So why no exciting courses in California? I would guess no Doak, Strantz or cutting edge designers.
I've built two courses in California: Stone Eagle and Aetna Springs. And I'm very happy with both of them, even though neither is "exciting" in the way Pebble Beach or SFGC or Riviera is.
FWIW, the reason there aren't more exciting modern courses in California has a lot to do with how difficult it is to get permits, if a site is attractive. Our failed project in Napa County and Coore & Crenshaw's rejected project in Santa Barbara would be two examples of that; I'm sure there are many others.
P.S. to Joel Stewart: Spyglass "didn't have the PR to promote it like today"?? They played the Crosby on it from the first year it was open -- back when the Crosby was still a big deal! I've never built a course with a PR opportunity like that.