San Diego Golf Courses - Play For All Seasons

Because of Orange County and the Los Angeles Basin, San Diego golf courses are often overlooked. While this may prick the pride of San Diegans, the fact is that it's a good thing for golfers.

San Diego golf courses have been one of the best-kept secrets in California. With a warm Mediterranean climate, tempered by Pacific breezes and less than 10 inches of rain per year, more and more aficionados are discovering the over 80 San Diego golf courses within 40 miles of the city's center - and greens fees compared with nearby Los Angeles and Orange County are very competitive.

At the top of most local golfer's lists is the Sycuan Golf Resort (formerly Singing Hills), less than 30 minutes north of San Diego. Spread out over almost 425 acres of prime land with spectacular views, Syucan is actually three courses, which have been host to numerous professional tournaments over the years. Not only is this one of the finest San Diego golf courses, it is also among the most affordable; greens fees for weekday evenings are as little as $26 for the Pine Glen Executive Course and $39 for the Willow Glen and Oak Glen courses.

Maderas Gold Club is a more upscale facility located in the hills of northern San Diego County; with numerous slopes, rock outcroppings and woods, it is not for novices. Greens Fees are also at the upper end for San Diego golf courses; weekday evenings are currently $90, and can go as high as $210 for weekend days. Fees include the use of a cart, however and maderas offers some of the finest amenities in the area.

Carlton Oaks was rated the second most challenging among San Diego golf courses with an abundance of wandering creeks, old-growth trees, bunkers and peninsulas. This course features lodging on the grounds as well as a full service dining facility, and several attractively-priced "stay and play" packages are available. This course was designed to be environmentally friendly; no pull carts are allowed, so unless you are up to carrying your own bag, plan on hiring a caddy.

Those who would like a taste of celebrity may enjoy playing at the La Costa Golf Resort and Spa. This course has been a favorite of such past luminaries as the late Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra; PGA champion Tiger Woods has been known to pop in occasionally as well as Lanny Wadkins. In fact, the PGA tour has been coming to La Costa for the past three decades - and once you've experienced the beautiful landscape at this gem among San Diego golf courses, you'll see why!