California is well-known for being one of the best golfing states in the entirety of the United States. No matter how you rank states and their golf courses, California is easily in the top five every time. San Diego is a part of Southern California and is full of beautiful golfing resorts you don’t want to miss, so check out our list of the best resorts below.
1. Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Fairmont Grand Del Mar is the place to go if you’re looking to stay in the lap of luxury. Nestled among the hills in Carmel Valley, there’s so much to do without ever having to leave the resort. Spend the evenings enjoying the spa or heated pools. There’s plenty to eat as well, including a Michelin-star restaurant right in the hotel.
While all of this is amazing, you don’t want to spend all of your days just relaxing. You’re here to golf. So how is the golf? In short, it’s quite amazing. Created by Tom Fazio, the course takes into account the sloping hills of the area to create a challenging and stunning course all in one.
The best part is that you don’t have to try and squeeze a trip to this beautiful resort in the middle of golf season. It’s open all year. When you start to miss golf during the off-season, book yourself a trip and hit those balls to your heart’s content. You won’t find yourself disappointed with any part of this luxury resort.
Check out the resort website.
2. The Lodge at Torrey Pines
When you book a golfing trip, you want to be close enough to the course to smell the grass. That won’t be a problem at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. When you book a room at the Lodge, you get views of the Pacific Ocean and the Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Of course, the resort has a lot to offer outside golf as well. The resort itself has a AAA Five Diamond rating. There are amazing restaurant experiences, a spa, and exceptional service at your fingertips whenever you need it.
The South Course at Torrey Pines is one of the best golf courses in the area. That’s why it also makes it at the top of our list for 10 Best Golf Courses in Southern California. The course is where Tiger Woods won the US Open in 2008. Play with the legends and relax in style at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
Check out the resort website.
3. Rancho Bernardo Inn
Are you and your partner both in love with golf and want to spend a romantic weekend relaxing and enjoying the greens? If that sounds like the perfect vacation for you, then you’ll want to visit Rancho Bernardo Inn. The resort is a full 265 acres to allow you to break free from the regular day-to-day of your life.
As for the course, it was made by William Francis Bell in 1964. However, it has been updated for more modern challenges and playstyles. The last hole is the signature one with undulating hills to make for a par you’ll never forget
The resort was refreshed in 2022 to improve the rooms and make them more modern. Besides the amazing golf course and nice rooms, there are also event spaces, restaurants, areas to grab snacks, and even a pool where you and your kids can watch dive-in movies.
Check out the resort website.
4. San Vicente Golf Resort
San Vicente is one of the best resorts to stay at if you’re a lover of all things outdoors. In addition to golf, there are options for hiking, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, and even a sun terrace to let you still get your much-loved sun while relaxing.
Many of the activities and amenities the resort has are child and family-friendly. Take all of your loved ones on a relaxing but busy adventure at the San Vicente Golf Resort. There are plenty of options on where to eat, and the resort is fairly close to the city if you want to get out and explore a bit.
Now, for the important part of the resort. The golf course was designed by Ted Robinson and renovated by Andy Staples. There are various tees so that you and the rest of your family can play at the comfort level that works best.
Check out the resort website.
5. Morgan Run Club & Resort
The Morgan Run Club & Resort has a rich history. There are a total of 27 holes and a 320-yard driving range for practice. They offer juniors programs to help get children and beginners passionate about the sport as well.
If you have a child wanting to golf but you aren’t sure how to teach them, enrolling them in the course while you go and play the course yourself is a great option. There are even events and classes for adults. Play with others at a relaxed place to practice your skills or participate in a competition to put your years of practice to the test.
In addition to golf, there are other amenities at the Morgan Run Club & Resort. Check out one of several dining options including formal, casual, and quick bites to choose from. There are also racquet sports, swimming, and gyms to keep you at peak health.
Check out the resort website.
6. Park Hyatt Aviara
The Park Hyatt Aviara was tucked away. The resort owns 200 private acres that they use to create a relaxing experience for their guests. The resort itself is high quality as well, having a AAA Five Diamond rating.
The course aims to be as natural and eco-friendly as possible. The resort re-turfed the grass on the holes using a type of Bermuda grass that is more environmentally friendly. The course is also surrounded by California-native wildflowers and natural rolling hills.
One of the coolest features of the resort is the fact that it hosts the Taylormade Aviara Performance Center. This center has a team of elite staff to help you get the perfect golfing equipment. They have you practice some movements and use the data from the practice to provide you with equipment perfect for your needs.
Check out the resort website.
7. Carlton Oaks Lodge
Carlton Oaks Lodge offers the perfect balance of simplicity and extravagance. The resort offers all the amenities you come to look for in a golf resort. The only possible downside is that the rooms themselves are rather simple. However, this is because the resort knows that you won’t be spending much time sitting around in your room.
Instead, they put a lot of effort into their golf course, swimming pools, and lounging areas. Most people coming to visit want to enjoy golfing or take in the lovely scenery in the area. The resort ensured that every part of the lodge was in perfect view of either the golf course or the nearby scenery.
The course has undergone many major changes and enhancements since it was first finished in 1958. There are hints of famous architect Dye in the renovations thanks to his adaptations in 1989. The course features railroad ties, lakes, creeks, and gentle curves to keep you distracted by the nearby scenery.
Check out the resort website.
8. Omni La Costa Resort and Spa
Omni La Costa Resort and Spa takes relaxation and elegance to the extreme. The building itself shows you what to expect as it’s designed in a Spanish Mission-style. From there, you find eight resort pools, over 600 guest rooms, and a range of places to eat.
There are two courses at Omni La Costa. The first is the championship course. The Championship course hosts several golf championships a year including the NCAA Division. It’s a walking course, but the resort offers Tempo Walks or push carts if you need help carrying your gear.
The other course is the Legends Course. Unfortunately, this course has gone down a little in its quality over the last several years. Thankfully, the resort is planning for a complete shutdown to make major renovations and hopes to keep up with necessary repairs from there. Make sure you look before booking to ensure you don’t go during one of these scheduled renovations.
Check out the resort website.
9. Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan
Singing Hills is another great option near San Diego. Not only is it just 20 minutes from the airport, but it offers 36 holes of golf. There is a challenging course that is used to host a few championships. There’s also a more fun course in case you just want to relax with the boys.
San Diego is considered one of the best destinations for a bachelor party, especially if you’re into golfing. A lot of the resorts, Singing Hills included, offer all the amenities you need in case you don’t want to worry about trying to find places to part and eat every night. However, it’s also rather close to the heart of the city in case you want to experience San Diego life.
Check out our list of the Best Golf Bachelor Party Destinations to see what other cities are worth a shot. It also covers some of the courses you can’t miss while exploring San Diego. You’ll notice Singing Hills is second on that list, and for good reason.
If a resort is not mandatory for you, you’ll have a lot more options for an exciting golf experience. Here’s our list of the best golf courses in San Diego, check it out!
