Growing up in Southern California, I guess it was inevitable that I would try golf at some point. This spring marked 40 years since I first picked up a club. It was a hot spring day and my friend Neil and I snuck onto the local community college course and played a few holes before to got caught. I was hooked. Since then, I’ve considered myself a golfer — or at least a weekend hacker.
We’re lucky here. Not just for the weather, but for the sheer number of quality courses within an hour or two of our front door. And the history behind them isn’t just local — it’s legendary. From Bing Crosby’s Clam Bake at Pebble Beach to the star-studded Bob Hope Classic in its heyday in Palm Springs, golf in SoCal has always attracted attention, and Hollywood stars. Some of the most iconic courses in the country are within driving distance. Many of them were shaped by names like Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye, and Tom Fazio — designers who didn’t just build courses, they built icons.
Like many of you, I’ve got a long mental list of courses I’ve dreamt of playing. And one that still sits at the top isn’t a private course that none of us could ever play — and it’s just a short drive from Temecula — Torrey Pines.
Perched above the Pacific in La Jolla, Torrey Pines Golf Course is owned by the City of San Diego and open to the public. But don’t let the “municipal” label fool you. This is no ordinary city course. Torrey features two full 18-hole layouts: the North Course, which is more forgiving and scenic, and the South Course, a championship monster known for punishing rough and stunning coastal views. Designed by William Bell, the course went from dream to reality in a 1956 special City Election that set aside 100 acres of what was once Camp Callan, a military training center.
It’s the South Course that grabs the headlines — and rightly so. Redesigned by Rees Jones, it stretches over 7,800 yards from the tips and has hosted two U.S. Opens (2008 and 2021), not to mention serving as the annual site for the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open.
And then there’s the Drama.
If you’re a golf fan, you probably already know that Tiger Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey — on a torn ACL and a double stress fracture. He sank a 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff, then gutted out a win in sudden death. It’s one of the most iconic finishes in modern golf. And it happened here — not across the country, but right down the coast.
That’s the thing about living in this part of the state. You don’t need to get on a plane to play somewhere with history, beauty, and true challenge. You can check boxes off your golf bucket list while still sleeping in your own bed.
If you have the chance to play Torrey, why not make it a truly great experience. The Lodge at Torrey Pines is just steps from the course — and it’s every bit as legendary.
Built in the Craftsman style with timbered ceilings, stained glass, and fireplaces tucked into nearly every corner, the Lodge feels like a retreat in every sense. From the moment you arrive, there’s a quiet elegance to it. The staff welcomes you like family, the ocean breeze drifts through the courtyard, and the views from the balconies stretch from the fairways to the sea.
Inside, it’s a different pace. Spa treatments, fine dining at A.R. Valentien, and little moments like sipping a local wine by the fire pit make it a true escape. Even if you never touch a club, The Lodge is the kind of place that reminds you how to slow down.
For golfers, it’s magic. You wake up, step out onto your balcony, and the South Course is right there — just waiting for you to tee it up.
This is what makes living here special. We’re surrounded by courses with personality and prestige — and some of the best don’t require jet lag or cross-country planning. Whether you’re chasing a number, a memory, or just an excuse to unplug, it’s all within reach.
Who needs azaleas or a 17-mile drive?
We’ve got Torrey.