Barbara Worth Resort is the only full-service hotel in Imperial Valley offering a Resort Stay, Golf, Live Entertainment, Bar & Restaurant and a Fine Dining Restaurant, 2 Patio’s and BBQ area.
The naming of the resort developed out of Harold Bell Wright’s fourth novel, The Winning of Barbara Worth, published in 1911, and was written at Mr. Wright’s home, Tecolote Rancho, adjacent to the current location of the Barbara Worth Resort. The Winning of Barbara Worth is an historical novel that Mr. Wright scripted about reclaiming the California desert and converting it to farmland by diverting the Colorado River. The novel was also dramatized for the silent movie and had a long record of success in both big cities and small towns in the United States and Canada.
Barbara Worth Golf Course was constructed in 1927, and later redesigned by golf course architect Lawrence Hughes, and was built to offer local residents of Imperial Valley and visitors from nearby Mexicali a “getaway” atmosphere providing relaxation and recreation.
Supposedly, in 1926, the cattle farmers built Del Rio Golf Course in Brawley, CA. When a few of the Vegetable Farmers wanted to join, the Cattle Farmers wanted their club to be exclusive to them. So, a group of the Vegetable Farmers got together and built the Barbara Worth Golf Course, opening in 1927.
The golf course stands to be one of the most challenging Championship Courses in the Southwest. Members, locals and winter visitors return time and time again, many have been coming for 20+ years, as the course always provides a challenge, even for the most seasoned golfer. The Hotel, Restaurant and Bar were built in the late 1950’s, and last renovated in 2012. The Hotel was once a place for the “Hollywood Stars” to lodge when filming in the Imperial Valley. Visitors enjoy looking at our “Wall of Fame” which includes photos of stars such as John Travolta, Charlton Heston, George Clooney and Helen Hunt, just to name a few. The Convention Center, along with an additional 54 rooms, was added to Resort in the early 1990’s. The Convention Center is the largest event center in Imperial Valley at 12,000 square feet.
The Resort is comprised of 5 primary components: An 18-hole championship golf course, an Event and Banquet Center with a seating capacity of up to 1,000, Fields Steakhouse, Caddies Sports Tavern with an impressive Bar and Patio, and 104 hotel rooms. Together, these amenities offer a comprehensive package to resort visitors, and serve as a focal point of Imperial Valley activities and events.
Imperial Valley, located 2 hours east of San Diego and 90 minutes south of Palm Springs, is bordered by the Colorado River and is composed primarily of farmland. With a location along the international border, and tourist attractions including the Salton Sea, and the Algodones Dunes, Imperial Valley draws a number of visitors from nearby Mexicali, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Yuma. Barbara Worth Resort is the premiere location for tourists to stay, play, and enjoy the attractions of Imperial Valley.