18 California Golf Courses Ranked In Nation’s Top 200 Classics
California’s rich golf history shines in Golfweek’s latest rankings of the top 200 classic courses in the U.S.—those opened before 1960. Eighteen California courses earned spots on the list, representing some of the most iconic designs and stunning landscapes in American golf, from the cliffs of Pebble Beach to the hills of San Diego.
Highlights include:
- Cypress Point Club (No. 1) in Pebble Beach, long considered one of the most beautiful and revered courses in the world.
- Pebble Beach Golf Links (No. 10), home to multiple U.S. Opens and breathtaking Pacific views.
- Riviera Country Club (No. 17) in Los Angeles, known as Hogan’s Alley and future host of the 2028 Olympic golf event.
- San Francisco Golf Club (No. 18), an ultra-private gem with early 20th-century pedigree.
- The North Course at LACC (No. 11), which hosted the 2023 U.S. Open.
Other standout regions include the Bay Area with Pasatiempo and The Olympic Club, and San Diego with Torrey Pines South, La Jolla Country Club, and San Diego Country Club—all set against the backdrop of ocean bluffs or rolling hills.
Golfweek’s rankings consider 10 criteria, including course routing, design integrity, conditioning, variety of holes, and the overall “walk in the park” experience.
What about the desert?
Despite its popularity, the Coachella Valley was left off the list. Most desert courses were built after 1960 and don’t qualify as “classic.” Early desert layouts weren’t intended as long-term golf homes—just seasonal getaways for snowbirds.
California’s representation in the rankings proves that the Golden State’s golf legacy is as classic as its cars, music, and coastline.
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