CALIFORNIA

The Dream 36

Pelican Hill Golf Club (877-735-4226,  pelicanhill.com) in Newport Coast is like Bandon Dunes in that they both have a pair of brilliantly crafted golf courses in spectacular oceanfront settings. The difference is that master architect Tom Fazio returned to his original Pelican Hill designs from the early 1990s and has completely refurbished all 36 holes to 21st-century standards. The result is an even grander golf experience at the same unrivalled location.

On the North Ocean Course that plays up into the coastal hills and the South Ocean Course that hugs the Pacific, Fazio installed new hybrid Bermuda on the fairways to enhance year-round consistency and lower-growing native plants to improve the views. He also added 200 yards to both courses and wider collars around most of the greens. Smoother rolls, bigger views, more challenging drives and more forgiving approaches: that’s a pretty good formula for a better round of golf.

Great customer service from the bag drop to the clubhouse restaurant is one Pelican Hill tradition that hasn’t changed. Also the same is the club’s convenient location, just an hour from Los Angeles and 45 minutes from LAX. And the cool seaside towns of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach are right next door. Whether you live in Southern California or plan to visit on vacation or business, you really should treat yourself to a day at Pelican Hill. 

Desert Willow Golf Resort (800-320-3323,  desertwillow.com ) is home to the top-rated Firecliff and Mountain View courses and your first-choice headquarters for every special event in California’s Palm Desert. From private outings and corporate meetings to school tournaments, banquets and even weddings, Desert Willow delivers the right facilities, atmosphere and golf-event format on two 18-hole courses that are immaculately groomed and environmentally certified. Complete packages can include lodging at four nearby resort-and-spa destinations. For a single round or a sublime event in the Palm Desert area, Desert Willow is a winner.

Stay, Stroll, Swing (Repeat)

Indian Wells Golf Resort (760-346-4653,  indianwellsgolfresort.com) may be the freshest and most convenient vacation destination in California. Both the Celebrity Course and the Players Course have opened in just the past three years, along with a new practice facility and enormous clubhouse. That’s the fresh. The convenience is found at four luxurious resort hotels that are located within walking distance of the golf courses. So are 57 tennis courts, 11 pools, three spas and much more. Pack your sandals and park your car for your entire golf getaway at Indian Wells.