Golf
In a survey conducted by Golf Digest, golfers rated where they played as more important than how they played, which makes it clear why Santa Barbara is one the world’s top destinations for golf. Over 6 public 18-hole courses, three 9-hole courses, and a variety of private courses in Santa Barbara provide for excellent golf accentuated by a backdrop of pristine natural beauty.
Tee off on one of Sandpiper Golf Course’s six holes perched above the Pacific Ocean (now, there’s a water trap!). This championship course was rated as one of the top 25 public courses in the country by Golf Digest. Or play on the Rivers Course in Solvang amid the caramel landscape dotted with dark green oaks.
Ty Warner has snapped up several of the courses in the last few years, which means only one thing: He’ll continue his quest to take great things and make them even greater. His holdings now include the public Sandpiper Golf Course, Rancho San Marcos Golf Course, and Montecito Country Club.
Driving ranges abound in Santa Barbara. You’ll discover them at Glen Annie, La Purisima, Rancho San Marcos, Alisal River Course, Sandpiper, Santa Barbara Golf Club, Tee Time Driving Range, and Twin Lakes.
Greens fees can be pricey, but discounts are offered during the week, later in the afternoon, or at one of the more affordable public courses. Note that all fees listed here include the use of a cart so you can save money if you walk the course. Most courses offer discounts to Santa Barbara residents and seasonal specials. Be sure to inquire when you call.
Now, pick up your bag and get ready to enjoy a day of golf. We’ll provide the views and the excellent greens. The rest is up to you!
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Golf
Address: 3500 McCaw Ave.
2. Ocean Meadows Golf Club
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Golf
Telephone: (805) 968-6814
Address: 6925 Whittier Dr.
Description: A 9-hole, par-36, 3,250-yard course that has been operating in Goleta for more than 30 years, Ocean Meadows offers one of the most affordable games in town, and you’ll rarely have to wait for a tee time. There are 2 par-5 holes and 2 long par 3s, with water at the sides of most holes. Since the course borders Devereux Slough, you might even see some wildlife. Ocean Meadows has putting and chipping greens, and sand bunkers for practicing, and you can arrange a lesson if you want to improve your game. Fees are $20 on weekdays and $22 on weekends for 9 holes. Student, junior, and senior discounts are available, as are twilight rates of $24 for an entire day of play.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Golf
Address: 7925 Hollister Ave.
4. Twin Lakes Golf Course and Learning Center
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Golf
Telephone: (805) 964-1414
Address: 6034 Hollister Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: Twin Lakes, which sits near the bank of a Goleta creek, is a 9-hole, 1,501-yard executive course. It has several challenging holes with water and tight dogleg turns, and a mere slip of the wrist may put you out of bounds. Twin Lakes boasts one of the best driving ranges in the greater Santa Barbara area, with 30 high-tech driving stations that are lighted at night. In fact, it is estimated that almost 50 percent of the golfers who come to Twin Lakes do so for instruction and practice. Greens fees are very affordable—$12 on weekdays and $13.50 on weekends. Cart rental is an additional $6 per person. This is an Insiders’ favorite for hitting a bucket of balls.
5. Rancho San Marcos Golf Course
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Golf
Telephone: (805) 683-6334, (877) 776-1804
Address: 4600 CA 154
Description: Previously rated as one of the top 10 courses in California by Golf magazine, the original 18-hole, 6,817-yard championship course was designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. More than 1,700 valley oaks dot the course, many of them two centuries old. An already excellent course has been renovated into an outstanding one. Changes include: the reestablishment of greens and bunkers on Hole #1, new green and bunkers at Hole #3, refurbishment of all bunkers, new bunkers at fairways #17 and #11, new target greens on the practice range, opened up sight line on fairway #18 and hole #15, and a new cart path and bridge from green #3 to tee #4. Perhaps best of all, Rancho now serves cold beer and wine at Davy’s Stable Cafe.
City: Santa Barbara, CA
Category: Golf
Address: 150 Alisal Rd.