Updated on November 10, 2026
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In the San Diego area, the star attraction is a municipal course: Torrey Pines, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, hosted the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Open on the South Course. The selection also includes resorts in Carlsbad (La Costa, Aviara) and Maderas, in Poway.
A Quick Look at the Rankings of Golf Courses Around San Diego
6 courses shown.
| Rank | Golf | Town | Distance | Access | Green fee | Golf Digest | Golfweek |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Torrey Pines Golf Course – South | La Jolla (San Diego) | 21.7 km | Open | $258–$322 | 26 | 5 |
| 2 | Omni La Costa Resort & Spa – North Course | Carlsbad | 43.6 km | Open | — | 52 | 9 |
| 3 | Torrey Pines Golf Course – North | La Jolla (San Diego) | 23.0 km | Open | $163–204 | 49 | 12 |
| 4 | Aviara Golf Club | Carlsbad | 44.3 km | Open | — | — | 20 |
| 5 | Maderas Golf Club | Poway | 38.0 km | Open | — | — | 21 |
| 6 | Fairmont Grand Del Mar – The Grand Golf Club | San Diego (Del Mar Mesa) | 25.0 km | Restricted | — | — | 23 |
Distance as the crow flies from downtown San Diego. Green fee: 18-hole public rate published by the golf course (range varies by season or day), as of November 10, 2026; “—” = not published. Ranking columns: the course’s ranking in each list; “—” = not listed.
Where are the golf courses around San Diego?
Click on a number to view the golf course, then click on its name to read its profile. Base map © OpenStreetMap.
Our Method
We include 18-hole courses located within a maximum of 60 km as the crow flies from downtown San Diego: courses accessible for a green fee or to resort guests (private clubs in Rancho Santa Fe are excluded). The ranking is the average of their positions in two national rankings: Golf Digest (Best in State 2025–26, public courses, May 2025) and Golfweek (Best Courses You Can Play 2026, June 2026); a course not included in either ranking is assigned the last place plus ten. Distances calculated using OpenStreetMap coordinates. Green fees are listed only if they are published on the course’s official website (as of November 10, 2026).
Golf Courses in Detail
Architects, dates, access and green fees: official golf course websites and the rankings cited, checked on November 10, 2026; nothing is shown when the source does not say. Photos under free licenses via Wikimedia Commons.
1. Torrey Pines Golf Course – South
Rankings: Golf Digest 26 · Golfweek 5
⛳ Course: designed by William P. Bell (completed by his son), redesigned by Rees Jones in 2001, opened in 1957, Coastal Cliffs
📍 Distance: 21.7 km (13.5 mi) from downtown San Diego
🔑 Access: San Diego City Public Golf Course (resident and non-resident rates).
💶 Green fee: $258 (Monday–Thursday) / $322 (Friday–Sunday and holidays) for 18 holes, 2026 non-resident rate (official website, (November 10, 2026)
✈️ Airport: A car is essential; it is approximately 19 km as the crow flies from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Opened in 1957 based on a design by William P. Bell, the South Course was redesigned by Rees Jones beginning in 2001. The South Course was the sole venue for the 2008 U.S. Open (Tiger Woods in a playoff against Rocco Mediate) and 2021 (Jon Rahm).
2. Omni La Costa Resort & Spa – North Course
Rankings: Golf Digest 52 · Golfweek 9
⛳ Course: designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner (redesigned in 2023), parkland (resort)
📍 Distance: 43.6 km (27.1 mi) from downtown San Diego
🔑 Access: Resort course open to outside golfers (PUBLIC, according to Golf Digest).
✈️ Airport: A car is essential; it is approximately 41 km as the crow flies from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
La Costa hosted 37 PGA Tour events through the mid-2000s; the North Course was formerly known as the Champions Course. Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner extensively redesigned it in 2023 so it could host the NCAA Division I championships.
3. Torrey Pines Golf Course – North
Rankings: Golf Digest 49 · Golfweek 12
⛳ Course: designed by William P. Bell, redesigned by Tom Weiskopf in 2018, opened in 1957, Coastal Cliffs
📍 Distance: 23.0 km (14.3 mi) from downtown San Diego
🔑 Access: Public municipal course owned by the City of San Diego.
💶 Green fee: $163 (Monday–Thursday) / $204 (Friday–Sunday and holidays) for 18 holes, 2026 non-resident rate (official website, (November 10, 2026)
✈️ Airport: A car is essential; it is about 20 km as the crow flies from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Redesigned by Tom Weiskopf in 2018, it has become more player-friendly: 42 bunkers instead of 60 and enlarged greens. The North and South courses host a PGA Tour event each year.
4. Aviara Golf Club
Rankings: Golf Digest — · Golfweek 20
⛳ Course: designed by Arnold Palmer, parkland (Lagoon)
📍 Distance: 44.3 km (27.5 mi) from downtown San Diego
🔑 Access: Public tee times available for all skill levels (Park Hyatt Aviara official website).
✈️ Airport: A car is essential; it is approximately 42 km as the crow flies from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
It is the only course in the San Diego area designed by Arnold Palmer.
5. Maderas Golf Club
Rankings: Golf Digest — · Golfweek 21
⛳ Course: designed by Johnny Miller and Robert Muir Graves, opened in 1999, Rocky Mountains
📍 Distance: 38.0 km (23.6 mi) from downtown San Diego
🔑 Access: Public course (subscriptions available at discounted rates).
✈️ Airport: A car is essential; approximately 37 km as the crow flies from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Opened in 1999 and designed by Johnny Miller and Robert Muir Graves, it winds through rocky terrain with steep elevation changes.
6. Fairmont Grand Del Mar – The Grand Golf Club
Rankings: Golf Digest — · Golfweek 23
⛳ Course: designed by Tom Fazio, Canyon
📍 Distance: 25.0 km (15.5 mi) from downtown San Diego
🔑 Access: A private club with playing privileges, open to members and guests of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort (official website); rated “public-access” by Golfweek.
✈️ Airport: A car is essential; it is approximately 23 km as the crow flies from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
It is the only course in San Diego designed by Tom Fazio, with the Los Peñasquitos Canyon as a backdrop.
Just missed the cut
- Rams Hill Golf Club: Average 27, but in Borrego Springs, more than 100 km inland (estimate): out of range
- The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe: Ranked PRIVATE by Golf Digest (No. 25): Members Only
- Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club: Ranked PRIVATE by Golf Digest (No. 43)
See also
The Best Public Golf Courses in the United States
The Best Golf Courses Near New York
The Best Golf Courses Near Scottsdale (Phoenix)
The Best Golf Courses Near London
The Best Golf Courses Near Paris
The 20 Best Golf Hotels in EuropeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course around San Diego?
Torrey Pines Golf Course – South (La Jolla (San Diego), 21.7 km from downtown) tops our ranking, based on Golf Digest (Best in State 2025-26, public courses, May 2025) and Golfweek (Best Courses You Can Play 2026, June 2026). Access: Public municipal course operated by the City of San Diego (resident and non-resident rates).
Which golf courses around San Diego are open to visitors?
No special requirements: Torrey Pines Golf Course – South, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa – North Course, Torrey Pines Golf Course – North, Aviara Golf Club, Maderas Golf Club. The others (Fairmont Grand Del Mar – The Grand Golf Club) only accept visitors on certain days, subject to handicap requirements or by invitation: see the details for each golf course.
Which golf course is closest to downtown San Diego?
Torrey Pines Golf Course – South, 21.7 km as the crow flies from downtown (La Jolla, San Diego).
How much does a green fee cost in the San Diego area?
Among the golf courses in our selection that publish their rates, the 18-hole green fee ranges from $163 to $322 depending on the course, the season, and the day (rates as of November 10, 2026, on the official websites).
Which airport should you choose for a golf trip in the San Diego area?
Most convenient airport: San Diego International (SAN).