5 Places to Golf in the East Bay Area

California may be known as a surfing hotspot, but the East Bay Area also has some world-class golf courses.

Many of these renowned layouts are designed by golf legends and architects and have been graced by some of the best players in the sport. Several East Bay Area courses have hosted prestigious tournaments, and many have won awards for their design. Regardless of your skill level, there’s an East Bay course for you to play and enjoy.

From an inviting 18-hole course surrounded by mature vineyards to a challenging Scottish links-style layout with sandy dunes, below are the five best places to golf in the East Bay.

Nestled in the Oakland Hills is the pristine Lake Chabot Golf Course. This course is an Oakland favorite, showing 27 holes of golf suitable for all skill levels.

The layout provides gorgeous panoramic views of Lake Chabot, the Bay Bridge, and Downtown Oakland. The 27 holes are split into an 18-hole course and an executive par-3 course for an excellent game combination. The golf course’s practice area also includes a fully equipped driving range. This beloved locale holds disc golf games and tournaments on its par-3 course. The disc golf course has a total of 36 holes, with two tees and baskets set up at every hole.

Lake Chabot Golf Course offers golf lessons to children and adults as well. Regular tournaments are held throughout the year, and there are various clubs for golfers to join. The Spanish-style clubhouse is a lovely place to relax after a long day on the fairway.

The Course at Wente Vineyards is an upscale golf course housed in the picturesque Livermore Valley. This 18-hole championship course was designed by golf legend Greg Norman and is suitable for both beginners and experts.

The jaw-dropping layout features a variety of natural landscapes, including lush woodlands, ripe vineyards, and rolling grasslands for an unparalleled golfing experience. Wente Vineyards has also hosted the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship, which is part of the distinguished PGA Nationwide Tour. Onsite practice facilities include a putting green, chipping green, driving range, and short-game area.

For those looking to enhance their game, Wente Vineyards offers golf workshops, lessons, and clinics led by official PGA Instructors. Member exclusive tournaments can also be booked and include all the golfing essentials—along with beverage service, a catered meal, and a merchandise credit to the Wente Vineyards Golf Shop.

Put your golf skills to the test at the 6,294-yard Tilden Park Golf Course. Situated above the campus of UC-Berkeley, this stunning golf course boasts an unforgettable golf setting surrounded by breathtaking bay and skyline vistas.

Created by golf course architect William Park Bell Jr., this 18-hole championship course is renowned for its tree-lined fairways and well-manicured greens. The 16th hole is a signature par-3 that starts at a raised tee box and overlooks the entire course. Tilden Park was recognized as the Best Golf Course in Oakland and the East Bay in 2010, courtesy of the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Practice areas include a three-tiered driving range, two putting greens, and a chipping space.

Tilden Park Golf Course provides golf instruction and camps tailored to each player’s needs. Whether you’re looking to work on your putting game or full swing, their team of qualified trainers will help you improve your game. Tournaments are also hosted regularly, such as the ever-popular East Bay Regional Golf Championship.

TPC Stonebrae is a links-style course reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. Sandy dunes abound in this 7,188-yard layout designed by David McLay Kidd, a celebrated golf course designer born and raised in Scotland.

TPC Stonebrae is an 18-hole championship course located in an elegant country club. The mountaintop layout features awe-inspiring scenery that spans as far as the eye can see. TPC Stonebrae’s par-72 course is challenging but worth every minute. The country club’s training facilities are some of the largest year-round, all-grass complexes in the entire Bay Area. A putting green, chipping green, driving range, and practice bunker offers unlimited balls. Complimentary GPS and launch monitors are also available.

TPC Stonebrae’s personalized instruction and certified programs are top-notch. Individual lessons, camps, and clinics are open to all age groups. The Titleist Performance Institute Certified program helps enhance players’ club head strength, power, speed, and golf swing flexibility. Stonebrae Cup tournaments are a fun monthly occurrence for club members.

Play a round of championship golf at Metropolitan Golf Links. An Oakland gem, this American-style links layout offers sensational views of the San Francisco Bay.

Metropolitan Golf Links is a first-class layout designed by former golf professional Johnny Miller and golf course architect Fred Bliss. The wide-open layout features immaculately maintained greens that keep the course fast and firm. The course route is unique—meandering up and down small hills and through patches of wetlands. Each tee-off also brings an exciting flair as wind conditions vary at every hole. Additionally, Metropolitan Golf Links has one of the few all-grass driving ranges in the Bay Area. There’s a vast short-game practice area to work on your chipping, pitching, and bunker play.

The golf academy at Metropolitan Golf Links consists of group classes and camps taught by a staff of golf specialists. The Metropolitan Junior Golf Program is also available for children and teaches various basic golfing techniques. Golf tournaments and outings are held throughout the year, along with nine-hole league play.

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