Navigating through San Diego’s scenic landscapes and busy urban corridors, golfers often find themselves confronted with a specific set of challenges when looking for a suitable driving range.
The situation becomes even more challenging when you consider the task of locating a driving range that aligns with your quality standards and schedule constraints. Factors like range conditions, available hours, and wait times can significantly impact the effectiveness of your practice sessions.
This is where our practical guide to the 11 best driving ranges in San Diego comes into play. We’ve focused strictly on what matters most to you as a golfer—convenience, quality, and functionality.
Whether you’re new to the city or a longtime resident, this guide is built for efficiency and effectiveness. We’ve done the legwork to compile the info from some of the best driving ranges around the city.
How We Came Up With This List
As we were assessing the best driving ranges in San Diego, several factors were at the forefront of our consideration.
- We evaluated the cost of an assortment of sizes available for a bucket of balls.
- We looked at the operating hours of various driving ranges in San Diego, looking for locations that offer the longest hours of operations and ideally open 5+ days a week.
- A significant consideration was whether the range allows golfers to use their drivers.
- The presence of a short game area and a practice putting green are also essential criteria, indicating the comprehensiveness of the facility.
- We specify whether golfers are hitting on mats or natural grass, as preferences can vary.
- We also specify whether you can rent clubs at each range, in case you’re traveling and/or don’t have any of your own.
- Lastly, we aimed to cover as many areas across the city as possible to give you options no matter what part of town you’re in.
This systematic approach ensures we capture a holistic view of each range, based on the key factors most golfers prioritize.
The Best Driving Ranges in San Diego
Stadium Golf Center & Batting Cages
Stadium Golf Center provides a versatile experience for golf enthusiasts, whether you’re there for a casual session or serious training.
On the upper range, they offer launch monitors that provide insights into your performance, including ball flight and distance metrics. For those keen on mastering their short game, there’s an expansive area equipped with a high-quality putting green, a chipping zone, and what they playfully term “the beach” – sand traps. While this short game section comes with an additional fee, there’s no time limit to your practice session there.
Address: 2990 Murphy Canyon Rd San Diego, CA 92123
Phone Number: (858) 277-6667
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Par Basket (45+ balls): $12
- Birdie Basket (80+ balls): $13
- Eagle Basket (115+ balls): $15
- Double Eagle Basket (205+ balls): $27
Hours:
- 7 am to 9 pm: Each Day
- Last Bucket Sold at 8:15 pm
Offers club rentals? Yes, $3 per club
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? Yes, $8 per person per visit
Practice putting green? Yes
Hitting on mats or grass? Both, though grass can be closed at times
Other highlights:
- Highly trained and professional staff
- 72 hitting bays
- 10,000 square foot putting green
- Brand new range balls
- Sand bunkers are available for practice
Del Mar Golf Center
This place tends to be busy, but you’ll still manage to get a spot. The driving range is well-kept, and the pricing for balls is reasonable.
They’ve got everything here: a golf shop, top tracer range, plenty of hitting bays, a spacious putting green, and even mini-golf for the kids.
And if you’re keen on tracking your shots, there’s a reserved area for that. Whether you prefer grass or mats, they cater to both. And the range balls? Good quality and fairly priced.
Address: 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd Del Mar, 92014
Phone Number: (858) 509-5130
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Small bucket (45 balls): $11
- Medium bucket (75 balls): $13
- Large bucket (105 balls): $16
- Jumbo bucket (150 balls): $19
- Top Tracer Range is also available for $30/hour (105 balls included)
Hours:
- 8 am to 9 pm: 7 Days a Week
- Last Bucket Sold at 8 pm
Offers club rentals? Yes
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? Yes (large chipping green is closed on Tuesdays and small chipping green is closed on Wednesdays)
Practice putting green? Yes
Hitting on mats or grass? Mats and Grass
Other highlights:
- Huge team of PGA teaching pros if you need lessons
- Open extended hours each day
- Offers Jr. / Sr. / Military discounts
- Surf’s Up Cafe is a great place to grab a drink and a snack
Mission Bay Golf Course
This driving range stands out due to its considerable size and an ample number of mats.
Situated right next to Mission Bay, it offers not only a pleasant golfing experience but also scenic views to relish. Parking, which often becomes a point of contention at many locations, is hassle-free here.
Address: 2702 N Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone Number: (858) 581-7880
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Small Bucket (30 balls): $6
- Medium Bucket (70 balls): $9
- Large Bucket (105 balls): $12
Hours:
- 7 am to 9:30 pm: Each Day
- Opens at 8 am on Tuesdays for maintenance
Offers club rentals? Yes, $5 per set
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? Yes, and a practice bunker
Practice putting green? Yes
Hitting on mats or grass? Grass (November thru March), Mats (April thru October)
Other highlights:
- Tiger Woods won a Jr. World title at this course
- Reasonable prices for both residents and visitors
- Gorgeous view of the bay
Torrey Pines Golf Course
Torrey Pines has one of the most stunning views you’ll likely ever experience as a golfer.
Host of the Farmer’s Insurance Open, this is a great place to come hit some balls.
Address: 11480 N Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone Number: (858) 452-3226
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Small (35 balls): $8
- Medium (70 balls): $11
- Large (105 balls): $14
Hours:
- 6 am to 2 pm: Monday (Year Round Monday Hours)
- 6 am to 6 pm: Tuesday thru Sunday (Fall and Spring)
- Hours go to 6 am to 5 pm in Winter and 6 am to 7 pm in Summer
Offers club rentals? Yes
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? Yes, but it’s closed on Mondays
Practice putting green? Yes
Hitting on mats or grass? Mats
Other highlights:
- Some of the most beautiful views in the world
- Home to the Farmers Insurance Open every year
- Bucket list stop for most passionate golfers
Sorrento Canyon Golf Center
This driving range offers a straightforward, no-frills golfing experience.
Prices are fair, and you’ll rarely find yourself waiting for a spot. They’ve made recent improvements with the addition of new range markers and targets. However, we do wish they’d cycle in some new balls more frequently.
Address: 5605 Carroll Canyon Rd San Diego, CA 92121
Phone Number: (858) 677-0033
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Small (50 balls): $9
- Medium (100 balls): $13
- Large (200 balls): $20
Hours:
- 8 am to 8 pm: Monday thru Saturday
- 9 am to 7 pm: Sunday
Offers club rentals? Yes
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? Yes
Practice putting green? Yes
Hitting on mats or grass? Mats
Other highlights:
- 37 practice mats and a range with lights
- 4,000 square foot putting green
- Some of the best prices around
Colina Park Golf Course
This is a compact driving range with around 8 lanes available. The range is notably lacking in shade and is netted, so potential visitors should factor that into their considerations.
Address: 4085 52nd St, San Diego, CA 92105
Phone Number: (619) 255-4425
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Small (40-45 balls): $7
- Large (70-75 balls): $9
Hours:
- 7:20 am to 6 pm: Each Day
- Closed to the public for kids classes Tuesday through Friday from 2:30 pm to 6 pm
Offers club rentals? Yes, $15 for an Adult set and free for kids.
Can you hit a driver? Yes, but there is a back net.
Short game area? Yes, there are spots for chipping.
Practice putting green? Yes, and it’s free to use!
Hitting on mats or grass? Mats
Other highlights:
- Headquarters of Pro Kids, First Tee – San Diego
- Discount Cards are available
- Fantastic Par 3 course and a disc golf course also
The Golf Bar
I should note that this isn’t technically a driving range – it’s a golf simulator that offers a driving range option. But this is awesome nonetheless, especially for groups and parties.
The Golf Bar offers an immersive golfing experience with its four state-of-the-art simulators. Each setup ensures comfort with dedicated seating areas, including tables and couches, creating a cozy environment. Whether you’re in the mood to take on various golf courses or just wish to practice on the driving range, the technology they have will not disappoint.
Address: 5583 Clairemont Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92117
Phone Number: (858) 598-5101
Price for a bucket of balls:
- At this location, you pay to rent an indoor simulator instead of by the bucket:
- 30 minutes: $30
- 60 minutes: $55
- 90 minutes: $85
- 120 minutes: $110
Hours:
- Tuesday thru Thursday: 4 pm to 10 pm
- Friday: 4 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday: 11 am to 11 pm
- Sunday: 11 am to 7 pm
- Closed Mondays
Offers club rentals? Yes, $10 per set
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? No
Practice putting green? No
Hitting on mats or grass? Mats
Other highlights:
- One of the best indoor simulators in the state
- Superb food and drinks menu
- Play top courses from around the globe
Tecolote Canyon Golf Course
This range offers a great value, especially for members. With just a few visits, the membership essentially pays for itself, which is a big plus for regular golfers.
However, there seem to be operational challenges. The range will randomly be closed during its normal hours of operation, and they sometimes run out of balls. Best to call ahead of time to make sure things are in order and they’re actually open.
Address: 2755 Snead Ave San Diego, CA 92111
Phone Number:(858) 279-1600
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Small (30 balls): $7
- Medium (70 balls): $13
- Large (100 balls): $17
Hours:
- 6 am to 8 pm: 7 Days a Week
Offers club rentals? No
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? Yes
Practice putting green? Yes
Hitting on mats or grass? Both
Other highlights:
- 15 practice mats and 15 grass teeing bays
- Incredible short game practice area that includes a bunker
- Plenty of snacks and beer/wine
- Phil Mickelson played here as a youngster
Admiral Baker Golf Course
The range at Admiral Baker offers practice areas that are well-maintained. While the range mats might show signs of wear, it’s not a significant deterrent.
Address: 2400 Admiral Baker Rd, San Diego, CA, 92120
Phone Number: (619)487-0090
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Small (30 balls): $9
- Medium (60 balls): $12
- Large (90 balls): $14
Hours:
- 6 am to 6 pm: Monday thru Thursday
- 5:30 am to 6 pm: Friday thru Sunday
Offers club rentals? Yes, $18 for standard set; $60 for VIP set
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? Yes
Practice putting green? Yes
Hitting on mats or grass? Mats
Other highlights:
- Fantastic bunker and pitching area
- Tasty food at the restaurant
- 2 beautiful courses to choose from
Riverwalk Golf Club
This is one of the fewer driving ranges open until 8pm, with lighting so you can still hit when it’s dark out.
Address: 1150 Fashion Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92108
Phone Number: 619.296.4653
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Small Bucket (35 balls): $7
- Medium Bucket (55 balls): $11
- Large Bucket (95 balls): $14
Hours:
- Monday: 6 AM to 8:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday- Sunday: 6 AM to 8:00 PM
- (Last range ball sold at 7:30 PM)
Offers club rentals? Yes, $60 per set
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? No
Practice putting green? Yes
Hitting on mats or grass? Mats
Other highlights:
- Full restaurant and bar on-site
- Affordable bucket prices
- Great pro shop with a knowledgeable staff
Balboa Park Golf Course
Balboa Park offers a decent driving range, equipped with well-maintained putting greens.
One weird thing about this range to note – you’re hitting into a downhill that can make it hard to get a feel for how far you’re actually hitting the ball. But this place does offer some amazing views of Downtown San Diego to make up for it.
Address: 2600 Golf Course Dr. Ste A San Diego, CA 92102
Phone Number: (619) 239-1660
Price for a bucket of balls:
- Small Bucket (30 balls): $6
- Medium Bucket (70 balls): $9
- Large Bucket (105 balls): $12
Hours:
- 9 am to 4:30 pm: Tuesday
- 7 am to 4:30 pm: Wednesday thru Sunday
- Closed Mondays
Offers club rentals? Yes, $50 for a full rental set
Can you hit a driver? Yes
Short game area? Yes
Practice putting green? Yes
Hitting on mats or grass? Mats
Other highlights:
- Nice pro shop with lots of rental club options
- Coffee shop on-site
- Breathtaking views of the city