There are few road trips in America that rival California’s legendary Highway 1, especially during the summer. Stretching along dramatic coastlines, charming beach towns, rolling vineyards, golf and iconic cities, the route offers breathtaking scenery for miles and days. For golfers, it’s even better. From the spectacularly manicured fairways overlooking the Pacific in Newport Beach to championship municipal golf in San Francisco, this journey combines world-class golf with one of the most spectacular drives on earth.
Whether you’re chasing birdies or simply soaking in the Golden State’s endless sunshine, this five-to seven-day golf adventure delivers unforgettable memories.
The most well-known locations when you mention golf in California are Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Torrey Pines and Olympic Club and while they are amazing courses, with 1,200 courses in the state there are plenty of others to experience as well. Having been to all the big-name courses I decided to try a different route.
Pelican Hill Golf Club – Newport Beach
This journey began with a friend’s birthday celebration and golfing where luxury meets the Pacific Ocean. Perched on the cliffs of Newport Coast, Pelican Hill Golf Club is widely regarded as one of California’s premier resort golf destinations. The property is managed by Marriott International and part of their Luxury Group. Designed by legendary architect Tom Fazio, both the Ocean North and Ocean South courses feature dramatic elevation changes, immaculate conditioning, and panoramic ocean views from nearly every hole did not disappoint. The female golf clinics that PGA teaching pro, Karen Tucker, conduct will turn anyone into a golfer as the lessons range is high up on the hill overlooking the driving range, course and clubhouse. Had the privilege of playing the north course with her and what a treat to play with a pro, highly recommended.
The signature par-3 fourth hole on the Ocean North course has become one of the most photographed holes in California golf, with crashing waves providing a breathtaking backdrop.
One of the best ways to experience Newport Beach is by taking a Duffy Boat harbor cruise. With a top speed of about 5 mph. these electric boats stay in Newport Harbor and weave along the harbors islands and waterways including Balboa Island, giving you the opportunity to see the harbor from the water. You are treated to spectacular waterfront homes, yachts, marinas, and sailing regattas set against a California sunset.
California is legendary for its beaches, but for a truly unique experience, visit the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages, a collection of restored historic cabins along the shore of Crystal Cove State Park. Dating primarily from the 1920s through the 1940s, these simple wooden cottages, with porches overlooking the sand and Pacific, evoke a slower, more carefree era of California beach life. Considered one of the last surviving examples of early Southern California coastal development, their rustic, unpretentious charm makes them especially memorable beach visit.
Drive North: My drive from Newport to San Francisco in total is 410 miles with stops along the way. From Newport take Highway 1 to Malibu and include a cultural stop at the Getty Villa.
The Getty Villa – Pacific Palisades
The design of Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades was inspired by the ancient Roman Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum. J. Paul Getty, the American oil tycoon and philanthropist, curated one of the world’s finest collections of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, fountains, and ocean breezes, the Getty Villa is a peaceful retreat. Wander through marble courtyards, admire centuries-old sculptures and mosaics, and enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific before continuing your journey north. It’s a reminder that California’s greatest road trips blend championship golf with world-class art, history, and architecture.
Below the museum back on Highway 1 stop at one of the surf shack looking sandwich shops, The Country Kitchen, and enjoy a sandwich while taking in the surfers and surf community. From here, continue along Highway 1 north and begin one of the most scenic coastal drives in North America.
The Journey North
The drive itself is as memorable as the golf.
Cruise along California’s iconic coastline and stop to explore little towns communities from Newport Beach to Malibu to Half, Moon Bay, Palo Alto ending in San Francisco. Each stretch of vista where the cliffs meet the Pacific Ocean is a constant reminder of why Highway 1 consistently ranks among the world’s greatest road trips.
Half Moon Bay Golf Links
Few golf courses deliver ocean drama quite like Half Moon Bay Golf Links.
Located just 30 miles south of San Francisco, this legendary resort features two outstanding championship layouts—the Ocean Course and the Old Course.
The Ocean Course is the star attraction. Its closing stretch hugs towering seaside bluffs, culminating with the unforgettable 18th hole, where the Pacific Ocean stretches endlessly beyond the green. It’s one of the most spectacular finishing holes in American golf and a bucket-list experience for players of every level.
The Old Course offers a more traditional parkland-style challenge while still showcasing beautiful coastal scenery.
The two courses are linked by The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. This spectacular hotel sits on the bluff overlooking the Pacific and here you will witness some of the most beautiful sunsets. After your round, settle onto the famous patio overlooking the 18th green and the ocean. As bagpipers perform during sunset a Half Moon Bay tradition, you’ll understand why so many golfers return year after year.
For a leisurely stroll downtown Half Moon Bay offers a charming, historic Main Street lined with a quaint bookshop, beautiful old church, local cafés, and a good variety of restaurants. The relaxed, small-town atmosphere encourages you to slow down and simply enjoy the surroundings with some yesteryear nostalgia.
Final Destination: TPC Harding Park – San Francisco
Every great golf road trip deserves a championship finale.
Nestled alongside Lake Merced in San Francisco, TPC Harding Park has evolved into one of America’s premier municipal golf facilities. Once a favorite of legends like Arnold Palmer and Ken Venturi, the course has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades.
Today, Harding Park has hosted some of golf’s biggest events, including the 2009 Presidents Cup and the 2020 PGA Championship. Towering Monterey cypress trees frame many holes, while cool coastal air and sometimes fog adds another layer of challenge.
Unlike the oceanfront golf earlier in the trip, Harding Park offers a championship test built on strategic shot-making rather than dramatic elevation or seaside vistas. Every hole rewards precision, making it a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable golf journey.
After your round, celebrate your trip with dinner along San Francisco’s waterfront, explore and the many amazing restaurants San Francisco has become famous for along with the sunset views from the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland Bay Bridge. Alternatively, if you are lucky enough like I was we had dinner on the Embarcadero waterfront then walked 15 minutes along the waterfront to a SF Giants baseball game. By far one of the greatest baseball fields, surrounded by the waterfront and the San Francisco skyline.
More Than Just Golf
One of the greatest aspects of this California road trip is the diversity of experiences between rounds. Every stop offers another opportunity to experience the relaxed lifestyle that defines California living. Pick up a copy of How to Travel: An Ancient Guide for the Modern Tourist and allow the ancient philosophers and California’s beauty remind you to allow the places to change the way you see the world and yourself.
The Perfect Summer Escape
A California golf road trip isn’t simply about checking famous courses off your bucket list. It’s about experiencing the rhythm of the coast—morning tee times with ocean breezes, afternoons driving winding highways, and evenings watching the sun disappear into the Pacific.
From the perch of Pelican Hill to the dramatic cliffside holes of Half Moon Bay Golf Links and the championship challenge of TPC Harding Park, this itinerary brings together three unforgettable golf experiences along one of America’s most scenic coastal drives.
Pack your clubs, roll down the windows, and head north. California’s coast is calling—and with every mile comes another spectacular view and another memorable round.
VISIT – Downtown Half Moon Bay is comprised of a charming, historic Main Street lined with a quaint bookshop, beautiful old church, local cafés, and a good variety of restaurants. The relaxed, small-town atmosphere encourages you to slow down and simply enjoy the surroundings.
ART – The Getty Villa in Malibu overlooking stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, was modeled after an ancient Roman villa and was created by Getty to display his art collection in a classical setting. J. Paul Getty, the American oil tycoon and philanthropist curated a major collection of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art, which became the foundation of the Getty Museum’s antiquities collection.
BOOK – How to Travel: An Ancient Guide for the Modern Tourist by M. D. Usher brings together passages from many ancient writers including Herodotus, Seneca, Tacitus, Egeria and Homer highlighting that travel is not simply about seeing new places—it is about allowing new places to change the way you see the world and yourself.
RESTAURANT – A little different recommendation in keeping with the golf theme is Birdie’s at Stanford Golf, a fun casual historic themed American clubhouse serving American style food and cocktails. The outdoor patio overlooks the 1930’s George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell designed golf course. It is open to the public, so you don’t need to be a golfer or Stanford Golf member to dine there.
SHOP – Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Cafe inside the historic Ferry Building. It’s both a caviar café and retail shop, where you can taste caviar flights with blini and buy tins to take home.