15 of the Best Golf Courses in San Diego

San Diego, with its gorgeous coastal views and year-round sunny weather, is a golfer’s paradise, offering an impressive array of courses that cater to all skill levels, whether your scorecard usually consists of eagles or bogies. For locals and out-of-towners alike, exploring these courses will not only test your skills but also immerse you in the breathtaking scenery that San Diego is known for. Courtesy of Coronado Golf CourseCoronado Golf CourseCoronado Golf Course, opened in 1957, is one of San Diego’s more walkable courses. Cited as a top SD course by the Golf Channel, the well-maintained public course offers views of the Coronado bridge and boats out on the water. The onsite restaurant serves American bites (including vegan options) for brunch and lunch.2000 Visalia Row, CoronadoCourtesy of Torrey Pines Golf CourseTorrey Pines Golf CourseConsistently ranked as one of Golf Digest’s 100 greatest courses, the challenging Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla hosted the 2021 US Open and puts on the annual PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open. Named after the rare Torrey Pine tree, which only grows along the San Diego coastline and Santa Rosa Island, the course has made its way onto many golfers’ bucket lists.11480 N Torrey Pines Road, La JollaCourtesy of Fairmont Grand Del MarThe Grand Golf ClubLocated at the luxurious Fairmont Grand Del Mar, The Grand Golf Club and its 50,000-square-foot driving range are open to hotel guests. Three-hundred-and-sixty degree views of each hole are available online, helping give you a leg up if you’re trying to improve your handicap. And if your kiddo dreams of becoming a future Masters champion, this course is the perfect place to take them, as children 12 and under can play and rent clubs for free.5300 Grand Del Mar Way, Del MarCourtesy of Park Hyatt AviaraAviara Golf ClubAviara Golf Club is San Diego’s only course designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. Situated within Carlsbad’s Park Hyatt Aviara, this layout includes strategically placed bunkers and water features that provide both pretty views and tough obstacles. And, if you’d like to level up your gear game, the course’s TaylorMade Aviara Performance Center allows you to test clubs with 3D motion analysis technology. The club offers both public and resort fees, as well as online course videos that provide insight into hole details and potential strategies.7447 Batiquitos Drive, CarlsbadCourtesy of Rancho Bernardo InnRancho Bernardo Inn Golf CourseDesigned by golf course architect William Francis Bell, the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course has hosted both PGA and LPGA events. Its 18th hole, surrounded by old-growth trees, is a fan favorite. Golf lessons are also available at the Carlsbad course, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned golfer needing a couple tips or tweaks.17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr, Rancho BernardoCourtesy of Singing Hills Golf ClubSinging Hills Golf ClubSinging Hills Golf Club supplies golfers with three courses in the Dehesa Valley of San Diego County. The Willow Glen course runs along the Sweetwater River and features narrow fairways, while the Oak Glen course is known for rolling greens and a beautiful, yet difficult, fifth hole. The nine-hole Pine Glen course is ideal for beginners or those looking to squeeze in a quick round. 3007 Dehesa Road, El CajonCourtesy of Mt. Woodson Golf GlubMt. Woodson Golf ClubThe course at Mt. Woodson Golf Club in Ramona is tough—but you don’t need to worry about having an audience for any whiffs. Each hole is so secluded it’ll feel like you and your buddies are the only ones on the course. Open to the public and surrounded by serene, rocky hills, the club also houses a bar and grill with some of the best prices in town (hello, post-birdie BLT for under $9). 16422 North Woodson Drive, RamonaCourtesy of Goat Hill Park Golf ClubGoat Hill Park Golf ClubOriginally built in 1952, Oceanside’s Goat Hill Park Golf Club was one of the first golf courses in San Diego County and began as a regulation-length nine-hole setup. In the early 1990s, it was redesigned into an 18-hole course, enhancing its appeal to golfers seeking a fun time on the links and a laid-back atmosphere.2323 Goat Hill Drive, OceansideAugust 13, 202417 of San Diego's Best Tennis Courts and ClubsRELATED ARTICLECourtesy of Southern California Golf AssociationAdmiral Baker Golf CourseAdmiral Baker Golf Course, located within the historic Navy complex near Tierrasanta, is notable for its two distinct 18-hole courses—the North and South. The lush fairways and well-maintained greens are complemented by facilities like a driving range and eatery.2400 Admiral Baker Road, No. 3604, TierrasantaCourtesy of Carlton Oaks Golf ClubCarlton Oaks Golf ClubOnce Phil Mickelson’s playing spot in his youth, Santee’s Carlton Oaks Golf Club has hosted a range of golf tournaments and events, including the Callaway Junior World Championships and NCAA Championships. The course tests players with pot bunkers and water hazards while still highlighting the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.9200 Inwood Drive, SanteeCourtesy of Maderas Golf ClubMaderas Golf ClubMaderas Golf Club is a championship public course that winds through the rolling hills of Poway. Its 40 acres have been recognized by numerous golf publications. Players can rent Callaway clubs and also book lessons for themselves or their little golfers.17750 Old Coach Road, PowayCourtesy of Torrey Pines Golf ClubSteele Canyon Golf ClubA 27-hole championship course in Jamul, Steele Canyon Golf Club was designed by Gary Player, one of golf’s all-time greats. Three nine-hole courses—The Canyon, The Ranch, and The Vineyard—offer diverse and challenging holes, earning the club a four-and-a-half-star rating from Golf Digest (it’s one of only three golf clubs in San Diego County with that honor).3199 Stonefield Drive, JamulCourtesy of The Crossing at CarlsbadThe Crossings at CarlsbadNamed after the bridges designed into the layout, The Crossings at Carlsbad offers a variety of terrains and elevation changes. Each hole features five separate areas to tee off, allowing players to customize both the length of the hole and their overall strategy. There are also stay-and-play rates and tee times for players through specific Carlsbad hotels and resorts.5800 The Crossings Drive, CarlsbadCourtesy of Rams Hill Golf ClubRams Hill Golf ClubNestled in the Anza-Borrego Desert is the Rams Hill Golf Club, a previously private but now public course that features captivating views of the mountains. The design tests golfers, especially the fifth hole, which includes deep bunkers and sits next to a lake you’ll have to work hard to keep your ball out of. 1881 Rams Hill Road, Borrego SpringsCourtesy of Encinitas Ranch Golf CourseEncinitas RanchPerched on a sweep of bluffs, Encinitas Ranch Golf Course offers magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean from every hole, making it one of the most picturesque courses in Southern California. The course offers rates for the public, with special discounts for Encinitas and Southern California residents. Encinitas Ranch includes the usual driving range and chipping green, along with a putting course that features two sets of six holes, a windmill, and benches if you’d rather crack open a cold one and watch your friends warm up.1275 Quail Gardens Drive, EncinitasThe post 15 of the Best Golf Courses in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

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3 San Diego Hikes to Try When You’re Feeling Down

They say “nature is the best medicine,” and luckily, that’s more than just an old adage. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors has tons of benefits, including mental health and physical advantages. s a San Diego resident, we’ve been blessed with plenty of opportunities to get the sun on our face nearly any time of year. For me, whenever things are not going very well, one of my best ways to cope is get outside—whether it’s a walk, run, hitting the beach, or just feeling the grass under my toes. AIf you’ve been feeling down lately, these are a few of my favorite hikes to improve your mood when you need a little pick-me-up.Pyles Peak – 6 MilesThe trail from Cowles Mountain to Pyles Peak is one of my all time favorites in San Diego. Yes, you have to first navigate 1.5 miles of the very busy path to climb Cowles Mountain. But once you do, and step onto the second trail from Cowles’ summit to Pyles, it’s like you’ve instantly transported to a peaceful and solitary trail with very few hikers on it. The views are absolutely beautiful all along the way, with sweeping scenes of the ocean on a clear day. Plus the additional challenge is enough to make you feel taxed and accomplished, which can really help when things feel bad. Start at the Cowles Mountain trailhead on Golfcrest Drive and then follow the signs for Pyles Peak once you’ve reached the summit.Distance: 6 miles out and backDifficulty: ChallengingDogs: AllowedDetails: Parking is free, and if the spots are taken in the parking lot you can park along the road. Just be sure to cramp your wheels!January 9, 20244 Ways to Work Toward Emotional Healing Via HikingRELATED ARTICLECourtesy of Friends of Coast Walk TrailLa Jolla Beach Trail – 2.3 MilesThere is something therapeutic about walking right next to the ocean. The smells of salty sea air, the sounds of waves—they literally bottle this stuff and use it in spas—so getting a dose of the real thing has to be beneficial. And navigating the winding paths along La Jolla Cove is a perfect way to take it all in. Plus, there are the ever-entertaining sea lions and seals to watch if you need additional distraction. Start near the Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla and follow the cliffside path to La Jolla Shores. There are a few different winding paths to follow, so you can make your out and back different.Distance: 2.3 miles out and backDifficulty: EasyDogs: AllowedCourtesy of Outdoor ProjectAnza-Borrego Desert State Park – 3.25 MilesThis desert park is a longer drive than the other suggestions, but it’s not too far—about an hour and a half one way. And the chance to roam in an open desert, or explore the slot canyons and abandoned mines of this state park make it well worth the trip. The desert landscape is devastatingly beautiful, and can give you that open mind feeling you need when things are tough. Even better when wildflowers are in bloom, but any time in the fall or winter and great for a visit. Start at the Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead just past the campground and try the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, which takes you past a neat palm oasis and waterfalls. Distance: 3.25 miles for the loopDifficulty: ModerateDogs: Not allowedDetails: A state parks parking pass is required.The post 3 San Diego Hikes to Try When You’re Feeling Down appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

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How Wildcoast Keeps Our Marine Protected Areas Teeming With Life

Determined not to flip the kayak, I paddle hard, straight into the swell, following my guide Lillie Mulligan’s lead. The offshore wind drives a brisk fog atop the San Diego-Scripps Coastal State Marine Conservation Area, challenging our forward momentum. “Paddle harder,” Mulligan yells as our kayak ascends a wave.I pray we don’t topple over onto a stingray, thinking maybe kayaking isn’t the best tactic to get acquainted with our coast. Though I’ve lived in San Diego for four years, I have an embarrassingly flimsy relationship with the sea. In summer, I occasionally paddle board the bay, boogie board Moonlight Beach, toss tennis balls for my dog in OB, or amble along Sunset Cliffs. But after reading that La Jolla Cove boasts the densest variety of animal life at any US beach—even those in Hawaii or Alaska—I couldn’t help becoming curious about our front yard, a destination that over 4 million people visit annually.Photo Credit: Sam CampbellOlive ridley sea turtles shuffle ashore at Morro Ayuta Sea Turtle Sanctuary in Oaxaca for an arribada—a mass synchronized nesting.Which is how I found myself here, battling the surf with Mulligan, an ocean conservation coordinator for local nonprofit Wildcoast, an environmental organization co-founded by whale scholar Serge Dedina and turtle conservationist Wallace J. Nichols 25 years ago. Today, Dedina still helms Wildcoast, but he’s quick to give credit for the robustness of La Jolla’s marine protected areas (MPAs) to his staff—70 percent of which are women.November 28, 2022Consider the WhaleRELATED ARTICLE“Look at all these people recreating,” Mulligan exclaims, motioning at the clumps of kayakers and paddle boarders mingling outside the caves in the MPA that Wildcoast actively monitors. “They’re here because they know they will see marine animals.”She points out silvery bait fish darting amid kelp forests, along with orange Garibaldi (California’s state fish), leopard sharks, cormorants, and pelicans, all markers of ocean health. “Look for the green sea turtles,” she adds, tying her hair into a knot and peering into the water. “La Jolla has four.”Courtesy of WildcoastWildcoast staff members free an olive ridley sea turtle tangled in a fishing net in Oaxaca, Mexico.Dedina calls the Eastern Pacific green sea turtle one of Wildcoast’s biggest success stories. When he and Nichols were young PhD candidates surfing southern Baja, they only ever saw dead turtles. Over 30,000 were slaughtered annually to serve as a pre-Viagra food that purportedly increased male virility.Wildcoast’s earliest campaign, masterminded by communications and policy director Fay Crevoshay, rallied the pope to speak out in support of protected places for nesting mothers. The team put up signs on beaches, on billboards, and in newspapers; on them, a model posed beside the words “My man doesn’t need turtle eggs, because he knows they don’t make it more powerful” in Spanish. This got locals educating their neighbors about not eating turtles.The latter became a key part of Wildcoast’s approach: Start small by encouraging residents to protect their wildlands. Rather than having some outside wonks policing fragile ecosystems, collaborate with folks on the ground, teaching and inviting them to become invested in safeguarding their backyards from harm. Turns out that working with Mexican communities to protect sea creatures south of the border benefits the overall health and diversity of San Diego’s coastal regions, too.After seeing too many stories of blue whale sightings off San Diego’s coast to ignore, I book a summer whale-watching trip. Eager faces peer into the blue, seeking an Instagrammable moment. As La Jolla’s palaces shimmer atop fragile sandstone cliffs, docents wax poetic about San Diego’s rich waters. It is possible to see whales year-round here: gray, humpback, orca, fin, Bryde’s, blue.“Whales rebounded because we stopped whaling,” says Russell D. Moore, whale-watching boat captain with Xplore Offshore. “Today, our waters are a testament to a well-managed biosystem. Wildcoast has contributed to that.”It’s true. Twenty-five years ago, a coalition of conservationists, including Wildcoast, stopped Mitsubishi from constructing a massive salt mine in San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, an important gray whale breeding site. Five years later, the team helped to permanently safeguard 450,000 acres there. Today, that space is a marine protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With their breeding site preserved, the whales are thriving.“More whales mean we have another problem,” Moore says. “San Diego is the Wild West of whale watching—boats are harassing whales by getting too close.”So, in response, Wildcoast’s Ann Wycoff, Annelise Tappe, and Devon Lukasiewicz developed the Protect the Locals campaign to educate whale-watching guides and visitors on the importance of keeping a safe distance, so our beloved whales’ breeding and migration patterns aren’t disrupted by our adoration.Courtesy of WildcoastMPAs offer a safe home for adorable ocean critters like harbor seals.On my whale-watching venture, none grace us with their presence. Surprisingly few visitors appear disappointed. Rather, people seem energized by the salty wind on our faces; the pod of dolphins that swoops in to say hello isn’t a shabby consolation prize, either.Another morning on the water, this time on a speedboat gliding north from Mission Bay. The resident dog, a mutt called Captain, sits next to Joe Cooper, the boat’s true captain, barking whenever she spots a sea lion or dolphin.Despite my kayaking struggles, Mulligan and Cooper invited me on one of their monitoring excursions to educate fishers about marine protected areas. San Diego County boasts 11 MPAs: Tijuana River Mouth (Tijuana Estuary), Cabrillo (off southern Point Loma), Famosa Slough (between Old Town and OB), two in south La Jolla, Matlahuayl (La Jolla Caves), San Diego-Scripps (La Jolla Shores), San Dieguito Lagoon (Del Mar), San Elijo Lagoon (Escondido), Batiquitos Lagoon (Carlsbad), and Swami’s (Encinitas).Courtesy of WildcoastA Wildcoast staff member monitors mangrove health in San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja.In 2012, Wildcoast teamed up with NGOs and government officials to designate and protect important keystone coastal regions, like rocky reefs, kelp forests, and wetlands. Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve, which roughly translates as “land of many caves” in the area’s Indigenous Kumeyaay language, houses pregnant leopard sharks who come to bask in the warm waters, a tactic that shortens their gestation period by two months. Swami’s is the only kelp and eelgrass habitat between La Jolla and Palos Verdes.The health of MPAs depends on compliance of no-take zones—areas where you cannot pull anything from the water, including fish. MPA Watch, San Diego’s citizen science group, monitors on land. Lifeguards and state park officials also supervise from shore. Wildcoast uses boats and radars to ensure no one fishes inside the MPA boundary.For now, Wildcoast’s efforts appear to be mostly working. On a recent holiday weekend, Mulligan explains, they’d encountered a few boats fishing in the MPA, but most folks said they just didn’t know there was a boundary they couldn’t cross.Courtesy of WildcoastA Wildcoast team uproots invasive plants in Carlsbad’s Batiquitos Lagoon.Mulligan often approaches these teachable moments with data, citing a 2022 Decadal Management Review proving that species diversity in MPA intertidal habitats is higher and more stable than outside MPAs and fish are more abundant, are larger, live longer, and produce more offspring. Another study showed MPAs may be more resilient to heatwaves, too. And, because species that become abundant in the MPAs leave the areas’ boundaries and increase populations in the surrounding waters, their success creates a domino effect.Just before we head back into Mission Bay, Captain the dog lifts onto two legs and starts howling. A massive pod of dolphins leaps into our wake. There have to be 50 small cetaceans surrounding us, playing together, finding the dolphin equivalent of joy. Mulligan kicks off her shoes, gleeful. “This never gets old,” Cooper says. His sunkissed face explodes into a grin.Mulligan points at the dolphins vaulting around the boat. “They are why we do this.”Courtesy of WildcoastTrash booms in Tijuana keep garbage from reaching the sea.My tour of San Diego’s MPAs takes me to all but one: the Tijuana River Mouth State Marine Conservation Area. Once a gorgeous southern California wildland with perfect surf, today the area is an environmental travesty plagued by pollution.Despite Wildcoast’s knack for pulling off feats of conservation in unlikely places, even Dedina, former mayor of Imperial Beach, cannot yet do away with the 60 million gallons of raw sewage seeping into the ocean each day. This year, South County waters have been too polluted to enter for more than 1,000 days. The situation is now the longest-lasting environmental disaster in US history. Still, Wildcoast is doing what it can. The nonprofit’s marine debris manager in Tijuana, Rosario Norzagaray, is leading an educational campaign to teach locals not to toss garbage into the river. In addition, in 2021, her Wildcoast team installed a trash boom, a durable structure that catches river debris before it reaches the ocean. To date, they have collected over 250,000 pounds of garbage, repurposing old tires into playgrounds, building materials, and even structural foundations to halt hill erosion. In October, they placed a second boom, with hopes to add more in the coming years.Courtesy of WildcoastAt Los Laureles Park in Tijuana, children play on structures built with tires that otherwise would’ve ended up in the Tijuana Estuary.In addition, Norzagaray and her team have incentivized plastic as currency, adding a financial benefit to encourage residents to fight pollution in their neighborhoods. “Educating locals and installing trash booms doesn’t just empower communities,” Crevoshay says. “We’re stopping trash from floating up to San Diego.”All this traveling through our region with Wildcoast shifted something in me. I’m no kayaker, but I’ve started regularly snorkeling, swimming, and paddle boarding in La Jolla. The ocean is no longer a stranger to me. There’s treasure here; I like to engage with it. And when I do, I often remember something Dedina told me.“We cannot allow the problem to overwhelm the solution,” he said. “You can support efforts to safeguard and steward the place in San Diego that brings you joy, or you can ground yourself in despair. Why not ground yourself in solving the problem?”Editor’s Note: The print version of this article, published November 2024, mistakenly stated that San Diego has six MPAs and misstated the amount of garbage collected by Wildcoast’s trash boom. We have also removed an incorrect quote. The post How Wildcoast Keeps Our Marine Protected Areas Teeming With Life appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

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