7 wildly creative mini golf courses in San Francisco, Walnut Creek and more
Miniature golf’s popularity reached a pinnacle in the 1950s when the idea of fantastical landscaping and crazy contraptions — hello, rotating windmill blades — hit the artificial turf. The windmill and castle moat tradition continues on at Golfland, Scandia, Boomers and similar entertainment centers.
But new types of putt putt courses have surfaced in recent years, bringing an explosion of creativity to the fore with elaborately themed holes — a Chinatown dragon, for example, or Jules Vernes-style submarine — or attractions that change seemingly overnight. There are pubs with mini golf, and there are putting courses with booze. There are even putt putt pop-ups.
Here are just a few to try around the Bay Area.
Potion Putt
This Potter-esque pop-up recently opened in San Francisco for a year-long residency with a series of holes inspired by a certain boy wizard. The holes come complete with potions, cauldrons, floating candles and a certain very large spider. Magical libations, too. Open Wednesday-Sunday ($18, by reservation only) at SVN West, 10 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco; https://explorehidden.com.
Stagecoach Greens
As San Francisco’s only outdoor miniature golf course tells the story of California’s “Boom and Bust,” you’ll golf your way through a Barbary Coast Saloon, a Gold Rush graveyard, the 1906 Earthquake and more. The 10,000-square-foot course even includes a Chinatown-inspired dragon. Stagecoach Greens ($10-$16, reservations required) is typically open from 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday at 1379 Fourth St. in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood; www.stagecoachgreens.com.
Subpar Miniature Golf
This mini golf course brings San Francisco indoors with holes inspired by Bay Area landmarks. You can loop-di-loop across the Golden Gate Bridge, putter about Alcatraz Island and send your golf ball sashaying down the curves of Lombard Street. Subpar originated in Alameda, but San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square has been home base since 2019. The course ($12 per person) is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday at 900 North Point St. Reservations recommended, especially on Fridays and weekends; www.subparminigolf.com.
Putters Putt Putt
This charming, handmade outdoor mini golf course in downtown Walnut Creek offers not-too-challenging, ever-changing action — its owner is forever building new holes to add to the collection or swap out. Putters Putt Putt ($10) is open from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. on weekends at 1275 S. California Blvd. in Walnut Creek; puttersputtputt.com.
Urban Putt
This indoor 14-hole course — plus restaurant and bar — offers creative, elaborate decor and special effects, from Capt. Nemo’s Nautilus to a fog-crowned Sutro Tower. Urban Putt ($10-$14) opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and noon on weekends with adults-only hours after 8 p.m. Find it at 1096 S. Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco’s Mission district. Reservations recommended; www.urbanputt.com.
Flatstick Pub
This Sacramento-based restaurant, pub and mini golf complex is headed for Bay Street Emeryville and Cityline Center in Sunnyvale this fall. Expect a menu of Mexican-style street food, craft beer and local wines to elevate the indoor putt-putt action. Keep an eye on the progress at www.tipsyputt.com.