California Oaks Golf Club: Murrieta's cheap, short par 70, rates and honest condition notes

California Oaks Golf Club in Murrieta is a short, cheap, public par 70: 5,199 yards, rated 66.3/121, with $40 weekday and $53 weekend rates seen in April 2026 and GolfNow walking deals as low as $11.99. Reviewers flag poor conditions, so it is a budget fallback, not a destination.

That is the honest summary. If you want a fast round at a low price in Murrieta, California Oaks works. If you want a polished course, spend more elsewhere. This guide covers what we know: the numbers, the cutoffs, the deals and the caveats. Rates were read in November 2026 from a listing checked in April 2026 and change.

Quick facts

• Address: 40603 Colony Dr, Murrieta, CA 92562. Phone (951) 535-5168.
• Layout: 18 holes, par 70, David Rainville, opened 1989.
• Tee: Championship 5,199 yards, rating 66.3, slope 121.
• Rates (April 27, 2026): weekday $40, weekend $53, nine holes $25, cart included.
• Twilight: $33, about 2 to 3 hours before sunset.
• Cutoffs: 18 holes end at 4:15 pm; after 4:30 pm nine holes only.
• Drive from Old Town Temecula: about 13 minutes, 7.9 miles.

What is California Oaks like?

California Oaks Golf Club is a short par-70 layout by David Rainville that opened in 1989. From the single tee listed, it plays 5,199 yards at 66.3/121, which our record rates as low difficulty. That is a sensible course for beginners, seniors, juniors and anyone who wants a quick round, and a poor test for a low handicapper.

The condition reports are mixed to poor. Reviewers describe poor fairways and bare areas, and one mentions litigation over the property. Google reviewers give it 3.2 stars from 284 reviews. Status is open: GolfNow tee times were listed for August to October 2026 and the April 2026 rates were current. We do not know how the litigation mentioned by one reviewer affects the course, and we have not confirmed it, so we leave it as a reason to check before you drive.

Our take is the one in the record: a cheap, short fallback round for a Murrieta day, not a destination course.

California Oaks rates

All the numbers below come from a GreenFeeTracker check on April 27, 2026, plus GolfNow Hot Deal listings for August to October 2026.

Cart is included in the listed rate, and a separate $20 rider fee is also noted in the data, so ask what you will pay for a cart. On weekdays one junior plays free with each paying adult. These are the lowest rates of any 18-hole Murrieta course in our data, which is the course's whole appeal. See our Temecula golf rates guide and the cheap golf in Temecula guide for the full ladder.

Timing the round

California Oaks has a hard cutoff. Eighteen-hole play ends at 4:15 pm, and after 4:30 pm it is nine holes only. If you arrive late in the day, you can still play nine for $25 on the listed rate. For a full round, aim for a morning or early afternoon start.

How it compares

For not much more money, the Legends and the Golf Club at Rancho California offer much more golf course. California Oaks wins on rock-bottom price and a short, quick round. Read the Legends guide and the Golf Club at Rancho California guide before deciding.

Where to stay near California Oaks

Three chain hotels in Murrieta are within about 8 minutes: the Residence Inn by Marriott Temecula Murrieta (7 minutes, 2.7 miles), the Courtyard by Marriott Temecula Murrieta (7 minutes, 2.8 miles) and the Hampton Inn & Suites Murrieta Temecula (8 minutes, 2.6 miles). Rates were not captured for any of them. The Residence Inn is an extended-stay property, useful for longer stays or groups that cook. See cheap hotels for Temecula golf and where to stay in Temecula for golf.

What else is in Murrieta

Murrieta has a small golf cluster. Bear Creek Golf Club is a private Jack Nicklaus signature club, members and their accompanied guests only, so visitors cannot book it. The private golf clubs guide explains who can play. For the rest of the area, read the Murrieta golf courses guide.

Is California Oaks worth playing?

Yes, in specific cases:

• you are on a tight budget and want a round for under about $45 on a weekday;
• you have a beginner or a junior in the group;
• you want nine holes in the evening;
• you want a warm-up or a short walk before a harder course.

No, if you want a showpiece: take a look at the best golf courses in Temecula instead, and the Temecula golf courses overview for the whole list. For when to go, see the best time to golf in Temecula.

Course guides with tees and booking notes: the Golf Club at Rancho California course guide.

Course guides with tees and booking notes: the Legends course guide.

Plan it on the map

Open the Temecula golf map to see California Oaks in Murrieta next to the other value courses, with drive times from Old Town and the hotels closest to the first tee. The $49 plan can use a cheap round like this as a lighter day within a trip, or within a weekly winter rotation.