Pajaro Valley Golf Club opened in 1926 as the Watsonville Golf & Country Club, designed by Floyd McFarland. The course is now celebrating its centennial as one of the older daily-fee tracks on California's central coast. Architect Robert Muir Graves returned decades later to update the routing, with sources placing his redesign work in the 1960s or mid-1970s. The club also has a notable teaching legacy: 1934 U.S. Open champion Olin Dutra spent the final part of his career as the resident professional here.

On the course

The 18-hole, par-72 layout sits inland from Monterey Bay near Royal Oaks, adjoining the Elkhorn Slough — a protected estuary that hosts more than 340 species of birds, which is fitting given that 'pájaro' means 'bird' in Spanish. Wide, rolling fairways are lined with mature Monterey cypress and Monterey pines, and elevated tees on several holes open up views down into the Pajaro Valley. The course plays around 6,600 yards from the back tees, with small bentgrass greens that are known for being slick and well-protected, and four ponds bring water into play on a handful of holes. The par-4 4th, listed at roughly 420 yards and finishing on a triple-tiered green, is regarded as one of the sterner tests on the property.

Who it suits

Pajaro Valley suits players who like a walkable, traditional parkland layout with generous landing areas off the tee and most of the defense waiting around the greens. Cool coastal breezes off Monterey Bay keep conditions temperate year-round, and green fees remain modest compared with nearby resort courses, making it a practical choice for Bay Area and Monterey-area golfers looking for an older, character-driven track rather than a manicured resort experience.

Architect: Floyd McFarland · Opened: 1926