Planning a trip to Southern California and wondering which of the area’s outstanding golf courses is the very best?

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. -- Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles is as brash as a billionaire.  It screams Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous the moment you drive onto the manicured grounds and walk into its opulent 45,000-square foot clubhouse complete with chandeliers that cost more than an average man’s vehicle.

Well, my wife was right again. A few years back, we visited The Big Island of Hawaii and I, of course, wanted all the bells and whistles of the swankest hotels on the island.  My wife, on the other hand, preferred the old charm of Hawaii and wanted to chill on a beach at a hotel that reminded her of Hawaii of years past.

One of the most spectacular Southern California desert designs by Arnold Palmer—the Classic Club—has become more accessible than ever with some new changes and innovations to this newer course that served as the host to the Bob Hope Classic for three years (2006-2008) and is owned by a renowned charitable foundation.

A golf vacation to Southern California in the spring normally yields moderate temperatures, little rain (most years) and an almost mind-boggling number of quality golf courses to choose from. And that’s just counting the public and resort courses.  There are an equal number of great private clubs to play, but unless you know a member or find a charity tournament that has secured one of these exclusive golf courses for the day, then you are pretty much limited to those designated for public play.