Golfers' Choice 2020: Best of California golf courses

Top 25 golf courses available to the public from SoCal to San Francisco.

Editor's Note: To view the latest California Golfers' Choice lists for 2021, click here.

The annual Golf Advisor state Golfers' Choice lists are compiled by analyzing the ratings and reviews submitted by members of our review community throughout the year. We use our Golf Advisor Index logic that weights newer reviews and combine it with a course's weighted subcategory averages.

Reviews from trusted and active reviewers are weighted heavier than inactive members. Courses must offer public or resort-guest access in peak season and have received at least one review in 2019 to be eligible for this year's list.

Want to get involved? Click here to review a golf course, whether it’s your first or your 100th.

California golf courses reviewed in 2019: 558
Reviews of California golf courses in 2019: 17,550

  1. Yocha Dehe Golf Club at Cache Creek Casino Resort
    California golf packages

    Monterey Peninsula Championship Courses Stay & Play Package

    FROM $1117 (USD)
    MONTEREY, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach™ and 4 rounds of golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links™, Spyglass Hill™, Pasatiempo & Bayonet Golf Courses.

    Best of Indian Wells Package

    FROM $167 (USD)
    PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at either Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa or Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, and 2 rounds of golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

    San Diego Golf Around Package

    FROM $467 (USD)
    SAN DIEGO, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at the OMNI La Costa Resort & Spa and 3 rounds of golf at the OMNI La Costa Golf Club - Legends Course, Aviara Golf Club & The Grand Golf Club.

  2. Rams Hill Golf Club
    Borrego Springs, California
    Semi-Private/Resort
    4.4643117647
    655

  3. Aviara Golf Club
    Carlsbad, California
    Resort
    1.9928571429
    161

  4. Pebble Beach Golf Links
    Pebble Beach, California
    Resort
    4.9851833333
    46

  5. Players Course at Indian Wells Resort
    Indian Wells, California
    Resort
    4.6156588235
    347

  6. Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Resort
    Indian Wells, California
    Resort
    4.7643117647
    442

  7. The Links at Terranea
    Rancho Palos Verdes, California
    Resort
    4.7110411765
    368

  8. Pasatiempo Golf Club
    Santa Cruz, California
    Semi-Private
    4.6159764706
    260

  9. Northwood Golf Club
    Monte Rio, California
    Public
    4.9246
    43

  10. North Course at Silverado Resort & Spa
    Napa, California
    Resort/Private
    4.9
    10

  11. Plumas Pines Golf Resort
    Graeagle, California
    Public
    4.4392588235
    167

  12. The Golf Club at Copper Valley
    Copperopolis, California
    Semi-Private/Resort
    4.2210529412
    181

  13. Apple Mountain Golf Resort
    Camino, California
    Resort
    4.3657235294
    657

  14. Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
    Ojai, California
    Resort
    4.3930235294
    855
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  15. Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links
    Half Moon Bay, California
    Public
    4.9728470588
    15

  16. Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club
    Dinuba, California
    Municipal
    4.5980235294
    345

  17. Heritage Palms Golf Club
    Indio, California
    Semi-Private
    4.6481235294
    613

  18. Ocean South Course at The Resort at Pelican Hill
    Newport Coast, California
    Resort
    4.7032294118
    156

  19. Ocean North Course at The Resort at Pelican Hill
    Newport Coast, California
    Resort
    4.6268235294
    137

  20. Maderas Golf Club
    Poway, California
    Public
    4.7475117647
    871

  21. Oasis Country Club
    Palm Desert, California
    Private
    4.6982
    668

  22. Timber Creek Golf Course
    Roseville, California
    Public
    4.6148117647
    409

  23. The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing
    Truckee, California
    Resort
    4.4643294118
    41

  24. The Links At Bodega Harbour
    Bodega Bay, California
    Public
    4.5549117647
    625

  25. Golf Club at Quail Lodge
    Carmel, California
    Resort
    4.6829764706
    293

  26. The Classic Club
    Palm Desert, California
    Public
    4.7362823529
    947

  27. Carmel Valley Ranch Resort
    Carmel, California
    Private/Resort
    4.6719470588
    311

  28. Firecliff at Desert Willow Resort
    Palm Desert, California
    Resort
    4.6346882353
    709

  29. Journey at Pechanga
    Temecula, California
    Public/Resort
    4.7555588235
    266

  30. PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course
    La Quinta, California
    Public/Resort
    4.3558529412
    906

Golfers' Choice
Golfer's Choice rankings are determined by our community of reviewers.
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Golfers' Choice 2020: Best of California golf courses