San Diego, California · Coastal golf city

Planning a Golf Trip to San Diego: Group Guide

A coastal city built around Torrey Pines, the city-owned U.S. Open venue on the bluffs at La Jolla, with resort and public options from Carlsbad to Coronado.

Best forGroups who want a bucket-list municipal round plus beach-city nights.
Group size4–12 · 12–24 · 24+ golfers
Budget$$$ Premium
Best monthsJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Trip styleBucket list · Stay & play resort · Nightlife

The courses to play

  • Torrey Pines South Course: City of San Diego municipal course, remodeled by Rees Jones in 2001, 7,804 yards, host of the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Opens.
  • Torrey Pines North Course: The second of the two 18-hole championship courses at Torrey Pines, which opened in 1957 to a design by William P. Bell, completed by his son William F. Bell. Tom Weiskopf redesigned the North Course in 2016.
  • Aviara Golf Club: The only Arnold Palmer-designed course on the Southern California coast, open since 1991 at Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad.
  • Maderas Golf Club: Public course in Poway with elevation changes, creeks and rock outcroppings.
  • Coronado Golf Course: City of Coronado course that opened in 1957, with harbor and downtown views across the Coronado Bay Bridge.

Getting there

AirportCodeDrive to the golf
San Diego InternationalSANabout 20 min to Torrey Pines
Los Angeles InternationalLAXabout 2 to 2.5 hours to Torrey Pines

Check live flights to SAN on Google Flights →

When to go

Golf is played year round. Torrey Pines closes briefly each spring and fall for aerification and overseeding, so check its maintenance calendar before locking dates.

Group tip

Torrey Pines takes group requests of 16 or more players beyond the 90-day window, and requests from smaller groups are denied, so a group of 16 should apply early. Smaller groups need several bookers, since each reservation holder is capped at two tee times a day, and the player of record must check in and play. Stay in La Jolla or Carlsbad to keep Torrey Pines and Aviara within a short drive.

Before you book

  1. Lock the headcount in a multiple of four.
  2. Set the per-person budget with the cost calculator.
  3. Call the resort or golf desk directly and ask for group tee-time blocks, stay-and-play packages and the cancellation and rain policy.
  4. Collect deposits the week you book. Use the deposit tracker.
  5. Pick your format and build pairings.
Watch · 8 min7 Golf Trip Mistakes That Ruin the Trip (I've Made Them All)

Heads-up before you book

  • The Sentry (formerly the Farmers Insurance Open) is scheduled at Torrey Pines January 27 to 30, 2027, so plan around tournament week. source
  • Standalone back-nine tee times on the Torrey Pines North Course are suspended from October 9, 2026 through February 1, 2027; full 18-hole play is unaffected. source

Checked November 7, 2026. Schedules change, so confirm with the resort.

Fun facts about San Diego

  • San Diego's PGA Tour event was first played in 1952 as the San Diego Open and has been held at Torrey Pines every year since 1968. source
  • Torrey Pines is a municipal course owned and maintained by the City of San Diego, yet it has hosted two U.S. Opens. source
  • Sentry Insurance replaced Farmers Insurance as the tournament's title sponsor on June 1, 2026, ending a 17-year run under the Farmers name. source
  • Golf Digest ranked Coronado Golf Course No. 5 nationally for golf value. source

Facts last checked November 7, 2026. How we check facts. Resort or tourism board? Send us updates for this guide.

Course details and access rules change. Confirm current tee-time policies and rates directly with each course before you book.

FAQ

When is the best time for a San Diego golf trip?

Golf is played year round. Torrey Pines closes briefly each spring and fall for aerification and overseeding, so check its maintenance calendar before locking dates. Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

What airport do you fly into for San Diego?

San Diego International (SAN), about 20 min to Torrey Pines; Los Angeles International (LAX), about 2 to 2.5 hours to Torrey Pines.

What are the best courses at San Diego?

Torrey Pines South Course, Torrey Pines North Course, Aviara Golf Club, Maderas Golf Club, Coronado Golf Course.

Is San Diego good for a group golf trip?

Best for: Groups who want a bucket-list municipal round plus beach-city nights.. It works for groups of 4–12, 12–24, 24+ golfers.

How far ahead should we book San Diego?

For 8 or more golfers in peak season, plan 6–12 months out. Call the golf desk and ask about group tee-time blocks and package rates before you book rooms.

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