10 Best Public Golf Courses in San Francisco & The Bay Area

San Francisco is no doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It's also a notoriously expensive city, where real estate is at a premium. Any land set aside for a golf course is indeed a San Francisco treat for golfers.

San Francisco proper, with its great restaurants and culture, has always been one of my favorite destinations. I’ve visited the Bay Area multiple times over the years and have played a fair amount of golf there, both public and at some of the top private clubs. The topography and the generally cool climate make it a unique golf scene. 

Fortunately, there are a few special places you can play in the city, even if you're not a member at exclusive clubs like The Olympic Club or Lake Merced Golf Club.

TPC Harding Park is the obvious top choice for public golf in San Francisco, but there are few other city courses to consider that aren't even on this list. They include Golden Gate Park, Sharp Park (which survived legal challenges for its existence in recent years), and even the wonderful Gleneagles nine hole course at McLaren Park. They have tradition and the advantage of one of the most beautiful backdrops in the world.

If you're willing to drive a little, there are some other terrific options and maybe easier tee times in the surrounding communities from the Napa Valley north to San Jose south and all points in between. With more ocean views, and even vineyards settings, these are special courses as well.

A long history, a rebirth, a championship pedigree and an all-around fun golf experience make TPC Harding Park the top choice for best public golf in San Francisco. 

Located on Lake Merced in the vicinity of San Francisco’s legendary private clubs such The Olympic Club, Lake Merced Golf Club, and San Francisco Golf Club, TPC Harding Park was simply Harding Park (named after former President Warren G. Harding) when it opened up in 1925. This municipal gem was originally designed by Willie Watson and Sam Whiting, but there’s been quite a bit of tinkering over the years, most notably a massive renovation led by San Francisco native, golf champion and former USGA President Sandy Tatum in the early 2000s. 

Since then, in addition to its early tournament history, the course has been the site of World Golf Championships, two Presidents Cups, the PGA Championship, and three Charles Schwab Cups on the PGA Tour Champions. 

As for the course, it has great variety, excellent conditions and a championship feel throughout the 7,154-yard, par-72 layout. The 18th is the most memorable, a long dogleg left par 4 that hugs the lake. It’s worth noting that TPC Harding Park is actually a 27-hole facility with the aforementioned Harding Course, and nine-hole Fleming Course, also worth playing.

Presidio Golf Course really is one of San Francisco’s best. Presidio was run by the military (it was on the site of the Presidio base until 1994) for most of its existence, which goes back to 1895. It went through several iterations in the early part of the 20th century, including a redesign in 1921. But it wasn’t until 1995 that this muni opened to the public and remains part of a national park. 

Although it plays under 6,500 yards from the tips, don’t let the length fool you. As one reviewer on GolfPass said, "Presidio is the longest sub-6,500-yard golf course in the world. It plays that way because of Karl -- San Francisco's infamous fog/marine layer -- and its endless parade of uphill shots to greens." 

That about sums it up. The course also has one of the coolest snack shacks you’ll ever find on a golf course -- the General Store between holes 5, 11 and 16 -- where you can literally get just about anything you like, from bottled cocktails to barbecue sandwiches to hot dogs, and it serves joggers and tourists as well.

Open since 1997, the Ocean Course at Half Moon Golf Bay definitely has a links feel to it with its undulating fairways, firm and fast conditions, cliffs and ocean backdrop. Designed by Arthur Hills, the 7,000-yard plus course is the most popular of the two at Half Moon Bay, and you don’t have to stay at the resort to play it. 

When the wind is down, it’s pretty gettable, but even when it’s blowing, this is a fun golf course that might remind you of playing across the pond. The teeth of the course are definitely on the back nine, and the finishing stretch of holes with spectacular Pacific views are most memorable. 

There’s no driving range at Half Moon Bay, but it does have an exceptional short-game practice area, which will be good preparation for this test.

One of two 18-hole championship courses at the fabulous Napa Valley Resort, the North Course is the site of the Fortinet Championship on the PGA Tour and former home of the Napa Valley Championship on the PGA Tour Champions. 

Simply put, this is a gorgeous parkland layout with magnificent trees, water features, and deep bunkers that will test your game, but is always enjoyable. 

The course was updated in recent years by Johnny Miller and lengthened to more than 7,100 yards for the PGA Tour. Combined with wine tastings and excellent dining, staying and playing at the resort is a special experience.