Redwood Canyon Golf Course

Formerly known as Willow Park Golf Course, the layout winds through a scenic canyon setting where the San Leandro Creek comes into play on nearly every hole. With mature trees, natural wildlife, and views of the surrounding hillsides, it offers an approachable yet engaging round for players of all abilities and remains one of the Bay Area's most enjoyable golf destinations.

Course History

The course opened in 1966 and was originally known as Willow Park Golf Course. For decades it served as a popular municipal-style destination for East Bay golfers, offering affordable public access in a natural canyon setting. It later took the name Redwood Canyon, a nod to its location on the southern end of Redwood Canyon, an area once home to thousands of towering redwood trees before they were logged in the 1880s.

Today the facility continues to operate as a welcoming public course and one of the more accessible ways to enjoy golf amid the scenery of Northern California's hills. Its long history and community roots make it a familiar fixture in the Castro Valley area.

The Design & Architecture

The layout was designed by the prolific father-and-son architectural team of Bob E. Baldock and Robert L. Baldock, who shaped numerous public courses across California and the western United States. At Redwood Canyon they routed the holes through a compact canyon corridor, using the natural topography of the rolling East Bay hills and the meandering San Leandro Creek as defining features. The result is a walkable, tree-lined design that emphasizes accuracy and shot placement over raw length.

Playing the Course

Measuring 5,801 yards to a par of 71 with a course rating of 68.0 and a slope of 116, Redwood Canyon plays as a moderate test that rewards positioning and course management. The San Leandro Creek comes into play on nearly every hole, so keeping the ball in the fairway is essential, while the surrounding hills and mature trees frame each shot. It is a forgiving enough layout for higher handicappers to enjoy, yet the water and tree-lined corridors give better players plenty to think about.

Know Before You Go

• This is a public course open to all players; tee times can be booked in advance.

• The course is located at 17007 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546; call (510) 537-8001 for information.

• A practice area and driving range are available on site to warm up before your round.

• With the San Leandro Creek in play on nearly every hole, consider packing a few extra golf balls.