Emerald Hills Golf Course

Emerald Hills Golf Course sits in the hills above Redwood City on the San Francisco Peninsula, occupying rolling terrain that offers views across the Bay Area. Designed by Ellis Van Gorder and opened in the 1960s, the course reflects the architect's work during a period of significant golf development in Northern California. Van Gorder, active primarily in the mid-20th century, designed several courses throughout California and was known for routing layouts that worked with natural contours rather than extensive earthmoving. The course plays across varied topography with elevation changes that characterize many Peninsula layouts. Holes move through oak-studded hillsides and transition between higher ridgeline positions and lower valleys, creating a mix of uphill, downhill, and sidehill lies. The routing takes advantage of the natural landscape, with doglegs that follow the land's movement and greens positioned on natural plateaus or benches. Water comes into play on several holes, and mature trees frame many fairways. As a municipal facility operated by the City of Redwood City, Emerald Hills serves a broad range of golfers from the Peninsula and South Bay. The "Alternate Tees" designation typically indicates a different set of tee markers that can change the course's length and playing characteristics, offering variety for regular players or adjusting difficulty for different skill levels. The course provides accessible public golf in an area where private clubs dominate much of the quality golf landscape, making it a practical option for daily-fee players seeking hilly, tree-lined golf in the Bay Area.