Wine Country Golf: California's Best-Kept Secret
The Napa Valley and Sonoma County are world-famous for wine β but the golf here is genuinely excellent too, and dramatically underrated by visitors who don't know to look for it. Silverado Resort in Napa is one of the premier golf resorts in Northern California, with two championship courses that have hosted PGA Tour events. Rooster Run and Foxtail in Petaluma offer terrific public golf at very reasonable prices.
What makes a wine country golf trip special is the complete experience. You'll play a morning round, spend the afternoon touring wineries along the Silverado Trail or in Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley, and end the day with a Michelin-starred dinner. It's the perfect itinerary for a group where some members golf and others don't.
The definitive wine country golf resort. Silverado features two PGA-caliber championship courses β the North and South β set across 1,200 acres of Napa Valley landscape. The historic manor house, renovated cottage accommodations, and full-service spa make this the complete package. Staying here means walking to your tee time and waking up in the Napa Valley. It's also one of the few Napa hotels with a genuinely great on-site restaurant.
One of Napa Valley's most prestigious retreats, Meadowood sits on 250 wooded acres in St. Helena with a 9-hole golf course, croquet lawns, tennis courts, and a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. The golf here is more of a leisurely amenity than a championship experience, but the overall property is stunning and the location puts you within easy reach of dozens of top Napa wineries.
The best hotel in downtown Napa β walkable to excellent restaurants, wine bars, and the Oxbow Public Market. The Andaz is a Hyatt property with stylish rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a very good on-site wine bar. It's about 10 minutes from Silverado Resort, making it a great base for golfers who want to be in the thick of Napa's dining and nightlife scene rather than tucked away on a resort.
A beautifully restored historic inn in the heart of Sonoma, within walking distance of the Sonoma Plaza and dozens of tasting rooms. MacArthur Place is a wonderful base for golfers heading to Rooster Run or Foxtail β both under 30 minutes away. The gardens, spa, and cozy atmosphere make it a perfect retreat after a day on the course.
Wine country vacation rentals are an excellent choice for golf groups. A 4-bedroom house in Napa or Sonoma often includes a private pool, full kitchen, and vineyard views β at a per-person cost far below comparable hotel rooms. Many properties sit on or adjacent to working vineyards, adding to the experience. Yountville and the Carneros region have particularly good rental inventory.
Napa & Sonoma Courses
Local Tips: Making the Most of Wine Country Golf
Book Silverado well in advance. Silverado's North Course in particular is very popular on weekends. Staying at the resort gives you priority access, but public tee times go fast β book at least two weeks ahead for weekends.
Play in the morning, wine taste in the afternoon. Most Napa and Sonoma tasting rooms open at 10am and close by 5pm. An early 7am or 8am tee time at Silverado gives you a relaxed round followed by a full afternoon on the Silverado Trail.
Sonoma is less crowded and more affordable than Napa. Rooster Run and Foxtail in Petaluma are excellent value courses, and Sonoma accommodations are generally 20β30% cheaper than equivalent Napa properties. If budget matters, base yourself in Sonoma.
Don't miss Yountville for dinner. This tiny town of 3,000 people has more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere on earth. The French Laundry, Bouchon, and Ad Hoc are all within walking distance of each other. Reserve months ahead for The French Laundry.