San Diego Golf Guide
50+ courses under year-round sunshine — from the ocean-view links at Torrey Pines to budget-friendly municipal rounds. Course reviews, green fees, and tee time tips for every budget.
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I played my first round at Torrey Pines on a foggy Tuesday morning and nearly lost a ball off the cliff on the third hole. Didn't care — the view was worth the sleeve of Pro V1s. Since then I've worked through most of the courses in the county, from the $28 executive loop at Mission Bay to the immaculate fairways at Grand Del Mar. San Diego is a golf city that doesn't get enough credit. The weather is absurd, the variety is real, and the twilight rates mean you can play championship-quality courses for the price of a nice dinner.
— Scott
We've organized San Diego's best courses into three categories — Championship & Resort courses for bucket-list rounds, Best Value & Municipal for quality without the price tag, and Hidden Gems for courses most visitors never find. Every course has been played and reviewed with honest green fees, difficulty ratings, and booking tips.
Championship & Resort Courses
World-class layouts, ocean views, and the courses that put San Diego on the golf map
6 coursesTorrey Pines Golf Course – South
$202–$290 non-resident / $66–$100 residentLa Jolla
Host of the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Open. Ocean views from nearly every hole. The South Course is significantly harder than the North — a true championship test perched on the La Jolla bluffs. Book tee times 8–90 days ahead. Walking or cart.
Torrey Pines Golf Course – North
$148–$204 non-resident / $44–$68 residentLa Jolla
The easier of the two Torrey courses. Same ocean-cliff setting without the elite difficulty. More forgiving fairways make it accessible to mid-handicappers while still delivering one of the most scenic rounds in America.
Maderas Golf Club
$120–$195Poway
Johnny Miller design, ranked among the top public courses in California. Elevation changes through natural canyons and oak groves. Exceptional conditioning year-round. A locals' favorite for serious golfers who want championship quality without the Torrey crowds.
The Grand Golf Club at The Grand Del Mar
$225–$325Del Mar
Tom Fazio design. San Diego's most exclusive public-access course. Carved through Los Penasquitos Canyon with immaculate conditioning and resort-level service. Resort guests get priority tee times.
Aviara Golf Club
$235–$295Carlsbad
Arnold Palmer design with pristine conditioning, flower-lined fairways, and views of Batiquitos Lagoon. Mandatory cart includes GPS. One of the most visually stunning courses in Southern California.
Omni La Costa Resort – Champions & Legends
$175–$225Carlsbad
Two Dick Wilson-designed championship courses. Previously hosted PGA Tour events. Full resort amenities including spa, pools, and dining. A classic San Diego golf resort experience with a storied tournament history.
Best Value & Municipal Courses
Great golf without the resort price tag — San Diego's most affordable rounds
5 coursesBalboa Park Golf Course
$50–$60Balboa Park
Historic 18-hole municipal course in the heart of Balboa Park. Open since 1915. Walking-friendly with views of the park's iconic architecture. Nine-hole course also available for $18–$22 — perfect for a quick round.
Mission Bay Golf Course
$28–$35Mission Bay
Executive 18-hole course — short but fun, great for beginners or a quick round. Flat terrain with bay views. Night golf available under the lights. The most affordable full round in San Diego.
Coronado Municipal Golf Course
$40–$55Coronado
18-hole municipal overlooking Glorietta Bay and the San Diego skyline. One of the most scenic affordable rounds in the county. Walking-friendly with ocean breezes and views of the Coronado Bridge.
Riverwalk Golf Club
$60–$85Mission Valley
27 holes in central Mission Valley. Recently renovated Ted Robinson design. Walking distance from Fashion Valley Mall and the trolley station — the most convenient quality course in the city.
Steele Canyon Golf Club
$55–$85Jamul
Gary Player design with 27 holes through rugged canyon terrain. Three distinct nines: Canyon, Ranch, and Vineyard. 30 minutes east of downtown. Dramatic elevation changes and outstanding value for the quality.
Hidden Gems & Unique Experiences
Off-the-radar courses locals love — spectacular settings, fewer crowds
5 coursesMount Woodson Golf Club
$45–$75Ramona
Mountain course surrounded by massive granite boulders. 45 minutes from downtown but worth the drive for the scenery. Most photographed hole: #2 with a giant boulder backdrop. Unlike anything else in San Diego County.
Barona Creek Golf Club
$75–$115Lakeside
Todd Eckenrode design on Barona tribal land. Ranked top 10 casino course in the U.S. Immaculate conditioning with no homes lining the fairways — a rarity in Southern California. Pure golf through natural terrain.
Encinitas Ranch Golf Course
$75–$105Encinitas
Cate Crandall design with ocean views from elevated tees. Recently renovated clubhouse with great food. North County's best-kept secret — the sunset rounds here rival anything at Torrey.
Salt Creek Golf Club
$45–$70Chula Vista
Chet Williams design in southern San Diego with views of the Otay Mountains. Great twilight rates make it one of the best deals in the county. A South Bay gem that most visitors never discover.
Sycuan Golf Resort
$50–$80El Cajon
Two courses — Oak Glen and Willow Glen — 30 minutes east of downtown. Friendly staff, good practice facilities, and a casino nearby for post-round entertainment. Reliable quality without pretension.
Pro Tips for Golfing in San Diego
Practical advice to save money, get better tee times, and make the most of your rounds.
Best Months
October through November is the sweet spot — warm weather, no June Gloom, and lighter crowds after summer. You'll get perfect conditions and easier tee times.
Twilight Rates
Most courses drop prices 40–60% after 2pm — some after noon. If you don't mind a faster pace, twilight rounds are the best deal in San Diego golf.
Resident Rates
Torrey Pines and municipal courses offer huge discounts for San Diego County residents. Bring a valid ID — the savings at Torrey are over $100 per round.
Booking Ahead
Torrey Pines books up 7–90 days out and sells out fast. For everything else, GolfNow and TeeOff have last-minute deals, often 20–40% off posted rates.
Walking vs. Cart
Torrey Pines is walkable and many locals prefer it. Most canyon courses require carts due to steep elevation changes between holes.
Dress Code
Collared shirts required at resort courses like Aviara, Grand Del Mar, and La Costa. Municipal courses like Balboa Park and Mission Bay are more relaxed — neat athletic wear is fine.
Plan Your Golf Trip
Tell our AI planner which courses you want to play and it will build a day-by-day itinerary — with tee times, nearby restaurants, and hotel recommendations.
Start Planning →Frequently Asked Questions
San Diego golf ranges from $28 for an executive course at Mission Bay to $325 for a resort round at The Grand Del Mar. Municipal courses like Balboa Park run $40–$60. Mid-range public courses like Steele Canyon and Riverwalk are $55–$85. Championship courses like Torrey Pines South cost $202–$290 for non-residents but only $66–$100 for San Diego County residents. Twilight rates drop prices 40–60% at most courses.
Torrey Pines South is the flagship — a U.S. Open venue with ocean views from nearly every hole. For pure conditioning and design, Maderas Golf Club and Barona Creek are top contenders. The Grand Golf Club at The Grand Del Mar is the most exclusive public-access course. For the best overall experience combining quality and value, Maderas and Encinitas Ranch are hard to beat.
Balboa Park Golf Course offers a solid 18-hole round in a historic setting for $50–$60. Mission Bay is the cheapest at $28–$35 for an executive 18. For the best quality-to-price ratio, Steele Canyon ($55–$85 for a Gary Player design) and Salt Creek ($45–$70 with mountain views) punch well above their price point. Coronado Municipal at $40–$55 delivers stunning scenery at city-course prices.
Yes — significant ones. Torrey Pines offers the biggest resident discount in the county: the South Course drops from $202–$290 to $66–$100 for San Diego County residents with a valid ID. All city-operated municipal courses (Balboa Park, Mission Bay, Torrey Pines) have reduced resident rates. Bring a government-issued ID showing a San Diego County address to the pro shop.
October through November is ideal — warm weather, clear skies, no June Gloom, and fewer crowds after peak summer season. San Diego is playable year-round thanks to average temperatures between 60–75°F, but May and June bring coastal fog (June Gloom) that can linger until noon at courses like Torrey Pines. Winter months (December–February) are still mild but can see occasional rain. Summer is peak season with the highest prices and fullest tee sheets.