Los Verdes Golf Course

Owned and operated by Los Angeles County, this 18-hole William F. Bell design opened in 1964 and remains one of the busiest and best-value municipal courses in the region.

Course History

Los Verdes opened in 1964 as a Los Angeles County regional park facility, carved into the dramatic coastal terrain of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It was designed by William F. Bell, the prolific Southern California architect whose family firm shaped dozens of the region's public and private courses. Over the decades it has grown into one of the most heavily played golf courses in the United States, prized by locals for its ocean-front setting and affordable municipal green fees.

The Design & Architecture

Bell routed the par-71 layout to take full advantage of the clifftop site, with several holes playing along the edge of the bluffs above the Pacific. Ocean breezes, rolling terrain and views toward Catalina Island define the experience, while kikuyu fairways and poa annua greens give the course its firm, coastal Southern California character. Though not overly long at roughly 6,600 yards, the wind and elevation changes keep it interesting for players of every level.

Signature Holes

The round announces its setting immediately: the opening hole, a 489-yard par 5 that doglegs left, plays from a tee facing the ocean and often into a stiff sea breeze. On the back nine, the short par-4 11th is a favorite photo stop — the drive aims straight at the big blue Pacific below. The course's signature hole is the 15th, a 445-yard par 4 (from the Blue tees) set against the dramatic oceanside bluffs, where Santa Catalina Island fills the horizon and the lone tree behind the green is the backdrop for the obligatory group photo. It is followed by the par-5 16th, whose narrow fairway is bordered on the left by the cliff's edge — a closing coastal stretch that makes Los Verdes one of the most photographed municipal courses in California.

Playing the Course

From the back tees Los Verdes measures 6,605 yards to a par of 71, with a course rating of 72.4 and a slope of 125 — a fair but honest test that rewards accuracy over raw power. The prevailing sea breeze can turn short holes into stern challenges, and the coastal setting means conditions change quickly. It is a walkable, playable layout that consistently ranks among the best public golf values in Los Angeles County.

Know Before You Go

• Access: Public LA County course, open to all players; tee times can be reserved online.

• Location: 7000 W. Los Verdes Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.

• Contact: Pro shop at (310) 377-7888; single-rider adaptive carts available with 72 hours' notice.

• Tip: One of the nation's busiest courses — book early, and plan around the afternoon ocean breeze that stiffens play on the exposed holes.