The Golden State of California covers a vast area on the west coast of the USA, ranging from the Pacific Coast in the west to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the east. The forested state of Oregon bounds the state to the north and the border with Mexico forms a line of demarcation to the south.

Golf plays a significant part in the sporting life of Californians and the game has been played here for over a century. To be exact, the oldest club in the state was established at Mare Island Golf Club in 1892 and architect Robin Nelson has recently remodelled this historic course.

Many of the most enduring courses in the Golden State were constructed during a 15-year period between 1915 and 1929 when prolific Golden Age architects like Alister MacKenzie (Cypress Point and Pasatiempo) and George Thomas (Riviera and Los Angeles) were at the height of their architectural powers.

Four Californian clubs have hosted the US Open down the years. Riviera (1948) and Torrey Pines (2008) have both held the event once, while Pebble Beach was the venue in 1972, 1982, 1992, 2000 and 2010. When the Open returned to Olympic Club in 2012, it matched Pebble Beach’s haul of hosting five Opens... but not for long, the US Open returned to 17-Mile Drive in 2019.

Our California Best In State Rankings were last updated in July 2020. Click the link to read the story.