Golf Digest has St. George, Utah, in the middle of its 36 Best Buddy Trip Destinations. But there’s nothing middle of the road about this place if you’re seeking good golf and all of the amenities associated with a trip linked to variety. That’s because “buddies” also like to eat, explore, snag deals, eat some more and – when all is said and done – kick back and reflect on the journey.
St. George is roughly 90 minutes northeast of Las Vegas and 40 minutes from Mesquite, home of Wolf Creek and “must play” Conestoga. Scenically slipped into Utah’s southwest pocket between Snow Canyon State Park and Zion National Park, St. George squeezes every drop of photogenic beauty from its arena of red on black and sand on snow. The ridge-lined setting provides plenty of photo ops that don’t need Photoshop.
Cut six hours out of a day for a hike to Angel’s Landing in Zion, and be sure to savor some salivating specials at Oscar’s on your way in or out of the park. If you only have half that time but still seek splendor, drive to the petrified sand dunes of Snow Canyon.
The local resort scene, although limited, is no less illustrious. Sand Hollow offers suites and villas surrounded by the area’s premier golf attraction. Sand Hollow Golf Course is one of 10 courses on the Red Rock Golf Trail, all located in about a half-hour radius of each other in this rugged section of Utah.
The Inn on the Cliff and fabulous Cliffside Restaurant lead off the “fine dine and unwinding” category. A panoramic perch provides amazing views of the city, with outdoor seating adding to the wow factor, and the snug framework of a cozy boutique hotel can easily ramp up the romance.
Downtown, on St. George Boulevard, the Painted Pony is to formal foodies what George’s Corner Restaurant & Pub is to the casual crowd, which would be paradise. The multi-level George’s caters to the sports fan, and those looking for a special treat should visit the dessert shack between the two for crazy good cheesecake bars.
Spending a few days in St. George isn’t enough to take in all the panoramic beauty of the area, but it will introduce you to one of the country’s most luminescent beacons. With year-round golf, stunning views, a variety of cuisine options and a spectrum of comfortable lodging, the St. George region – in spite of its hard-to-miss sprawl – just might be one of the more hidden golf gems in the West.
For more information or packaged planning assistance, visit StGeorgeUtahGolf.com, RedRockGolfTrail.com or call (435) 216-1179.
