Best Golf Courses in San Diego

Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the best golf courses in San Diego and nearby, in places like Carlsbad, Coronado, and La Jolla.

torrey-pines-golf-course-la-jolla-san-diego.jpegThe Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla

San Diego, nestled along the picturesque Southern California coastline, is a golfer's paradise boasting an array of world-class golf courses. From lush greens with stunning ocean views to challenging layouts that cater to all skill levels, the San Diego region offers a golfing experience like no other with almost 100 courses altogether.

Oh yes, the almost perfect San Diego climate helps too, with on average 146 sunny days and 117 partly cloudy days a year.

Our Pick of San Diego Guides

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Here are just some of the best golf courses in San Diego, and within a 30-minute drive Whether you're a seasoned golfer or only beginning your golfing journey, you'll find something to suit your preferences in this golfing paradise.

Best Golf Courses in San Diego

torrey-pines-golf-course-la-jolla-san-diego-2.jpgThe Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla

Torrey Pines Golf Course

11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 - (858) 452-3226 - https://www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com

Torrey Pines is a world-renowned municipal course located along the California coast, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. It has two 36-hole courses, and both are used in the annual PGA Farmers Insurance Open (originally the San Diego Open). The course has also hosted the US Open in 2008 and 2021, and holds the Junior World Golf Championships every July.

This is definitely one of the best golf courses in San Diego, and if you only play one, make it this one. And La Jolla is only a 20-minute drive from the center of San Diego.

aviara-golf-club-san-diego.jpgThe Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad near San Diego

Aviara Golf Club

7447 Batiquitos Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92011 - (760) 603-6900 - https://parkhyattaviara.com/golf

The Aviara Golf Club is located at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort and offers a challenging course with beautiful views of the Batiquitos Lagoon. It was named the #1 golf resort in Southern California by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, and is the only one in the San Diego area to have been designed by Arnold Palmer. Carlsbad is a 30-minute drive from downtown San Diego.

grand-golf-club-san-diego.jpgThe Grand Golf Club in San Diego

The Grand Golf Club

5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA 92130 - (858) 314-1930 - https://www.fairmont.com/san-diego/golf/the-grand-golf-club

The Grand Golf Club is located at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort and offers a scenic course designed by legendary golfer Tom Fazio and inspired by Los Peñasquitos Canyon. Even the practice areas cover seven acres!

La Costa Resort and Spa

2100 Costa Del Mar Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92009 - (760) 438-9111 - https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa/golf

The Omni La Costa Resort and Spa features two 18-hole championship courses, The Champions Course and The Legends Course, designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee.Kids 15 and under can enjoy a round for free with one paying adult. The resort is a 30-minute drive from San Diego.

rancho-bernardo-inn-golf-club-san-diego.jpgRancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course in San Diego

Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course

17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr, San Diego, CA 92128 - (844) 228-0125 - https://www.ranchobernardoinn.com/rancho-bernardo-inn-golf

The Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course offers a beautiful course, designed by William F. Bell and surrounded by hills and valleys. It’s hosted both PGA and LPGA events and the undulating 18th is one of the most popular holes. The inn is a 30-minute drive north of San Diego.

maderas-golf-club-san-diego.jpgThe Maderas Golf Club in Poway near San Diego

Maderas Golf Club

17750 Old Coach Rd, Poway, CA 92064 - (858) 451-8100 - https://www.maderasgolf.com

Maderas Golf Club is a challenging course designed by Johnny Miller and Robert Muir Graves and set in the hills of Poway, a 30-minute drive north of downtown San Diego. The course covers 40 acres and incorporates lakes and waterfalls.

carlton-oaks-golf-course-san-diego.jpgCarlton Oaks Golf Club in Santee near San Diego

Carlton Oaks Golf Club

9200 Inwood Dr, Santee, CA 92071 - (619) 448-4242 - https://www.carltonoaksgolf.com

The Carlton Oaks Golf Club has a championship course with tree-lined fairways and challenging water hazards. The 18-hole course has six sets of tees, ranging from 5,039 yards to 7,410 yards. There’s also a chipping green, a putting green and an all grass driving range with private instructional areas. The course is a 20-minute drive north-east from San Diego.

coronado-municipal-golf-course-san-diego.jpgThe Coronado Municipal Golf Course in Coronado near San Diego

Coronado Municipal Golf Course

2000 Visalia Row, Coronado, CA 92118 - (619) 522-6590 - https://www.golfcoronado.com

The Coronado Municipal Golf Course is a historic course located on the island of Coronado, offering stunning views of the San Diego skyline. The course has been rated one of the best municipal courses in the USA. It’s a 25-minute drive from downtown San Diego but only about ten minutes to get back, thanks to the road layouts and depending on traffic.

riverwalk-golf-club-san-diego.jpgThe Riverwalk Golf Club in San Diego

Riverwalk Golf Club

1150 Fashion Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92108 - (619) 296-4653 - https://www.riverwalkgc.com

Riverwalk Golf Club has an 18-hole par 72 course, with views of the San Diego River and Mission Valley. The course has three lakes as well as the San Diego River, plus several wetlands areas. It’s a 10-minute drive north of downtown, just off I-8, near the junction with I-5.

vineyard-at-escondido-golf-club-san-diego.jpgThe Vineyard at Escondido Golf Course in Escondido near San Diego

The Vineyard at Escondido Golf Course

925 San Pasqual Rd, Escondido, CA 92025 - (760) 735-9545 - https://www.vineyardatescondido.com

The Vineyard at Escondido Golf Course offers a challenging course with stunning views of the San Pasqual Valley, and is located next to a vineyard. It’s a 30-minute drive north of downtown San Diego, just off I-15.

Other golf pages

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel lists some of the best golf courses in Santa Barbara, if you plan to stop off in Santa Barbara and play on these scenic courses.

    Best Golf Courses in Santa Barbara

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel lists some of the best golf courses in Santa Barbara, if you plan to stop off in Santa Barbara and play on these scenic courses.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best golf courses in Monterey, and nearby, including Carmel and Pacific Grove.

    Best Golf Courses in Monterey

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best golf courses in Monterey, and nearby, including Carmel and Pacific Grove.

  • The Pacific Coast Highway’s gold courses is one reason the PCH drive along the California Coast is popular, as it has some of the top golf courses in the USA.

    Pacific Coast Highway Golf Courses

    The Pacific Coast Highway’s gold courses is one reason the PCH drive along the California Coast is popular, as it has some of the top golf courses in the USA.



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