alifornia is graced with more marquee golf courses than just about any other state. But what about the days when you can’t book (or don’t want to pay for) Pebble Beach or PGA West? Fortunately, the Golden State is also filled with under-the-radar alternatives to its world-famous courses, masterpiece municipal or otherwise open-to-the-public venues that are easier to get onto and just as easy to enjoy. Here, a few of our favorite “dupe” courses from the desert to the coast.
Everyone wants to play Torrey Pines South, the renowned municipal facility perched right above the Pacific Ocean. Instead, sail about 15 miles south to Coronado Golf Course, where many locals prefer to play at a fraction of the price (and with more available tee times). The flat, player friendly, walkable course wraps around charming Coronado Island and its harbor, with several holes directly on the water, offering perhaps the most enjoyable golf experience in town.
The 36 holes at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast have rightfully garnered international acclaim. Greens fees are accordingly steep, and tee times can be hard to come by, but a great low-key alternative can be found by heading slightly down the coast and a half mile inland to San Clemente Municipal Golf Course. Each of the 18 holes at this classic from Billy Bell—whose resume includes many top-ranked Golden State courses—offers an ocean panorama. The course is rarely in outstanding condition, but it’s never in bad shape either.
L.A. is loaded with great golf courses, but almost all of them are private. One shining exception to that rule is Rancho Park Golf Course, a well-maintained municipal tract across from Fox Studios on Pico Boulevard. The course, also designed by Billy Bell, hosted 18 Los Angeles Opens in its heyday, and it still presents a solid challenge for elite golfers. But you’ll find players of every skill level at this L.A. landmark, especially at its double-decker driving range.
This gorgeous seaside town north of Los Angeles draws tourists mainly for its beaches, historic mission, wine country, and other notable attractions. Golf is fairly low on the list of priorities, which might explain why Sandpiper Golf Club (top image) isn’t more famous than it is. Situated on cliffs at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the 7,159-yard masterpiece is nothing short of spectacular, offering dramatic terrain and holes that recall those of Pebble Beach Golf Links.
If you’ve never played Pebble Beach Golf Links, you must. But you can also meander five miles up the famed 17 Mile Drive to Pacific Grove Golf Links, a walkable, scenic gem with ample ocean views and almost no photo-snapping tourists. It’s both affordable and awesome—often ranked among America’s top public courses—with gently rolling fairways on the front nine and links-style holes on the back.
Not exactly under-the-radar—it hosted the 2020 PGA Championship, after all—or easy to get onto, TPC Harding Park is still an accessible and exceptional alternative to its legendary Lake Merced neighbor, the Olympic Club. Harding Park was designed by William Watson and Sam Whiting, who also built the Olympic Club’s courses, and offers a similar cypress-lined, waterfront golf experience.
The dozen or so top-notch resort courses along the Palm Springs–Indio corridor tend to cater to their hotel guests, who often play at a painfully slow pace. For a brisker round, head to Desert Willow Golf Resort. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another nearby course this fun, upscale, and fantastically conditioned. Desert Willow is challenging but not unreasonably so; expect to score well and play fast.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find another nearby course this fun and fantastically conditioned.”
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