Mountain/Canyon at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club

Cinnabar Hills Golf Club sits in the eastern foothills of San Jose, where the urban Santa Clara Valley meets the Diablo Range. The property takes its name from the historic mercury mining operations that once characterized this region. John Harbottle III designed the Mountain/Canyon course as part of a 27-hole facility that opened in the late 1990s, taking advantage of the dramatic elevation changes and natural ravines that define this transitional landscape between valley floor and mountain terrain.

The Mountain nine and Canyon nine combine to form an 18-hole routing that moves through varied topography, with holes playing across ridgelines, into canyons, and along hillside slopes. The design incorporates the native oak woodlands and exposed rock outcroppings typical of the California coastal ranges. Elevation changes throughout the round create both uphill and downhill shots, and the higher points offer views across the South Bay toward the urban corridor below.

Cinnabar Hills operates as a semi-private facility, providing public access alongside member play. The club's location on the urban-wildland interface gives it a more rugged, natural character than courses situated entirely within developed areas. The routing strategy reflects Harbottle's approach to working with challenging terrain, using the natural landforms to create strategic interest rather than imposing heavily manufactured features on the hillside setting.