For Santa Ynez golf, play the River Course at the Alisal in Solvang, the valley's public 18, then eat at its River Grill, which takes non-golfers too. La Purisima Golf Course near Lompoc is tougher ($82 walking on weekdays). Zaca Creek in Buellton is 9 holes for $14. The Alisal Ranch Course is for ranch guests and members.
This week
- Nov6–8Buellton Fall Festival · Visit Buellton
Avenue of the Flags; Fri 4-10pm, Sat-Sun 12-10pm; carnival rides, live music on two stages; Ales on the Avenue beer and wine tasting Sat (tickets) · Free · by City of Buellton
- SatNov 7SYV Historical Museum Vaquero Benefit Dinner & Auction · Visit Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
42nd annual · Tickets (early bird from Aug 1) · by Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
- SatNov 7Alma Rosa Fall Harvest Dinner · Visit Alma Rosa Winery
Winery event; check access on the listing · Not published · by Alma Rosa Winery
- SatNov 7Beaver Dam Analogs workshop at Jalama Canyon Ranch · Visit White Buffalo Land Trust, with SLO Beaver Brigade and Nature's Engineers
Aimed at landowners, restoration practitioners and students. The events list calls it two-day; the event page says one full day. · $175 (limited scholarships) · by White Buffalo Land Trust, with SLO Beaver Brigade and Nature's Engineers
Go for
- A patio: Alisal River Grill
- Families: River Course at the Alisal and Alisal River Grill
- Views: The Grille at La Purisima
- A pool: The Mission Club
Map
Map loads here. Each listing also has a Directions link.
Scroll the list and the map follows.
Which courses are public and which are private?
Access, holes and the lowest published 18-hole rate (9 holes where that is all there is), from each course's own site. Drive times are routed from Solvang Park.
| Course | Where | Who can play | Holes | Published fees | Food on site | From Solvang |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Course at the Alisal | Solvang | Public | 18 | Not posted (EZLinks shows rates) | River Grill: breakfast, lunch, Thu–Fri dinner | 8 min |
| La Purisima | Lompoc (Highway 246) | Public | 18 | $82 walk weekdays, $105 weekends | The Grille, lunch, beer and wine | 26 min |
| Zaca Creek | Buellton | Public, no tee times | 9 (par 29) | $14 for 9, $20 all day | None listed | 8 min |
| Rancho San Marcos | Hwy 154 | Public | 9 | $45 for 9, $70 for 18 | None listed | 28 min |
| The Mission Club | Lompoc (Vandenberg Village) | Semi-private, public play | 18 | $72 walk weekdays, $88 weekends | Clubhouse menus, no hours posted | 38 min |
| Rancho Maria | Santa Maria (Hwy 1) | Public | 18 | $41 weekdays, $49 weekends + $24 cart | Bar & Grill, full bar | 48 min |
| Alisal Ranch Course | Solvang | Ranch guests and members only | 18 | Not posted | Ranch Course Grill & Golf Lounge (guests) | 8 min |
Santa Maria Country Club is a members' club: its site sells memberships and lists no public tee times, so it isn't on the list.
Which golf courses near Solvang are public?
Three public courses sit within 8 to 26 minutes of Solvang Park. Drive times are routed from Solvang Park and assume no traffic.
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Courtesy of Alisal Ranch, Press kit Public 18 holes, Solvang · Solvang
River Course at the AlisalBook
The public 18 in Solvang itself, 8 minutes from Solvang Park. The par-72 layout runs 6,830 yards with four lakes, often following the Santa Ynez River, and the course says it is open to the public and "ideal for beginners as well as families". Book the round, then plan lunch on the terrace at the River Grill.
- Price
- Not posted; shown when you book on EZLinks or by phone
- Booking
- Online tee times (EZLinks) or 805-688-6042; 24 hours' notice to cancel
Go with The kids
More details
- Food
- Alisal River Grill on the 18th: breakfast, lunch, Thu–Fri dinners, open to non-golfers
- Public; 18 holes, par 72, 6,830 yards
- Opened in 1992 (Alisal Ranch)
- Late cancellations (under 24 hours) are charged 50% of the booking
- 8 min / 1.7 mi from Solvang Park
150 Alisal Road, Solvang, CA 93463 · 805-688-6042
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Public 18 holes, Lompoc · Outside Lompoc
La Purisima Golf Course
The hard one. It plays 7,105 yards over 309 acres of oak-studded sand hills on Highway 246, and the course says it is known in the area as "La Piranha". It hosted the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying school in 1996. Tee off after 2pm and the weekday walking rate drops to $48.
- Open
- Golf shop 6:30am–6:30pm; course 7am–7pm
- Price
- Non-members $82 walk / $102 ride Mon–Thu before 1:50pm; $105 / $125 Fri–Sun
- Booking
- Tee times on lapurisimagolf.com or 805-735-8395
- Getting there
- On Highway 246 east of town, about 7 min by car from Old Town Lompoc
More details
- Food
- The Grille: breakfast and lunch, burgers, beer and wine; golfers and non-golfers welcome
- Public; 18 holes, 7,105 yards; designed with Robert Muir Graves
- After 2pm: $48 walk / $68 ride Mon–Thu; $60 / $80 Fri–Sun
- 9 holes: $45 / $59 Mon–Thu; $52 / $66 Fri–Sun
- Seniors 70+: $78 with cart, Mon–Thu
- Range opens 6:30am (closes 2pm Tuesday); Callaway rental clubs
- 26 min / 16.2 mi from Solvang Park
3455 East Highway 246, Lompoc, CA 93436 · 805-735-8395
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Public 9 holes, Buellton · Buellton
Zaca Creek Golf Course
Nine short holes (par 29, 1,590 yards) a few minutes off Highway 101, with a driving range and FootGolf. No tee times, so you just turn up. It is the cheap, low-stakes round for kids or a first-timer, and a $6 junior fee says the course thinks so too.
- Price
- $14 for 9 holes, $6 to replay, $20 all day; under 12 $6
- Booking
- No tee times; open sunrise to sunset
More details
- Food
- No food listed; Industrial Eats is 3 minutes away
- Public; 9 holes, par 29, 1,590 yards
- Pull cart $3; power cart $10 per 9 holes ($20 max)
- Range balls $6, or two for $10
- FootGolf $8 for adults, $2 ball rental
- Lessons and clinics: Robert Kotowski, 805-698-6224
- 8 min / 3.9 mi from Solvang Park
223 Shadow Mountain Drive, Buellton, CA 93427 · 805-691-9272
Which courses are on the drive in from Santa Barbara or north?
Worth it if you are coming over Highway 154 or staying in Lompoc, Los Alamos or Santa Maria.
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Public 9 holes, Highway 154 · Hwy 154
Rancho San Marcos Golf CourseBook
Back in play: it reopened in April 2025 as a 9-hole course (Siteline) on a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design. It sits on Highway 154 between Santa Barbara and the valley, so it fits the drive in from the coast. Wednesday and Thursday twilight, 2pm to 4pm, is $30, and carts are free after 2pm Friday to Sunday.
- Open
- Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday; closed Monday, Tuesday. Wed–Sun, 7am–4pm
- Price
- $45 for 9 holes; $70 for 18 (replay $25)
- Booking
- Call 805-683-6334 or book on Chronogolf
More details
- Food
- No restaurant listed; Cold Spring Tavern is 8 minutes down Highway 154
- Public; 9 holes; open Wednesday to Sunday
- Cart for two: $20 for 9 holes, $40 for 18; pull cart $5
- Range: small bag of balls $10, large $22
- No dogs, coolers or outside drinks
- 28 min / 17.3 mi from Solvang Park
4600 Highway 154, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 · 805-683-6334
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Semi-private 18 holes, Lompoc · Outside Lompoc
The Mission Club
Formerly the Village Country Club, renamed after La Purisima's owners bought it (Lompoc Record). The club calls itself semi-private, and its rates page lists open public play. It sits in the hills near Vandenberg Space Force Base, with a pool and pickleball too. Twilight from 4pm starts at $42 walking.
- Open
- Twilight (4pm to close): $42 / $62 Mon–Thu; $52 / $72 Fri–Sun
- Price
- Public play $72 walk / $92 ride Mon–Thu before 4pm; $88 / $108 Fri–Sun
- Booking
- Tee times on missionclubgolf.com or 805-733-3535
- Getting there
- About 12 min by car from Old Town Lompoc
Go for Pool time
More details
- Food
- Clubhouse food with a Range menu and a Hook & Slice menu; hours not posted
- Semi-private; public tee times sold
- 9 holes (not after 2pm): $40 / $54 Mon–Thu; $46 / $60 Fri–Sun
- Rates page is headed 2025 public rates
- 38 min / 22.6 mi from Solvang Park
4300 Club House Road, Lompoc, CA 93436 · 805-733-3535
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Public 18 holes, Santa Maria · Outside Santa Maria
Rancho Maria Golf ClubBook
The cheapest 18 on this list, and the one to pick if you are staying in Los Alamos or Santa Maria. After 3pm on a weekday it is $23 plus the cart. The Bar & Grill opens at 7am on weekends, and the original Hitching Post in Casmalia is 13 minutes away for dinner.
- Open
- Super twilight after 3pm: $23 weekdays, $26 weekends (cart extra)
- Price
- 18 holes $41 weekdays, $49 weekends, plus $24 shared cart
- Booking
- Tee times on ranchomariagolf.com
- Getting there
- On Hwy 1 south of town, about 19 min by car from downtown Santa Maria
More details
- Food
- Bar & Grill: breakfast and lunch all day, full bar
- Public; 18 holes
- Seniors 60+: $36 weekdays; twilight from noon $35 weekdays, $40 weekends
- 9 holes: $27 weekdays, $31 weekends, plus $16 shared cart
- 48 min / 33.8 mi from Solvang Park
1950 State Highway 1, Santa Maria, CA 93455 · 805-937-2019
Is the Alisal Ranch Course public?
No. Alisal has two courses, and only the River Course takes the public.
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Courtesy of Alisal Ranch, Press kit Guests and members only, Solvang · Outside Solvang
Alisal Ranch Course
Not open to day visitors. Alisal says this Billy Bell Jr. course, opened in 1956, is "exclusively for our guests and club members". It is par 72 over 6,550 yards, designed around a barranca. Not staying at the ranch? Play the River Course down the road instead.
- Price
- Not posted; booked with a stay or a membership
- Booking
- Ranch guests and members only
- Getting there
- On Alisal Rd south of the village, about 7 min by car from Copenhagen Dr
More details
- Food
- Ranch Course Grill & Golf Lounge, breakfast and lunch 8am–3pm
- Private: ranch guests and club members
- 18 holes, par 72, 6,550 yards
- 8 min / 2.9 mi from Solvang Park (ranch entrance)
1054 Alisal Road, Solvang, CA 93463 · 800-425-4725
Can you eat at a golf course restaurant without playing?
Yes, at three of them, and residents and families do. Start with the Alisal River Grill. La Purisima's Grille says on its own site that non-golfers are welcome, and Rancho Maria's Bar & Grill opens to anyone at 7am on weekends. Glen Annie in Goleta says the same: "You don't need to be a golfer to enjoy the clubhouse."
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Golf-course restaurant, River Course, Solvang · Solvang
Alisal River GrillReserve
Our founder's pick for a family lunch in Solvang: kids are easy here and it is a favorite with valley regulars, golf or no golf. The terrace looks over the course to the Santa Ynez Mountains, and inside there are 80 seats by a stone fireplace. Breakfast runs 8am–11am on weekdays and all day on weekends. Thursday and Friday bring the Blue Plate Special dinners, a favorite with valley regulars, per Alisal.
- Open
- Open every day. Daily from 8am; to 5pm Sat–Wed, to 8pm Thu–Fri
- Booking
- Tock, dining room or patio
Go for Patio time
More details
What's new Live music shows up often. Event listings show Friday sets from 4pm to 7:30pm (Brady Harris on May 15, 2026), and Songkick lists shows there as recently as Friday, Oct 2, 2026. Alisal doesn't post a schedule, so check its Instagram before you go.
- Golfer's Special $20 (two eggs, two pancakes, bacon or sausage)
- Breakfast burrito $14; bison chili $14; Vaquero burger $21; French dip $22
- River Grill mimosa $10, Bloody Mary $15
- 22% gratuity added for parties of 6 or more
- Tock showed 8am–3pm on Sat, Oct 17, so check the day's hours there
150 Alisal Road, Solvang, CA 93463 · 805-688-7784
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Golf-course grill, Lompoc · Outside Lompoc
The Grille at La Purisima
Lunch with a view of the course on the Highway 246 wine road, and the course says "golfers and non-golfers alike are welcome". It is a burger-and-beer menu: the La Purisima burger with bacon and avocado is $17 and a tri-tip sandwich is $17. Good fuel before a Sta. Rita Hills tasting 5 minutes up the road.
- Open
- Open every day. Mon–Thu 7am–2pm; Fri–Sun 7am–5pm
- Booking
- Walk in; call 805-735-1597
- Getting there
- On Highway 246 east of town, about 7 min by car from Old Town Lompoc
Go for The views
More details
- Beer and wine
- Chicken or tri-tip tacos $12; burrito $12; cheeseburger $15
3455 East Highway 246, Lompoc, CA 93436 · 805-735-1597
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Golf-course bar & grill, Santa Maria · Outside Santa Maria
Rancho Maria Bar & GrillBook
Breakfast and lunch are served all day, with the grill closing at 3pm on weekdays and 3:30pm on weekends; sandwiches and snacks carry on after that. There's a full bar with mixed drinks, wine, and domestic and craft beer. Groups of 40 or more playing a tournament can order Santa Maria-style BBQ.
- Open
- 9am–5pm Mon–Fri; 7am–5pm weekends and holidays
- Booking
- Walk in
- Getting there
- On Hwy 1 south of town, about 19 min by car from downtown Santa Maria
More details
- Tournament BBQ: tri-tip sandwich with chips $22; Top Block dinner $33 (tax and tip included)
1950 State Highway 1, Santa Maria, CA 93455 · 805-937-2019
How do you make a day of it?
Drive times are between the two addresses and assume no traffic.
River Course morning, Solvang afternoon
Breakfast at the River Grill (the $20 Golfer's Special), play the River Course, then drive 7 minutes (1.3 mi) into town for Solvang Bakery and the other bakeries and a tasting from our Solvang wine tasting guide. On a Thursday or Friday, come back for the Blue Plate dinner.
La Purisima and the Highway 246 wine road
Tee off at La Purisima, eat at The Grille, then pick a winery: Babcock is 5 minutes (3.6 mi) up the road, and the rest are in our Sta. Rita Hills guide. La Purísima Mission is 3 minutes (1.7 mi) away for a walk after, and Valle Eatery in Lompoc is 10 minutes (5.2 mi) for dinner; see Lompoc restaurants. From The Mission Club, the mission is 11 minutes (4.9 mi) and Valle is 9 (4.2 mi).
Nine at Zaca Creek, then Buellton
Zaca Creek has no food, but three Buellton stops are 3 minutes away: Industrial Eats (0.9 mi), Firestone Walker's Buellton taproom (1.0 mi; see breweries) and the Hitching Post 2 (1.2 mi).
Rancho Maria and Casmalia
The original Hitching Post in Casmalia is 13 minutes (5.3 mi) from Rancho Maria. For Rancho San Marcos, Cold Spring Tavern is 8 minutes (4.3 mi) down Highway 154.
What about golf farther afield?
For an ocean view, Goleta has two public courses about 45 minutes from Solvang: Sandpiper (46 min), which runs to the edge of the Pacific, and Glen Annie (49 min), which prices public rounds dynamically. La Purisima's site says Kenneth Hume Hunter Jr. developed Sandpiper and Hunter Ranch too, all with no housing on the course land. Hunter Ranch is in Paso Robles, about 2 hours (99 mi) north, and its Bar & Grill also welcomes non-golfers.
What else is there besides golf?
For the rest of the weekend, see things to do in Solvang, Alisal Ranch if you want the Ranch Course, horseback riding, museums and live music this week.
Plan your day
- MorningBreakfast first: Breakfast in SolvangDanish pancakes to bear claws
- MiddayGo tasting: Wine tasting in SolvangNebbiolo to Rhône in an adobe
- EveningBook dinner: Solvang restaurantsBib Gourmand chicken to aebleskiver
- LateNight out: Solvang happy hoursSpritzes, Industry Night, 8pm deals
- OvernightFind a bed: Solvang hotelsNordic rooms to a 1946 ranch
Good to know
Is the Alisal golf course open to the public? One of them is. The River Course at the Alisal is open to the public, and you book tee times online or on 805-688-6042. The Alisal Ranch Course, inside Alisal Ranch, is only for ranch guests and club members.
How much does it cost to play La Purisima? For non-members, $82 walking or $102 with a cart Monday to Thursday before 1:50pm, and $105 or $125 Friday to Sunday. After 2pm it drops to $48 or $68 on weekdays. Seniors 70 and over pay $78 with a cart on weekdays.
Can you eat at the River Course restaurant without golfing? Yes. The Alisal River Grill serves breakfast and lunch daily, with Blue Plate Special dinners on Thursday and Friday, and you can book a dining room or patio table on Tock. Alisal lists 8am to 5pm Saturday to Wednesday and 8am to 8pm Thursday and Friday.
Does the Alisal River Grill have live music? Often, in our experience. Event listings show Friday sets from 4pm to 7:30pm, and Songkick lists shows there as recently as Oct 2, 2026. Alisal does not post a music calendar, so check its Instagram, @alisalrivercourseandgrill, before you go.
What is the cheapest golf near Solvang? Zaca Creek in Buellton: $14 for 9 holes, $6 to replay and $20 for the day, with $6 for kids under 12. It is a par-29 course with no tee times, open sunrise to sunset.
What happened to the Village Country Club in Lompoc? It is now The Mission Club, renamed after La Purisima's owners bought it. The club says it is semi-private, and public tee times start at $72 walking on weekdays.
Quick answers
Is Rancho San Marcos golf course open?
Yes. It reopened in April 2025 as a 9-hole course and is open Wednesday to Sunday, 7am to 4pm. Nine holes cost $45 and 18 cost $70.
Sources
tap to open
- Each course's own website, rates page and menu, linked in its listing above (the City of Buellton fee sheet for Zaca Creek).
- Alisal River Grill: Alisal's dining page, its 2025 menu PDF and its Tock page; music dates from public event listings; kid-friendly and crowd-favorite notes are the founder's own, from Oct 2026.
- Drive times routed with OSRM from each address. Source log with supporting quotes kept on file for every fee, hour and price.
Last updated Oct 20, 2026. We list what each course publishes. We never copy reviews or course photos; the photo above is representative. Confirm fees and tee times before you go.
