Heritage golf and Pacific air in Santa Cruz.
Perched in the hills above Santa Cruz with Pacific air drifting through the pines, Pasatiempo is a golden-age masterpiece by Dr. Alister MacKenzie (1929). Restored with care in recent years, it blends coastal views, sandy barrancas and bold, elevated greens to create one of America’s most characterful inland courses.
Strategic from the first tee, Pasatiempo rewards placement over power. The routing tumbles over natural ravines, with MacKenzie’s trademark contours and deceptive bunkering framing every shot. Highlights include the exacting par-3 3rd, the sweeping par-4 10th and the famed par-3 16th—each a study in angles, green complexes and nerve.
Open to visitors with advance tee times, the club pairs beautifully with a Bay Area or Monterey itinerary—think Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay or Bayonet & Black Horse within easy reach. Expect a true “walkers’ course” feel, year-round playability, excellent practice facilities and a classic clubhouse grill for a relaxed post-round.
