California of San Francisco Course
South San Francisco, CA, USA
Few clubs embody California golf history as completely as California Golf Club of San Francisco. Nestled into the hills of South San Francisco, the club's original course, conceived in the Golden Age of architecture, sprawls across a dramatic landscape characterized by rolling hills, steep ravines, and dense Cypress groves. The course demands strategic thinking as much as power, with approach shots into well-guarded greens the true test. It favors players who can navigate the sloping fairways and judge distances accurately, though a deft touch around the greens is paramount. The original design, attributed to A. Vernon Macan, has seen subtle but significant tweaks over the years, always respecting the integrity of Macan's vision. While Cal Club doesn’t boast a pedigree of hosting major championships, it has remained a stalwart of amateur golf and a respected proving ground for Northern California's finest players. Cal Club maintains a lower profile on the national stage. What it lacks in renown, it more than makes up for in character. The membership, comprised of successful professionals and avid golfers, cultivate a relaxed, convivial atmosphere, bound by a shared appreciation for classic golf. The club is known for its unpretentious atmosphere and commitment to the traditions of the game. And one must not forget the halfway house’s famous carne asada tacos: a culinary staple that fuels many a late afternoon round, solidifying Cal Club’s place as a true golfer's haven.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
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Best in USA
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Best in CA
All courses
Golfers say this course consistently ranks among their personal favorites, with many placing it in their top five or even top ten nationally. Most praise the exceptional variety and strategic design, highlighting firm fescue fairways, classic bunkering, and complex greens that reward thoughtful play, while the routing offers a compelling contrast between a wooded front nine and more open back nine. Reviewers note that conditioning is always pristine and the atmosphere—including a popular bar by the green—creates a welcoming, memorable club experience. The wind can make the course play extremely tough on most days, adding to the challenge, and standout holes frequently mentioned include the opening par-5, the seventh, and the closing stretch from 15 to 18, with the 17th par-5 earning particular acclaim.
9.2
109 players
Stunning layout and elevation changes. Hard to believe this course exists in downtown SF. 17 is a masterpiece.
Got to play this once with a good friend and had a great time. They play fast! And I love it. Shot okay, and loved the condition of the course. Want to play again soon.
Easily makes my top 5 list. Not a bad or iffy hole. Fantastic variety and scale. Conditioning is top notch and the club vibe is great. I feel very lucky to play here since this has been high on my wish list for a very long time and It exceeded my expectations. By the third hole I know this place was special. The front 9 is more of a trail walk and the back 9 is more open. It’s hard to pick favorite holes but 1 and 7 come to mind on the front and you can’t go wrong picking any of the closing holes 15-18 with 17 as the best of the par 5s.
Pure golf at a very special place
Unreal golf course. The bar by the green is fantastic. Seen it twice now and it’s hard for me to think it will ever fall out of my personal top 10
10 minutes from a major airport in a great food city with other great golf courses close by and a top 50 course in America - hard to think of too many national memberships I’d rather have
Cal Club is one of my favorite places I’ve been fortunate enough to play. The atmosphere and vibe is top notch. Absolute must play.
Cal Club is in my Top 5! It’s so damn good!
Great views. Pristine shape always. Plays extremely tough when the wind kicks up (which is pretty much always)
Really hard for me to not say this is my #1 course ever… But I and lucky enough to have to played Cal Club hundreds of times (member there), I can confidently say it’s one of my top three courses I’ve ever played. The layout is incredible, with FIRM FIRM fescue fairways, classic MacKenzie bunkering, and crazy green complexes that make every shot feel strategic and challenging. Not to mention the wind averages 15mph with 25mph gusts on a typical day there but every now and then you can get a four leaf clover type of a day with less than 5mph of wind. The 2007–08 restoration by Kyle Phillips elevated the course to another level, blending new holes seamlessly while preserving its classic design and MacKenzie-inspired character. The variety of holes is what makes it so special, from risk-reward par 5s like holes 17, 4, and 1, to short, tricky par 4s and perfectly designed par 3s, every round feels different. The conditioning is always excellent, and the setting, with its rolling terrain and cypress-lined fairways, makes for a truly timeless golf experience. Cal Club has the perfect balance of challenge and creativity, which is why I’ll never get tired of playing it.
Public courses closest to California of San Francisco at California Golf Club of San Francisco.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
California of San Francisco at California Golf Club of San Francisco has a Course Vaults score of 9.2 out of 10 based on 73 explicit golfer ratings.
California of San Francisco was designed by Alister Mackenzie and Robert Hunter.
California of San Francisco at California Golf Club of San Francisco is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at California of San Francisco is 72.
California of San Francisco plays 7,216 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at California of San Francisco is 135.
