San Diego is one of the rare golf destinations where the best-known course is also one of the most accessible — Torrey Pines is a city-owned municipal facility sitting on top of the La Jolla bluffs, not a private resort you need a special invitation to play. That makes it an easy trip to plan around, especially since the city has plenty of other public golf to fill out a multi-day visit.
Where to play
Torrey Pines North sits on the same clifftop municipal property as the more famous South Course, which hosts the PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open every January and has held a U.S. Open. The North is the calmer, friendlier sibling — same ocean views, an easier walk, and a much easier tee time to actually get.
Balboa Park Municipal is one of the older public courses in the city, close to downtown and a good, cheap round if you're not chasing ocean views.
Riverwalk Golf Club is a public course along the San Diego River, an easy add if you want a third round without leaving the city.
Rancho Bernardo Inn pairs a resort course with a hotel stay if you'd rather have golf and lodging in one stop, away from the coast.
Where to stay
La Jolla puts you closest to Torrey Pines itself, but San Diego's public courses are spread across the city, so it's worth picking a hotel near whichever course is anchoring your trip. Browse hotels near Torrey Pines North to find something close to your rounds.
When to go
San Diego's weather is mild nearly year-round, which makes a golf trip to Torrey Pines an easy one to plan — but tee times get significantly harder to book around the Farmers Insurance Open in late January, so plan around that week unless you're going specifically to watch it.