Golf in San Diego

With 90-plus courses, more than 50 of them open to the public, San Diego County offers golf enthusiasts innumerable opportunities to play their game. Courses are diverse: Some have vistas of the Pacific, others views of country hillsides or desert landscapes. For a full listing of area courses, including fees, stats, and complete score cards, visit www.golfsd.com, or request the Golf Guide from the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau (tel. 619/236-1212); it's also available online at www.sandiego.org.

In addition to the well-established courses listed below, other acclaimed links include Maderas Golf Club (tel. 858/451-8100; www.maderasgolf.com), Barona Creek Golf Club (tel. 619/387-7018; www.barona.com), Steele Canyon Golf Club (tel. 619/441-6900; www.steelecanyon.com), Salt Creek Golf Club (tel. 619/482-4666; www.saltcreekgc.com), the Grand Del Mar Golf Club, and La Costa Resort and Spa.

San Diego Golf Reservations (tel. 866/717-6552 or 858/456-8300; www.sandiegogolf.com) can arrange tee times for you at San Diego's premier golf courses. There's no charge for the service, except for Torrey Pines reservations (up to 90 days in advance; $25 per person). And when you just want to practice your swing, head to Stadium Golf Center & Batting Cages, 2990 Murphy Canyon Rd., in Mission Valley (tel. 858/277-6667; www.stadiumgolfcenter.com). It's open daily from 7am to 10pm, with 72 artificial turf and natural grass hitting stations, plus greens and bunkers to practice your short game. A complete pro shop offers club rentals; a bucket of balls costs $8 to $19. Golf instruction and clinics are also available.