Trip to San Diego - Where to Play, Eat, and Visit

[Golferpimp1]

My wife and I are headed to San Diego the week after the 4th of July (without our 1 year old!). We are staying at Hilton Torrey Pines (I think). Unfortunately the world junior tournament is there, so my only shot to play the South Course is Sunday afternoon (im walking over sunday morning around 5am to get on the walk up list, Ill be a single).

 

Any other suggestions on where to play while I am there, where to Eat, and anything else to do? She is in a conference Monday and Tuesday, so im free to play wherever I can.

 

I appreciate the help.

[Beaglepower]

I would highly recommend Coronado. It is a nicely done course and priced very economically!

[sharkiesj]

Aviara at Park Hyatt in Carlsbad . Outstanding place.
Barona Creek in Lakeside. Awesome course.

Those require a bit of a drive, but def worth it.

[teejaywhy]

Can't comment about golf.

The Gaslamp is a fun evening place to visit.

[SparkyC]

Coronado is the best value period, great greens, close to downtown. You will have no problem walking on during the week unless there is a tournament, check the calendar on their website.

[Pepperturbo]

I second [b]@sharkiesj's[/b] suggestions. Then again, I favor testy tracks. Also, check out Arrowood GC in Oceanside, north of SD. A good test from the back tees 72.9/140 and ONLY 6721yds.

[scratchswinger]

Make the drive to Journey at Pechanga. Best public track in the area.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1340922536' post='5186064']
Make the drive to Journey at Pechanga. Best public track in the area.
[/quote]

I am sorry - but I have to disagree. Yes, it's well kept, but that's really for Pechanga's high rollers. Been there, really nothing special, aside from the price, and It's not worth the the hour drive, which has a good chance of traffic.

[toddnt]

Agree with Pete, do Barona, Torrey and Coronado for value, but tee times are hard to get and you'll be getting a 5 hr round!

[JLo_73]

Check out Maderas, great track

[JackpotJohnny]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1340925031' post='5186252']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1340922536' post='5186064']
Make the drive to Journey at Pechanga. Best public track in the area.
[/quote]

I am sorry - but I have to disagree. Yes, it's well kept, but that's really for Pechanga's high rollers. Been there, really nothing special, aside from the price, and It's not worth the the hour drive, which has a good chance of traffic.
[/quote]


Good, stay away from there. The less people playing it the better. Hahahah
It's is equally as far away as barona and not on a death road. Alot more challenging too. Last time I played maderas it needed some attention, So aside from Aviara, journey is probably the best course anywhere near SD.

As far Places to eat, find the dirtiest hole in the wall taco shop for mexican food. It might freak you out a little at first, but you won't regret it.

Things to do..old town, PB, downtown, miseum in balboa park, and I think the padres will be back in town at the end of the week if you're a baseball fan

[BoomerSooner214]

[quote name='J LO ' timestamp='1340939867' post='5187568']
Check out Maderas, great track
[/quote]

+1 Maderas is fantastic and pretty difficult. Also, if you want to shell out some money, Aviara and the Grand Del Mar are beautiful courses. I'd also put Steele Canyon and Mt. Woodson on the short list to play. Besides the ocean views, I'm not sure Coronado is going to blow you away. I can't comment on Barona, but I've heard its pretty awesome.

[KPH808]

Truluck's is a great seafood and steak house in La Jolla. I also like going to Old Town, they have a good selection of Mexican food.

[snpcrk121]

[size=2]I grew up in San Diego and Barona is my favorite course there. Obviously if you can get on Torrey you have to do it. I second the suggestions for Coronado, it is a quality public track with multiple holes right along the bay. I also really like Journey at Pechanga, but you are getting in to some serious driving with some of these recommendations (Barona and Pechanga). But if you feel like throwing down a few dollars afterward than you should definitely check them out.[/size]
[size=2] [/size]
[size=2]As far as tourist-y stuff goes, the Hotel del Coronado is a cool place to go hang out for a bit, maybe have a drink out on the deck. Old Town has quality Mexican food and some history, but you can easily end up waiting for 2 hours at any of the restaurants there. If you want great Mexican food go to Fidel’s Little Mexico in Solana Beach. It is a cool little spot that looks like it used to be a house and they have the best chicken tacos. It can get crowded but usually not as wild as the places in Old Town. Seaport Village is a great place to tool around and enjoy the water, and there are some interesting shops to check out. Gaslamp is fun, definitely a good place to grab dinner and a drink afterwards. My favorite place in the Gaslamp is the Strip Club, where you grill your own steak. Kind of cheesy, but the restaurant is classy and for some reason I enjoy cooking my own steak in a restaurant. Tons of other options there as well. There are a couple great restaurants just north of you where you can enjoy some great food as well as views of the ocean. Jake’s in Del Mar is one, along with the Chart House in Cardiff. There is also some cool stuff in La Jolla, my favorite breakfast place in the world is the Brockton Villa, which is up on a hill overlooking the La Jolla Cove. After breakfast you can walk down and there are usually seals hanging out there.[/size]
[size=2] [/size]
[size=2]So I obviously miss San Diego a bunch, but have fun and enjoy it![/size]

[Sisyphusian]

The La Jolla area which is the city that surrounds Torry Pines has a lot to offer in fine dining and sight seeings.
I recommend stopping by La Jolla Cove which is in walking distance to La Jolla's quant downtown filled with art galleries and interesting little shops.

If you have time, I think a trip up to Carlsbad is the way to go.

The exit Palomar Airport Road is about 15 miles North of Torry Pines is about a 30min drive even with traffic. It is well worth the drive for a day trip.
All off that exit you have an outlet mall, Lego Land, and the Crossings Golf Course. A little deeper into Carlsbad you have Aviara Golf Course and La Costa Resort. These are two very high end golf courses that are always in great shape, but cost a pretty penny. The Crossings is a fun course, but the noise from the airplans and drive between holes can get really annoying.

There are some pretty nice beaches in Carlsbad as well with a few good surf spots. I recommend going more toward downtown Carlsbad at Carlsbad Village Drive for the beach scene and food. If you like mexican food try Norte Mexican Food and Cocktails. If you like Italian try Vigilucci's.

I def recommend Carlsbad becasue I am from here so I have a lot of hometown pride, but it is also the birth place of Calaway Golf and the headquarters for TaylorMade, Titleist, and Cobra among other golf brands.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='Johnny4379' timestamp='1340943771' post='5187880']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1340925031' post='5186252']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1340922536' post='5186064']
Make the drive to Journey at Pechanga. Best public track in the area.
[/quote]

I am sorry - but I have to disagree. Yes, it's well kept, but that's really for Pechanga's high rollers. Been there, really nothing special, aside from the price, and It's not worth the the hour drive, which has a good chance of traffic.
[/quote]


Good, stay away from there. The less people playing it the better. Hahahah
It's is equally as far away as barona and not on a death road. Alot more challenging too. Last time I played maderas it needed some attention, So aside from Aviara, journey is probably the best course anywhere near SD.

As far Places to eat, find the dirtiest hole in the wall taco shop for mexican food. It might freak you out a little at first, but you won't regret it.

Things to do..old town, PB, downtown, miseum in balboa park, and I think the padres will be back in town at the end of the week if you're a baseball fan
[/quote]

You must love all the holes that play considerably shorter then yardages.. No worries, I won't be frequenting it. By the way, Barona is longer and rated (75.8/144) much more difficult, reason the Nationwide stopped there a few times; that will never happen at Journey.

But, "death road" ??? You're kidding right? The back rounds out in that area are fantastic.

[cbehan]

I believe you can pay an advance booking fee to secure a tee-time.

[url="http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/golf/torreypines/reservations/index.shtml"]http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/golf/torreypines/reservations/index.shtml[/url]

Call them up.

[mattuop]

I feel old town and seaport village are a waste of time. Traps that sell cheap tourist stuff.

If you are into hiking, the Torrey Pines State Reserve is great. Mix of cliffs, tide pools, and beach. Another suggestion is taking a kayak tour in La Jolla with your wife. Fun in the sun is what San Diego is all about.

Take the wife shopping to Fashion Valley.

Lots of courses in the area that have already been covered. A few tips though. Barona is my favorite and $65 everything included after 11am weekdays if you sign up for their free casino players card. If you play the Crossings in Carlsbad, go on Tuesday and wear something pink (anything, even just a wrist band) and you save 50% or so. If you play Torrey, play the South. Use greenskeeper.org for trustworthy reviews that are up to date.

Enjoy the outdoors. There's nothing special here that's in doors. Everything worthwhile takes place outside.

[JackpotJohnny]

Barona doesn't have this ;)

[teejaywhy]

Barona doesn't have this ;)

 

 

Good thing, that hole looks retarded.

[I3erto]

I would throw the crossing at carlsbad into the list.. Really fun track.. Steele canyon is great, but they just aerated their greens about a week ago. I played there sunday and their greens probably need another 2 weeks

[ALTSean]

I've lived in SD for about 3 years now and would suggest:

1. Torrey, North or South
2. Barona
3. Maderas
4. Steele Canyon, if the condition is ok, see post above.
5. Riverwalk, based on convenience (book it on golfnow.com)
6. The Vineyard, back 9 is cool and you can stop by the actual vineyard after the round

I think the Coronado muni is a little over rated, but I get to play on Sea 'N Air on base which has ocean views and not just the bay views

For food, head down to Gaslamp or La Jolla, plenty of great restaurants and easy to walk around both. If you're in Gaslamp, check out Altitude, it's an outdoor sky bar on top of a hotel with good views of the city.

Let us know where you end up and what you think.

[Need4spd]

Maderas, The Vineyard is also nice, Rancho Bernardo Inn, Encinitas Ranch, and an honorable mention for my adopted home course while I lived in San Diego, Riverwalk.

[ALTSean]

Just played Riverwalk this morning for the first time in a couple months. It's in ok to good shape. Usually it's in good to great shape, but it's a little wet and soggy in places and greens are a little soft. Might just be the cool, damp weather we've had the last couple days, but it's not in its usual good to great shape. I did play at 6:37 am for $39 on golfnow and played in less than 4 hours, so I can't complain too much.

[ruascott]

Thoughts on mt woodson?

[ALTSean]

[quote name='ruascott' timestamp='1341607488' post='5228424']
Thoughts on mt woodson?
[/quote]

Mt. Woodson is fun if you like short, target style golf. The scenery is great and it's up in the "mountains" just outside San Diego. Usually in pretty good shape and a decent rate can be had through golfnow or their e-mails. You don't need to hit drive on almost any of the holes, even from the tips, and unless you hit driver very straight, it will get you into trouble quickly. It plays firm and fast with a few blind shots. I've played my best round there hitting about 5I off most tees and staying in the fairway. There is not a driving range so don't expect to show up early and warm up, just hit a few putts and go. It's worth playing if you're local or are on a longer vacation / golf trip, but I wouldn't put it in my top 10 of must plays in the area.

[ruascott]

Thanks. What are good courses/deals for replay rates or all day rates? I've got 4 open days while girlfriend is at work conference during the days.....was thinking of making a couple of them 36 hole days.

[Golferpimp1]

Alright, got my round in at Torrey yesterday. Was fun, esp to play all the holes I watched on TV in 08. Overall in pretty good shape, greens were rather slow, I thought they may be faster with the world juniors this week. The views were AMAZING. Did see Leadbetter out on the Range. I must say the rough here in San Diego is much tougher to hit out of than the rough in San Antonio!

Ended up hooking up with a guy out at The Grand in Del Mar today. We played it tipped all the way out, HOLY COW. Ended up with an 83 (doubling two of the last 4 holes). Course was in immaculate condition, greens were rolling a 12 or so and they were smooooooth. Lots of great views.

Thinking about Coronado maybe tomorrow, however its like a $140 in cab fees to get there and back from Torrey, so May end up just playing the North Course here. Thanks so much for all of the help guys!.