Golf

San Diego’s climate—generally sunny, without a lot of wind—is perfect for golf, and there are some 90 courses in the area, appealing to every level of expertise. Experienced golfers can play the same greens as PGA-tournament participants, and beginners or rusty players can book a week at a golf resort and benefit from expert instruction. You’d also be hard-pressed to find a locale that has more scenic courses—everything from sweeping views of the ocean to verdant hills inland.

During busy vacation seasons it can be difficult to get a good tee time. Call in advance to see if it’s possible to make a reservation. You don’t necessarily have to stay at a resort to play its course; check if the one you’re interested in is open to nonguests. Most public courses in the area provide a list of fees for all San Diego courses.

Courses

The adult public’s greens fees for an 18-hole game are included for each course, as well as the courses’ championship (blue) yardage; carts (in some cases mandatory), instruction, and other costs are additional. Rates go down during twilight hours, and San Diego residents may be able to get a better deal. Prices change regularly, so check with courses for up-to-date greens fees and deals.

Balboa Park Golf Course. San Diego's oldest public course is five minutes from Downtown in the heart of Balboa Park and offers impressive views of the city and the bay. The course includes a 9-hole executive course and a challenging 18-hole course that weaves among the park’s canyons with some tricky drop-offs. Finish off your round with biscuits and gravy and a mimosa at Tobey’s 19th Hole Cafe, a greasy spoon that's also Balboa Park's best-kept secret. 2600 Golf Course Dr., Balboa Park, San Diego, California, 92102. 619/235–1184; www.sandiego.gov. 18-hole from $42; 9-hole from $19.

Coronado Municipal Golf Course. Spectacular views of Downtown San Diego and the Coronado Bridge as well as affordable prices make this public course one of the busiest in the world. Bordered by the bay, the trick is to keep your ball out of the water. Wind can add some difficulty, but otherwise this is a leisurely course and a good one to walk. It's difficult to get on unless you reserve a tee time 3 to 14 days in advance. The course's Bayside Grill restaurant is well-known for its Thursday and Sunday night prime rib dinner. Reservations are recommended. 2000 Visalia Row, Coronado, California, 92118. 619/522–6590; www.golfcoronado.com. From $37.

Cottonwood Golf Club. This peaceful public golf club 20 minutes from Downtown San Diego is set among rolling hills and offers two 18-hole courses—the Lakes, aptly name for the eight lakes that dot the course, and the not-too-challenging Ivanhoe course. Both are good walking courses with nice practice putting greens. 3121 Willow Glen Rd., El Cajon, California, 92019. 619/442–9891; www.cottonwoodgolf.com. Ivanhoe: $37 weekdays, $57 weekends. Lakes: $27 weekdays, $41 weekends .

Encinitas Ranch Golf Course. See the Pacific Ocean from virtually every vantage point at this course on bluffs in North County. Local golfers love it because low scores aren't that hard to come by. It's a forgiving course with wide-open fairways. Encinitas Ranch also has a 6,000-square-foot clubhouse with a bar and café. The adjoining patio has a stone fireplace and great ocean views. 1275 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, California, 92024. 760/944–1936; www.jcgolf.com. From $85.

Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice Center. Making sure people have fun is the number one goal at this city-run golf course. San Diego's only night-lighted course, the final tee time is at 8 pm for 9 holes, and the executive course with par 3 and 4 holes isn't too challenging. The golf course's scenic and breezy location next to Mission Bay helps keep it comfortably cool. They also have a foot golf course, in which a player kicks a soccer ball into a cup in as few shots as possible. 2702 N. Mission Bay Dr., Mission Bay, San Diego, California, 92109. 858/581–7880; www.sandiego.gov/golf. From $18.

Mount Woodson Golf Club. This beautiful, heavily wooded club in a hilly area off Highway 67 is set amid a grove of ancient oak trees and granite boulder-strewn hillsides with spectacular views of the historic Woodson Castle, a private residence built in 1921 that is now one of San Diego's most popular wedding venues. The course features some challenging holes like the par 5 Windinface, a deep, three-tiered green, where accuracy is a must. The course also features wooden bridges and good views, particularly from Hole 17. There is a pro shop and a small café. This is a popular local tournament site. 16422 N. Woodson Dr., Ramona, California, 92065. 760/788–3555; www.mtwoodsongolfclub.com. From $50.

Torrey Pines Golf Course. Due to its cliff-top location overlooking the Pacific and its classic championship holes, Torrey Pines is one of the best public golf courses in the United States. The course was the site of the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Open and has been the home of the Farmers Insurance Open since 1968. The par-72 South Course, redesigned by Rees Jones in 2001, receives rave reviews from touring pros; it is longer, more challenging, and more expensive than the North Course. Tee times may be booked from 4 to 90 days in advance (858/552–1662) and are subject to an advance booking fee ($45). 11480 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, California, 92037. 858/452–3226; 800/985–4653; www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com. South: from $202. North: from $128; $40 for golf cart.

Resorts

Barona Creek Golf Club. This 7,392-yard course won accolades from day one for its challenging slopes, strategically placed boulders, and native grass landscaping. Barona Creek offers four tees to accommodate golfers of all skills and abilities. For those looking to be challenged at the expert level, the course provides a championship layout with four T configurations. 1000 Wildcat Canyon Rd., Ramona, California, 92040. 619/328–3742; www.barona.com. From $120.

Carlton Oak Country Club. Many prestigious qualifying events—including the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur qualifiers—have been held at this difficult course that was built in 1958 and designed by Pete Dye. The historic course is considered a local landmark and has a picturesque setting, with sycamore and eucalyptus trees, several lakes, and a creek. The Oaks Bar and Grill serves sandwiches and wraps and offers good happy hour specials between 4 and 7. 9200 Inwood Dr., Santee, California, 92071. 619/448–4242; www.carltonoaksgolf.com. $55 Mon.–Thurs., $65 Fri., $85 weekends.

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. One of the premier golf resorts in Southern California, La Costa over the years has hosted many of the best professional golfers in the world as well as prominent politicians and Hollywood celebrities. The Dick Wilson–designed Champions course has Bermuda fairways and bunkers. The more spacious Legends Course has wide, paspalum-grass fairways and a challenging par-4 15th hole with tough shots around wetlands. After a day on the links you can wind down with a massage, steam bath, and dinner at the resort. 2100 Costa del Mar Rd., Carlsbad, California, 92009. 760/438–9111; www.omnihotels.com. $145 Mon.–Thurs., $155 Fri.–Sun..

Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Club. This golf course consistently ranks as one of the best in California and is the only course in San Diego designed by Arnold Palmer. As the home of the LPGA Kia Classic, the course features gently rolling hills dotted with native wildflowers and views of the protected adjacent Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. There are plenty of bunkers and water features for those looking for a challenge, and the golf carts, included in the cost, come fitted with GPS systems that tell you the distance to the pin. TaylorMade golf clubs are available for rent. The two-story Spanish colonial clubhouse has full-size lockers, lounge areas, a bar, and a steak house. 7447 Batiquitos Dr., Carlsbad, California, 92011. 760/603–6900; www.golfaviara.com. From $250.

Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course. Designed by William Francis Bell in 1962, this 18-hole course has a traditional layout, but regular upgrades keep it feeling fresh and new. The course has hosted both PGA and LPGA events and offers an oasis in Rancho Bernardo, with its tree-lined fairways and various water features. A challenging 18th hole requires an approach shot over a creek. Located at the esteemed Rancho Bernardo Inn, the property offers great amenities like a spa and several restaurants, including AVANT, where gourmet mustards are served on tap. 17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr., Rancho Bernardo, California, 92128. 858/675–8470; www.ranchobernardoinn.com/golf. From $105.

Sycuan Golf Resort. With its three courses originally designed by Cecil B. Hollingsworth, this resort offers something for every golfer. Due to flooding in the late 1970s, the courses had to be redesigned by golf course architect Ted Robinson Sr., who added elevation changes and lakes to increase the difficulty. Hackers will love the executive par-3 course, while seasoned golfers can play the championship courses. Sycuan Golf Resort hosts a variety of tournaments, including the Junior World Golf Championships, U.S. Public Links Qualifying site, and the San Diego Junior Amateur. 3007 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon, California, 92019. 619/219–6028; 800/457–5568; www.sycuanresort.com. Willow Glen and Oak Glen: $119; Pine Glen: $31.