Paradise Valley Golf Course

Overview

Paradise Valley Golf Course is an 18-hole public (municipal) golf course in Fairfield, California, in the heart of Solano County between the Bay Area and Sacramento. Designed by noted golf architect Robert Muir Graves and opened in 1993, the course winds through a serene valley setting with oak-studded fairways, meandering seasonal creeks, and scenic lakes. Playing to a par of 72 and stretching to roughly 7,065 yards from the back tees, it has been a repeat winner of "Best Golf Course of Solano County" in the Vacaville Reporter reader polls and is widely regarded as one of the best public golf values in the North Bay.

Quick Facts

Course History

Paradise Valley opened in 1993 as part of the City of Fairfield's municipal golf offering, joining nearby Rancho Solano Golf Course under the Fairfield Golf umbrella. Built in a natural valley on the eastern edge of the city, it was designed to take advantage of the site's mature oaks, rolling terrain, and seasonal watercourses. Since opening, the course has earned a strong regional reputation, being voted the top course in Solano County by Vacaville Reporter readers for many consecutive years and consistently praised for its conditioning and value. Its practice complex was recognized as a 2021 Top 50 Public Range by the Golf Range Association of America.

Design & Architecture

The layout is the work of Robert Muir Graves, a prolific and respected Northern California golf architect known for routings that work with the natural landscape. At Paradise Valley, Graves used the valley's oak trees to frame fairways and routed several holes to follow the course's meandering creeks, producing a number of doglegs that reward thoughtful positioning off the tee. Water is a genuine strategic factor, coming into play on roughly nine holes, with scenic lakes featured on several of them. From the championship tees the course plays to about 7,065 yards, a par of 72, a course rating of 73.7, and a slope of 135, making it a stern but fair test for better players while remaining playable from the forward tees.

Playing the Course

Paradise Valley is a favorite among golfers who like to walk, thanks to its natural setting and generally reasonable walk between greens and tees. The signature hole is the par-5 10th, a three-shot test that begins with a well-placed tee shot laid up short of the lake before players commit to the approach. Accuracy is at a premium throughout, as the creeks and lakes punish loose shots and the oaks pinch several landing areas. A full practice facility supports pre-round warm-ups and lessons, including a lighted driving range with more than 30 stalls, grass tees on weekends, a short-game chipping area, and a large putting green, along with the on-site Golf Performance Center for club fitting and repair.

Know Before You Go

• Public, city-operated course open to all golfers; tee times can be booked through fairfieldgolf.com.

• Metal spikes are not permitted; wear soft-spike or spikeless golf shoes.

• Walking is popular and permitted; carts and club rentals are available.

• Lighted driving range (30+ stalls) with weekend grass tees, short-game area, and putting green on site.

• Water is in play on about nine holes, so bring extra golf balls and favor position over power.

• Located at 3950 Paradise Valley Dr., Fairfield; call (707) 426-1600 for the pro shop and event inquiries.