
Riviera Course
Riviera Country Club
About this course
Riviera Country Club is synonymous with Hollywood glamour, where legends of the silver screen once mingled with golf's elite, solidifying its status as a uniquely Californian institution. Nestled in the heart of Pacific Palisades, the parkland course, sculpted from the rugged canyon terrain, plays longer than its yardage suggests, rewarding strategic shot-making over pure power, but be ready for the kikuyu grass. The famed 10th hole—a drivable par-4 with a devilish bunker guarding the green—tempts bold plays and can swing matches in an instant. Designed by George C. Thomas Jr. in the Golden Age of course architecture, Riviera remains largely true to his original vision, though subtle refinements have been made over the years to maintain its championship pedigree. The course annually hosts the Genesis Invitational, drawing the world's top players and solidifying its place on the PGA Tour. The club has hosted three major championships including the 1948 U.S. Open and the 1995 PGA Championship. It also hosted the 2017 U.S. Amateur, and the 2023 U.S. Women's Amateur as well as the golf competition for the 1932 Summer Olympics. The course will host the golf competition for the 2028 Summer Olympics, as well. Beyond its architectural significance, Riviera boasts a membership steeped in tradition, including a long list of prominent figures from entertainment, business, and sports. The clubhouse, a stately Spanish Colonial Revival structure, serves as a gathering place for generations of members, fostering a sense of community that extends far beyond the fairways. After a round, members and guests alike gather to the 19th hole to enjoy a cold beverage and discuss the challenges and beauty of Riviera. Riviera holds a distinguished position among the nation's most revered golf clubs, a testament to its challenging layout, rich history, and the enduring allure of its location in the shadows of Hollywood.
Rankings
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
Best in USA
Best in CA
Quick facts
- Location
- Pacific Palisades, CA, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1927
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- George C. Thomas, Ron Forse
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 7,040 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.6/135
- Course Vaults score
- 9.1
Getting there
Los Angeles International Airport serves as the primary gateway, positioned roughly twenty miles southeast of the club, while Van Nuys and Santa Monica airports cater to private arrivals with considerably shorter ground transfers. The drive from LAX traces the coastline north along the Pacific Coast Highway before turning inland through the verdant canyon corridors of Pacific Palisades, where the urban sprawl softens into eucalyptus-shaded residential streets. Riviera Country Club reveals itself quietly at the end of a palm-lined approach, its understated entrance belying the storied championship ground that has hosted legends since 1926 - a fitting arrival for one of Southern California's most revered and exclusive sporting sanctuaries.

FAQ
Common questions about Riviera
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Riviera has a Course Vaults score of 9.1 out of 10 based on 138 logged golfers.
Riviera was designed by George C. Thomas and Ron Forse.
Riviera is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Riviera is 71.
Riviera plays 7,040 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Riviera is 135.






