Orange County    San Diego    Los Angeles

A trip to Southern California means, in addition to theme parks, great golf weather and fabulous golf courses. We've compiled a comprehensive list of the best public courses in Southern California ranging from $20.00 to $255.00 green fees. All green fees include a cart. The publisher has offered unbiased comments on courses he has played, which tend to be more in Orange and San Diego Counties. Los Angeles County, of course, has many fine courses. 

Most greens are a mix of Poaaunna and Bent grass. Weekdays are best for same day tee times. There's a better chance for weekend play if reserved in advance. Higher end courses will require credit cards to hold your spot, with 24-hour cancellation policies in most cases.

If you love golf, you've come to right place. Have a great round

Orange County
(Green fees are estimates only. Please call the course for current fees.)

Aliso Creek Golf Course
949-499-1919
31106 South Pacific Coast Highway, South Laguna Beach
Par 32, Men's Yardage 2,005
$13.00--$17.00
Only 9 holes, but very picturesque. A perfect way to spend a couple of hours in the afternoon. After your round, head into Laguna Beach and have dinner. There are no carts, so you'll work up an appetite walking the course. 

Aliso Viejo Golf Club
949-598-9200
25002 Golf Drive, Aliso Viejo
Mens Tees: Valley Nine 3,115
Creek Nine 3,136
Ridge Nine 2,995
Green Fees $65.00 to $125,00
Dual directional driving range
Jack Nicklaus design
Three nines makes this facility play at a great pace. Very hilly and undulating greens make Aliso Viejo a shot maker and putters course.

Anaheim Hills Country Club
714-748-8900
6501 Nohl Ranch Road, Anaheim
Men's Yardage 5,966
Green Fees $16.00--$20.00

Black Gold Golf Club
17681 Lakeview
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-961-0060
Green Fees $50 - $100
I've played Black Gold several times and can tell you from the blue tees,
you'd better drive the ball well... and long. In some cases real long. The
black tees? Forget it! There are a few long 4 par's that require drives to
clear the hazard in excess of 180 - 220 yards. Windy "Sundowners" are common in the afternoon and make the down wind holes much shorter, however some of the upwind holes can become three shots. A challenging and beautiful design that takes you out into the Yorba Linda hills.

Arthur Hills, Black Gold's designer states "In the foothills of Yorba Linda, California (Orange County) golfers have discovered gold, Black Gold that is.
This is more than just a play on words, it is the city of Yorba Linda's prized possession, Black Gold Golf Club."

Costa Mesa Country Club
714-754-5267
1701 Golf Course Drive, Costa Mesa
Men's Yardage 6,233
Green Fees $16.00--$20.00

Coyote Hills
1440 E. Bastanchury Rd. Fullerton, CA 92635
Pro shop: 714-672-6800
Mens Tees: 6,000
Green Fee: $50-105.
Driving range with lights, putting green, chipping and sand play area.Short course, but well maintained and a good challenge. Pretty open.

Cypress Golf Club
714-527-1800
4291 Katella Avenue, at Los Alamitos Race
Track Men's Yardage 5,693
$75.00--$95.00
Located at Los Alamitos Race Track, Cypress Golf Club is well laid out in a relatively small and flat area. To make up for the flat property, Cypress built dozens of Volkswagon-size grassy mounds that border each fairway. Well manicured, Cypress is, however, a little expensive.

Diamond Bar Golf Course
909-861-8282
22751 E. Golden Springs Drive, Diamond Bar
Men's Yardage 6,800
Green Fees: $20--$31
Driving range

Fullerton Golf Course
714-871-5141
2700 N. Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton
Men's Yardage 5,300
Green Fees: $31.00
Driving Range

Green River Golf Course
909-737-7393
5215 Green River, Corona
(2-18 hole courses)
Men's Yardage 6,167
Green Fees: $16.00--$21.00
Driving Range
A good municipal golf course for the price, bordering the 91 Freeway. Green River gets pretty windy, so you must keep the ball low. Small greens require good shot making when the wind is up, which is most of the time. There are two 18 hole courses, which means no problem getting a tee time. Plan to have dinner after your round, because traffic on the 91 slows to a crawl during rush hour.

Dad Miller Golf Course
714-748-8900
430 N. Gilbert Street, Anaheim
Men Yardage 5,756
Green Fees: $16.00--$20.00

Imperial Golf Course
714-529-3923
220 E. Imperial Highway, Brea
Par 72, Men's Yardage 5,965
Green Fees: $16.00--$22.00
Driving Range

La Costa Resort and Spa
760-438-9111 Carlsbad-Call for Directions
Men's Yardage 6,987
Green Fees: $170.00
Driving Range
Home of the Accenture Match Play Championship, La Costa is the granddaddy of Southern California golf. La Costa is a full service spa and tennis resort as well. Large and mature oak and eucalyptus trees line the fairways, and very quick greens are the hallmark at La Costa. 

La Mirada Golf Course
310-943-7123
15501 E. Allacante Road, La Mirada
Par 70, Men's Yardage 5,770
Green Fees: $12.50--$16.50
Driving Range

Meadowlark Golf Course
714-846-1364
16782 Graham St., Huntington Beach
Men's Yardage 5,467
Green Fees: $20.00--$40.00
Driving Range

Mile Square Golf Course
714-968-4556
10401 Warner Avenue, Fountain Valley
Men's Yardage 6,642
Green Fees: $39.00--$67.00
Driving Range

Monarch Beach Golf Links
949-240-8247
33080 Niguel Road, Dana Point
Men's Yardage 5,655
Green Fees: $115.00--$145.00
No Driving Range
Monarch is a well maintained ocean course with scenic views, although there are only two holes that are "on" the ocean. Monarch is not very open, because it is built on a fairly small footprint. A good test of golf.

Oak Creek Golf Club
949-653-7300
One Golf Club Drive, Irvine
Men's Yardage 6,515
Green Fees: $90.00--$145.00
Located where the 5 and 405 Freeways meet, Oak Creek is a nice blend of length, open fairways and fast greens. Its easy access makes Oak Creek very convenient for those on a tight schedule. Well maintained.

Pelican Hill Golf Club
949-760-0707
22651 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast, California 92657
Men's Yardage 6,305
Green Fees: $155.00--$255.00
Pelican Hill is a must play albeit expensive. With two 18 hole championship courses and spectacular ocean views from virtually every hole, Pelican Hill is the Pebble Beach of the south. Afternoon rounds will most likely see winds pick up, making it play long. Canyons and hills require hitting the ball far enough to reach the fairway or green on many holes. Pelican boasts a beautiful clubhouse and outdoor patio area.

Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course
949-786-5522
1 Sandburg Way, Irvine
Men's Yardage 6,229
Green Fees: $23.00--$35.00

Riverview Golf Course
714-543-1115
1800 W. 22nd Street, Santa Ana
Men's Yardage 5,288
Green Fees: $12.00--$17.00

San Clemente Golf Course
949-361-8384
150 E. Avenida Magdalene, San Clemente
Men's Yardage 6,104
Green Fees: $20.00--$20.00
Driving Range
A great golf course for a municipal course. Ocean views from all holes, open fairways and small greens are San Clemente's hallmark. Older clubhouse.

San Dimas Canyon Golf Club
909-599-2313
2100 Terrebone Avenue, San Dimas 
Men's Yardage 5,941
Green Fees: $15.00--$22.00

San Juan Hills Country Club
949-493-1167
32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano
Par 71, Men's Yardage 6,003
$17.00--$27.00
Driving Range

Strawberry Farms Golf Club
949-551-1811
32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano 
Men's Yardage 6,278
Green Fees: $85.00--$125.00
Driving Range
This par-71, 6,700 yard course is set amid canyons and wetlands. The 18-hole course offers picturesque vistas across a 35-acre reservoir, large rolling greens surrounded by wildlife and natural vegetation and scenic hills studded with granite boulders and natural waterfalls. Developed by Doug DeCinces, former California Angel third baseman, Strawberry Farms Golf Club is sure to provide golfers with the finest golf experience in Orange County. 

Talega Golf Club
949-369-6226
Mens Tees 6,505
Green Fees: $85 - $125.00
No Driving Range
To visit Talega Golf Club, travel I-5 and exit Avenida Pico. Head east to Talega. Turn left on Avenida Vista Hermosa and then left on Avenida Talega.After much anticipation, Talega Golf Club is now open. The 18-hole, Fred Couples "signature" golf course is co-designed by Masters Champion Couples and renowned golf course architect Brian Curley. It meanders through the community, offering golfers of all levels a challenging experience. The par-72, 208-acre course features such naturally scenic areas as an oak-forested canyon, a rugged marsh, a series of lakes, and views of lush hillsides. Since Talega is just minutes from the ocean, the entire course is bathed in coastal breezes. Tijeras 

Creek Golf Club
949-589-9793
29082 Tijeras Creek Road, Rancho Santa Margarita 
Men's Yardage 6,220
Green Fees: $75.00 - $125.00
Driving Range
Tijeras Creek offers the ultimate golf experience. The back nine are legendary for the old growth sycamores, oaks and native chaparral. In 1997, hole number 16 was voted one of Orange County's Best 18 Holes by members of the Southern California PGA. Designed by Ted Robinson, the course is open to the public and measures 6,613 yards from the blue tees.

Tustin Ranch Golf Club
714-730-1611
12442 Tustin Ranch Road, Tustin 
Men's Yardage 6,005
Green Fees: $65.00--$95.00
Driving RangeTustin is good course. Easy access off the 5 Freeway makes it great for busy visitors. Well manicured and good greens. A challenging test of golf.


San Diego
(Green fees are estimates only. Please call the course for current fees.)

Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club
14050 Carmel Ridge Road
San Diego, Ca. 92128
858-487-9224
Green Fees: $40 - $85
Mens Tees: 6,615
Driving Range, Irons Only
Panoramic mountain and valley views provide a magnificent backdrop for this superbly conditioned golf course. Very long three pars on three holes. Features barrancas, pot bunkers, rolling streams and natural boulder formations. 

Eagle Crest Golf Club
1656 Cloverdale Road, Escondido
760-737-9762
Green Fee: $30 - $60
Mens Tees 6,417
Driving Range mats only
Beautiful course tucked away against the mountains. Tight fairways mean straight drives are a must or you will be dropping from the woods all day. Well-maintained, great greens. All holes are apart from each other, so you feel like you're winding through the backcountry.

Encinitas Ranch Golf Course
1275 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
760-944-1936
Green Fee: $30 - $60
Mens Tees 6,521
Driving Range mats only
Easy drive south of Oceanside on the 5 Freeway. Wide open course with ocean views on many holes. Windy most of the time, so you'll be hitting more club on many holes. Undulating greens means 3 putts unless you're putting well.

Aviara Golf Club
7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad
760-603-6900
Green Fee: Over $90
Mens Tees 6,591
Driving Range 
Arnold Palmer design
Wonderful ocean course with huge greens. You'll hit more greens, but will need to lag putt well. Four putts are possible on fast summer greens. Wonderful use of water, rockscapes and rolling fairways. Only Arnold Palmer course in the area and while expensive, it's a must play.

Meadow Lake Golf Course
10333 Meadow Glen Way East, Escondido
760-749-1620
Green Fee: Over $30 - $60
Mens Tees 6,557
Driving Range

Mt. Woodson Country Club
16422 North Woodson Drive, Ramona
760-788-3555
Green Fee: Over $60 - $90
Mens Tees 5,804
No Driving Range
Beautiful course, and very tough for a short course. Two irons off many tees will be sufficient. Not a flat putt on the whole course. A little bit of a drive to get there, but worth it. 

Pala Mesa Resort
2002 Old Highway 395, Fallbrook
760-728-5881
Green Fee: Over $40 - $90
Mens Tees 6,461
Driving Range
Right off the 76 and 15 Freeways, Pala Mesa is easy to get to and offers superb accommodations and dining as well as a challenging course. Greens are quick most of the time, and wind can play with most shots. Carts offer ParView, the onboard GPS system with color graphics of the hole and your yardage to all hazards and pin. Great system. 

Rancho Bernardo Inn & Golf Course
17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, San Diego
858-675-8470
Green Fee: Over $75 - $95
Mens Tees 6,458
Driving Range
Another fabulous resort for the golf enthusiast. Long 3 pars make for tough scoring. Huge tree lined fairways and well maintained. Beautiful club house and outdoor patio. Great place to spend a few days.

Redhawk Golf Club
45100 Redhawk Parkway, Temecula
800-451-HAWK; 909-695-1424
Green Fee: Over $75 - $90
Mens Tees 6,755
Driving Range
Beautifully maintained golf course albeit a little bit of a drive. Pretty tight fairways and plenty of hazards of all kinds. Worth the drive.

The SCGA Members' Club
at Rancho California
38275 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta
800-752-9724; 909-677-7446
Green Fee: Over $40 - $90
Mens Tees 6,724
Driving Range

San Luis Rey Downs Resort and Country Club
31474 Golf Club Drive, Bonsall
760-758-9699
Green Fee: Over $30 - $60
Mens Tees 6,750
Driving Range

Steele Canyon Golf Club
20 minutes east of downtown San Diego off Interstate 805
619-441-6900
Green Fees: $25 - $75
Mens Yardage: 6,479 - 6,808
27 hole Gary Player designed features three distinct courses, each offering an environment and type of play for every level of golfer. Recipient of Golf Digest prestigious Four Star Award.

Temecula Creek Inn
44501 Rainbow Canyon Road, Temecula
909-676-2405
Green Fee: Over $60 - $90
Mens Tees 6,784
Driving Range
27 holes of rolling fairways, beautiful rock formations, quick greens and very well manicured make this facility worth the drive. Located off the 15.

Temeku Hills Golf Course
41687 Temeku Drive, Temecula
800-839-9949; 909-693-1440
Green Fee: Over $60 - $90
Mens Tees 6,216
Driving Range

The Vineyard
925 San Pasqual Road, Escondido
760-735-9545
Green Fee: Over $30 - $60
Mens Tees 6,531
Driving Range
One of my favorites, The Vineyard is a great course with lots of water and great greens. The back nine is one of the most beautiful anywhere with views that stretch for miles to the mountains. For the price, you can't beat it. It's as good as some $90 courses.


Twin Oaks Golf Course
1425 N. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Marcos
760-591-4653
Green Fee: Over $30 - $60
Mens Tees 6,535
Driving Range
Fast greens are the hallmark at Twin Oaks. Open fairways allow for some errant shots. Long three pars one three holes require three iron or more. Water on some holes, light rough and well bunkered make Twin Oaks a challenging course.

Maderas Golf Club
17750 Old Coach Road, Poway
858-726-4653
Green Fee: Over $90
Mens Tees 6,654
Driving Range
One of the best new courses in Southern California. Johnny Miller designed, this course leaves nothing out. Some very tough holes with large undulating greens and fairways. There many different levels and views at Maderas, all requiring good shot making. Completing the picture are new million dollar plus homes that dot the surrounding area, giving a great example of much influence Mr. Miller has on the golfing world.


Los Angeles
(Green fees are estimates only. Please call the course for current fees.)

Azusa Greens Golf Course
919 W. Sierra Madre
Azusa, CA 91702
626-969-1727
Green Fee: Over $30 - $40
Mens Tees 6,266
Driving Range

Brookside Golf Club
1133 Rosemont Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
626-796-0177
Green Fee: Over $30 - $45
Mens Tees 6,732
Driving Range


The Cascades Golf Club
16325 Silver Oaks Drive
Sylmar, CA 91342
818-833-8900
Green Fee: Over $60 - $85
Mens Tees 6,536
Driving Range

Diamond Bar Golf Club
22751 East Golden Springs Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
909-861-8282
Green Fee: Over $30 - $40
Mens Tees 6,810
Driving Range


El Dorado Park Golf Course
2400 Studebaker Road
Long Beach, CA 90815
562-430-5411
Green Fee: Over $30 - $35
Mens Tees 6,495
Driving Range

Industry Hills Golf Club
1 Industry Hills Pkwy.
City of Industry, CA 91744
626-810-4653
Green Fee: Over $50 - $70
Mens Tees 6,735
Driving Range
Extremely difficult layout with very narrow and rolling fairways. If you're over a 20 handicap, be prepared to lose a lot of golf balls. 


Los Angeles Royal Vista Golf Course
20055 East Colima Road
Walnut, CA 91789
909-595-7441
Green Fee: Over $23 - $35
Mens Tees 6,735
Driving Range

Malibu Country Club
901 Encinal Canyon Road
Malibu, CA 90265
818-889-6680
Green Fee: Over $55 - $80
Mens Tees 6,589
Driving Range

Marshall Canyon Golf Course
6100 N. Stephens Ranch Road
LA Verne, CA 91750
909-593-8211
Green Fee: Over $55 - $80
Mens Tees 6,110
Driving Range

Montebello Golf Course
901 Via San Clemente
Montebello, CA 90640
323-725-0892
Green Fee: Over $40 - $50
Mens Tees 6,553
Driving Range

Mountain Meadows Golf Course
1875 Fairplex Drive
Pamona, CA 91768
909-623-3704
Green Fee: Over $31 - $40
Mens Tees 6,440
Driving Range

Ocean Trails Golf Club
1 Ocean Trails Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310-265-5525
Green Fee: Over $125 - $195
One of only a few true ocean courses in Southern California with spectacular ocean views at every turn. Ocean Trails is a first class golf course, albeit a little expensive. It's worth playing at least once.


Palos Verdes Golf Club
3301 Via Campesina
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
310-375-2759
Green Fee: Over $135 - $205
Mens Tees 6,202
Driving Range
This is an old, but beautiful golf course with huge eucalyptus tree lined fairways tucked in the hills of Palos Verdes. Greens are quick and fairways are tight, so hit them straight.


Rio Hondo Country Club
10627 Old River School Road
Downey, CA 90241
562-927-2329
Green Fee: Over $40 - $55
Mens Tees 6,344
Driving Range

Robinson Ranch
27734 Sand Canyon Road
Santa Clara, CA 91351
661-252-7666
661-252-8484
Green Fee: Over $85 - $115
Mens Tees 6,172
Driving Range


San Dimas Canyon Golf Course
2100 Terrebonne Avenue
San Dimas, CA 91773
909-599-2313
Green Fee: Over $35 - $45
Mens Tees 6,320
Driving Range


Vista Valencia Golf Course
24700 West Trevino Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
661-253-1870
Green Fee: Over $33 - $40
Mens Tees 4,376
Driving Range

Westlake Village Golf Course
4812 Lakeview Canyon Road
Westlake Village, CA 91361
818-889-0770
Green Fee: Over $20 - $30
Mens Tees 5,053
Driving Range

Whittier Narrows Golf Course
8640 Rush Street
Rosemead, CA 91770
626-288-1044
Green Fee: Over $30 - $36
Mens Tees 5,808
Driving Range