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Southern California
| | Pelican Hill Golf Club
Newport Coast
 Thirty-six holes of oceanfront Tom Fazio golf is one way to describe Pelican Hill’s charms. But in addition to phenomenal views and the most scenic setting for golf south of Pebble Beach, these courses challenge your best game. Stringent carries off the tees, fairways narrowed by mature trees and testy green complexes are all part of the fun. But it’s so gorgeous, you won’t care if you shot 95! These are two of the best upscale daily-fee golf courses on the West Coast. Although a hotel on site is planned at Pelican Hill, it is several years away. In the meantime, set up base camp at the nearby Montage (262 craftsman-style rooms, suites and bungalows, spa, dining—$475-$3,800/night) or Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel (393 luxury guestrooms, spa, dining—$395-$3,200 (in season) to $345-$3,200 (nonpeak). Both of these oceanfront properties are highly recommended.
Pelican Hill: (949) 760-0707 www.pelicanhill.com
Montage (949) 715-6000 www.montagelagunabeach.com
Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel: (949) 240-2000 http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/laguna_niguel/ | St. Regis Monarch Beach
Dana Point
 The combination of the St. Regis Monarch Beach hotel and the Monarch Beach Golf Links presents an alluring destination. From many holes on the golf course, wide ocean views can be seen, and a couple holes run alongside it. The course was built to conform nicely to the terrain. Several carries off the tee can jump up and bite, but most everyone enjoys their experience on this friendly Robert Trent Jones Jr. design. The St. Regis, meanwhile, is situated above the golf course and has even better coastal views. It exudes luxury from the moment you walk into the lobby. Dark woods and cool marble decorate the 400 snazzy guestrooms and suites. Several award-winning restaurants and a popular spa round out the offerings. Rates range from $490-$5,500 (in season) to $450-$5,500 (nonpeak). Golf packages available.
(800) 722-1543
www.stregismb.com
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| Four Seasons Resort Aviara
Carlsbad
 Carlsbad is home to many of the top golf equipment manufacturers, including Taylor Made and Titleist. Thus, it is only fitting that it is also home to one of the best golf resorts in the U.S. Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay designed one of their best courses at Aviara, a layout that opened in 1991. The course is bordered on the west by the Batiquitos Lagoon, home to more than 130 species of shorebirds, waterfowl and a wide array of natural vegetation. It is a highly manicured course, with an abundance of flowers and water features on several holes. The elegant, comfortable Four Seasons Aviara features 329 guestrooms and suites set in low-rise, Spanish Colonial-style buildings. Several dining options are available, including a wonderful Sunday brunch at one of the best golf clubhouses you’ll ever see. Rates range from $395 to $1,995 per night. Golf packages available.
(800) 332-3442
www.fourseasons.com
| Barona Valley Ranch
Lakeside
 At Barona Valley Ranch, 30 minutes inland from San Diego, the concept of play takes on added dimension, as a bustling Indian casino adds to the lure of this resort property. If you’ve lost the skins game to your golf mates, you always have a chance to win it back at the blackjack tables. Golf course designer Gary Roger Baird had a serene, inland valley setting on which to work his design magic, with massive boulders strewn across the landscape. There is plenty of sunshine and a tranquil feeling out here in what feels like rural California, yet it is only 30 miles from San Diego. There are 364 guestrooms and an additional 32 luxury suites. Several restaurants service the needs of guests, with the Barona Oaks Steakhouse being a standout. Rates range from $89 to $650 per night. Golf packages available with some rooms.
(888) 7-BARONA
www.barona.com
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| La Costa
Carlsbad
 A quick 30-minutes north of San Diego, there are two scenic, fun golf courses set on 400 acres at La Costa. The North Course is wide open and rolling, while the South Course is tighter and more demanding. Water and tree-lined fairways make accuracy a must on both designs. If they feel a little like Florida courses, it’s because courses by the designers Dick Wilson and Joe Lee are everywhere in the Sunshine State. Nine holes of each course are used for the PGA Tour's Accenture Match Play World Golf Championship. A $140 million renovation in 2003/2004 brought new life to this classic, 400-room California resort. Rates range from $300 to $800 per night. Golf packages available.
(800) 854-5000
www.lacosta.com | The Lodge at Torrey Pines
La Jolla
 Along the sunny La Jolla coast, just a few miles north of San Diego, two of the best public layouts in the country await at Torrey Pines Golf Course, home of the PGA Tour Buick Invitational, and site of the 2008 U.S. Open Championship. Majestic Pacific views distinguish both tracks. Opened in 1957 they are revered for their combination of beauty and beast since. Prior to the 2002 Buick tournament, architect Rees Jones made some significant improvements to the South Course, bringing this popular design to its best shape in years. Recently, with the opening of The Lodge at Torrey Pines, golfers have a 175-room luxury retreat at which to hang their spikes, dine and relax after golf. Best of all is the fact that the lodge has guaranteed tee-time privileges at the two world-class golf courses. Rates range from $450 to $4,200. Golf packages available.
(858) 453-4420
www.lodgetorreypines.com
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