Southern California's No. 1 Source for Golf
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 I love everything about wine tasting — the green, rolling hills of the region, the incredible restaurants and the quiet spirit of nearby towns. I could just as easily hop on a plane to Napa as take the I-15 to Temecula. The experience, for me, is the same. Not since Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau headed to Las Vegas in 1996’s “Swingers” have Southern Californians been so eager for a road trip. In fact, after seeing last year’s sleeper, “Sideways,” adventure-seeking folks are coming from around the country to get a taste of the Central Coast. I predict we’ll be seeing a lot more attention on California’s burgeoning wine regions, and for good reason. Here are some destination spots where you can eat, drink and play some of the best golf courses on the West Coast. Sonoma Only a 20-minute jaunt north of Napa, Sonoma County has become a renowned wine-making region, offering some of the finest Syrahs and cabernets around. Stop by the Buena Vista Winery and the Nicholson Ranch Winery, both in Sonoma, to see why. If wine tasting isn’t your speed, there are hot air balloon rides, bike expeditions and plenty of golf. Consider staying at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, which has 228 rooms, including 60 suites and a 40,000-square-foot spa built on a site where American Indians discovered natural underground hot mineral waters centuries ago. The 7,100-yard golf course is a masterpiece set on 177 acres against the Mayacamas Mountains with views of neighboring vineyards. The resort also offers a golf school for all levels of play. Other courses in the area include the Adobe Creek Golf Club and the Rooster Run Golf Club, both in nearby Petaluma. You can find just about any cuisine you desire, from picnics packed at Oakville Grocery to Restaurant Charcuterie, a favorite with locals featuring fresh, locally grown foods. Both are in Healdsburg. Napa Valley France has Bordeaux. We have Napa. The region with the greatest acreage of vineyards in the state, Napa has everything from wine tastings at private estates and hot air balloon rides to spa treatments and river adventures. Silverado Resort, a 1,200-acre retreat, features a full-service spa and private cottages clustered around a European-inspired mansion, which houses two restaurants and the lobby. You may have caught a glimpse of the resort’s golf course, which has hosted the PGA Tour and Champions Tour over the last two decades. There are two Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed courses that cover 360 acres and feature lush vegetation, ponds, lakes, sweet water creeks, trees arching over the fairways and well-placed traps and greens. Nearby public courses include Paradise Valley and Las Positas. Just as pleasant, but not as close to a golf course, is the Harvest Inn, a boutique hotel that is peaceful and serene, with meandering gardens and pathways. Tour Napa’s oldest continuing winery, Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena, or Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville aboard the Wine Train by day, and dine at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone or the Tra Vigne Restaurant in nearby Calistoga. Both have incredible food and atmosphere. Santa Cruz Best known for its historic boardwalk, Santa Cruz is also home to rows of vineyards and some of the most recognized wineries in California, including Bonny Doon Vineyard. Founded by Randall Grahm — who is among a group of California winemakers known as the Rhone Rangers for experimenting with varietals from France’s Rhone region — the winery’s label is often seen on store shelves and purchased not only for the flavor but unique names such as Heart of Darkness and La Cigare. The area is dotted with B&Bs and cottage inns, but none may be finer than The Inn at Pasatiempo and Gate House. Each of the 54 rooms is decorated with French furnishings, some of the more expensive ones with fireplaces, canopy beds and jet tubs. Next door is Pasatiempo Golf Course, a 6,439-yard, par-70 course rated as one of the top 100 in the country by “Golf Digest.” Located in the hills, the course offers golfers scenic views of Monterey Bay on a clear day. Additional courses include De Laveaga Golf Course, Pajaro Valley Golf Club in nearby Royal Oaks, and Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club in Boulder Creek. Besides wine and golf, you can explore the tide pools at Natural Bridges State Park or tour the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Central Coast From San Luis Obispo to Santa Ynez, this wine region is growing in size and well-deserved recognition. A hotel and golf course can be found at The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort, set on a 10,000-acre working cattle ranch in Solvang. The site features two courses designed by Billy Bell — the Ranch Course and the River Course. If you’ve played these and would like to try another course, consider the scenic Blacklake Golf Resort in Nipomo (between Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo) or Morro Bay Golf Course. Both have ocean views. Cypress Ridge, a Peter Jacobsen Signature course in Arroyo Grande, and the Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles are also close by. Other great choices include Rancho San Marcos, Sandpiper and Glen Annie, which all offer world-class courses as well as scenery. Temecula There is so much going on in Temecula. The wine corridor features about two dozen places to taste wine, including Thornton and Wilson Creek wineries. Callaway Vineyard and Winery has a spectacular restaurant in the middle of a working vineyard, where the view rivals the cuisine for top billing. Temecula Creek Inn offers 130-room accommodations, regional cuisine and 27 holes of championship golf, tennis, hiking and spa treatments. You can park yourself here and never leave during your stay — it’s that beautiful. But if you venture to other courses, check out Temeku Hills, CrossCreek and Menifee Lakes. All have great layouts and offer plenty of challenge. Hot spots also include the Pala and Pechanga casinos, hot air ballooning, Old Town Temecula’s antique haunts and nearby shopping in Lake Elsinore. Best part is, you can be there in about an hour — just in time for a taste. n |
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