San Diego: The perfect golf vacation spot

There are certain destinations around the country that are meant for golf. Hawaii, Arizona, for sure. Florida, of course. And you certainly can’t overlook California and what is has to offer – especially the San Diego area.

San Diego is one of the locations where you can go for a golf trip and bring along the whole family, even if they don’t tee it up. There is a smorgasbord of golf courses- some even with Pacific Ocean views.  Outside of golf, there are so many places to visit while you are in the area. Places like the San Diego Zoo, Sea World and Lego Land are world-class destinations that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

The golf courses in San Diego are notable for their variety, encompassing seaside views, urban park settings, and eastern hillside gems and the reason it is a premier destination for golf enthusiasts.

At the top of the list is Torrey Pines with its North and South courses. After you tee it up there, you can see why the PGA Tour makes an annual visit and why the USGA has made the South course a home for the U.S. Open. And off the course there is the Lodge at Torrey Pines, which sits overlooking the course and features a first-class lodging experience with its A.R. Valentien, the signature restaurant at The Lodge.                              

Beyond the championship venues, San Diego offers a wealth of other quality public and resort courses. The Coronado Golf Course is frequently highlighted as one of the best municipal courses in the country.

If you are looking for resort golf then you will have several to choose from like Aviara Golf Club, an Arnold Palmer design located within an upscale Hyatt resort. The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is another top-tier course, a Tom Fazio layout situated in the rolling hills east of Del Mar. It’s a favorite among professional golfers like Phil Mickelson and Xander Schauffele.          

The Singing Hills Golf Resort by Sycuan offers 36 holes, with its Willow Glen course having hosted two U.S. Junior Amateurs. Both courses provide scenic views of the surrounding hills and incorporate the Sweetwater River into play.

Maderas Golf Club, designed by Johnny Miller and Robert Muir Graves (Graves is known locally for designing Port Ludlow’s resort course and Avalon Golf Links in Burlington, Washington), is tucked within the rolling hills of northern San Diego. It is praised for its superior playing conditions, challenging track with dramatic elevation changes, offering a unique golf experience minutes from downtown.

    Other notable public courses include Encinitas Ranch Golf Course, known for its appealing landscape and graceful fairway bunkers, and Balboa Park Golf Course, located near downtown San Diego and the zoo.

A significant advantage of San Diego’s golf scene is the proximity of many courses to the airport, with most being no more than 30-40 minutes away, excluding Rams Hill. This accessibility, combined with the diverse terrain encompassing land, sea, mountains, and desert, makes San Diego an unparalleled golf destination in North America.