Pros:
(Reds to Reds)
Topographically privileged, almost pristine course in a huge, well-maintained, rustic park with good length, elevation change, and balance of open, woods, and mixed holes. Your mood will be elevated, your legs will feel it and your game will be tested.
Demands a lot of different types of shots, rewarding well-executed distance, range control, accuracy, forehands and backhands, overhands, upshots, and putts. I have not tried a big roller but wouldn't be surprised.
Cool-looking shots, woodsy scenery, and eye-popping vistas. Severe uphills, dramatic downhills, and everything in between.
Many holes have danger of a kind: from rollaways to tree kicks or distance with OB, wind. Others are difficult but not punishing. A few are juicy, depending on your game. Some hard par 3s and a few softer par 4s.
Figure 8 layout. Signage overall is well above average.
Even the back 9 tee pads aren't terrible given the shots you have.
The existence of the blues reduces traffic on the reds.
Cons:
Conpportunity: Sky's the limit on the ratings if they put in paved tee boxes on back 9.
Nitpicks:Some reviewers think the water should be OB and I can see this.
Pruning off in just a couple places. A little poison ivy on or near a few holes (10, 14 come to mind). Here and there a gopher hole on open fairways, watch your step.
No real warmup area.
It's a park so the occasional dog, loud family.
Parking can be tight?
In summer you get RV campers near hole 8.
Other Thoughts:
Top shelf. Well worth traveling to and a great home course.