Santa Barbara & Montecito Area Golf Courses – Public and Private

Looking for a great golf experience here in the Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta and surrounding areas.  The golfing scene here in Santa Barbara is excellent with a range of prices and choices to suit every level.  Because of the superb weather here in Santa Barbara, golf is played year-round.

This Post: Santa Barbara & Montecito Area Golf Courses – Public and Private

Below I have outlined a list of all the local and private courses in our area.

Public 18 Hole Golf Courses

Sandpiper: Sitting on a wonderful perch directly along the coastline, Sandpiper is one of the most picturesque golf courses around.  Sandpiper is a memorable experience for anyone with a true combination of challenge and beauty.  It has been rated by Golf Digest as one of the top 25 public courses in the country.  If you play from the tips it is a long 7000+ yards.  Many professional level tournaments have been hosted here.  The facilities include a putting green, a wonderful scenic driving range, golf shop and restaurant.

Santa Barbara Golf Club: Don’t let the city course distinction fool you…this coures is a wonderful place to play.  It is centrally located here in Santa Barbara and has wonderful views of the mountains and some ocean peaks.  The staff is great and they try and move play along at a decent pace.  The course itself is challenging and is taken care of very well.  With the combination of lower green fees and location, it is the most popular course in town.  The facilities include a putting green, driving range, golf shop and restaurant.

Rancho San Marcos: If you are looking for sun and scenery, this is the place.  Set “over the hill” towards The Santa Ynez Valley, Rancho San Marcos is a challenging Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course and is considered by many the premier course in the area.  Located about a 20 minute drive from Downtown Santa Barbara, the course has wonderful meandering topography, a seasonal stream, ancient oaks and often local wildlife running around.  The facilities include a putting green, a scenic driving range, golf shop and restaurant.

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Glenn Annie: Glenn Annie offers big ocean views and lots of undulating greens and topography.  Golf cart is included in the green fees and is mandatory.  Set in the hills of Goleta, the natural beauty of the location is also the setting for three different habitats.  The facilities include a putting green, driving range, golf shop and a restaurant that is also popular for events because of the views and quality.

La Purisima Golf Course: Located about 45 minutes from Santa Barbara, La Purisima offers as hard of a challenge as any of the courses.  Often locals will make early tee times as wind can sometimes become an issue later on.  At just over 7100+ yard, the course is set beautifully in its natural surroundings.  The facilities include a putting green, driving range, golf shop and restaurant.

River Course at Alisal: The River Course is a great destination and often combined with visitors heading to the Wine Country.  This course was featured in the 2004 movie, Sideways.  Great views of the Santa Ynez Mountains, a laid back feel and plenty of sunshine.  The facilities include a putting green, driving range, golf shop and restaurant.

Public 9 Hole Golf Courses

Twin Lakes: This course is generally geared towards golf education, golf practice and the driving range.  Generally the course has numerous “learners” so be patient if you go.  The facilities include a putting green, driving range and golf shop.

Ocean Meadows: Ocean Meadows is located out close to UCSB and is a good choice if you want to drive the ball, but don’t have too much time.  A friendly staff is there at all times.  Often during your round you will see numerous cranes, herons and egrets flying around. The facilities include a putting green, driving range and snack shop.

Hidden Oaks: Hidden Oaks has a good variety of par 3 holes and is set amongst a small housing community.  Some decent mountain views and a price point that fits all.  The facilities include a putting green and the course is often ranked the best par 3 in town.

Private Courses

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Birnam Wood: Set in the lush high-end community of Montecito, Birnam Wood takes accuracy.  It is a gorgeous course, but has several expensive homes lining the fairways so take your “A” game.

La Cumbre Golf and Country Club: Set in the lush high-end community of Hope Ranch, La Cumbre is a jewel with a great setting.  Well taken care of and a wonderful challenging course makes for a terrific experience.

Montecito Country Club: Set on the perimeter of Montecito, this course has good ocean views.  Owned by Ty Warner, this course is set to be completely redesigned in the coming years to take better advantage of its great location.

The Valley Club of Montecito: Probably the most private kept course here in Montecito, The Valley Club is an older traditional course with well kept facilities.

Practice Center

Tee Time Practice Center: Friendly practice area within easy access to Carpinteria, Montecito and Santa Barbara.