The Best Golf Resorts in California
Featured California golf resorts from the staff at Greatest Golf Resorts…
California is home to some of the most stunning golf resorts in the world, making it a paradise for golf enthusiasts and travelers alike. From the coastal cliffs to the rolling hills there are countless destinations that offer not only world-class golf courses but also luxurious accommodations and breathtaking views. Of course, one of the most renowned golf courses and resorts in California is the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links, situated along the picturesque Monterey Peninsula. With its iconic ocean views and challenging fairways, this resort has attracted golfers from around the globe for decades. However, the active golf resort traveler has hundreds of exceptional resort courses all over this great golfing state. Moving towards Southern California, you’ll find the stunning Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Beach, where manicured greens overlook the sparkling Pacific Ocean. This resort offers an unforgettable golfing experience, complete with luxurious villas and exceptional dining options. For those looking to combine their golfing adventure with a taste of California’s wine country, resorts like Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa Valley provide an idyllic setting. Imagine playing a round of golf surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills, followed by a relaxing spa treatment and a glass of locally produced wine. The desert areas around Palm Springs are yet another remarkable area of the state known for its abundance of great golf and first-class resorts. Whether you’re an avid golfer or simply appreciate the beauty and tranquility of golf resorts, California offers an almost endless supply of options that promise an unforgettable travel experience. Below are links to some of the resorts mentioned above and several featured resorts by the staff at Greatest Golf Resorts, offering a variety of golf travel opportunities at various price points.
Northern California Golf Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Just 20 miles from San Francisco International Airport is an iconic Bay Area luxury oceanfront resort perched on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the San Mateo County Coast. The resort offers multiple restaurants featuring ocean views and refined dining, a full service spa and is surrounded by two wonderfully different world-renowned championship courses at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. The Old Course is designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane and is a parkland-style golf course with challenging dog-legs, multiple water hazards and tree-lined fairways with views of the Pacific Ocean. The Ocean Course, designed by Arthur Hills is a traditional links-style course with Pacific Ocean views from nearly every hole and some of the best finishing holes in golf. If you time it right, you’ll even hear the sound of traditional Scottish bagpipes leading you to the clubhouse as the sun sets over this beautiful golfing venue.
Pebble Beach Resorts, Carmel
Consistently rated as the number 1 public course in the country and host to the most U.S. Opens in the last 50 years, Pebble Beach is the pinnacle of bucket-list golf for the recreational and professional golfer alike. This resort offers world-class accommodations, extraordinary dining, full service spa facilities and of course, unforgettable golf.
Southern California Golf Resorts
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara is an incredible bluff-top resort located on 78 acres of prime secluded beaches on the North end of one of the most desireable beach cities in the country, Santa Barbara. This is an escape you’ll want to keep coming back to with the tranquility of two beaches, three pools and a 42,000 sq. ft. spa. What many golf publications are not aware of is that The Ritz-Carlton Bacara sits right next door to one of the most desirable ocean-front championship golf courses in the region, Sandpiper Golf Club. One of the top rated public courses in California, Sandpiper was designed by William F. Bell with rolling fairways and challenging greens in a seaside links style layout, attracting players of all skill levels. Locals refer to Sandpiper as the Pebble Beach of Southern California.
The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Beach
Pelican Hill continues to be a world-class resort, and takes inspiration from the villas in the mediterranean, with coastal breezes and incredible ocean views. Pelican Hill Golf Club offers 36 holes of incredible golf with stunning landscapes and breathtaking views. The Ocean North Course and Ocean South Course designed by Tom Fazio challenges players of all levels and provides views and golf experiences you’ll remember for a life time.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa – Palm Desert
Experience the beauty of the Palm Springs area desert at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. This fully refreshed luxury resort features superb service, redesigned venues and lush resort grounds. Set on 450 acres of breathtaking mountain views and signature lakes that surround the pool areas and challenge the resort’s golfers. Dining options include ten restaurants and unique culinary experiences, from casual poolside dining to five-course tasting menus in their signature restaurants. First class spa and fitness facilities round out the amenities at this resort. For the golf enthusiast, there are two Ted Robinson championship golf courses. The Palm and The Valley courses are designed for players of all levels, and test their skills on rigorous fairways and around scenic lakescapes.
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa – Indian Wells
Another beautiful golf resort hotel in the Palm Springs area is the newly renovated Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. This resort is set within the Coachella Valley, next to two championship golf courses and close to all the activities, dining and events in Palm Springs. The Indian Wells Golf Resort is a full service golf venue with 36 holes of golf and has been ranked in the top 20 courses to play in California. With a massive 53,000 square foot clubhouse featuring a great grill and bar with stunning views, coffee cart, practice facilities and range, you’ll find it hard to leave at the end of the round. The Players Course is exceptional and is designed for all levels of play with generous fairways and strategic bunkering, while the Celebrity Course is a desert masterpiece with stunning water features and great mountain views. The Renaissance Esmeralda has everything you would expect in a luxury resort including resort pools, fitness center and spa, and has special packages and stay & play golf offerings at the Indian Wells Golf Resort.
Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa – Rancho Mirage
Set on 360 acres in the greater Palm Springs area, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa is the quintessential full service golf resort ideal for the whole family or for golf trips and large gatherings. The resort’s championship golf course was designed by Pete Dye and has been recognized by Golf Digest’s top 50 courses in the U.S., with spectacular views and Pete Dye trademark carries over water. The resort amenities are quite extensive and include pool areas with waterslides, a comprehensive full service tennis and pickle ball facility, onsite spa and salon, family entertainment center, a delightful Italian restaurant and a great courtyard coffee shop. The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa is also a dog-friendly resort, featuring their signature Westin Heavenly® Dog Bed.
For those traveling to California it is easy to find great golf resort options at nearly all price points. For additional information please see our California Golf Resorts listings in our website directory.
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