La Costa Resort & Spa

Two great 18 hole championship courses here, the North and South, both very similar in their layout and design. Full blown resort and spa in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego, an old, but updated classic golf resort for Southern California. Slight discount to play here if you're a resort guest, and better rates before 8 am and after 2 pm. Both courses were designed by Dick Wilson, who's known for Doral/Bay Hill among many other notables. The South course plays to 7077 yards, 140 slope, and 74.8 course rating, the North 7000 yards, 141 slope, 74.9 course rating. The course has been a PGA Tour stop for years, and most recently held the World Match Play Championships. The courses are a "resort" style of design if there's such a thing. Roomy off the tee, a lot of water and sand in play, but not overly penal if you pick the right tees, some tree lined fairways, some open holes. Greens are good sized, well bunkered, and in excellent condition, fast with little undulation. There's plenty of great golf courses in this price range in the area, but few have the history and panache as La Costa.