For golf enthusiasts, golf is more than just a game to play at home on your favorite local course. Instead, it’s a reason to travel around the world, indulge in luxurious accommodations, and meet fellow golfers to share tips and stories. San Diego, for example, is a premier golf destination because of its many golf courses, strong golf-friendly culture, and perfect year-round weather. So, if you’re looking to improve your game or just experience a new course in a beautiful place, here are seven San Diego area golf resorts worth checking out for your next trip.
Rancho Bernardo Inn
The Rancho Bernardo Inn is the perfect place to stay for easy access to this resort’s 18-hole championship golf course that has been the site of PGA and LPGA tournaments. At the course, you can use the driving range, get private instruction from PGA expert golfers, and participate in helpful golf clinics. The inn here offers 287 guest rooms that are spacious and luxurious with private balconies and patios. The rooms also feature ample desk space, custom artwork, and Wi-Fi. In addition to golf, the resort offers a spa for rejuvenating treatments, resort shops that carry high-end fashions, fountain tours of the 21 fountains on the inn’s lush grounds, pools, a fitness center, and family fun activities for kids. There are also four restaurants onsite for easy dining options.
Lodge at Torrey Pines
We also love the Torrey Pines Golf Club for a great game of golf in the San Diego area, as well as the lodge for accommodations right by the course here. Stay along the coastal bluffs of stunning La Jolla that overlook the Pacific Ocean when you golf and stay here. This municipal course hosts the Farmers’ Insurance Open and the San Diego City Amateur Golf Championships. In addition to the golf offerings, the lodge here is a AAA Five Diamond resort that’s charming and spacious. It’s fun to stay here during the holiday season for festive activities and visits from Santa. Luxury amenities include car service, discounted tickets to local attractions, laundry and dry-cleaning services, and pet-friendly rooms. You can also enjoy locally sourced cuisine here at the onsite restaurants, A.R. Valentien and the Grill at Torrey Pines.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is a wonderful place to book your stay if you love golf and having exclusive access to world-class facilities. The golf club here was designed by Tom Fazio and is only open to guests of the resort, club members, and owners of resort villas. The course itself has lots of high-tech features to help you gauge your skills, as well as top-notch instructors if you could use a little guidance. Expect to find dramatic elevations, lush fairways, rolling hills, and scenic valleys on this beautiful course. There’s a large driving range here, putting green, and practice area to work on your skills as well. The charming Fairmont hotel has 249 elegant rooms with expansive terraces and balconies. The spa here offers a comprehensive menu of treatments, the onsite chefs offer cooking classes, and children’s dining programs are also available.
Paradise Point Resort and Spa
Although there is not a full golf course located right onsite at the Paradise Point Resort and Spa, this is also a wonderful place to stay for golf enthusiasts. You’ll find an 18-hole mini golf course by the main entrance of the resort to practice your putting skills in a family-friendly environment. This resort is on its very own island that that has quiet beaches, multiple pools, tennis courts, a basketball court, and pool. Stay here for private, bungalow-style guest rooms and lots of island recreation with water sports, surf lessons, and bike rentals.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Located in nearby Carlsbad, California, the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is always one of the top-rated golf resorts in the San Diego region. Dick Wilson designed this 18-hole golf course that has been the site of numerous PGA events and hosted many iconic golfers over the years. Expect to find an engaging and challenging course that is beautifully maintained here. This is also a great place to come for golf instruction because of the multi-day golf school courses and individual lessons offered. The Omni resort here has more than 600 rooms and suites, eight swimming pools, 17 tennis courts, and a high-end spa. There’s a kids’ club here too to keep everyone in the family entertained.
Sycuan Golf Resort
The game of golf and golf resorts can cost you a pretty penny, but there are affordable resorts in San Diego area that won’t necessarily break your budget too. For example, the Sycuan Resort in El Cajon is a 54-hole golf complex that feels secluded and surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. The Willow Glen and the Oak Glen are the two courses here that were designed by Ted Robinson, Sr. You can also check out the Pine Glen course for a more casual, less competitive, and more family-friendly vibe. There are 100 rooms on site at the course, as well as putting greens, a pool, and shuttle service to the casino nearby. The Sycuan Golf Resort is also home to the Primrose Spa and has a 24-hour fitness center.
Carlton Oaks Golf Resort
Another wonderful golf resort in this part of Southern California that is also on the “more affordable” list is the Carlton Oaks Golf Resort. The Carlton Oaks Golf Resort in Santee was designed by Perry Dye and has a great championship layout. You’ll also find a full driving range here to warm up and practice your swing in the off-season. The lodge here is cozy and has a pool so that you can stay onsite for premium access to the course and facilities. There are 51 recently remodeled and Asian-inspired lodge rooms here to stay in here with all of the amenities you could want. At the lodge, you’ll find a pool, Jacuzzi, specialty sports bar that serves all meals plus happy hour specials, and weekend entertainment.
