Most places, golf is a recreational sport that’s primarily enjoyed during warmer weather – mostly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. But that’s the rest of the world. In San Diego, golfers can step into the tee box 12 months out of the year.
Fall and winter are especially great times to golf in San Diego. While your local course is closed for the season, our courses are open year-round. The weather is fresh and crisp during the fall and winter, and the sun never stops shining.
When it comes to golf, San Diego is a hole in one! If you dream of lining up your shot with ocean waves crashing in the background, putting across a serene desert landscape, or taking a big swing with mountains lining up to watch, then San Diego is the ideal destination.
If you are here on business, the golf course can be a great way to mix business with pleasure. Do some power networking on the course, reward your best employees with a tee time, or impress your biggest clients with a trip out on the green.
If you’re in San Diego for pleasure, consider taking a lesson with a pro at one of the area’s top courses, or bring your spouse or special someone to the clubhouse for fine dining, drinks, and gorgeous views of the greens.
Best Golf Courses in San Diego
The City of San Diego and surrounding county are dotted with a wide variety of courses that can meet the needs of every skill level and nearly any budget. With more than 90 area golf courses, San Diego is a golfer’s paradise.
San Diego’s two most famous courses are Torrey Pines Golf Course and La Costa Golf Resort & Spa. Torrey Pines has hosted the famed U.S. Open twice – in 2008 and 2021 – and is the home of the Farmers Insurance Invitational that regularly attracts the world’s best pro golfers. La Costa is renowned in golf lore, having hosted dozens of PGA events over the years.
In addition to Torrey Pines and La Costa, San Diego has many beautiful and challenging courses on tap. Here are a few of the favorites:
Torrey Pines South Golf Course (La Jolla)
Legendary Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla consists of two completely different 18-hole courses – the South Course and the North Course. The more challenging South Course has hosted a pair of U.S. Open events, in 2008 and 2021, as well as part of the annual Farmers Insurance Open in January. The majestic, 7,800-yard course has stunning cliffs on the south end that sport picturesque views of soaring paragliders and hang gliders and the scenic Pacific Ocean.
Torrey Pines North Golf Course (La Jolla)
The easier (and less expensive) North Course is also utilized for the Farmers Insurance Open. The course is well-known for its amazing back nine holes that finish along the ocean. In 2016, the course received an upgrade by noted designer Tom Weiskopf.
Both the South Course and the North Course at Torrey Pines are par 72.
Aviara Golf Club & Resort (Carlsbad)
The Aviara Golf Club & Resort sits directly in the heart of Golf Capital of the World in Carlsbad. The city is home to the world headquarters for industry bigwigs like Titleist, Callaway, Cobra and TaylorMade. The resort hosts the LPGA Kia Classic every March.
The resort has been named the Best Resort Golf Course in America by both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. The Arnold Palmer-designed course is an 18-hole, par 72 with rolling hills, challenging bunkers and water obstacles, and ample natural beauty.
La Costa Golf Resort and Spa (Carlsbad)
Just north of San Diego in Carlsbad, the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa presents 36 spectacular holes of golf – 18 holes on the Champions Course and the 18-hole Legends Course. The resort has been named one of the Top 100 Courses in North America (Golf Magazine, 2019) and the #1 Family Golf Destination in the Country (Golf Digest), among its many accolades.
The fully restored Champions Course has amazing bent-grass greens and Bermuda fairways that snake past pesky sand bunkers. The exciting Legends Course has been completely remade to include new challenges while preserving the legacy of the wildly popular and historic course.
Maderas Golf Club (Poway)
Maderas Golf Club in Poway has been ranked the No. 1 golf course in San Diego for four years running and is currently rated the No. 6 course in the state of California. Designed by former PGA Tour player Johnny Miller and Robert Muir Graves, the course is characterized by its hilly terrain, rocky outcrops, winding creeks and mature woodlands. Several holes at Maderas feature water hazards, including the par four 9th hole that boasts a narrow fairway with ponds on both sides.
Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course (San Diego)
Known as “RBI” to the locals, Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course in San Diego was designed in the 1960s by William Francis Bell. The course is pristine and playable, with mature, old-growth trees providing the perfect amount of shade and sun-speckled light peeking through the branches.
The recently renovated 18-hole Championship course has hosted several PGA and LPGA events over the years. The club is known for it’s amazing after-round food and beverage options.
10 Favorite Golf Courses in San Diego
Golf, golf and more golf. In San Diego, you could tee off at a new course every day for months on end. There’s prime golf sprinkled around the city. You can play at lots of them by simply calling and scheduling a tee time. Some are more exclusive. Here are a few of the locals’ favorites for golfing in San Diego:
- Steele Canyon Golf Club (Jamul): This semi-private, 27-hole course was designed by Gary Player and is only one of three golf clubs in San Diego County to receive the coveted Four-Star Rating from Golf Digest.
- Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan (El Cajon): Enjoy 54 holes of award-winning golf in El Cajon at Singing Hills Golf Resort. The resort is open to the public and offers two Championship courses and a casino – so you can test you luck in a variety of ways.
- Riverwalk Golf Club (San Diego): This fun, 27-hole course is located on the site of the historic 1950s San Diego Open. It is conveniently located just minutes away from downtown San Diego, in Mission Valley. The club has some of the most affordable tee times in the city.
- Temecula Golf Club (Temecula): A SoCal institution, the Temecula Golf Club is a Four-Star rated course by Golf Digest Places to Play, with 27 exciting holes each displaying their own unique character.
- The Crossings at Carlsbad Golf Course (Carlsbad): Nestled in the hills of Carlsbad, the Crossings is one of the newest courses in San Diego. The $60 million project took nearly two decades to carve out its unique spot along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean.
- Encinitas Ranch Golf Course (Encinitas): If you’re looking for something a little easier, give Encinitas Ranch a chance. The course is less challenging than others in the area – but it doesn’t skimp on beauty. Enjoy the round of your life as you traverse the magnificent bluffs and take in panoramic views of the ocean at almost every hole.
- Coronado Golf Course (Coronado): One of the best public courses in the nation, Coronado Golf Course is located on Coronado Island. It is often rated as one of the best public golf courses in the nation, with iconic Coronado Bay Bridge and downtown San Diego in the distance.
- The Vineyard Golf Club (Escondido): If you’re looking for a top-notch municipal course in San Diego, you can’t beat The Vineyard. After Torrey Pines, it’s undoubtedly the best muni in the area. Its scenic layout will have you weaving through thick wetlands on the front nine and beautiful wine vineyards on the back nine.
- Twin Oaks Golf Couse (San Marcos): A demanding 18-hole Championship course, Twin Oaks incorporates many natural elements into the course, with water features on several holes. The course is situated next to a protected wildlife habitat, so you never know what you might encounter.
- Enagic Golf Club at East Lake (Chula Vista): Take in peak views of Mt. Miguel while you tee up San Diego’s southernmost golf course. The course sits in south San Diego, but it’s still only about a 25-minute drive from downtown. The 18-hole Championship course was designed by Ted Robinson.
Best Lodging Options for a San Diego Golf Vacation
San Diego Coast Rentals has vacation rental properties all over metro San Diego. Many are remarkably close to some of these amazing golf courses.
If you’re planning a golf vacation to sunny San Diego, think about renting a vacation rental home or condo over a traditional hotel. Vacation rentals are more private residences than a stuffy hotel room, and there’s ample space to stretch your legs after a challenging round of golf. Our vacation rentals are chock full of added value and amenities – including full kitchens, luxury bathrooms, private covered parking and a hot tub.
Our vacation rental condos, townhouses and private homes can be rented for a few days for a quick golf trip, or for a week or longer if you’re looking to play several rounds.
Looking for a longer term rental Nov 1 to Feb 28. Hopefully near some reasonale priced golf course that we could join. We have been condo camping for 8 years in Palm Desert but what to experience a more diverse location and good sea air. Non smokers no pets.