5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067, US
(858) 756-1123
Location Map

About Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

The Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, inspired by a Spanish colonial hacienda, indulges guests with 49 private casitas with private patios and fireplaces. The Forbes five-star resort and spa aims to rejuvenate with wellness, fitness and pampering. Two signature restaurants, Veladora and The Pony Room, serve distinctive Coastal Ranch cuisines. Tennis is onsite, while the resort has relationships for special discounts for playing golf at Torrey Pines, Aviara and two local private clubs, The Farms Golf Club and Del Mar Country Club.

Facts

Price Range$$$$
Property Class★★★★★
Acres45
Year Opened1989
Number of UnitsLess than 100

Amenities

RestaurantsFine, Casual
TennisYes
Fitness CenterYes
Practice FacilityYes
Banquet SpaceYes
SpaYes

Services

Kids ProgramYes
Room ServiceYes
ConciergeYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?Yes
Is resort stay required for a tee time?Yes

Golf courses at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Images from Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Reviews

4.3
284 Reviews (284)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

The best in San Diego area

It's really saying something to call this the best course in a region loaded with fine courses. But, after playing many of the other famous tracks, I think Aviara is tops in terms of challenge, condition, and aesthetics. The greens fees are ridiculous. But try to find a discount below $225 and play this course. It is absolutely a dream.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Return visit

I played here before the hotel opened some 17 years ago. It has matured since but is still as beautiful as then.

The staff is great. I haven't played anywhere friendlier.

My tuna salad sandwich was stuffed. I was full on half and needed to save room for the free wings after the round.

A great time which we all enjoyed. Wonderful test which is easily tailored to your game by choosing from the variety of tees and tee combos.

I'll be back in less time next round.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

US Open Test

Great course. Expensive for out of towners but worth the money. We played from the white tees and it was still very challenging. Course was in excellent shape, the greens were hard and fast. Don't short side yourself out there!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 128
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Texas Advisor
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

What else can you say? It's Torrey Pines!

Played Torrey Pines South as part of a group trip to San Diego. Aside from the difficulty of getting a tee time and price for being from out of state, the experience was unforgettable.

Seriously, this course is a regular PGA stop and hosted a US Open. Not the kind of course you stumble upon everyday.

The views are stunning. The course is challenging. But it is something you will never forget.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

overated

nothing spectaucular about this course besides it held the wpga kia classic. i had a coupon and used it here so my round was only $140 instead of paying 180 or over 200. There is no way i would ever come back with the conditions the way it was and the pace of play. No scenary except the par 3 in the front 9 and the 18th. No water or trash on any holes. they force you to buy their drinks and food. $18 for 2 sandwiches. I rather play torrey north or south or drive 90 miles to trump national for the money. It was probably the most disapointing course i ever played for the value. the crossing at carlsbad is about the same for 1/4 of the price.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Aviara does NOT disappoint!!

From the moment you pull into parking lot you are treated like Norm from Cheers. Everyone goes out of their way to greet you. The pro shop was busy with a tournament so the course Golf Pro carried our bags to our cart. He and his staff were wonderful to deal with. The facility has excellent practice area, range and putting greens. The starter was an older gentleman that I regretfully cannot remember his name. He was FANTASTIC! He spent a full five minutes giving us the low down on the course, which holes needed what club, and answered questions we didn't even think to ask. I hope Aviara knows what an excellent employee they have hosting their golfers. The Ambassadors keep pace of play, professionally and friendly. They hand out tootsie roll pops as they are driving around. Who does that?? It was so much fun. You forget the price and even forget the course difficulty. Yes Aviara is pricey but you get what you pay for. There is a reason you pay to golf here. I recommend every golfer find a way to golf here at least once. Make it a special occasion and maybe give up golfing 2-3 mediocre courses if you have to. Yes I used last year's rewards to offset the price but I was beyond impressed with service, scenery, and fun we had.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing experience

This was one of my best golfing experiences ever. From the moment you drive and the park the staff takes care of you by having a cart ready and explaining everything. Every staff member was very courteous and friendly. The course was in amazing shape. The fairways were cut perfectly and the greens were super fast. The course is manicured perfectly with flowers and every hole is well maintained. Playing this for the first time is a challenge but a great experience. It is expensive but if you can afford you have to play this course at least once.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/12/2014

You got it right.

Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

love this course

I loved playing on this course, can't wait to go again. They were working on the greens but still an absolute beautiful course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Excellent but those punched greens?

Beautiful setting, an absolutely gorgeous day, and tremendously helpful staff made it a thoroughly enjoyable day. The only drawback was the greens had been punched and sanded within the prior ten days and were bumpy--no notice in the proshop, no reduction in the fee but even those greens could not detract from an otherwise great day of golf! My partner and I had a country club experience due to the limited number of pairings on the course.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Definetly on the bucket list!!!

Played this course for the first time and was overly satisfied w/the experience!! The staff, course & amenities all lived up to the courses' pricing and experience. I would play again if the prices were to drop a bit but then again, the fee was worth every hard earned penny so if you haven't yet, put this course on the to do list!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course

Loved the course every hole was absolutely beautiful, even when you looked back at the hole it was beautiful. A must play course with lots of flowers. I would like to see the price a little lower so I could play it more often. A must play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/12/2014

You got it right. This is a heavenly track.

Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Aviara robbery

Was actually robbed on this course in the middle of the front nine, when someone drove off with our cart while we were putting out. Poor cart path design and lack of fencing leaves everyone susceptible. And don't expect the resort to take any responsibility or step up to help with any reimbursement. They haven't even refunded our green fees. Very disappointed with their response. Beware.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 56
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Stunning beauty

Beautiful views on every hole.
Flowers in bloom, the whole course is green and perfectly manicured.
The greens are somewhat fast and are tough to read but fair.
The staff very welcoming and informative.
Great cookies and suckers.
Best golfing experience I have had so far.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Fabulous Day!

First time at Aviara! It was one of the most gorgeous courses I have ever played! The staff was helpful and good-natured. Pace was maintained. Course conditions were excellent. We played the special Gold/White Combo tees. The greens are very fast and undulating.... and the rough was starting to be tough because they are getting ready for a big LPGA tournament. Bunkers were fine though some were a little dense and hard. It was a great day and we will go back. We had a special price at $145 and that was quite appropriate.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Very scenic but challenging course.

Very scenic and maintained golf course.
Its very tough for the higher handicap player so pack some extra balls because there are many hazards.
I have played this course a hand full of times over the past few years and course conditions are always good; but its expensive. Thanks to golf now I got a great deal so I will go back again. thanks golf now.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Awesome track, would highly recommend!

This gem is in the heart of Ranco Santa Fe. We were gusts of a member so we go on that way, as the course is 100% private. The greens were rolling about an 11.5 and they were tasty! The staff was awesome and very welcoming. If I had the $, I would consider membership!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

thaecourse is in exelent condition

first time playing in aviara golf course w/ my two good friends the course is challenging but has great tee boxes , fairways, and greens i am looking forward to go back and play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Good but a little Pricy

The course is well maintained. There is almost no ball marks on the greens. However, it is a little over priced.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Walked

Torrey North - Still a winner

Torrey - North, while the little sister of Torrey - South, is still a great test of golf and, on this day, was in great shape just prior to the Farmers. Course played a little slow on the front, but opened up on the back. Holes 6 and 7 are right along the water and offer fantastic views.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Walked

Best course I have ever played!

Bar none look no further, the best course in SD and the US for views, conditions, greens, and challenges. It is open to the public, even better if you are a city resident as your green fees are reduced. (75% off)

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Now Reading