Cinnabar Hills Golf Club

Designed by acclaimed architect John Harbottle III and opened in 1998, it was the first new public golf course to open in San Jose in three decades. The layout is arranged as three distinct nines - the Canyon, the Lake and the Mountain - that combine into six different 18-hole routings, offering variety, scenic vistas and a genuine championship test amid the natural terrain of Silicon Valley's southern hills.

Course History

Cinnabar Hills takes its name from the rich, red cinnabar ore - a source of mercury - that was mined in these hills during the 1800s. When it opened in 1998, it became the first public golf course built in San Jose in roughly 30 years, filling a long-standing gap in the region's public golf offerings.

Since opening, the course has become a fixture of Northern California golf, regularly cited among the top public courses in the region. Its spacious clubhouse is also home to the Brandenburg Historical Golf Museum, a notable collection of golf memorabilia unique to the western United States.

The Design & Architecture

Architect John Harbottle III routed the course to work with the land, shaping each hole to follow the natural slope of the terrain and to protect the wildlife that inhabits the property. The result is a layout of gently rolling, manicured fairways, bunkering that blends into the topography, and large greens with subtle, gentle undulation. Spread across three nines - Canyon, Lake and Mountain - the design gives each loop its own identity while sharing a cohesive, naturalistic style.

Signature Holes

Cinnabar Hills has no single designated signature hole - with three nines combining into six routings, every regular has a different favorite - but a handful of holes draw consistent praise. The most photographed is the ninth on the Canyon nine, often described as one of the most picturesque holes on the property and a stern finisher that typically plays into the wind. The Canyon loop is the most strategic of the three, winding through wooded canyon terrain with major elevation changes, blind and deceptive tee shots, and forced carries over creeks and native hazards that reward local knowledge.

The Lake nine, where water figures most prominently, has its own memorable moments - the climbing uphill tee shot at the fourth and the short par-3 eighth among them. The Mountain nine is the most open and dramatic of the three: wide fairways invite aggressive driving, but tricky uphill and downhill shots, a few significant forced carries, and panoramic views across the South Bay make it the routing many players remember most.

Playing the Course

With three distinct nines, golfers can play six different 18-hole combinations, keeping the experience fresh on repeat visits. From the championship tees the course measures 6,688 yards to a par of 72, with a course rating of 72.9 and a slope of 138 - a solid test that rewards thoughtful position play as well as length. The rolling foothill setting brings elevation changes and scenic views, and a full-length driving range is available for warming up before the round.

Know Before You Go

• Public access - open to all players; book tee times in advance, especially for weekend mornings.

• Three nines (Canyon, Lake, Mountain) form six 18-hole combinations - confirm your routing when you check in.

• A driving range is on site for pre-round practice.

• Don't miss the Brandenburg Historical Golf Museum inside the clubhouse.