California is known for Hollywood, celebrities, wine country, scenic mountains, and beautiful beaches. But it’s also popular for golf, which makes it a hotspot retirement destination for many retirees. The Golden State has a variety of lush fairways and greens that can be played all year long, attracting beginning and veteran players alike.
Many active adult communities in California offer golf as a central feature in their long list of resort-style amenities. Some of the best golf courses offer unique and challenging layouts that were designed by famous architects like Billy Casper, Ted Robinson Sr., and Greg Nash. These well-maintained golf courses also provide picturesque settings that embrace the gorgeous, natural environment, allowing players to enjoy breathtaking mountain or water views.
If you’re dreaming of perfecting your backswing or working on your short game during your Golden Years, then you’ll want to check out these ten awesome golf communities in the Golden State.
Laguna Woods Village – Laguna Woods, CA
High $100s – Mid $1Ms
This beautiful 55+ community offers a wide selection of amenities that are sprawled across seven clubhouses and outdoor recreational facilities. Laguna Woods Village features two professional courses, a 27-hole championship golf course, and an executive 9-hole, par-3 golf course.
Avid golfers and beginners enjoy access to a driving range, chipping area, club storage, fully stocked pro shop, and putting greens. The community also has an on-site golf professional who’s available to give private and group lessons.
Request more information about Laguna Woods Village.
Sun City Lincoln Hills – Lincoln, CA
Mid $300s – Mid $1Ms
Famed golf course architects Billy Casper and Greg Nash designed the 36 holes of championship golf in Sun City Lincoln Hills. The 18-hole Orchard Golf Course and 18-hole Hills Golf Course are the highlights of this active adult community and feature distinct layouts with traditional out-and-back configurations.
Each course boasts lush and expansive fairways framed by redwood, oak, and pine trees while its generous layout unfolds over rolling hills and natural wetlands. Residents can purchase a variety of golf packages at reduced rates for the Lincoln Hills Golf Club, which is privately owned by Billy Casper.
Request more information about Sun City Lincoln Hills.
Rossmoor – Walnut Creek, CA
Mid $200s – Low $2Ms
This award-winning 55+ community, nestled within the 1,800-acre Tice Valley area, is known for its natural beauty and expansive amenities. The community’s top-notch recreational options include 27 holes of NCGA-rated golf, which meander throughout the neighborhood, offering manicured greens and beautiful fairway views.
The 18-hole, par-72 Dollar Ranch Golf Course was designed by Robert Muir Graves. It has moderate elevation changes, four sets of NCGA-rated tees, and covers 6,177 yards from its longest tees.
The 9-hole, par-36 Creekside Golf Course sits on the floor of a valley and spans a total of 3,088 yards, perfect for a shorter game. Rossmoor also provides exceptional golf services that include a full-service pro shop as well as a ten-station driving range, three practice greens, and a pitch and sand shot area.
Request more information about Rossmoor.
Sun City Palm Desert – Palm Desert, CA
High $300s – Low $1Ms
Del Webb’s largest active adult community in the Coachella Valley features multiple clubhouses and outdoor recreational facilities that span across 1,600 acres. In addition to its spectacular amenities, Sun City Palm Desert boasts 36 holes of championship golf at the Mountain Vista Golf Club.
Former PGA star Billy Casper designed the 18-hole Santa Rosa Golf Course and 18-hole El Gorgonio Golf Course, both featuring exciting layouts among scenic lakes and water features, lush fairways, and manicured greens adorned with colorful flowers and towering palm trees.
These well-maintained courses provide resort-style golf for players of all skill levels. This active adult community also offers great golf practice facilities like a driving range as well as four PGA professionals on staff.
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Sun City Shadow Hills – Indio, CA
Mid $300s – Mid $700s
Sun City Shadow Hills is a premier active adult community that’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Not only does it offer a desirable location in the Palm Springs area but the community also provides world-class amenities that keep homeowners busy all year long.
The centerpiece of Sun City Shadow Hills is its two 18-hole golf courses. The Shadow Hills Golf Club offers an 18-hole championship golf course and an 18-hole, par-3 golf course, which were designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley. These elegant golf courses are spread seamlessly across the valley and desert floors and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain landscapes.
Each course provides a challenging yet exciting layout that’s perfect for players of all skill levels. The Shadow Hills Golf Club also provides an expansive practice facility that has two tee levels, a private practice area for group or solo lessons with an on-site pro, and a short game practice area with a true-to-speed green.
Request more information about Sun City Shadow Hills.
Sun Lakes Country Club – Banning, CA
High $200s – High $400s
Located in the San Gorgonio Pass area of Riverside County, Sun Lakes Country Club is a luxurious age-restricted community that has everything active adults could want or need. In addition to the beautiful homes and prime location, residents have access to two private golf courses that provide breathtaking views of the scenic San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains.
Avid golfers will love the 7,017-yard, par-72 championship golf course. For beginners or those seeking a shorter game, there’s a 3,000-yard, par-60 executive course.
Residents and their guests have exclusive access to each golf course so they’ll never have to worry about booking tee times. Sun Lakes Country Club also hosts numerous golf outings, clubs, and events that bring fellow golfers from the neighborhood together in a fun and social atmosphere.
Request more information about Sun Lakes Country Club.
Trilogy at Rio Vista – Rio Vista, CA
Mid $300s – Mid $700s
This elegant and upscale 55+ community in Northern California has a nationally recognized 18-hole championship course and two luxurious clubhouses that make it a golfer’s paradise. Trilogy at Rio Vista features a quiet and gated residential vibe but offers plenty of amenities and recreational activities that appeal to many retirees.
The Golf Club at Rio Vista offers 18 holes designed by renowned architect Ted Robinson Sr. Players of all skill levels can have a fun yet challenging experience on this lush course that offers beautiful views of the Rio Vista area.
Request more information about Trilogy at Rio Vista.
Sun City Roseville – Roseville, CA
Mid $400s – Low $800s
Golfers will love calling Sun City Roseville their home because of all the golf and resort-style amenities in this beautiful active adult community. Residents enjoy the 18-hole Timber Creek Golf Course and 9-hole Sierra Pines Golf Course, combining for a total of 27 holes of magnificent golf.
Renowned golf course architects Billy Casper and Greg Nash teamed up to design these courses that meander throughout the community, while carefully preserving the natural environmental areas including a bird sanctuary. The Sierra Pines Golf Course and front 9 of the Timber Creek Golf Course are recognized for their scenic ponds and beautiful waterfall features while the back 9 of Timber Creek is more secluded within the groves lining the fairways.
Sun City Roseville also provides great practice facilities like a driving range and putting green as well as social clubs like women’s and men’s golf, golden niners golf, and ladies nine-hole golf.
Request more information about Sun City Roseville.
The Villages Golf & Country Club – San Jose, CA
Mid $400s – Mid $1Ms
Ideally situated in the Evergreen foothills of Santa Clara County, The Villages Golf & Country Club is an ideal golfing community. The resort-like amenities embrace the community’s natural beauty and provide more than 500 acres of open, lush landscaping and more than two miles of shoreline. The main attractions of this 55+ community are the 18-hole championship golf course and 9-hole, par-3 golf course. Homeownership in this vibrant age-restricted neighborhood includes membership to both golf courses.
The championship course was designed by Robert Muir Graves and provides an exciting and challenging layout for golf enthusiasts. Players with minimal experience or who want to have a short and fun game can play on the 9-hole course.
In addition to these manicured greens and fairways, the community also has a driving range and pro shop that allows players of all skill levels to have the latest gear for their next round.
Request more information about The Villages Golf & Country Club.
Trilogy at Monarch Dunes – Nipomo, CA
Mid $600s – Low $1Ms
Nipomo, California allows retirees to enjoy great weather for outdoor activities all year long. Trilogy at Monarch Dunes, formerly known as Trilogy Central Coast, is the perfect retirement destination for golf lovers and retirees because of its desirable location and its rich lineup of amenities.
The Monarch Dunes Golf Club is located within this age-targeted development that provides everything active adults need for the perfect golf outing. It offers the 18-hole Old Golf Course and a new 12-hole course, which has amazing views and challenging fairways. The 12-hole course was designed with techniques derived from its Scottish and Irish origins, offering a unique layout and golfing experience.
