About Balboa Park Golf Course
The Balboa Park Municipal Course is a public course on the eastern side of Balboa Park and is probably the best golf course in the San Diego for the money. Maybe second to Torrey Pines. Balboa is well maintained, picturesque, and very welcoming. Sam Snead holds the course record with a 60, but see if you can break 100. The greens here are always smooth and fast. And so are the beers.
With a resident card, Balboa costs $38 for the 18 hole – a beautifully maintained and devilishly challenging course and $18 for the 9 hole – a mix of par 3s and 4s that is great for beginners, kids, or a casual quick round. Tee times open 7 days ahead at 7 p.m. sharp. Primetime spots go within the blink of an eye. Literally. The 18 hole is hilly so a cart is recommended. The 9 hole is an easy flat walk (mostly).

Best Parts
- Hole 4 on the 18 is a doozy
- So is hole 16
- Executive Course is great for beginners
- Stop by Tobey’s 19th Hole after for food and a beer with a city view
Behind The Counter
Balboa Park Golf Course is a city course, opened in 1919, and managed by the City of San Diego.
Map
As Seen In
What To Do In Balboa Park
How do you decide what to do in a park the size of a small village?
More Outdoor Activities In San Diego
Paddle Boarding In Mission Bay
Go searching for Aquaman’s home
Palomar Mountain State Park
A slice of the Sierras in Southern California
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Blustery cliffs and wind-swept pines overlooking the coast
Torrey Pines State Beach
Open stretch of natural coastline with a inlet for the kids
South Fortuna Trail At Mission Trails
Hike to the peak for sunrise and sunset views (not at the same time)
Father Junipero Serra Trail
A stunningly beautiful walk right in the heart of San Diego County
Blair Valley And The Pictographs Trail
The desert offers a surprising abundance of life, you just have to know where to look
Silver Strand Bikeway In Coronado
A bicycle route cruising the bay and oceanfront at a leisurely pace
Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area
A wilderness corridor stretching from the city to the desert