Kyle:
Pretty darn good list, just this: only Getka and his copter/car could typically get to Cinnabar Hills from Oakland in one hour. I ought to know; I commuted from San Jose to Oakland and back for 10 years. Other than that, pretty darn good list. Just note Lake Chabot is now closed.. and re the others,well... Stone Tree is quite controversial here - some liked it, most hated it - I thought it was overpriced but outside of that fun enough. And you're right on re trying to list value courses... to many variables.
Ed - well, when trying to distinguish between courses, I think conditions and pace of play do matter... but man if you do find 4.5 hours glacial, no wonder you don't play around here much. 4.5 is miraculously FAST at Santa Teresa. I just have to ask: do you generally get around Rustic that fast? There have been lots of complaints about glacial rounds there in recent years... I know Moriarty et al for sure play in way less than that, but they have standing first group off tee time so they should, no? When you go do you just play in that group?
David:
Northwood has been discussed numerous times in here. My take - which isn't far from the consensus - is that it's interesting enough and of course a MacKenzie-phile needs to see it... but outside of that, it is far from worth the journey from SF. It's really not that big of a deal. Play it if you want to take time from wine-tasting while in the area, but outside of that, save your time.
TH