Miniature golf, AKA mini golf, pee wee golf, or goofy golf, is always a fun activity for families with kids of all ages. Grab a butter and a ball and compete to work your way through through whimsical and imaginative courses where you navigate through miniature castles and putt around colorful sculptures. It’s always gives you such a sense of achievement when you sink a putt at a really difficult hole!
Miniature golf is the perfect way to spend a fun and engaging afternoon outdoors, and it’s also a great activity for a kids’ (or grownup’s, even) birthday party. Most mini golf venues offer food options and other attractions like arcades. Here’s our guide to miniature golf courses in Marin County, Sonoma County, and San Francisco. Please check the location website for hours, opening status, and reservations.
Marin County Mini Golf
Marin’s only permanent mini golf course at McInnis Park Golf Center in San Rafael offers 18 holes of fun in a delightfully landscaped setting, as well as Slush by the Park, which serves Italian ices, soft-serve gelato and more. (Try the 50/50 combo with both gelato and Italian ice!) Birthday party facilities are available as well. Location: 350 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael CA 94903. mcinnisparkgolfcenter.com/miniature-golf
Sonoma County Mini Golf
Tucked next to a supermarket in an unassuming strip mall, this 18-hole mini golf course is a hidden gem, with delightful landscaping, a fountain, and replicas of iconic local landmarks like Mission San Francisco Solani and Sonoma city hall. Sonoma Slush is on-site, too, and there’s also an arcade, in case you haven’t had enough fun. Location: Maxwell Village Shopping Center, 19171 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma CA 95476. sonomafuncenter.com
This place in Guerneville looks like it hasn’t changed much since it was created back in the 1940s, and when you play mini golf here you really feel like you’re stepping back into a different era. There’s an arcade here, too, and you can get food at the adjacent Hot Box BBQ, which also offers catering for mini golf parties. We love to stop here when we’re up in the Russian River area. Location: 16155 Drake Road, Guerveville CA 95446. www.guernevillepeeweegolf.com…