Best Golf Courses in San Francisco

The Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to the best golf courses in San Francisco for all budgets and skill levels, including courses close to the city center.

The Golden Gate Park Golf Course in San Francisco

Welcome, golf enthusiasts! Let's dive into the best golf courses in San Francisco, a city known for its cultural density and beautiful fairways. Ready to hit the greens? Let's tee off.

Best Golf Courses in San Francisco

TPC Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco

Our first stop is the American classic, TPC Harding Park (99 Harding Rd, San Francisco, CA 94132, Phone: (415) 664-4690, Website: tpc.com). It's a par 72 championship golf course that hosted the PGA Championship in 2020. Sculpted from the Stewart's thick fog and city line is an expansive driving range and practice area - a real hole in one!

Our Pick of the Guides

Next up is the Presidio Golf Course (300 Finley Rd, San Francisco, CA 94129, Phone: (415) 561-4661, Website: presidiogolf.com). A lush course nestled within a national park, it offers a par 72 course from the back tees.

If you're looking for outdoor activities besides golfing, the surrounding parklands are worth a meander. Their clubhouse is top tier, featuring a pro shop that leaves no golfer wanting.

Lincoln Park Golf Course in San Francisco

Say hello to the Lincoln Park Golf Course (300 34th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121, Phone: (415) 221-9911, Website: lincolnparkgc.com). Known for its stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean, this par 68 course is a local favorite, providing beauty and challenge in equal measure.

The Remarkable Golden Gate Park Golf Course in San Francisco

Our list wouldn't be complete without San Francisco's oldest course, the Golden Gate Park Golf Course (970 47th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122, Phone: (415) 751-8987, Website: goldengateparkgolf.com). A par 27, 9-hole course full of character and challenge that's perfect for players of all skill levels, especially if time matters.

Getting an eagle means something different at Gleneagles!

Next is the delightful Gleneagles GC at McLaren Park (2100 Sunnydale Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134, Phone: (415) 587-2425, Website: gleneaglesgolfsf.com). This par 72, 18-hole course is quite the hidden gem with a neighborhood bar feel. Be prepared for lots of rolling topography and not a flat lie in sight!

The Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica near San Francisco

The historic Sharp Park Golf Course (2600 Francisco Blvd, Pacifica, CA 94044, Phone: (650) 359-3381, Website: sfrecpark.org) is another must-visit. Created by renown golf architect Alister MacKenzie, this par 72 course is alive with wildlife, including the endangered San Francisco garter snake and red-legged frog.

This is in Pacifica, a 20-minute drive from downtown San Francisco, depending on traffic.

The Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco

A 15-minute drive from downtown San Francisco you’ll find Lake Merced Golf Club (2300 Junipero Serra Blvd, Daly City, CA 94015, Phone: (650) 755-2233, Website: lmgc.org). Although private, it's worth mentioning due to its top-notch, par 72 course, offering some of the most challenging holes around.

The Half Moon Bay Golf Links

While it's technically not in the city, Half Moon Bay Golf Links (Two Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, Phone: (650) 726-1800, Website: halfmoonbaygolf.com) is just a scenic 30-minute drive away in Half Moon Bay. This dreamy golf spot offers two exceptional championship golf courses: The Old Course and the Ocean Course, both are par 72.

The Alister MacKenzie Golf Course at Haggin Oaks

For the budget-conscious golfer, there is the Alister MacKenzie at Haggin Oaks (3645 Fulton Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821, Phone: (916) 808-2526, Website: hagginoaks.com). Despite the 90-minute drive, this par 72, 18-hole course offers an incredible golf experience at a public course price.

Where to Stay in San Francisco

We're focused on courses in and near San Francisco, but this is an exception. We'd be remiss not to let golfers know that it's there. Alister MacKenzie designed the course (one of two at Haggin Oaks) in 1932, and the course remains a testament to his expertise in golf course architecture, attracting golf enthusiasts of all levels.

The Ocean Course at Olympic Club in San Francisco

Let's not forget about the Olympic Club (599 Skyline Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94132, Phone: (415) 404-4300, Website: olyclub.com). As one of America's oldest athletic clubs, the Olympic Club thrills with its illustrious history and three impeccably designed courses, including two championship golf courses: the Lake Course and Ocean Course.

There you have it, an in-depth tour of the best golf courses in and near San Francisco. Whether you're seeking a high-end golf experience or looking for more affordable public courses, the City by the Bay has it all.

Spend a few days here, and you'll truly understand why it's a golfer's paradise. Grab your clubs and get ready to swing - San Francisco is waiting to amaze!

More San Francisco pages

San Francisco Best Chinatown Restaurants
San Francisco has some of the best Chinatown restaurants in the USA, and its Chinese restaurants provide superb dining. Here are our top eating places.
Ten Best Things to See at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The ten best things to see at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) include works by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol.
Ten San Francisco Dishes and Drinks
Before you go it helps to know what to eat in San Francisco and so here's our list of ten San Francisco dishes and drinks that you have to try.
San Francisco Sightseeing Tours
San Francisco sightseeing tours can be by helicopter, bike, walking, eating in Chinatown, touring the gay area or trips to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
Touring Alcatraz
Touring Alcatraz, the former island prison, is one of the best things to do in San Francisco and attracts over 1.5 million visitors a year.
Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to visiting the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco including how to get there and free walking tours of the bridge.
Best Time to Visit San Francisco
Pacific Coast Highway Travel’s advice on the best time to visit San Francisco, covering the weather and climate from month to month and season by season.
San Francisco
Information about San Francisco, including what to see, where to stay, where to eat, and links to sources of information including the official visitor website.
Ten Best Things to See at the California Academy of Sciences
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the ten best things to see at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, one of the city’s top attractions.
Ten Reasons to Visit San Francisco's Chinatown
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks ten reasons to visit San Francisco's Chinatown ranging from food and fortune cookies to historic landmarks and shopping.
Photos of the Golden Gate Bridge
A selection of the best Photos of the Golden Gate Bridge on the Pacific Coast Highway Travel website, for travel and photographic inspiration.
Best Museums in San Francisco
The best museums in San Francisco include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, California Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum and Exploratorium.
Cheap Flights to San Francisco
Cheap flights to San Francisco with Southwest Airlines, Virgin America, SkyWest, JetBlue and other airlines from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Seattle.
San Francisco Airport Hotels
San Francisco Airport hotels include a Grand Hyatt, La Quinta, Westin, Marriott, Super 8 and bayfront hotels ranging from budget to 5-star luxury.
Ten Fun Family Things To Do In San Francisco
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks ten fun family things to do in San Francisco, from museums and the zoo to cable car rides and trampoline parks.
Your Insider's Guide to San Francisco
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's book review of Insider's Guide to San Francisco guidebook by Jill Loeffler, publisher of the San Francisco Tourism Tips website.
Ten Best Things to Do in San Francisco
Pacific Coast Highway Travel lists the ten best things to do in San Francisco, including Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf.
Ten Best Films Set in San Francisco
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the ten best films set in San Francisco from crime and thrillers like Dirty Harry to classics like Hitchcock’s Vertigo.
Free San Francisco Kindle Guide to Free Attractions
101 free San Francisco attractions and things to do are in the Kindle guide, 101 Free Things to Do in San Francisco, in the Travel Free eGuidebooks series.
Perfect Day in San Francisco
A perfect day in San Francisco would include Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, and the California Academy of Sciences.
Alcatraz Famous Inmates
Pacific Coast Highway dishes the dirt on Alcatraz's famous inmates, like the infamous Al Capone and the well-known Birdman, who never kept birds at Alcatraz!
San Francisco Music Tour on the Magic Bus to Haight-Ashbury
Take a San Francisco Music Tour with Magic Bus, a trip through the musical past to Haight-Ashbury, the City Lights Bookstore and the Summer of Love.
Ten Songs about San Francisco
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks ten songs about San Francisco, from artists including Otis Redding, Tony Bennett and Buddy Guy.
Best Romantic Hotels in San Francisco
Pacific Coast Highway Travel brings you the best romantic hotels in San Francisco, many with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and in the heart of the city.