5 Things (Other than Weather) That Make San Diego a Sensational Golf Escape

Premier Resorts, Wineries, Festivals and More Await

Chris Duthie

Pictured above: La Jolla Beach

San Diego is a year-round, gotta-go getaway, and it’s especially so in the spring. The splendid cooler temperatures underscore a region long celebrated for top-tier golf resorts, spas, beaches, wineries, galleries, festivals and a compelling proximity to Old Mexico.

What’s so extraordinary about San Diego? Here are five proven suggestions:

1. The destination’s acclaimed golf resorts are some of the swankiest and most indulging in the West, including the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort (with Arnold Palmer golf), Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Tom Fazio), Barona Resort & Casino (Gary Roger Baird) and the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa (Dick Wilson and Joe Lee). And, despite a lack of on-location golf, the historic Loews Coronado Bay Resort remains a bucket-list extravagance.

2. Coastal vacations mandate ocean recreation, and San Diego delivers big with 4,200-acre Mission Bay Park. Offering 27 miles of meandering shoreline just minutes from the city’s vibrant downtown, this water wonderland offers sailing, kite surfing, jet skiing, sport fishing excursions and myriad beachside activities like cycling, rollerblading and skateboarding. For even more sun and surf, head to La Jolla’s Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, located cliffside to 36-hole Torrey Pines Golf Course (William F. Bell), revered host of the 2008 U.S. Open and the PGA Tour’s annual Farmers Insurance Open (held in January).

Above: A paraglider over Torrey Pines

3. While upstate Napa Valley has more than confirmed its winemaking prowess, resist overlooking San Diego’s acclaimed Temecula Valley Wine Country. Located just north of the city, this 1,200-acre expanse is home to blue-ribbon resorts, restaurants, art galleries, B&Bs and 36 flourishing wineries. Maximize your sip-and-chip experience by headquartering at the classy Rancho Bernardo Inn (course pictured below), which features lüxe-level accommodations, spa, dining and a newly renovated William F. Bell golf course.

4. It remains to be seen if San Diego’s beloved NFL Chargers will return this fall. Regardless, there remains much to enjoy and experience in this get-outdoors Eden, including Stage One of the AmGen Tour of California road race (May 15); San Diego County Fair (June 3-July 4); The Old Globe Theater’s Summer Shakespeare Festival (June-September); and Major League Baseball’s annual All-Star Week (July 10-12).

Above: San Diego's County Fair comes this June, followed by Major League Baseball's All-Star Game in July

5. Mexico is less than an hour away, enticing adventurous travelers with tranquil seaside towns like Rosarito Beach and Puerto Nuevo, genuine regional cuisine, a thriving arts and theater culture, and the opportunity to purchase distinctive keepsakes and souvenirs ranging from colorfully glazed pottery to huarache sandals. Remember to bring your passport!

From Denver, San Diego is located an easy 2.5-hour flight and is serviced daily by multiple major airlines. To learn more, visit sandiego.org.

RELATED ARTICLES:

A Splurge in San Diego

Aviara: An Early Eden

Orange County: Red, Blue or Green?

Cap Your Holiday in Palm Springs

Chris Duthie is a Durango-based contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.