Torrey Pines North
William F. Bell laid out the North Course in 1957 on the clifftops above the Pacific in La Jolla, and Tom Weiskopf rebuilt it in 2016. A par 72 of about 7,258 yards, it is a true municipal where anyone can play the same bluff that hosts the PGA Tour each January, often for a fraction of what the famous South Course costs.
Photo via Google, contributed by Randolfo Santos.
The verdict
For most traveling golfers the North Course is the more accessible half of Torrey Pines, and that is exactly its appeal. It runs along the same dramatic coastal mesa as the South, with the Pacific glittering off the bluffs and paragliders drifting overhead, yet it plays a little shorter, a little kinder, and a good deal cheaper. Tom Weiskopf's 2016 redesign rebuilt every green, cut the bunker count, reversed the nines and pushed several holes closer to the cliff edge, sharpening a course that had drifted into the South's shadow.
Our verdict: this is the smart play for a group that wants the Torrey Pines experience without the South's brutal length or its premium price. The views are arguably better, the greens are excellent, and you can stand on the same first tee the professionals use during the opening rounds of the tour event. Pair it with the South and you have one of the great municipal double headers in American golf. For the wider region, see our best golf courses in California.
Torrey Pines North Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1957
- Designer
- William F. Bell, Weiskopf 2016
- Type
- Clifftop municipal
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,258 yds
- Green fee
- From about $210 (indicative)
Designer, opening year, redesign, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the City of San Diego and Torrey Pines Golf Course: William F. Bell 1957, full Tom Weiskopf redesign 2016, par 72, about 7,258 yards. The 2025 to 2026 non resident green fee ran roughly $210 to $285 before cart, lower than the South Course. Treat the figure as indicative for the 2025 to 2026 season and always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The coastal holes are the reason to be here. The short par 3 sixth plays straight toward the ocean with nothing but blue behind the green, one of the most photographed tee shots in San Diego, while the par 4 fourth tracks the cliff line with the Pacific down the right. Weiskopf's reshaping opened the views and brought the edge of the world more clearly into play.
Inland, the course is a fair, strategic test rather than a bruising one. Generous landing areas reward the player who drives it well, but the rebuilt greens are subtle and quick, and approach play decides the round. There is none of the South's punishing rough here, which makes the North a far more enjoyable walk for the mid handicapper while still asking real questions of the better player.
Finish on a closing stretch that turns back toward the clubhouse and the famous Torrey pine trees, and the round leaves you wanting the South the next morning. Play both and you have seen the full sweep of this clifftop, from the gentler North to the U.S. Open severity next door. Compare the two at our Torrey Pines South Course profile.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Municipal course owned by the City of San Diego; open to the public, with reduced rates for San Diego residents and a higher published fee for non residents |
| Green fee | Roughly $210 to $285 for non residents in the 2025 to 2026 season before cart, lower than the South Course, indicative and subject to change (always confirm before booking) |
| Booking | Non residents can reserve tee times in advance through the resort booking service; the advance window fills fast, so plan early for prime morning slots |
| On the day | Walking is allowed, carts available, and caddies can be arranged; pace is managed on a busy municipal sheet |
| Getting there | On the coastal mesa in La Jolla, about 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego and 10 minutes from the airport corridor |
| Best months | Year round play in a mild coastal climate; spring and autumn give the calmest, clearest conditions |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the City of San Diego and Torrey Pines Golf Course. Demand is high and the best North Course times go quickly, so confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The Lodge at Torrey Pines sits right by the first tee and is the natural base for a golf focused stay, with priority on the resort tee sheet and a short walk to both courses. La Jolla village offers a wider range of hotels and restaurants a few minutes south, while downtown San Diego and its airport are both close enough to fly in and play the same day.
San Diego makes an easy multi course trip, pairing Torrey Pines with the desert courses around Palm Springs two hours east or the coastal layouts to the north. Build the week around the North and South here and add a desert leg at PGA West in La Quinta.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Torrey Pines North Course.
Build a San Diego golf trip
We secure Torrey Pines tee times across the North and South, pair them with the best of San Diego and the desert, and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Torrey Pines North Course questions
Who designed the Torrey Pines North Course?
William F. Bell laid out the North Course in 1957, and Tom Weiskopf completed a full redesign in 2016 that rebuilt the greens, reshaped the bunkers and reversed the nines.
What is the par and length of the Torrey Pines North Course?
The North Course is a par 72 of about 7,258 yards from the championship tees, set on the clifftops above the Pacific in La Jolla.
Can the public play the Torrey Pines North Course?
Yes. Torrey Pines is a municipal course owned by the City of San Diego, open to the public. San Diego residents pay a reduced rate, while non residents pay a higher published green fee.
How much does it cost to play the Torrey Pines North Course?
The 2025 to 2026 non resident green fee on the North Course was roughly $210 to $285 before cart, lower than the South Course. Treat this as indicative and always confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, redesign, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.