Tim,
I live about five to seven minutes from Coyote Hills. I avoid it like I would avoid a $10.00 hooker with no teeth....
Wigs,
Take the time and go to my sister's restaurant for an excellent meal instead. (As far as golf is concerned)
Mike's suggestion regarding Costa Mesa is probably the strongest suggestion as far as good golf. I also favor the Strawberry Farms suggestion simply because its a decent atmosphere, architecture that isn't anything ground-breaking but does in fact have some good golf holes which are obvious that Doug DeCinces had no hand in changing or influencing; like the 10th, a interesting and challenging Cape Hole. Given the client and the routing and environmental constraints to the site, the Architect did a very good job.
The clubhouse is fun; an oustanding practice facility and as Ryan suggests, the DeCinces Chicken.
Also, 30 minutes from door to door is possible--if your in a Bell Jet Ranger..... Actually with no traffic its doable IF, and I say IF there is no traffic; take I-5 South to Jeffrey Road and head towards the water, passing Oak Creek like your avoiding the plague. That is unless your having trouble with insomnia. You'll eventually cross the 405 on Jeffrey, just keep on driving and you seel this most majsetic hillside, make a left turn at the signal just right past it and follow the road into Strawbery Farms.
I like that drive in there too. Brings back the old feel of seeing the golf course before the round starts as your driving in, raising your excitement to hit a golf ball to a nice level. You know, just like Rustic Canyon, only it's not nearly the same golf course, which means you'll probably love the place! That is unless you see that $10.00 hooker standing on the road just off of the 4th hole and you feel like wooing her back in Anaheim......There's always the Denny's or Howard Johnson's that you can impress her with.... I think they both serve Coors or Budweiser too!