California's Best Scenic Golf Courses

This iconic course is consistently ranked among the world's greatest and is the #1 public course in the U.S. Its clifftop layout along Carmel Bay offers dramatic ocean views on every hole, making it a truly scenic experience.

Known for its challenging design and stunning scenery, Spyglass Hill offers a unique blend of dune-lined ocean-view holes and demanding forest corridors. It provides immaculate conditions and peaceful vistas for a purist's delight.

This true links course offers a serene seaside experience with its dunes, pot bunkers, and peaceful setting. Its views of the Pacific Ocean and memorable sunset finish make it a highly scenic choice.

Bringing the spirit of Scottish seaside golf to California, this course offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every hole. Its final stretch along coastal cliffs is particularly memorable for its stunning scenery.

An Alister MacKenzie masterpiece, Pasatiempo blends forested holes with exhilarating cliff-top holes where the Pacific acts as a water hazard. Its high points offer sweeping views of the Pacific and the entire course routing.

Perched directly above the ocean on a cliff, Sandpiper Golf Club boasts spectacular views of the Pacific. Its meticulously maintained grounds and oceanfront location earn it comparisons to Pebble Beach.

Set atop the highest point in Paso Robles, this course offers stunning panoramic views of vineyards and rolling wooded hills. Its absence of residential structures enhances the natural beauty and serene golfing experience.

Clinging to cliffs above the Pacific, Torrey Pines offers indisputably breathtaking ocean views and is a renowned municipal course. Its challenging layout amidst coastal bluffs provides an unmatched scenic value.

These two Tom Fazio-designed courses wind through cliffs and canyons, offering panoramic ocean views from nearly every hole. They are known for blending architecture and artistry to frame sweeping Pacific vistas.

This course is built among the jagged cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, offering Pacific Ocean views on every single hole. Its dramatic setting makes it one of the most scenic public golf experiences.

Perched on the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Verdes offers breathtaking Pacific Ocean panoramas from most holes. It's considered one of Southern California's most stunning and best-value golfing experiences.

This iconic and challenging course is known for its dramatic visuals, deep bunkering, and tournament pedigree. It features the infamous 'Alcatraz' island green, making it a visually striking and memorable destination.

This course offers excellent conditioning and great scenery, especially late in the day when wide fairways catch the evening light. It consistently delivers beautiful sunset views with mountain backdrops.

The Firecliff Course features over 100 bunkers and unique water features, balancing challenge with panoramic mountain views and native landscaping. It provides a picturesque and challenging experience.

Designed by Jack Nicklaus II, Escena's west-facing holes provide clear views of the San Jacinto mountains, and its open routing allows evening light to hit every fairway. It's one of the best for classic Palm Springs sunset scenery.

Built into a rock quarry, this course is visually stunning with rock framing many holes, including the unforgettable par-3 14th. It offers dramatic golf in an inland Southern California setting with unique and memorable scenery.

This course meanders through hills, boulders, and waterfalls, offering a unique and scenic experience in an area often developed with houses. Its natural beauty and fun-to-play layout make it stand out.

A Pete Dye masterpiece, this course offers some of the best resort golf in the Coachella Valley under the peaks of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Its rugged rock formations and elevated tees provide sweeping mountain views.