Ahh San Diego, A Whales V......

[gcp07]

Alright. Golf trip time. The guys and I are deciding where to go but one of the buddies in the group loves going out to San Diego. We've been to Scottsdale which was amazing but in late August its probably going to be way to hot. What are everyone's thoughts on San Diego? Torrey Pines is a course we want to play, is it worth it? Are there any other really good courses out there? Also, nightlife, we don't need the fancy stuff. Just some good food and bars with some good people and music. Any help is much appreciated. Thank you!

[okie21]

I was out last October. Torrey is awesome, worth playing it once. However, I was underwhelmed at the condition of their rough at that time. Not sure if its a yearly occurrence, but they were blaming the drought. It was so bad we actually played it up in the rough. Fairways and greens were pristine, tees were a little overused but likely due to the foursome every 8 min coming through. I'm sure there's other nice courses to bookend it with.

As far as food and nightlife, it is an amazing town. You'll find plenty no matter your tastes.

[mallrat]

How big is the group? Getting on Torrey can be a pain. For me it’s not worth it.

 

Late August look at Bend, OR. Where are you coming from? Cheaper trip with better golf.

[enfuego]

Pretty sure the south is going under some renovations this year but the north is cheaper and not vastly different other than less bunkers and not as much history. Great courses can be found near by and tons of different areas for night life depending on the vibe you want

[straightshot7]

Maderas is a course worth considering. Play it in the afternoon in August and it won't be too pricey.

 

As for food and nightlife, San Diego is a big county. So it depends a lot on where you'll be staying. The Gaslamp quarters downtown are good. Also anywhere along the coast is fun. Downtown Encinitas probably would be my choice besides downtown. Del Mar and Solana Beach are also my favorite areas but there is less action.

 

You can't go wrong if you play Torrey and then go out in the Gaslamp or have dinner in La Jolla or Del Mar.

 

If you can get on Coronado golf course that's also a beautiful area but can be very crowded.

[gcp07]

How big is the group? Getting on Torrey can be a pain. For me it's not worth it.

 

Late August look at Bend, OR. Where are you coming from? Cheaper trip with better golf.

 

We will have 5-6 and we are coming from Florida.

[blakej824]

If this is a golf-centric trip, San Diego wouldn't be my first...or 4th or 5th choice. But if you plan to explore the city and see the sights then its absolutely beautiful and completely a destination worth visiting. Golf courses worth playing:

 

Torrey

Maderas

Balboa Park

Aviara

La Costa

Arrowood

Mt. Woodson

Coronado

Steele Canyon

Barona (but it will be closed)

 

Unless you guys can get on at privates nothing will blow you away except Torrey and even that is debatable. Maybe Aviara.

[Zac1321]

I think the general consensus is San Diego wouldn't be a top choice for a golf trip. Whole heartedly agree, our weather is great and we do have some fun courses but in terms of a trip that is focused mainly on golf your dollar can go a lot further for as good or better courses at other destinations

[bradski]

Alright. Golf trip time. The guys and I are deciding where to go but one of the buddies in the group loves going out to San Diego. We've been to Scottsdale which was amazing but in late August its probably going to be way to hot. What are everyone's thoughts on San Diego? Torrey Pines is a course we want to play, is it worth it? Are there any other really good courses out there? Also, nightlife, we don't need the fancy stuff. Just some good food and bars with some good people and music. Any help is much appreciated. Thank you!

 

I will agree with some of the above. San Diego is a good place to vacation but really only 4 or so great courses worth playing(outside of the normal golf in your home town) Notes on some of the courses listed above

 

Torrey- I really like the redesign on the north course and now with the south course doing some renovation it might be hard to get on. Also torrey prepares at the very end of the year to be ready for the tournament in Jan. The best conditions are the 1st half of the year because it is a muni and the rye overseeding does thin out thru the summer.

Maderas- top notch course. 45ish minutes from downtown. top 3 IMO

Balboa Park- not a fan, some good holes and some really dumb ones. not much course design in hills just east of downtown. it a love hate course. not very challenging, city owned Muni.

Aviara- very expensive resort course and nice. top 4 but it is not cheap

La Costa- hit or miss on conditions and usually considered 2nd tier (not top 5)

Arrowood- good course an hour north of downtown, likely top 10 in SD

Mt. Woodson- This could be a great course if it wasn't soo short 5800 yds from the tips. It has some really cool holes but you aren't going to hit many drivers here unless you love 50 yard approach shots.

Coronado- very good muni course and can be one of the busiest in the state. It reminds me of the sony open course and is only difficult if it is windy. greens are usually good and overall conditions are good for a muni.

Steele Canyon- very good course and just out of top 4 but 3 gary player 9's.lots of elevation change and usually in good condition. Canyon Ranch is by far the best combo.

Barona (but it will be closed)- arguably in the top 2 when it is open and in pristine shape. On reservation land next to a casino so they don't usually have maintenance budget issues.

 

 

 

 

2 I will add- The golf club of California can be a top 5 if they every get the course in top shape. It has some really great holes but they slack on maintenance.

Rams hill- one of the top 5 courses in Southern California all together but a 1.5 hour drive thru windy roads to get there.

 

I think it would be hard to argue that the top 4 are

Torrey

Barona

Maderas

Aviara

after this it is depending on the conditions.

[blakej824]

Completely agree with bradski order. Rams Hill might be the best public course in socal, but as mentioned its 1.5 hours from SD. If you guys are willing to drive, Pechanga is a great track that will wow and has a casino. Maybe 45 mins up the 15.

[bradski]

Completely agree with bradski order. Rams Hill might be the best public course in socal, but as mentioned its 1.5 hours from SD. If you guys are willing to drive, Pechanga is a great track that will wow and has a casino. Maybe 45 mins up the 15.

 

good suggestion on Pechanga, find a deal and dont go any time near rush hour and this is super doable. but likely 1 hr to 1hr 15 min.

[TravelingGolfSticks]

Played Aviara, La Costa, and The Crossings at Carlsbad couple weeks ago. Aviara is no doubt the best in that area. I enjoyed the layout incredibly and the conditioning was pretty good (not the best I have played but far better than the other two I played in San Diego). I am not sure it is worth the full price tag as I have played other courses that I found better for less, but those weren't in pricey California either. La Costa I thought was another good layout. Greens were great and fairways were fine. Nothing special. The Crossings had great greens and fairways. A bit tricked up but the elevation changes are some of my favorite things so I really enjoyed this one. I would say it was a bit better conditioned than La Costa and was a better value than Aviara, but not a better course.

[mallrat]

I grew up in San Diego so my view may be skewed but I would never take a golf trip there. Especially if mid week you may spend as much time in the car per day as you will playing golf. Courses are all over the place and not a lot of great golf (and i’m not a Torrey Fan).

[mmckee02]

Torrey is the worst course on the best land I have ever played. If you feel the need to check the box, pay up and play it though.

 

MM

[bradski]

Torrey is the worst course on the best land I have ever played. If you feel the need to check the box, pay up and play it though.

 

MM

 

There is some truth to this towards the end of the year when it is killed from a hot summer.

[mjb1959]

Alright. Golf trip time. The guys and I are deciding where to go but one of the buddies in the group loves going out to San Diego. We've been to Scottsdale which was amazing but in late August its probably going to be way to hot. What are everyone's thoughts on San Diego? Torrey Pines is a course we want to play, is it worth it? Are there any other really good courses out there? Also, nightlife, we don't need the fancy stuff. Just some good food and bars with some good people and music. Any help is much appreciated. Thank you!

i loved "Pelican hill", anyone else?

[Jagpilotohio]

Alright. Golf trip time. The guys and I are deciding where to go but one of the buddies in the group loves going out to San Diego. We've been to Scottsdale which was amazing but in late August its probably going to be way to hot. What are everyone's thoughts on San Diego? Torrey Pines is a course we want to play, is it worth it? Are there any other really good courses out there? Also, nightlife, we don't need the fancy stuff. Just some good food and bars with some good people and music. Any help is much appreciated. Thank you!

i loved "Pelican hill", anyone else?

 

Very nice but in Orange County. Nearly an hour north. Of course that entirely depends on time of day. LOL!! I grew up a mile north of Pelican. I REALLY don’t miss the traffic or the cost of living. I do however really miss the weather.....especially right now. Snow coming today. Gag.

[jjmurry]

FWIW, I played TP south in late August myself - was a check the box thing. I expected what I'm used to seeing on TV in January and the occasional US Open and felt a little let down. Still better than any junk muni course I play on. Play it and enjoy the history of the course!

[JCKH]

San diego is amazing. good bars and nice atmosphere to hang out.

[tacrispy]

We did the San Diego trip couple years ago. I love that city, I wish I could move there.

 

Anyway we played TP South, La Costa, Maderas and drove 2 hours east into the Desert to play Rams Hill. I would do this trip all over again. All amazing courses.

 

Do not sleep on La Costa. When we played there the conditions were so good. Very fun course and nice resort.

 

Also highly recommend staying at the Lodge at Torrey Pines. Awesome staff, great food and bar.

[GolfingDad44]

Why will Barona be closed?

 

If you're looking for a cheap round on a fun layout with good greens, check out Riverwalk.

[Clambake]

Why will Barona be closed?

 

If you're looking for a cheap round on a fun layout with good greens, check out Riverwalk.

 

Barona has the back 9 shut down until June for greens replacement and bunker reshaping and is only letting 9 hole play on the front for holders of the premium-level casino card (classic card holders can't play it). It will then be open from June-January when they shut down the front 9 for six months and repeat the process.