[COURSE CLOSED IN 2020]
4600 Hwy 154, Santa Barbara, California 93105
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb. Long green-to-tee walk between holes 10 and 11.
Surroundings:
Woodland, rural countryside and riverside
Designer:
Robert Trent Jones II (lead designer Bruce Charlton).
34.546660
-119.876069
15 miles NW of Santa Barbara
From Hwy 101 west of Santa Barbara take exit 101 and head north on the 154 (San Marcos Pass Rd). After 12 miles turn right into Live Oak Rd and the Rancho San Marcos Golf Club.
Rancho San Marcos
Rancho San Marcos Golf Course: GOLF COURSE CLOSED IN 2020, possibly on a permanent basis.
[Original Where2Golf description]: What Santa Barbara may lack in quantity of golf courses, Rancho San Marcos certainly makes up for in quality. For seaside golf, few courses in California are bettered by Sandpiper. Heading inland, Rancho San Marcos is another gem. Built on the site of the historic Rancho San Marcos (c. 1804), this Robert Trent Jones Jr design occupies wonderfully undulating terrain in a stunningly beautiful area of hills, mountains, lakes and oak forests.
Laid out alongside the rock-strewn Santa Ynez River, the gently undulating front-nine, at times open, at other times more tree-lined, introduces you to generally good-width fairways, sprawling greenside and fairway bunkers and occasional water hazards.
The back-nine, with greater elevation changes, serves up many fabulous golf holes and no end of breathtaking vistas. From the par-3 13th tee you can look back down the stunning Santa Ynez Valley. Another par-3 at 14, and this time an impressive view over Lake Cachuma, most likely with eagles soaring overhead.
The golf course continually exudes quality and challenge, as well as a perfect fit with its ruggedly beautiful and tranquil surroundings. There is no housing to be seen on or from the course, although a few historic items are occasionally in evidence; namely a few preserved 19th century adobe structures and the route of the San Marcos Stagecoach trail (in use until 1901), which runs alongside the par-4 17th.
Course closed in 2020; possibly on a permanent basis.
Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted. Golf carts available to rent.
Good
Rancho San Marcos was established as an outpost of the Santa Barbara Mission in 1804 ... the golf course was introduced 194 years later, in 1998. Named after Friar Marcos Amestoy, the compound included a chapel and living quarters, a granary, wine cellar, and dwellings for the Chumash Native Americans. In addition there was a wine press, pottery kiln, threshing corral, and livestock pens.
Presided over by one or two padres from the Mission, the Chumash raised grain, tended the vineyards, and the herds of sheep, cattle, and horses. The land was rugged, undeveloped and wild. Grizzly and brown bears, mountain lions, and bobcats devastated livestock and threatened the rancheros.
5665 Hollister Ave, Goleta, California 93117
+1 (805) 681 9800
Visit websiteThe Hampton Inn Goleta is conveniently located in the heart of Old Town Goleta, within eight miles of historic downtown Santa Barbara and its renowned shops and restaurants. Goleta beach is just over a mile away from the hotel.
No
Sandpiper; Glen Annie
Ranch San Marcos
8301 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, California 93117
+1 (805) 968 0100
Visit websiteLike an intimate Mediterranean village, Bacara sprawls over 78 acres of beachfront, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains. Located just a few hundred yards along the coast from Sandpiper Golf Club, the prestigious resort of Bacara has 311 rooms and 49 specialty suites, which, like the resort's signature restaurants and spa facilities are luxurious, understated, intimate and relaxed. Every room features a private patio or balcony.
No
Sandpiper (o.5 mls); Glen Annie
Rancho San Marcos
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