Flights, 5 Nights, 3 Rounds
If you're planning a California golf trip, most people beeline for Pebble Beach and the 17-Mile Drive. Fair enough, it's spectacular. But if you want a proper American classic, it's worth making the short hop inland to Santa Cruz to play Pasatiempo Golf Club.
Opened in 1929 and designed by Alister MacKenzie, Pasatiempo is all about angles, position and nerve. The routing tumbles over rolling, tree-lined terrain, with plenty of elevation change and a series of barrancas that force you to think, not just swing hard. The greens are the real defence: subtly shaped, deceptively quick and far more interested in precision than power. Add MacKenzie's bold, sculpted bunkering and you've got a course where you'll want to pick conservative targets, commit to them and accept that the odd miss will be punished.
Despite its pedigree and regular mentions in Top 100 conversations, Pasatiempo feels refreshingly grounded. It's not a resort set-up, it's golf first, scenery second and history everywhere. The par-3 16th, played across a deep barranca to a plateau green, is a hole you'll recognise from plenty of course photos, and it's even better in the flesh. If you like courses that reward course management and imagination, it's a brilliant counterpoint to the coastline's headline acts. It's an easy add-on if you're staying around Monterey, Carmel or Santa Cruz and want a day away from the oceanfront.
Who is this for?
Golf travellers who've already got Pebble on the list and want one inland round with genuine heritage, less resort gloss and a different style of test.
Who is it best for?
Players comfortable on fast, contoured greens who don't mind leaving the driver in the bag and value strategy, wedges and putting over pure length.
Flights, 5 Nights, 3 Rounds
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The Pasatiempo golf course is consistently ranked in the upper echelons of the United States' greatest layouts, thanks to the efforts of the revered Dr. Alister Mackenzie. The legendary Scot took full advantage of the enchanting Santa Cruz location, manufacturing a sublime course that winds through the avenues of trees, and between lovely ravines.
The semi-private Pasatiempo club welcomes visitors who are keen to experience the Mackenzie legacy. In fact, it was here that the Scot made his home; the property still borders the sixth fairway. Traditional and mature, Pasatiempo stands out as one of the best golf courses in California, an institution of golf in the United States, where the character and class of the course are a joy to behold.
| Par | 70 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Alister MacKenzie, Tom Doak |
| Opened for play | 1929 |
| Championship | 6,495 yards | SSS 72.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Mens | 6,093 yards | SSS 70.8 |
| Ladies | 5,595 yards | SSS 73.3 |
Stefan
✓7 Jul 2025
Don
✓26 May 2022
Very nice course in good condition, with very helpful staff. Would certainly recommend if in the area.
