
Lake/Mountain Course
Cinnabar Hills Golf Club

About this course
Cinnabar Hills Golf Club sits in the eastern foothills above San Jose, where the Santa Clara Valley meets the Diablo Range. The property's rolling terrain and elevation changes provide the foundation for two distinct 18-hole courses designed by John Harbottle III, who routed the layouts to take advantage of the natural topography and views across Silicon Valley. The Lake/Mountain combination draws nine holes from each of the club's two courses, creating a composite round that showcases the variety available across the 45-hole facility. The Lake nine features water hazards and relatively gentler terrain in the lower portions of the property, while the Mountain nine climbs into steeper hillside ground with more dramatic elevation changes and panoramic vistas. Harbottle's design work emphasizes playability for a range of skill levels while incorporating the natural movement of the land. The routing navigates through oak-studded hillsides and open meadow areas characteristic of the Bay Area's eastern foothills. Cinnabar Hills operates as a semi-private facility, offering both member and public access. The club's location in the San Jose area makes it a notable option for golfers seeking hillside golf in the South Bay, with the multiple-course setup allowing for variety across repeat visits. The property's elevation provides cooler conditions than the valley floor during summer months, and the hillside setting creates a distinct contrast to the flatter parkland courses common in the region.
Quick facts
- Location
- San Jose, CA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1998
- Designer
- John Harbottle III
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,854 yards
- Difficulty
- 73.6/139
Getting there
Most visitors to Cinnabar Hills Golf Club arrive through San Jose International Airport, a straightforward fifteen-minute drive north into the rolling foothills that rise above Silicon Valley's eastern edge. The route climbs steadily along Almaden Expressway, leaving behind the valley floor's suburban grid for the open, golden-grass slopes of the Diablo Range. As the road narrows and bends deeper into the hills, the landscape takes on a wilder, more secluded character, until the entrance to Cinnabar Hills emerges - a private enclave carved into terrain that feels remarkably removed from the metropolis just minutes below.

FAQ
Common questions about Lake/Mountain at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Lake/Mountain was designed by John Harbottle III.
Yes. Lake/Mountain at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Lake/Mountain is 72.
Lake/Mountain plays 6,854 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Lake/Mountain is 139.
Lake/Mountain is a 18-hole course.




