The San Francisco Bay Area golf market is expensive, dramatic, and geographically varied — ocean bluffs at Pacifica, redwood canyons in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and bay-view fairways in the East Bay and Marin. The region has some of the most scenic public golf in the country and some of the most expensive. The marine climate means year-round play with minimal heat and, on the coast, persistent summer fog.
San Francisco Bay Area Green Fees (2026)
| Course | Weekday 18 | Weekend 18 | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gleneagles | $35 | $35 | 4.1 ★ |
| Poplar Creek Golf Course | $45 | $62 | 4.1 ★ |
| Callippe Preserve Golf Course | $49 | $65 | 4.5 ★ |
| Crystal Springs Golf Course | $67 | $102 | 3.9 ★ |
| Poppy Ridge Golf Course | $150 | $175 | 4.5 ★ |
Verified from course websites · Showing 5 courses with published pricing · Verify before booking
The Olympic Club & Harding Park
TPC Harding Parkin San Francisco (host of the 2020 PGA Championship) is the city's premier public course — a tournament-quality layout managed by the City of San Francisco at green fees accessible to daily-fee players. The course is periodically closed for tour events but is otherwise one of the best public course values for a PGA Tour host in the country. See current rates in the pricing table above.
Sharp Park & Lincoln Park: Alister MacKenzie Designs
San Francisco's municipal golf system includes two Alister MacKenzie designs — Sharp Park Golf Course (oceanside in Pacifica, controversial for environmental reasons but architecturally fascinating) and Lincoln Park Golf Course(sweeping views of the Golden Gate and Marin Headlands, a true San Francisco icon at city rates). Lincoln Park is the most affordable golf with a genuinely world-class view anywhere in the country. See current rates in the pricing table above.
The East Bay & Peninsula Value Tier
Monarch Bay Golf Club in San Leandro and Boundary Oak Golf Coursein Walnut Creek (Contra Costa County) are the East Bay's best value daily-fee options. On the Peninsula, Crystal Springs Golf Course (below the reservoir, one of the most dramatic settings in Bay Area golf) and Poplar Creek Golf Course in San Mateo offer competitive pricing. See current rates in the pricing table above.
Bay Area Golf by Season
- Year-round: The Bay Area has no bad golf month weather-wise. Temperatures rarely exceed 75°F or drop below 45°F anywhere in the metro.
- June–August: Summer fog on the coast can delay morning tee times significantly. East Bay and South Bay courses are clearer. Afternoon play is optimal coastside in summer.
- September–November: Best overall window — fog burns off fastest, warmest inland temperatures, often the clearest skies of the year. Peak fall demand.
- December–February: Rainy season. Courses are playable but can be soft. Rates drop. The best value window for Bay Area golf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best public golf course in San Francisco?
TPC Harding Park (2020 PGA Championship host) is the premier daily-fee experience — tournament quality at public course pricing. Lincoln Park Golf Course (MacKenzie design, Golden Gate views) is the iconic San Francisco city course. Sharp Park in Pacifica is the most dramatic oceanside experience.
Is San Francisco golf expensive?
The Bay Area runs above national averages — driven by the region's high cost base and the premium placed on scenic courses. TPC Harding Park and the city's MacKenzie courses are notable exceptions. East Bay and Peninsula daily-fee courses offer the best value in the metro relative to quality.
Can you golf year-round in San Francisco?
Yes — the Bay Area's mild marine climate makes year-round golf practical. Summer fog is the main variable: coastal courses (Lincoln Park, Sharp Park) can have morning fog delays June–August. East Bay and South Bay courses are clearer in summer. The rainy season (December–February) softens courses but rarely prevents play.
When is the best time to golf in the Bay Area?
September and October are the optimal window — fog clears fastest, warmest inland temperatures, and excellent course conditions. Fall demand at popular courses is high — book ahead. December–February offers the best rates with playable conditions. Summer afternoons on the coast are beautiful once the fog burns off.