Peacock Gap Golf Club

William F. Bell designed Peacock Gap in 1960, and his name is worth knowing because it's attached to Torrey Pines — both the North and South courses in San Diego that have hosted multiple U.S. Opens. Bell brought the same meticulous approach to this par-71 layout in San Rafael, routing it along terrain adjacent to San Pablo Bay with views of the Marin hills and a layout that rewards precision without punishing recreational golfers off the tee. Forrest Richardson completed a renovation in 2008 that updated drainage, reshaped five greens, and relocated bunkers while preserving the classic character Bell established. Marin Magazine has rated it Best in County, which reflects a genuine consensus among the Marin golf community.

The course plays 6,261 yards from the back tees with four sets of tees starting at 4,828 yards — a span that makes it accessible to a wide range of players without dumbing down the challenge at the top end. Five par 3s range from 130 to 190 yards from the tips, and the number-one handicap hole is the 381-yard par-4 fifth, a tight dogleg left to a well-guarded green with a bunker front and three more on the left side. The par-3 sixth and par-3 16th both have water in play. The layout is flat enough to walk comfortably, which is increasingly rare at courses with this level of conditioning.

The practice facilities are genuinely worth noting: Peacock Gap has the only all-grass driving range in Marin County, along with two large practice greens and a chipping and bunker area. The history runs deep too — U.S. Open champion Billy Casper played here, and celebrity tournaments through the decades brought out Bob Hope, Kirk Douglas, Lucille Ball, and Dean Martin. The clubhouse restaurant handles breakfast and lunch with a local following that extends well beyond the golf membership.