Hey Sean, My dad and I are heading down to San Diego in February. We are playing both N & S Torrey and we have booked a course called Pala Mesa looks really nice, its a little bit of a drive but apparently worth it. San Diego proper apparently Balboa park is a great course and not easy. If you wanna spend the big bucks you could get on to Avaria. there is also River walk golf course is a range which has lights for night practice ! good luck and when Im back ill let you know how they were. BOOK torrey 30 days in advanced IF IF IF you know someone who lives there ask to use there discount. when book torrey they charge you a 45$ book fee per booking per person. if you know someone around that area apparently you can get 150$ off the tee time. but its worth paying as it would be like going to St Andrews Scotland and not paying to play the old course ! 

Play well 
Michael Martysiewicz.  

Torrey is fairly easy to get onto, just check in advance if they have tournaments on the days you want to play.  The first hour of tee times are not bookable, so just show up early and walk on (weekdays are the easiest to walk on).  Talking with locals when I've played it, if you tee off after 10 you will be into a 5 hour round.

Riverwalk is nice, but short.  If you haven't played in a while warm up there or Balboa Park before playing Torrey.  Also use Golf Now and you can can get last minute early times for very reasonable prices compared to booking in advance (usually 1/2 price).   

You can also head north and play The Crossings in Carlsbad (maybe get a fitting and new clubs while your at it), or take a trip across the Coronado Bridge and play there (it's a great course for the $, so check the website), then relax at the hotel and have a drink or two on the patio overlooking the ocean.

I have had the pleasure of being able to play Torrey South a couple of times! I must say it is worth it.  First time I just walked up to the Starter and put my name in, was on in about 15 mins.

I hope you enjoy your time down in Southern California.

Ryan P - Team Titleist

Thanks for the input everyone... As of right now I am planning on playing Torrey Pines South and La Costa - Champions - got a great deal on Golf Hub for $39 for La Costa. My hotel is right across from Riverwalk so I am likely going to be practicing there. I am going to try and play Coronada as well. I would still be interested in hearing your thoughts on the courses to play there as i still have a few days to play. Can wait to get there and get out of this brutal winter. Thanks, Sean

Sean,

$39.00 is a pretty good deal for La Costa.  I have also had the opportunity to play there, tough track but enjoyable.

Ryan P - Team Titleist

Sean, Drove by Riverwalk today. Looks in great condition and ill let you know how it is as im playing it as  a warm up course !

 

MM

Hey Sean, just finished my round at River walk, Nice starter course and has some challenges to the course. I played Mission and Friar, mission by far the better one. heard the 3rd one is great to ! greens were in really great condition. hope you enjoy your time in San Diego. i shot 81 with my new irons that were fit by the master him self Chris Welton !

 

MM

Hi Mike, Thanks so much for the update. I am staying right across the street from that course so I expect to be there a little to practice and play some. Let me know what other courses you play on your stay. Thanks, Sean

Sean, just saw your comment now. Played Balboa Park, fun track. great views of the city! played madearas which use to be a private club. 89$ to play. great club, service and views. played the golf club of california which is another use to be private club. played canyon valley treed in and desert, again great views amazing service i think that was 60$ to play. torrey north and south were great, South took a bite out of me as I shot an 85, north course definitely easier because i shot a 77 ! again great views amazing service, even had the marine layer roll in for the first hole of the north and couldn't see 10 yards in front of us, thank god i hit it down the middle ! 

Enjoy your time in California and take some pictures ! 

Hi, I just got back from San Diego and wow what a place... amazing golf courses, food, weather... just a pleasure to go. So I played La Costa - Champions, Torrey Pines - South and North and Barona Creek. La Costa was a really great course and so awesome to see the Wall of Champions - Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Lee Trevino and many more... Then off to Torrey Pines South and that is a beast of a course... so hard to focus on the golf with those amazing views. I really understand why you need to keep the ball in the fairway as the rough was so tough. Now Barona Creek was a hidden gem... links style course in a middle of moutains... great greens, so fast and true... real pleasure to play... twilight weekend rate was $80 with cart and water, gps system. Highly recommend - home course for San Diego State University golf team. Last course was Torrey Pines North... was in really good condition and the rough was up as it was at the Farmer's tournament. It is easier than the South but I think the views might be a little better... for non-resident twilight $60 can't beat it. Thanks for the suggestions everyone... Sean