⛳ Best Golf Courses in the South San Fernando Valley: Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana & Calabasas

If you live in Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Tarzana, or Calabasas, you already know that the South San Fernando Valley is one of the most livable pockets of Los Angeles. Year-round sunshine, walkable neighborhoods, incredible dining, and a genuine sense of community make this area one of the most sought-after in all of Southern California. But there's another perk that often goes underappreciated: you are surrounded by some of the best public golf courses in the greater Los Angeles area.

Whether you're a weekend warrior looking for a casual round or a serious golfer working on your game, the South San Fernando Valley delivers easy access to quality public courses without the drive to the Westside or out of the county. As someone who both lives and works in this community, I have a deep appreciation for what makes this area special, and great golf is part of that story.

Here's a complete guide to the best public golf courses near Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Tarzana, and Calabasas.

1. Encino Golf Course at the Sepulveda Golf Complex | Encino, CA

Address: 16821 Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91436 Phone: (818) 995-1170 Type: Public Municipal | 18 Holes | Par 72 Yardage: 7,023 yards | Rating: 71.8 | Slope: 118

If there is one course that defines public golf in the South San Fernando Valley, it is the Encino Course at the Sepulveda Golf Complex. Designed by the legendary William P. Bell and opened in 1957, this long, open layout is a true test for the big hitter. Situated in the heart of the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, the Encino course stretches over 7,000 yards with wide, tree-lined fairways and large, forgiving greens that make it equally enjoyable for mid-to-high handicappers and scratch golfers.

The Encino course has a well-earned reputation as a Hollywood favorite, regularly attracting golfers from the entertainment industry alongside everyday Valley residents. Amenities include a full-service restaurant and lounge, a lighted driving range, pitching and chipping areas, and a large putting green. With four sets of tees, every level of golfer can find the right challenge here.

Why Golfers Love It: The sheer length and open design make this one of the most satisfying and genuine tests of golf available to the public in Los Angeles. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and the value for a municipal course is hard to beat.

Great For: Low-to-mid handicappers, long hitters, corporate golf outings, and golfers who want a full-service experience at a public price point.

2. Balboa Golf Course at the Sepulveda Golf Complex | Encino, CA

Address: 16821 Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91436 Phone: (818) 995-1170 Type: Public Municipal | 18 Holes | Par 72 Yardage: 6,619 yards | Rating: 70.5 | Slope: 116

The Balboa Course is the companion layout to Encino at the Sepulveda Golf Complex, and it offers a different but equally rewarding experience. Also designed by William P. Bell and originally opened in 1954, Balboa is the more strategic of the two courses. Narrow, tree-lined fairways demand precision off the tee, making it a better test for shot-making than raw distance. It's a course that rewards course management and punishes the wild driver.

Both the Encino and Balboa courses share the same world-class amenities, including the full-service restaurant and lounge, lighted driving range, and extensive short-game practice facilities. The Sepulveda Golf Complex as a whole is one of the most accessible and complete public golf facilities in all of Los Angeles County, sitting just minutes from Sherman Oaks and Studio City along the Ventura Freeway corridor.

Why Golfers Love It: The old-school, classic municipal atmosphere combined with genuinely well-maintained greens gives Balboa a charm that keeps locals coming back. It is a reliable, consistent, and affordable choice for a quality round of golf.

Great For: Mid-to-high handicappers, precision players who prefer tight tree-lined courses, beginners looking to improve, and anyone who wants a second course option after playing Encino.

3. Woodley Lakes Golf Course | Van Nuys, CA

Address: 6331 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406 Phone: (818) 780-6886 Type: Public Municipal | 18 Holes | Par 72 Yardage: 6,816 yards | Rating: 71.8 | Slope: 120

Woodley Lakes Golf Course is one of the most underrated public golf courses in the San Fernando Valley. Designed by architect Ray Goates and opened in 1975, it sits within the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area alongside the Japanese Gardens and the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve. The setting alone makes it a unique and memorable place to play.

The course features wide fairways, expansive greens, and nine acres of water hazards that come into play on multiple holes. The layout is generous enough to be fun for higher handicappers but the water, bunkers, and some long and demanding par fours in the middle of the round challenge better golfers as well. Woodley Lakes includes a 30-bay grass driving range, six putting and chipping greens, and a newly renovated restaurant called Best Ball. For golfers who want to extend their session into the evening, the course offers flood-lit facilities perfect for dusk rounds.

Why Golfers Love It: The natural beauty of the setting, the presence of wildlife, and the nine acres of water make Woodley Lakes feel like more than just a city muni. It is one of the rare public courses in Los Angeles where the scenery genuinely enhances the experience.

Great For: All skill levels, families, golfers who love water-feature layouts, and anyone who appreciates the combination of nature and golf in an urban setting.

4. Van Nuys Golf Course | Van Nuys, CA

Address: 6550 Odessa Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406 Phone: (818) 785-8871 Type: Public | 18-Hole Par-3 Course and 9-Hole Executive Course

For golfers who are newer to the game, looking to sharpen their short game, or want a faster and more casual round, the Van Nuys Golf Course is a fantastic option. Located just minutes from Sherman Oaks, it offers both an 18-hole par-3 layout and a 9-hole executive course, making it one of the most accessible and affordable options in the Valley for golfers at any stage of their development.

The par-3 course is a particularly strong option for beginners, juniors, and golfers who want to work on iron play and short game without committing to a full 18-hole regulation round. Green fees are among the most affordable of any course in the area, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place to introduce new players to the game.

Why Golfers Love It: The value, convenience, and accessibility make it an easy yes. It is the kind of course you can walk to from the parking lot in five minutes and be teeing off without any fuss.

Great For: Beginners, juniors, seniors, golfers practicing their short game, and quick weekday rounds during a lunch break.

5. Calabasas Country Club | Calabasas, CA

Address: 4515 Park Entrada, Calabasas, CA 91302 Phone: (818) 222-8111 Type: Semi-Private (Limited Public Access Available) | 18 Holes | Par 72 Yardage: 6,323 yards | Rating: 70.4 | Slope: 125

Calabasas Country Club is primarily a private club, but it does offer limited public and guest access on select days, making it one of the most exciting semi-private options for golfers in the South San Fernando Valley. The course was designed by the iconic Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1968, and it sits in a stunning location tucked into the hills of Calabasas near Mulholland Drive.

At just over 6,300 yards from the back tees, Calabasas plays shorter than some of the municipal courses on this list, but what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in beauty and strategic design. Water comes into play on several holes, the bunkering throughout is thoughtful and challenging, and the back nine in particular is considered one of the most enjoyable nine-hole stretches of golf in the western San Fernando Valley.

The club offers exceptional amenities including a Callaway Performance Center, a Dave Pelz Short Game Area, a full natural grass driving range, a 6,000-square-foot fitness center, and a restaurant with panoramic views. For golfers interested in experiencing a private-club-quality round at a fraction of the membership cost, a public access round at Calabasas Country Club is a genuine treat.

A Historical Note: Nestled between the 11th and 15th holes, the property is also home to the Warner Ranch Stables, the last remaining remnant of the historic Warner Brothers movie ranch that once occupied the land in the 1930s. It's a fascinating piece of LA history embedded into the layout.

Why Golfers Love It: The combination of a classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, stunning hillside setting, and world-class practice facilities make this one of the most premium golf experiences accessible to non-members in the Valley.

Great For: Golfers looking for a private-club feel, special occasions and corporate golf, and anyone who wants to experience one of LA's more scenic and historic layouts. Call ahead for public access availability.

Why the South San Fernando Valley Is a Golfer's Paradise

The South San Fernando Valley has a concentration of accessible, high-quality public golf that is rare for any urban area in the country. Within a ten-minute drive of Sherman Oaks, you can access two regulation 18-hole municipal courses at the Sepulveda Golf Complex, a water-feature-rich municipal layout at Woodley Lakes, a beginner-friendly option at Van Nuys, and semi-private access at a Robert Trent Jones-designed country club in Calabasas.

Add to that the near-perfect Southern California weather, the ability to play year-round, and the proximity to local restaurants and neighborhoods where you can wind down after a round, and it becomes clear why golfers who live in Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Tarzana, and Calabasas rarely feel the need to venture far from home for a great game.

Living Near the Best Golf in the Valley

As a luxury real estate broker specializing in Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Encino, I regularly work with buyers who ask about the lifestyle this area offers beyond just square footage and price per foot. Golf is one of the real answers. The proximity to great public and semi-private courses, combined with the walkability, restaurant scene, and strong schools, makes the South San Fernando Valley one of the most complete lifestyle communities in all of Los Angeles.

Whether you are already a homeowner here or considering a move to the area, the quality of life in this pocket of LA is exceptional, and the golf is just one more reason to love it.

If you are thinking about buying or selling in Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Tarzana, or Calabasas, I would love to connect and share more about what makes this community so special.

Contact Abdo Pierre Faissal for unparalleled real estate service. 📞 818-288-1132 | ✉️ [email protected]