If you have the time to travel with your clubs, playing golf in Northern California Wine Country makes for a quintessential golf and wine getaway. The dream of having a golf and wine lifestyle is why we decided on investing in Sonoma and since then, we’ve played several public courses.

Eagle Vines, Napa

Playing these public golf courses will not disappoint on your next Northern Ca visit.

There are many great regions around the country that have amazing golf but for the best golf AND wine experience, you have to play golf in Northern California. You haven’t yet? You should definitely put this on your bucket list.

Sure, Pebble Beach will always be a favorite but if you also want to include world-class wine tasting to boot, don’t settle; just come here.

The FIVE public golf courses to play in Northern CA

1. The Links at Bodega Harbor is a nice course with beautiful sea views but I’d save this for the summertime as it can get very windy. It's a bit of a drive from the Sonoma Wine Nest vacation rental in the heart of Sonoma County but having clam chowder or fish and chips in Bodega Bay right after playing 18 holes would make for a nice day.

2. Eagles Vines Golf Club (at the top of the blog) I find to be the most beautiful in Napa. It was the first course we played in the area so it just holds that special place for me. You play in the vines and I hardly remember seeing any trees so it feels like heaven. It can also get windy like in Bodega but it's really beautiful. It was like playing in someone’s living room with comfy furniture.

3. The Chardonnay Golf Club (above) just south of Napa is really pretty too with hills and vineyards that surround many of the holes. Richard mentioned the great shot I did on the 10th hole which I had no recollection of until I pulled up the photo above. Yes - 6 inches from the hole. With that kind of backdrop, you can skip dreaming of playing on the PGA tour.

4. Windsor Golf Club not too far from the vacation rental is a good course too. We've gone several times and I really like it. My husband played in college and he even said it's not a bad course for a public one. It’s like grabbing a quick nonchalant bite somewhere in Sonoma County and you find that your grub is just fabulous.

5. And least not I forget! For the most exquisite 9-par course you'll ever play, there's the Northwood Golf Club in Guerneville. You'll play a quick 9-round in the sequoias - just beautiful! So if you have someone in your party that just wants to play 9-holes, you’re in luck!

Let me know if you want any more details but these are the ones we've played and can absolutely attest to.

Oh! And another one I’d like to make a special mention of is the course in Livermore at Wente Vineyards. We saw a wedding couple taking their photos on the course as we played and why shouldn’t they? The golf here during sunset is spectacular. I still can’t believe we drove here from Los Angeles, played 18 holes, had a burger right after (with the best wine of course), stopped to buy a rug for the house in Emeryville (for our guests to enjoy), and drove in late that night. (I guess that’s how we roll sometimes.)

Which ones did I miss?

Do tell.

Cheers!