What Are the Best Golf and Spa Resorts in Southern California?
The best golf and spa resorts in Southern California pair championship fairways with serious wellness, so golfers and non-golfers can share the same blissful escape. Year-round sunshine, Pacific breezes and desert warmth make the region one of the world’s great golf break destinations.
From San Diego’s historic fairways to the Newport Coast, the Ojai Valley and the Coachella Valley, these resorts offer tournament-calibre courses, destination spas and the kind of dining that turns a golf trip into a proper holiday. Having visited Southern California multiple times, we can safely say that these are eleven of the finest golf and spa resorts.
1. Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego
Rancho Bernardo Inn has been one of San Diego’s most beloved retreats since it opened in 1963. Today it is a AAA Four Diamond resort and a member of Historic Hotels of America, set in 265 acres about 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby were among Rancho Bernardo Inn’s early famous guests.
Its 18-hole championship course was designed by William F. Bell, who also completed the North and South courses at Torrey Pines. Rancho Bernardo’s golf course hosted the PGA Tour’s San Diego Open in 1964 and the LPGA from 1978-80, giving it the rare distinction of hosting both tours.
Non-golfers are well looked after at The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn, which has several treatment rooms, an outdoor adults-only saline pool, seven relaxation cabanas and a tranquil outdoor hot tub. There are two additional outdoor pools in the hotel grounds.
Dining spans AVANT for elegant dinners and modern Californian cuisine, and Veranda, which serves contemporary American cuisine with views across the golf course. Guests can also grab a bite to eat at Veranda Bar and Café Granada. The resort is a six minute drive from Bernardo Winery, the oldest continuously operating winery in Southern California, which makes for a charming afternoon off the course.
The Spanish-Revival style 286 rooms and suites were refreshed in 2023. Choose from golf, pool or garden views. For those who want heritage, golfing, a proper spa and Mediterranean charm without coastal price tags, Rancho Bernardo Inn is a superb choice.
2. The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla
The Lodge at Torrey Pines is the ultimate address for golfers who want to play where the pros play. Perched on the La Jolla cliffs, this AAA Five Diamond hotel sits right beside the municipal 36-hole Torrey Pines Golf Course.
The South Course hosts the PGA Tour’s annual The Sentry (formerly known as the Farmers Insurance Open) and was the scene of Tiger Woods’ famous 2008 US Open victory. Guests receive dedicated tee times on both the North and South courses, which can otherwise be notoriously hard to secure.
The Spa at Torrey Pines covers 9,500 square feet, with treatment rooms, saunas and herbal-infused steam rooms inspired by the Pacific coast. Next door, the 2,000-acre Torrey Pines State Reserve offers clifftop trails among the rare pines that give the area its name.
3. Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego
Fairmont Grand Del Mar is a Mediterranean-style estate adjacent to San Diego’s Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, just five miles from the Pacific. Its 400 acres feel worlds away from the city, despite being minutes from Del Mar.
The Grand Golf Club is Tom Fazio’s only course design in San Diego. Most holes feel wonderfully private because you can usually see only the one you are playing. From the back tees it stretches to 7,160 yards.
The spa is consistently ranked among the best in the United States, and the resort’s dining is anchored by Addison, its acclaimed three Michelin-starred restaurant. Four heated pools, an equestrian centre and canyon hiking trails round out a remarkably complete stay.
4. Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad
Park Hyatt Aviara blends coastal luxury with one of Southern California’s most scenic layouts. The Aviara Golf Club is an Arnold Palmer signature design, a par-72 course of just over 7,000 yards that opened in 1991.
Wildflower-covered hillsides, waterfalls and streams frame the fairways, while many holes enjoy views towards the Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific. Golf fans can even book the Palmer Suite, a nod to the King himself.
Wellness is handled by Miraval Life in Balance Spa Aviara, which offers ocean-inspired treatments, yoga and Pilates studios, whirlpools and the Solarium Quiet Lounge. This is an excellent pick for couples where only one partner plays.
5. Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, Dana Point
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach sits on a 150-foot bluff above the Pacific, surrounded by 175 acres of gardens. It is a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond resort, with 400 renovated rooms and suites.
Monarch Beach Golf Links was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in a Scottish links style, with rolling greens and the ocean as a constant backdrop. At around 6,645 yards it is challenging yet playable, and resort guests receive preferred tee times.
The Waldorf Astoria Spa offers treatments such as the luxurious gilded manicure or pedicure, and guests also have access to the private Monarch Bay Beach Club. It is an ideal choice for couples who want golf, beach time and spa days in one coastal escape.
6. Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes
Terranea Resort is a Mediterranean-style oceanfront property on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, around 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Set on 102 clifftop acres, it looks out across the Pacific to Catalina Island.
Its golf course is short but spectacular. The Links at Terranea, designed by Todd Eckenrode and opened in 2009, is a nine-hole par-3 course with ocean views from every tee, perfect for sharpening your short game or a relaxed round with non-golfers.
Where Terranea truly shines is wellness. The Spa at Terranea spans 50,000 square feet, with 25 treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor lounges and an adults only spa pool overlooking the ocean, making it a superb pick for spa lovers who enjoy a little golf.
7. The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Coast
The Resort at Pelican Hill, A St Regis Estate is Orange County’s most glamorous golf and spa escape. Inspired by the Palladian villas of northern Italy, it spreads across 504 acres of hillside overlooking the Pacific.
Two Tom Fazio courses, Ocean North and Ocean South, deliver 36 holes with ocean views on almost every one. Fazio states that “golf courses should reflect the natural beauty of their environments”, and that’s certainly the case here.
The Forbes Five-Star spa is a 23,000-square-foot sanctuary. The circular Coliseum Pool is one of the largest of its kind in the world, containing 380,000 gallons of chemical-free soft saltwater.
Guests stay in spacious residential-style Bungalows or Villas, and John Wayne Airport is a ten to fifteen minute drive.
8. Ojai Valley Inn, Ojai
Ojai Valley Inn is a historic retreat set on 220 oak-studded acres in a mountain valley between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. A member of Historic Hotels of America, it has welcomed golfers since 1923. Most rooms have fireplaces and terraces with mountain or golf course views, which makes Ojai a deeply restful escape.
The course was created by George C. Thomas Jr., the architect behind Riviera and Bel-Air Country Clubs, with Billy Bell. It has hosted seven Senior PGA Tour events, and two of Thomas’s original holes, lost during the Second World War, were restored in 1999.
Spa Ojai is one of California’s most celebrated resort spas, a 31,000-square-foot spa village with its own Artist Cottage and Apothecary.
9. La Quinta Resort & Club, Palm Springs
For a desert alternative, La Quinta Resort & Club has been a Hollywood hideaway since opening in 1926. Greta Garbo, Clark Gable and Shirley Temple all sojourned here, and the Spanish-style casitas still carry that old-world romance.
Now a Waldorf Astoria resort, it offers access to five championship courses. The Mountain and Dunes courses are on site, while PGA West adds the Pete Dye Stadium Course, the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course and the Greg Norman Course.
Spa La Quinta has won local Best Spa awards and offers desert-inspired treatments, together with fascial stretch therapy and sports massages. With over 40 pools set at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains, it is a superb winter sun choice for golfers.
10. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage
Omni Rancho Las Palmas sits on 240 palm-fringed acres in Rancho Mirage, around 12 miles from downtown Palm Springs. It is a relaxed, sun-drenched base with views of the San Jacinto and San Bernardino mountains.
Its 27 holes, designed by Ted Robinson, are split into North, South and West nines that combine into three different 18-hole rounds. The courses are friendly for mid-handicappers, with the West nine winding through the heart of the resort.
Spa Las Palmas is a 20,000-square-foot European-style spa with a Turkish steam bath and sauna, while adults can retreat to the Azure pool. Families will love Splashtopia, a two-acre water park with a lazy river and slides, making this the most family-friendly golf and spa resort on the list.
11. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert
JW Marriott Desert Springs is a lush oasis on 450 acres in Palm Desert, where gondolas glide across lagoons beneath the San Jacinto Mountains. A complete renovation was finished in late 2021.
Golfers have two courses to choose from, the Palm and the Valley, both designed by Ted Robinson with his signature water features and undulating greens. The renowned Desert Willow Golf Resort is a 4 minute drive away.
Spa Desert Springs is one of the largest in the region, with 47 treatment rooms including couples suites. Five pools and the boutiques and restaurants of El Paseo nearby make it a great choice for families and groups.
How Do You Choose the Right Golf and Spa Resort?
Start with the golf you want to play. Torrey Pines and PGA West suit golfers chasing famous tournament venues, while Rancho Bernardo Inn, Aviara and Ojai offer more relaxed, scenic rounds steeped in history.
Then consider your non-golfing companions. Pelican Hill, Fairmont Grand Del Mar and Terranea have exceptional spas and dining, while Omni Rancho Las Palmas and La Quinta suit families with plenty of pools and activities.
If you want to compare championship courses beyond California, see our guide to championship golf resort escapes around the world.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Southern California for Golf?
Coastal San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles are playable all year, with spring and autumn offering the most comfortable temperatures. Winter is a brilliant sunshine escape for UK and European golfers.
In the desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert are at their best from October to May. Summer temperatures in the Coachella Valley regularly soar, so early tee times are essential if you visit then.
How Do You Get to Southern California’s Golf Resorts From the UK?
Direct flights from London reach both Los Angeles and San Diego. San Diego International Airport is the most convenient gateway for Rancho Bernardo Inn, Torrey Pines, Grand Del Mar and Aviara.
Pelican Hill and Monarch Beach are easiest via John Wayne Airport in Orange County, while Terranea and Ojai are best reached via Los Angeles International Airport. For La Quinta, Omni Rancho Las Palmas and JW Marriott Desert Springs, fly into Palm Springs International Airport, around 30 minutes away.
Golf and Spa Resorts in Southern California: FAQs
Which Southern California golf resort has the most history?
La Quinta Resort & Club dates back to 1926 and Ojai Valley Inn’s course to 1923, while Rancho Bernardo Inn opened in 1963 and has hosted both PGA and LPGA events. All three are rich in golden-era stories.
Can non-golfers enjoy these resorts?
Absolutely. Every resort on this list has a full-service spa, pools and fine dining, making them ideal for mixed couples and families.
Which golf and spa resort is best for a San Diego base?
Rancho Bernardo Inn offers heritage golf, a full spa and good value, while The Lodge at Torrey Pines and Fairmont Grand Del Mar sit at the luxury end. All three are within easy reach of the city’s beaches and attractions.
Which resort is best for families?
Omni Rancho Las Palmas has its own water park, while La Quinta and JW Marriott Desert Springs offer multiple pools and plenty of activities for all ages.
Do resort guests get priority tee times?
Most resorts here include preferred access for guests. At The Lodge at Torrey Pines, this is especially valuable because public tee times on the South Course are in high demand.
