
Recreation Park 18 Course
Recreation Park 18 Golf Course

About this course
Recreation Park 18 is a municipal golf course in Long Beach, California, designed by William F. Bell and serving the community since the mid-20th century. Bell, a prolific Southern California architect, created numerous accessible public courses throughout the region during his career, and Recreation Park 18 represents his approach to designing playable golf for everyday golfers on modest municipal budgets and available land. The course occupies relatively flat terrain typical of the Long Beach area, situated inland from the Pacific coast in a densely developed urban setting. As a municipal facility, it provides straightforward golf without dramatic elevation changes or extensive water features, focusing instead on strategic bunkering and tree-lined fairways that define holes and require accuracy over distance. The layout reflects Bell's practical design philosophy: creating enjoyable golf that accommodates a range of skill levels while maintaining pace of play for high-volume public use. Recreation Park 18 serves as an important recreational resource for Long Beach residents and visitors seeking affordable golf in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The course operates alongside the city's other public golf facilities, contributing to the region's tradition of accessible municipal golf. Its location within the urban fabric makes it a convenient option for local players, and the design's straightforward character suits both beginners learning the game and experienced golfers looking for a quick round without the demands of championship-length courses.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CA
Quick facts
- Location
- Long Beach, CA, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1917
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- William Francis Bell
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,405 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.1/127
- Course Vaults score
- 6.0
Getting there
Most visitors arrive via Long Beach Airport, a compact and efficient gateway just minutes from the course, though Los Angeles International offers broader connectivity roughly thirty minutes north along the 405. The drive into Long Beach trades freeway sprawl for glimpses of the harbor and the Queen Mary's silhouette before turning inland toward the modest residential grid that cradles Recreation Park 18. This is municipal golf in its most accessible form - no gates, no grand arrival sequence, just a straightforward approach to one of Southern California's most enduring public layouts, where the city meets the first tee without ceremony.

FAQ
Common questions about Recreation Park 18
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Recreation Park 18 has a Course Vaults score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 29 logged golfers.
Recreation Park 18 was designed by William Francis Bell.
Yes. Recreation Park 18 is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Recreation Park 18 is 72.
Recreation Park 18 plays 6,405 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Recreation Park 18 is 127.




