About Silverado Resort North Course
Silverado's North Course is the one the PGA Tour uses, which tells you what you need to know about its quality relative to other Napa Valley options. The Fortinet Championship (formerly the Safeway Open) has opened the Tour's fall season here for years, and while tour players talk about scoring opportunities, the course presents a genuinely different challenge to recreational golfers dealing with the same oak-lined corridors and quick greens. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the layout in 1967; a significant renovation in the early 2000s tightened the conditioning to Tour standards without substantially changing the routing.
The North Course plays through an oak forest that feels a long way from the vineyard floor of Napa Valley — you don't get the sweeping agricultural panoramas you might expect from Wine Country golf. What you get instead is a classic parkland layout where Silverado Creek enters play on several mid-round holes and where the fairways are wide enough to encourage aggression but the approach angles punish it. The greens are large and undulating; two-putts from outside 20 feet require reading slopes that first-timers won't see. At 6,898 yards from the back tees with a 74.2 rating, it's a legitimate test that will expose weaknesses in anyone's game.
The resort infrastructure at Silverado is first-rate — this is a full AAA Four Diamond property, and the golf experience reflects that. The pro shop is well-stocked, the practice facility is Tour-caliber, and the dining options on property range from casual to seriously good. For Bay Area golfers, Silverado makes the most sense as a weekend trip pairing golf with the inevitable Napa tasting rooms. The course is about 90 minutes from San Francisco and worth the drive purely on the golf merits. Book well ahead for Saturday morning tee times from May through October.
⛳ 18-Hole Championship Course🎯 Par 72🏌️ Driving Range🛒 Pro Shop🍽️ Restaurant & Bar🛎️ Resort Hotel📱 Online Booking🍷 Wine Country Setting
🏌️ Local Tips & Insider Advice
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Stay on property for tee time priority and package rates
Silverado offers golf packages that include accommodation and rounds at both the North and South courses. The savings are meaningful and you sidestep the early-morning booking scramble.
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The South Course is shorter and more forgiving
If you're bringing mixed-handicap groups, the South Course (par 72, 6,632 yards) is more accessible while still offering quality golf. Many groups play one of each over a weekend visit.
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Book Napa restaurants before your tee time
The best Napa Valley restaurants (Bouchon, La Toque, Bottega) book weeks out. If you're pairing golf with dining — and you should — restaurant reservations are harder to get than tee times.
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Fall is the sweet spot for Silverado golf
The Fortinet Championship typically plays in September/October. Playing the same course the week after Tour pros have been there is a genuinely cool experience, and fall weather in Napa is exceptional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What PGA Tour event is held at Silverado Resort?
The Fortinet Championship, which opens the PGA Tour's fall season each September, is held on the North Course at Silverado Resort. Previously known as the Safeway Open, the event has been a fixture at Silverado for many years.
What is the green fee at Silverado Resort North Course?
Public green fees on the North Course range from $85 to $185 depending on day, time, and season. Resort guests and package bookings receive preferential rates. The South Course is typically $10–$30 less than the North.
Who designed Silverado Resort North Course?
Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed both the North and South Courses at Silverado, which opened in 1967. Robert Trent Jones Jr. is responsible for many of California's finest resort layouts, including Poppy Hills at Pebble Beach.
How far is Silverado Resort from San Francisco?
Silverado Resort in Napa is approximately 55 miles northeast of San Francisco — roughly 75 to 90 minutes by car depending on Bay Bridge and Highway 12 traffic. It's most practical as an overnight trip, though a day trip from the East Bay is manageable.
Location & Directions