San Diego
Torrey Pines South
Municipal coastal championship
South is the reason most golf travelers come. It is long, hard, scenic, and famous. It is not always charming, but it is absolutely meaningful. Walk it if the group can handle the terrain, because the cliff and canyon moments deserve more than a drive-by from a cart. Play it once, then resist the urge to pretend everyone needs another beating.
Course gallery
3 photos
The take
South is the reason most golf travelers come. It is long, hard, scenic, and famous. It is not always charming, but it is absolutely meaningful. Walk it if the group can handle the terrain, because the cliff and canyon moments deserve more than a drive-by from a cart. Play it once, then resist the urge to pretend everyone needs another beating.
Best for
U.S. Open history, Pacific-cliff setting, and the essential San Diego trophy round
Watch out
Length, pace, non-resident pricing, and choosing tees with ego instead of math
How to play it
Must play once
Course intelligence
What you need to know
Strengths
- U.S. Open pedigree
- Pacific setting
- Municipal-access story
- Serious championship test
Watch-outs
- Non-resident cost
- Slow rounds
- Brutally long from the wrong tees
- Less charming than famous
Signature holes
3, 4, 12, 18
Book it right
Cost, access, and timing
Green fees
City-published 2026 non-resident rates are $246 weekday and $306 weekend/holiday before optional cart and other fees; resident rates are much lower.
Best season
September-November: Best overall window.
Caddies / walking
Torrey is best experienced walking if the group can handle it, but do not turn walking into a moral test.
Replay priority
Medium
Booking move
Book Torrey first if it matters.
Weather read
Pick the right window.
September-November: Best overall window.
Jan
58F / 44F
Sun Mixed; rain Medium
Feb
60F / 46F
Sun Mixed; rain Medium
Mar
61F / 47F
Sun Good; rain Medium
Apr
62F / 48F
Sun Good; rain Low
May
64F / 50F
Sun Good; rain Low
Jun
66F / 53F
Sun Fog/mix; rain Low
Google review
5/5 - 4 months ago
Beautiful course! Great conditions from tee box to green. Rough was untamed (possibly due to the upcoming tournament) but made for a challenge.
Layout was extremely enjoyable. Each hole was unique and memorable.
Beautiful course! Great conditions from tee box to green. Rough was untamed (possibly due to the upcoming tournament) but made for a challenge.
Layout was extremely enjoyable. Each hole was unique and memorable.
Read full reviewClose review
Google review
5/5 - 2 years ago
So if you are an avid golfer and don't mind spending the money if you're an out of towner, play this course !! If you live in San Diego you have no excuse not to play this course !! Very reasonable for the residents. Got lucky that I was even able to get on, which happened to be
So if you are an avid golfer and don't mind spending the money if you're an out of towner, play this course !! If you live in San Diego you have no excuse not to play this course !! Very reasonable for the residents. Got lucky that I was even able to get on, which happened to be
Read full reviewClose review
Google review
4/5 - 2 years ago
Had a great time here while on vacation. Such a gorgeous course! However…., we were only able to get a 5:30 tee time for 9 on the South course. Now, don’t you think it would be relevant for the Pro-shop to remind us that they were going to close at 7:00? Especially when they kne
Had a great time here while on vacation. Such a gorgeous course! However…., we were only able to get a 5:30 tee time for 9 on the South course. Now, don’t you think it would be relevant for the Pro-shop to remind us that they were going to close at 7:00? Especially when they kne
Read full reviewClose review
Keep planning
What should you do next?
Use Torrey Pines South as one piece of the San Diego trip. Build the routing, compare the destination, or ask how it fits your group.
Keep exploring San Diego
Other courses in the same trip.
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Torrey Pines North
North may be the better trip round.
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Aviara Golf Club
Aviara is the polished counterweight to Torrey.
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Maderas Golf Club
Maderas gives the trip a different look and a real golf test.
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Coronado Golf Course
Coronado is the sneaky joy round.
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Encinitas Ranch Golf Course
Encinitas Ranch is easy, useful, and in the right geography for many San Diego trips.
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The Grand Golf Club
The Grand is the polished luxury counterpoint to Torrey.
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Omni La Costa North Course
La Costa's renovated North Course gives San Diego another serious resort anchor beyond Torrey.
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Omni La Costa Legends Course
Legends is a useful supporting round when the trip is based around North County lodging.
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