms, suites, and private villas set against a dramatic desert mountain backdrop. It delivers a luxury desert resort experience at a price point that allows golfers to put more of their budget toward green fees.

Beyond golf, the resort boasts a full-service on-site spa and standout leisure amenities, including HyTides Plunge, featuring a 30-foot waterslide and a 450-foot lazy river. Multiple pools, elevated dining, and relaxed desert evenings make it easy to balance championship golf with resort-style downtime.

Featured Courses:

Indian Wells Celebrity Course – A scenic desert championship layout known for water features, sculpted bunkering, and panoramic mountain views. Indian Wells Players Course – A strategic and highly regarded course offering immaculate conditioning and thoughtful risk-and-reward design.

Ideal for: Palm Springs golf vacations, group and buddy trips seeking 36-hole access, couples combining golf with luxury relaxation, and travelers looking for resort-style amenities alongside championship desert golf.

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa is a well-appointed coastal golf resort in the heart of California’s Monterey Peninsula, offering comfortable accommodations and direct access to the historic Del Monte Golf Course. Ideally located near Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and The Links at Spanish Bay, it provides an excellent base for a Northern California golf vacation.

Why go:

Stay on-site at Del Monte Golf Course- one of the oldest continuously operating golf courses west of the Mississippi- while enjoying easy access to the world-famous Pebble Beach golf landscape. The resort combines relaxed coastal surroundings with quality accommodations, on-site dining, and spa facilities, making it a convenient and value-conscious option for Monterey golf itineraries.

Its central location allows golfers to experience multiple iconic courses while returning to a comfortable, full-service hotel setting each evening.

Featured Course:

Del Monte Golf Course – A classic, tree-lined parkland layout offering walkable fairways, traditional green complexes, and historic charm just steps from your room.

Ideal for: Monterey golf vacations, multi-course Northern California itineraries, couples’ coastal golf getaways, and groups looking for convenient access to Pebble Beach-area golf.