SAN JOSE, Calif. -- It's quite appropriate that your cell phone coverage might go from 3G to 1x during a visit to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club.
Cinnabar Hills, a 27-hole course designed by John Harbottle III that opened in 1998, is the ultimate escape from the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley, even though it's just minutes away in south San Jose. Put away your phone and enjoy the beautiful foothills surrounding the three nines, Lake, Canyon and Mountain. There are no homes in site and no traffic noise to distract you.
All three nines -- the Canyon Course, the Mountain and the Lake -- have their own signature holes and distinct features.
The Lake Course is considered the toughest. It starts with a tough uphill par 5. The other par 5 has the lake lurking left of the seventh green.
Cinnabar Hills' Canyon nine requires some target golf with lay ups off of several tees. The par-5 sixth hole is a bit controversial with hazards twisting everywhere. The seventh hole climbs skyward to reveal amazing views from the eighth and ninth tees. The Mountain offers a few memorable moments as well.
Back at the clubhouse is the Brandenburg Historical Golf Museum, an impressive display of golf memorabilia from course owner Lee Brandenburg's personal collection. The most interesting pieces are full-size replicas of golf's major trophies, including the claret jug; a Masters green jacket, and two sets of clubs used to shoot 59, one from Chip Beck and another from Al Geiberger. One look around will give you a better appreciation for the game.
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There's a beautiful view of the seventh hole on the Mountain nine from the eighth tee box of the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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The water lurks left of the seventh green on the Lake nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in San Jose, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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From the forward tees, a layup is required on the second hole of the Canyon golf course at Cinnabar Hills in San Jose, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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The 307-yard third hole on the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club forces you to lay up for a short wedge into the green. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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Once you scoot past the large tree in the middle of the fairway, the approach to the fourth green on the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club is all uphill. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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It's a monstrous task to par the 222-yard eighth hole on the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in San Jose, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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The view from the ninth tee of the Canyon nine at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club looks fabulous. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
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A barranca and tree guard the six green on the Lake golf course at Cinnabar Hills in San Jose, California. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
