California
The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Santa Fe
Down the road from Carlsbad—where so many jumbo-headed drivers are built—the Robert Trent Jones Jr. course at the Bridges has a bunch of holes that are grip-and-rippers. Tile roofs and graceful arches evoke a monastic tranquility, but club life is vibrant here—all hotly contested golf tournaments and organic-gardening events.
Golf: 18 holes (Robert Trent Jones Jr.).
Homes: From $2 million.
Homesites: From $2 million.
Contact: thebridgesrsf.com.
The Crosby at Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Santa Fe
A cook’s tour of this high-spirited, high-net-worth community reveals the design influence of Lillian Rice, one of the twentieth century’s most accomplished female architects. A phase called Vintage at the Crosby is due to open in 2009. The club’s fine Couples-Curley golf course can play to a 140 slope.
Golf: 18 holes (Fred Couples/Schmidt-Curley).
Homes: From $1.2 million.
Contact: thecrosby.com.
The Hideaway, La Quinta
British-bred Clive Clark and America’s Links Revival architect, Pete Dye, stage a course-design bake-off at the Hideaway golf complex. Each of their layouts plays on the visual tension between La Quinta’s level basin land and all those rumbling Santa Rosa ridgelines in the middle distance.
Golf: 36 holes (Clive Clark, Pete Dye).
Homes: From $1.7 million.
Homesites: From $400,000.
Contact: hideawaygolfclub.com.
Lahontan, Truckee
Lahontan’s spa draws on the elemental Zen of the lake environment. Its Weiskopf-designed championship course (there is also a nine-hole par-three layout) mixes entertaining deceptions with the expected mountain grandeur.
Golf: 27 holes (Tom Weiskopf).
Homes: From $1.5 million.
Homesites: From $150,000.
Contact: lahontan.com.
Mayacama, Santa Rosa
See Top 25.
Golf: 18 holes (Jack Nicklaus).
Homes: From $4.1 million.
Homesites: From $1.2 million.
Contact: mayacama.com.
Old Greenwood, Truckee
East West Partners, the developer of this pine-scented haven, is a major player in the Tahoe region, which pays four-season dividends for members of its various sports, golf and ski clubs. Old Greenwood offers fractional ownership.
Golf: 18 holes (Jack Nicklaus).
Homes: From $1.2 million.
Homesites: From $300,000.
Contact: oldgreenwood.com.
The Quarry, La Quinta
When the residential phase called the Quarry Ranch broke ground in 2003, Tom Fazio returned to the scene of his earlier design triumph and laid out a ten-hole short course for the amusement of the incoming residents. Of all communities that have passed muster to make our Top 100, none of them needs the publicity less than this place.
Golf: 28 holes (Tom Fazio).
Homes: From $1.4 million.
Homesites: From $395,000.
Contact: quarryinfo.com.
Santa Lucia Preserve, Carmel
See Top 25.
Golf: 18 holes (Tom Fazio).
Homes: From $3 million.
Homesites: From $1 million.
Contact: santaluciapreserve.com.
