Southern California · CA
Year-round Pacific golf and Torrey Pines
Best season
Year-round
Mar · Apr · May · Sep
Trip cost · per golfer
$1,610–$5,740
4-night trip
Nearest airport
SAN
12 mi · San Diego
Difficulty
Medium
Handicap 5–28
Overview
San Diego occupies a singular place in American golf, a city that has earned its reputation not through hype but through decades of world-class competitive history. S.
Top courses
Editor-picked layouts ranked by prestige, conditioning and player experience.
Design by William F. Bell (renovated by Rees Jones) · Par 72 · 7,607 yds
World-famous municipal gem perched on coastal cliffs, host of the 2008 and 2021 US Open championships. Book tee times exactly 90 days out at 5am sharp via the city reservation system or you'll miss out.
Design by Arnold Palmer · Par 72 · 7,007 yds
Lush Arnold Palmer-designed resort course winding through protected wetlands and flowering native plants. Play early morning to catch the migratory birds in the Batiquitos Lagoon and avoid afternoon wind.
Design by Tom Fazio · Par 72 · 7,160 yds
Stunning Tom Fazio masterpiece carved through a natural canyon reserve with dramatic elevation changes. Stay at the Grand Del Mar resort for priority tee times and a significantly discounted resort guest rate.
Design by Gary Roger Baird · Par 72 · 7,088 yds
Breathtaking Gary Roger Baird design on tribal land featuring dramatic boulders, canyons, and native oak groves. Combine your round with a stay at Barona Resort and Casino for excellent value packages and post-round fun.
Stay & play
Resort packages bundle lodging, rounds, range access, and on-site dining. Hotel-only options give you flexibility to course-hop.
Luxury Golf Resort
Ultra-luxurious Mediterranean-style resort with on-site golf, spa, and fine dining in a pristine canyon setting.
Boutique Golf Lodge
Craftsman-style boutique lodge steps from Torrey Pines Golf Course with stunning views of the 18th fairway.
Resort Hotel
Elegant resort adjacent to Aviara Golf Club offering golf packages, multiple pools, and coastal California vibes.
City Hotel
Well-located downtown hotel putting you walking distance from San Diego's best nightlife and restaurant scene.
Off the course
Non-golf experiences worth building into your trip — from local landmarks to nature, food, and culture.
Dramatic oceanfront walk along rugged volcanic sea cliffs offering spectacular sunset views over the Pacific Ocean.
Explore California's birthplace through preserved adobe buildings, museums, and excellent authentic Mexican restaurants.
Take a beginner surf lesson at one of California's most accessible and beginner-friendly beach breaks.
Spend a morning exploring 17 world-class museums, gardens, and the famous San Diego Zoo in a stunning 1,200-acre urban park.
Year-round whale watching tours from San Diego Bay offer sightings of gray whales, blue whales, and dolphins.
Itineraries
Choose your trip length. Each plan is built around the marquee courses, with rest, dining, and travel days dialed in.
Day 1
Land at SAN, transfer to your hotel, hit the range, and grab a casual dinner at Addison.
Day 2
Morning tee time at Torrey Pines Golf Course (South). Lunch at the clubhouse, afternoon recovery, dinner at El Zarape.
Day 3
Early tee time at Barona Creek Golf Club, light lunch, then transfer back to SAN.
Budget
Realistic ranges sourced from current resort rates, public green fees, and group dining averages.
Lodging 4 nights · $230/nt | $920 |
Golf 3 rounds · $134 avg | $402 |
Food & drink ~$110/day | $440 |
Ground transport Rideshare + cart fees | $240 |
Flights Search Skyscanner for live fares | Variable |
| Estimated total · per golfer | $2,002 |
Season
Mediterranean
When to book: 1-3 months out
Dining
From clubhouse classics to chef-driven dinners worth a reservation.
French-Californian
San Diego's only Michelin two-star restaurant delivers an extraordinary tasting menu inside the Grand Del Mar.
Seafood
Gorgeous downtown seafood hall serving pristine Pacific oysters, whole fish, and creative coastal cocktails.
Mexican
Beloved neighborhood taqueria in North Park crafting some of San Diego's most authentic and affordable Mexican food.
Italian-Californian
Stylish Bankers Hill spot blending Italian classics with local California produce and an excellent wine shop.
American/Chicken
Lively outdoor eatery serving creative fried chicken sandwiches and deviled eggs with great craft beer selection.
Steakhouse
Old Hollywood glamour steakhouse in Little Italy serving prime dry-aged beef and spectacular tableside preparations.
After dark
Where the buddy trips end up after the 19th hole.
Rooftop Bar
Rooftop bar atop the Marriott Gaslamp with sweeping city skyline views and inventive craft cocktails.
Cocktail Bar/Speakeasy
Intimate 1920s speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden beneath downtown serving meticulously crafted classic cocktails.
Nightclub/Restaurant
High-energy Gaslamp Quarter nightclub combining a world-class sushi restaurant with an elite DJ music venue.
Tee times
Live inventory from GolfNow plus flight comparison from Skyscanner. Prices update in real time.
FAQ
Year-round (Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov). Mediterranean
Plan on $1,610–$5,740 per golfer for a 4-night trip including lodging, rounds, food and ground transport. Flights are extra.
SAN, about 12 miles from the resort area. Most national hubs offer non-stop service via San Diego.
4 nights is the sweet spot — enough for 3 full rounds plus a rest or sightseeing day.
Yes — popular with Couples, Family, Buddies. Strong nightlife close to the courses.
Ready to book
Lock in tee times on GolfNow, secure your stay on Booking.com, or let our AI planner build the entire itinerary for your group in under a minute.
MyTeeTrip earns a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Trip snapshot
Related guides
USA guide
From the Monterey cliffs to Carolina sandhills, these are the trips every American golfer should put on the list.
California guide
Pacific cliffs, desert oases and Ranch-country fairways — California is the most varied golf state in the U.S.
USA rankings
Twelve trips that define American golf — from Monterey cliffs to Carolina sandhills, ranked by course pedigree, lodging and weather windows.
