Lone Tree Golf Course

Overview

Operating since 1934, it is one of the longest-running courses in Contra Costa County. The rolling parkland layout plays to a par of 72 and stretches to roughly 6,427 yards from the back tees, offering approachable, playable golf framed by mature native trees and sweeping views of the surrounding hills.

Now branded as Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, the property pairs affordable daily-fee golf with a full-service clubhouse and event facilities, making it a popular choice for casual rounds, leagues, and outings.

Course History

Lone Tree opened in 1934 as a nine-hole course laid out across the open hillsides adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park, its character defined by the grassy hills on which it was set. Nine additional holes were built in the early 1950s to complete the current 18-hole routing, and trees were planted over the following decades to frame the fairways and give the course its parkland feel.

The greens were substantially rebuilt around 1990, with the exception of the 12th and 15th, which remain from the original construction and are the two smallest putting surfaces on the course. In 2019 the club converted all of its putting surfaces to Champion Bermuda, a warm-season grass suited to the region's hot summers.

The Design & Architecture

The layout is credited to prolific California golf architect Bob Baldock along with John Harbottle III. The result is a classic parkland design routed over gently rolling terrain, with generous landing areas that reward playability over penalty. Fairways are lined with mature native trees, including red oaks, cypress, eucalyptus, and Ponderosa pines, which provide definition and shade rather than constant hazard.

Bunkering is modest but strategically placed around fairways and greens, and the green complexes offer just enough challenge to keep approach shots interesting without overwhelming higher-handicap players. Elevation changes across the property open up attractive views of the surrounding Delta hills and Mount Diablo.

Playing the Course

From the back tees Lone Tree measures 6,427 yards to a par of 72, with a course rating of 71.1 and a slope of 124. Multiple sets of tees, ranging down to about 5,586 yards, make the course accessible to players of all abilities. Tee shots are generally open and forgiving, so scoring often comes down to controlling approach distances into the varied green complexes and taking advantage of the reachable holes.

With relatively flat, walkable stretches and a moderate slope, it is a comfortable walk or ride and a good option for a quick, affordable round in the East Bay.

Know Before You Go

• Public, municipal 18-hole course open for daily-fee play; tee times can be booked by phone or online.

• Practice facilities include a large lighted driving range with target greens, a spacious putting green, and a short-game area with practice bunkers.

• A full clubhouse and event center on site hosts weddings, tournaments, and outings.

• Summers in Antioch are hot and dry; the Champion Bermuda greens are built to handle the heat, but plan for sun protection and hydration.

• Located at 4800 Golf Course Rd, Antioch, CA 94531, at the base of Mount Diablo State Park in the East Bay Delta region.