An ideal golf vacation day looks like this: a leisurely morning with nine holes on a picturesque course, followed by an afternoon wine tasting at a beautiful vineyard — a little sport, followed by a little indulgence.
While California has no shortage of fantastic fairways and wonderful wineries, a trip that delivers both requires a proper home base, one that puts a championship course and a world-class wine region within a long approach shot of each other. These five resorts do exactly that. Here’s where to play and sip in the Golden State.
Bernardus Lodge & Spa
Carmel Valley is one of the most charming areas on the Central Coast. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Bernardus Lodge & Spa delivers top-notch cuisine in a relaxed, refined setting. Earlier this year, the hotel refreshed the pool area with new furniture, lounges and cabanas, and a room update is underway, with completion set for the end of 2026.
Bernardus Lodge is one of roughly a dozen hotels in the U.S. to lend guests a Mercedes-Benz for up to four hours, so grab a house car and head to TPC Monterey at Pasadera, a nearby private country club, for a round of golf. The only Jack Nicklaus Signature course on the Monterey Peninsula, TPC is a 15-minute ride from Bernardus and has an exclusive partnership with the property. Book the Stay-and-Play package, and the resort will help arrange your tee time.
As an American Viticultural Area, Carmel Valley is known for its Bordeaux-style reds and cool-climate chardonnays and pinot noirs. Taste all three at Bernardus Winery. Hotel guests enjoy a tasting at the facility, a five-minute drive away. Other tasting rooms worth a visit include I. Brand & Family Winery, which makes aromatic whites and old-vine grenache; Holman Ranch, a historic hilltop estate with excellent chardonnay; and Folktale Winery, which boasts live music, food and a lineup of wines from sparkling to syrah.
Five-Star Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is nestled among the gardens, nature trails and citrus and olive groves of North San Diego County. The chic, Spanish-inspired resort has cozy casitas, inviting outdoor fire pits and secluded pools. Recent additions include three padel courts by Wilson and a new pool, The Paddock, with a retro arcade game cabana.
While Rancho Valencia doesn’t have 18 holes onsite, it’s near several high-profile courses. Book the Golfer’s Paradise Package, and a tacos-and-tequila spread will greet you before you’re whisked to a nearby course such as Del Mar Country Club, The Grand Golf Club at Fairmont Grand Del Mar or Aviara Golf Club every day. No need to travel with your clubs because the package also includes complimentary use of brand-new Callaway sets for both men and women.
Although San Diego isn’t typically known as a wine-growing region, Escondido and North Poway are home to a handful of stellar producers. Visit Bernardo Winery to learn about antique winemaking techniques — the property started making wine in 1889 and is one of Southern California’s oldest facilities. Orfila Vineyards & Winery has a reputation for its Rhône varietals and Mediterranean-inspired grounds, while Cordiano Winery is a family-operated estate that focuses on Italian varietals such as sangiovese and pinot grigio.
Pebble Beach Golf Links is arguably California’s most iconic place to play golf. There are three premier resorts along 17-Mile Drive, and Four-Star Lodge at Pebble Beach is a favorite among players. It’s a timeless, handsome property with rooms overlooking the famed 18th hole, where Tiger Woods and Tom Watson earned historic US Open wins.
Guests looking to unwind with a glass of wine after the 18th hole can head to Stave Wine Cellar, a lounge at Four-Star Inn at Spanish Bay. The boutique curates an extensive selection of more than 200 wines by the bottle and nearly 50 by the glass, including local producers and coveted, hard-to-find labels. This sommelier-run tasting room has everything from Krug Brut champagne to Harlan Estate cabernet sauvignon.
For a more immersive experience, the charming nearby town of Carmel-by-the-Sea has more than 15 tasting rooms, all within walking distance of one another. Enjoy Monterey-made bottlings such as Cypress Grove Winery’s sauvignon blanc and Silvestri’s estate-grown pinot noir and syrah.
Lastly, check out what’s happening at Pèppoli, the Inn’s Italian restaurant, and Stillwater Bar & Grill, The Lodge at Pebble Beach’s signature seafood spot. They host regular wine dinners, with winery representatives on hand to pour exclusive sips and interact with guests. On October 15, next-generation winemakers from Paul Hobbs, Occidental Wines and Turley Wine Cellars will be featured at a special Pèppoli dinner, and Dom Pérignon takes center stage at a celebratory event at Stillwater on November 17.
Ojai Valley Inn
The century-old Four-Star Ojai Valley Inn is a magical place to stay. With a challenging golf course, a relaxing spa, several distinct dining options and activities such as beekeeping, horseback riding and aerial yoga, there’s much to love about the property.
For wine tasting, though, you’ll have to leave the resort. The Ojai Vineyard is in the heart of downtown and maintains more than 300 wines at the tasting room, from Central Coast syrah to cool-climate chardonnay. At Majestic Oak Vineyard, a family-owned operation also downtown, enjoy a glass of pinot grigio or grenache on a shaded, sunken patio. Book ahead for a tasting at Ojai Mountain Estate, California’s highest coastal vineyard. Veteran Sonoma winemaker Erich Bradley, who has more than 25 vintages under his belt, makes the wines there now. Views of the valley accompany every tasting.
Silverado Resort
Although Napa County has hundreds of wineries, there aren’t nearly as many golf courses. In fact, there’s only one property in the region with PGA Tour pedigree, and it’s Silverado Resort. The hotel recently opened a new restaurant, Matchplay Kitchen + Bar, which serves elevated clubhouse cuisine, and debuted its newly renovated Spa & Longevity Center.
The two 18-hole layouts are exclusive to resort guests and members. The North Course is more challenging and suited to seasoned players, while the South Course provides a more relaxed, scenic round.
Book the Napa Crush package, and you’ll get exclusive access to the nearby wineries. Enjoy Arrow & Branch’s Coronet experience, which includes a tasting of the brand’s first vintage of Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard cabernet sauvignon, a rare wine from a premier heritage site. Other partners include Sequoia Grove, Louis Martini and Robert Biale Vineyards. Each tasting room offers a unique experience — you could do a cave tasting at Pine Ridge or nosh on a complimentary cheese and charcuterie board at Ladera Vineyards — that’s available only to Silverado guests.
