PLAY:
La Costa Resort and Spa
2100 Costa Del Mar Rd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa/golf
(760) 438-9111
One could talk about who did what where on what tour in what year, and how many accolades the golf courses at La Costa have garnered over the years, but here’s the most important things to know before booking a golf vacation there – both the Legends and the Champions Courses are among the most beautiful, most challenging, and well-manicured resort golf experiences you’ll ever come across. Yes, the resort was a PGA Tour staple for years, and the LPGA’s best have even had their cracks at it recently. But for sheer San Diego area resort golf, and 36 holes of it, in a Garden of Eden-type setting, La Costa has to be on everyone’s must-play-while-in-the-area list.
STAY:
Omni La Costa Resort and Spa
2100 Costa Del Mar Rd.
Carlsbad, CA 92009
omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa
(760) 438-9111
If you’re going to play La Costa, go on and treat yourself and stay there. La Costa’s history is long and interesting, and you can be a part of it. There are over 600 sun-splashed accommodations spread throughout the property, augmented by 17 hard and clay tennis courts, eight swimming pools (including an adult pool and a water slide), The Spa at La Costa, the world headquarters of the Chopra Center, and over 100,000 square feet of meeting space. Don’t forget, there’s a couple of pretty good golf courses there you might want to have a look at. If you’re hungry, no need to call for the car with five dining options to satisfy all tastes and all situations on property – Bob’s Steak and Chop House, Diversion’s Sports Lounge, Vue, the Marketplace, the Spa Cafe, and the Splash Cafe. You might find you like your room so much, room service is a perfectly legitimate option.
EAT OUT:
Buona Forchetta
3001 Beech St.
San Diego, CA 92102
buonaforchettasd.com
(619) 381-4844
You won’t have to ask around long for San Diego’s best Italian food before the name Buona Forchetta pops up. Best local hangout in South Park? Buona Forchetta. San Diego’s best calzone? Buono Forchetta. San Diego’s best pizza? Buono Forchetta. Critics and locals agree, if you want to have your Italian socks knocked off, this is the spot. The restaurant prides itself on its custom-built oven named (yes, they named their oven) Sofia, which cooks at 700 to 1000-degrees Fahrenheit, and the owners claim this is the only way to properly prepare their Neapolitan pizzas. Don’t get the impression they only do pizza – after all, it’s a pizzeria-ristorante-vineria, so utilize all three.
— Matt McKay
