Los Altos is known for its tree-lined streets, prestigious schools, and quiet residential charm, but for those who love the game of golf, it’s also a gateway to some of the most elegant and enjoyable golf experiences in Silicon Valley. With a mix of exclusive private clubs, welcoming public courses, and hidden gems just beyond city borders, golfers in Los Altos are spoiled for choice. Whether you’re looking for competitive challenge, scenic fairways, or a sophisticated social scene, the following golf courses offer exceptional amenities and unforgettable days on the green.
Los Altos Golf & Country Club
At the heart of the local golf scene is the Los Altos Golf & Country Club, an exclusive, members-only retreat that blends tradition with modern luxury. This private course is known not only for its beautiful, meticulously maintained layout but also for its strong sense of community. Set on rolling terrain with mature oak trees and sweeping views of the surrounding foothills, the 18-hole course offers a tranquil yet challenging experience for golfers of all levels.
The club features a full driving range, short game area, and putting green, making it easy to hone your skills before a round. The clubhouse is equally impressive, with upscale dining, social events, and wellness facilities, including a fitness center and pool. It’s more than just a golf course—it’s a lifestyle. Residents of Los Altos who enjoy an intimate and refined golf environment will find their ideal match here.
The club features a full driving range, short game area, and putting green, making it easy to hone your skills before a round. The clubhouse is equally impressive, with upscale dining, social events, and wellness facilities, including a fitness center and pool. It’s more than just a golf course—it’s a lifestyle. Residents of Los Altos who enjoy an intimate and refined golf environment will find their ideal match here.
Shoreline Golf Links
Just a short drive from Los Altos in nearby Mountain View, Shoreline Golf Links offers a public course with surprising sophistication. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, this 18-hole, par-72 course is located right on the edge of Shoreline Lake and boasts sweeping views of the water and Bay wetlands. It’s not unusual to spot herons or egrets gliding overhead as you line up your shot, adding a touch of serenity to the challenge.
Water comes into play on many holes, and the coastal winds can shift the difficulty from one round to the next, making each visit feel fresh. Shoreline Golf Links also features a large practice facility, golf lessons, and a pro shop. The on-site restaurant, Michael’s at Shoreline, is a popular spot for a post-round meal or weekend brunch with friends. This course strikes a balance between natural beauty and playability, making it a favorite for both locals and visitors.
Water comes into play on many holes, and the coastal winds can shift the difficulty from one round to the next, making each visit feel fresh. Shoreline Golf Links also features a large practice facility, golf lessons, and a pro shop. The on-site restaurant, Michael’s at Shoreline, is a popular spot for a post-round meal or weekend brunch with friends. This course strikes a balance between natural beauty and playability, making it a favorite for both locals and visitors.
Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club
Just southwest of Los Altos, tucked into the rolling terrain between the city and the Santa Cruz Mountains, is Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club. This private club offers one of the most scenic and exclusive golfing experiences in the Bay Area. The 18-hole championship course winds through a forested landscape and provides panoramic views of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay. The setting is peaceful, with whispering pines and clean mountain air adding to the allure.
The club has undergone significant updates over the past decade, including improvements to the course layout, modern training facilities, and a stunning new clubhouse. Members enjoy access to tennis courts, a luxurious spa, a resort-style pool, and gourmet dining. The social calendar here is always full, offering everything from wine tastings to themed dinners and family-friendly holiday events. It’s a sanctuary for golfers who appreciate both the game and the finer things in life.
The club has undergone significant updates over the past decade, including improvements to the course layout, modern training facilities, and a stunning new clubhouse. Members enjoy access to tennis courts, a luxurious spa, a resort-style pool, and gourmet dining. The social calendar here is always full, offering everything from wine tastings to themed dinners and family-friendly holiday events. It’s a sanctuary for golfers who appreciate both the game and the finer things in life.
Deep Cliff Golf Course
For those seeking a more relaxed and casual round, Deep Cliff Golf Course in Cupertino is a hidden gem just 15 minutes from downtown Los Altos. This executive 18-hole, par-60 course is ideal for beginners, those looking to play a faster round, or anyone who wants to fine-tune their short game. Nestled in a scenic valley with redwood groves and bubbling creeks, Deep Cliff feels far removed from the hustle of Silicon Valley.
The pace of play is brisk, making it a favorite for weekday afternoons or spontaneous tee times. With affordable green fees, rental clubs, and a low-key clubhouse café, Deep Cliff is welcoming to everyone from seasoned golfers to weekend warriors. It’s proof that great golf doesn’t always have to come with a country club price tag.
The pace of play is brisk, making it a favorite for weekday afternoons or spontaneous tee times. With affordable green fees, rental clubs, and a low-key clubhouse café, Deep Cliff is welcoming to everyone from seasoned golfers to weekend warriors. It’s proof that great golf doesn’t always have to come with a country club price tag.
Baylands Golf Links
A recent standout in the public golf scene is Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto. Completely redesigned and reopened in 2018, this 18-hole, par-72 course has quickly built a reputation for quality, sustainability, and scenic play. Located adjacent to the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, the course incorporates native grasslands, marshland views, and environmentally friendly design throughout.
Baylands challenges players with expansive fairways, strategic bunkering, and fast greens. It’s suitable for both high-handicap and low-handicap golfers, with five sets of tees to choose from. The facility also features a large practice range, putting greens, and a pro shop with the latest equipment. A casual restaurant with patio seating lets you soak in the peaceful views after your round. Baylands is perfect for players who want a premium public golf experience close to home.
Baylands challenges players with expansive fairways, strategic bunkering, and fast greens. It’s suitable for both high-handicap and low-handicap golfers, with five sets of tees to choose from. The facility also features a large practice range, putting greens, and a pro shop with the latest equipment. A casual restaurant with patio seating lets you soak in the peaceful views after your round. Baylands is perfect for players who want a premium public golf experience close to home.
Sunnyvale Golf Course
Just down the road from Los Altos is Sunnyvale Golf Course, a city-owned, full-length, 18-hole course that provides an accessible and well-maintained playing field for golfers of all skill levels. The layout includes several water features, tree-lined fairways, and well-protected greens that can make scoring more difficult than the course rating suggests.
With a driving range, chipping area, and full-service clubhouse, Sunnyvale Golf Course is an ideal practice spot or regular weekend destination. It’s popular with both casual players and serious golfers looking for a cost-effective place to refine their game. The welcoming vibe and consistent course conditions make this a valuable part of the South Bay’s public golf landscape.
With a driving range, chipping area, and full-service clubhouse, Sunnyvale Golf Course is an ideal practice spot or regular weekend destination. It’s popular with both casual players and serious golfers looking for a cost-effective place to refine their game. The welcoming vibe and consistent course conditions make this a valuable part of the South Bay’s public golf landscape.
The Villages Golf & Country Club
For those willing to travel slightly farther south into San Jose, The Villages Golf & Country Club offers a unique setting within a 55+ gated community. The club features two courses: an 18-hole championship course and a shorter 9-hole par-3 course. The fairways weave through rolling hills and vineyards, offering a picturesque playing experience. The facilities include tennis courts, swimming pools, a fitness center, and a wide range of social clubs and activities.
Though technically outside Los Altos, The Villages is an attractive option for golfers looking for a resort-style community with a strong emphasis on active living and social connection. The course is well-kept and provides a friendly, welcoming experience for players in their golden years.
Though technically outside Los Altos, The Villages is an attractive option for golfers looking for a resort-style community with a strong emphasis on active living and social connection. The course is well-kept and provides a friendly, welcoming experience for players in their golden years.
Where Golf Meets Lifestyle
Los Altos may be known for its residential charm and elite schools, but its access to world-class golf adds another layer of appeal. Whether you prefer the exclusivity of a private club, the challenge of a championship layout, or the easygoing pace of a public course, the region offers something for every golfer. It’s a place where weekend tee times turn into cherished rituals and where the game becomes a gateway to community, wellness, and scenic beauty.
If you’re considering making Los Altos your home, working with a local real estate expert who understands the lifestyle is key. Chris Iverson, a top-tier real estate professional with Peninsula Real Estate, brings not only deep market knowledge but also a passion for helping clients connect with the amenities that matter most—including proximity to these incredible golf destinations.
Ready to find a home near the fairways? Connect with Chris Iverson and discover how easy it is to live the golf lifestyle in one of California’s most desirable communities. From tee to green and beyond, your ideal home in Los Altos is waiting.
If you’re considering making Los Altos your home, working with a local real estate expert who understands the lifestyle is key. Chris Iverson, a top-tier real estate professional with Peninsula Real Estate, brings not only deep market knowledge but also a passion for helping clients connect with the amenities that matter most—including proximity to these incredible golf destinations.
Ready to find a home near the fairways? Connect with Chris Iverson and discover how easy it is to live the golf lifestyle in one of California’s most desirable communities. From tee to green and beyond, your ideal home in Los Altos is waiting.