Silicon Valley golfers are spoiled for choice. The South Bay stretches from the reclaimed baylands of Mountain View down through San Jose to the oak-studded hills of Morgan Hill and Gilroy, and its public courses range from Jack Nicklaus championship layouts to breezy, walkable municipals. Here are the ten best public golf courses in the South Bay.
The strongest tests sit at the valley's southern end, where Coyote Creek and Eagle Ridge deliver true championship golf, while Cinnabar Hills and Shoreline give San Jose players premium daily-fee options close to home.
Coyote Creek Golf Club (Tournament) — A Jack Nicklaus Signature layout in Morgan Hill and the highest-rated public course in the South Bay — a former Champions Tour host with big, bold shaping.
Coyote Creek Golf Club (Valley) — The gentler of Coyote Creek's two courses, the Valley is a fun, playable complement to the Tournament — still a serious ball-striking test.
Eagle Ridge Golf Club — A dramatic Gilroy course draped over the foothills, with elevation changes, oak-lined fairways and one of the highest slopes in the region.
Cinnabar Hills Golf Club — A 27-hole ranch-country facility in the San Jose hills, Cinnabar is a longtime local favorite for its scenery, conditioning and shot variety.
Shoreline Golf Links — A Robert Trent Jones Jr. links beside the bay in Mountain View — firm, breezy and framed by Shoreline Amphitheatre, with San Francisco skyline views.
Los Lagos Golf Course — A modern, environmentally-designed San Jose muni with generous fairways and excellent practice facilities — a smart pick for improving your game.
Bay View Golf Club — A well-conditioned Milpitas layout (formerly Summitpointe) climbing into the eastern foothills with commanding valley views.
Santa Teresa Golf Club — A mature Robert Muir Graves–reworked parkland course in south San Jose, long a reliable and affordable everyday round.
The Golf Club at Moffett Field — Set on the historic naval air station, this walkable, wind-exposed course offers great value and a slice of Bay Area aviation history.
San Jose Municipal Golf Course — The city's flagship muni — a Robert Muir Graves design with a strong practice center and some of the best rates in the valley.
Planning Your Round
Summer afternoons in the South Bay are hot and breezy; morning tee times are cooler and calmer. The Morgan Hill and Gilroy courses are worth the short drive for a genuine championship test.
Coyote Creek's Tournament course is the area's premier public championship test — book ahead.
San Jose residents get discounted rates at the city's municipal courses.
Los Lagos and San Jose Muni have the best practice facilities for a range session.
Looking further afield? Our two-hour golf road trips from San Francisco and best public courses by region guides cover the rest of Northern California.