A SPECTACULAR LUXURY WORLD-CLASS DESTINATION
Surrounded by lush rolling hills and tucked in a peaceful, tranquil canyon in Carlsbad just north of San Diego, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is a luxury world-class destination and home to 36 holes of some of the most challenging and historic golf courses in Southern California.
In 2024, after a comprehensive renovation of its Champions Course by Gil Hanse Course Design, it was announced that the course was reverted to its original name, the North Course and reopened to members and resort guests following the 2024 NCAA Division I Golf Championships.
The golf practice facilities also went through a complete transformation, now offering two large teeing areas, a 12,000 square foot putting green, two short game practice areas with bunkers, and a private Golf Member’s practice tee featuring Top Tracer Technology.
On the first day of our visit, we played the gorgeous North Course. Originally designed by Dick Wilson, it has hosted nearly 40 PGA Tour events. For thirty years, it was the home of the Mercedes Championships and in 1999 and on six other occasions, it hosted the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships. Nine holes on the North Course (holes 1-3, 13-18) and nine on the South (holes 10-18) were used for PGA TOUR events and the KIA classic was played on the South.
The North Course saw significant changes on every hole and now features six sets of tees ranging from 4500-7500 yards, creating thrilling choices to challenge and engage players of all skill levels. Nearly half of the greenside bunkers were removed, offering golfers more options around the greens.
The green on the fifth hole was moved 30 yards right with mounding added on both sides, offering a completely different look and feel. I teed it at the fives while my husband played the championship tees for a great day of play on a historic, challenging, gorgeous, world-class course.
The seventh hole was lengthened 45-yards, now playing 517-yards from the championship tees, while the eighth hole, aptly named “little terror” was shorted to play as little as 77-yards with little room for error. The water hazard that came into play on the eighth and ninth holes was removed and transformed into a beautiful barranca with native, drought tolerant vegetation.
The sixteenth hole resembles the twelfth at Augusta National, and the 18th hole now plays over 600-yards from the championship tees, into the wind, with water on both sides. The North Course is very walkable and was named a “Top 100 Walking Course in America” by Golfpass.
The Legends Course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa also reverted to its original name: the South Course, which is the perfect complement to the North Course, featuring a walkable, fun, and friendly parkland style layout with majestic trees, gentle doglegs, and challenging hazards. Some of the greatest PGA players in golf history have clinched victories at La Costa including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is adding to its rich tournament history as host of the 2024-2026 NCAA Division I Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships. La Costa, in partnership with The University of Texas Longhorns has bid on hosting this prestigious championship for 2027 and 2028—this selection will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2024. La Costa, The University of Texas, and College World Golf Championships Foundation (cwgcf.com) are making a strong case to become the permanent home of the NCAA DI Golf Championships.
FINE AND RELAXED DINING
We dined at VUE three times on our visit. It’s an elegant but California casual restaurant with a great vibe and large outdoor patio with beautiful views of the canyon and two courses. It features a menu with creative dishes and a wide selection of craft and bottled brews, fine wines, cocktails, and more.
Keep in mind that this is a sprawling resort and you might want to ask for directions to walk there from your suite, villa or room. I got lost twice trying to find it and the friendly General Manager laughed when I asked for directions and joked that it takes some new employees a month to figure out how to get around the resort, but it’s well worth it for a fun golf-and-sun filled weekend or even longer.
On our second night, we dined at Bob’s Steak & Chop House that offers simple elegance, a lively atmosphere, and prime steak, chops and seafood along with big pours and exceptionally friendly service. And the new Bar Traza offers rustic Mediterranean cuisine and a creative menu featuring fresh, local organic ingredients.
THE SPA AT LA COSTA
I’m not really a spa girl (I’d rather golf!) but wellness-seekers and luxury travelers have chosen The Spa at La Costa to relax since 1965, when the resort was widely known as the original destination for mind, body, and sport. With a multimillion-dollar refresh in 2024, the Spa carries this rich tradition forward, offering resort and spa guests a whole-body wellness experience to relax and recharge. But wait! I have a tee-time. Gotta go!
RACQUET SPORTS
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa features a robust racquets program for members and resort guests of all ages under the direction of Cliff Drysdale Tennis (cliffdrysdale.com) offering twelve tennis courts and six pickleball courts.
EDGE ADULT POOL & TERRACE
For resort guests age 21 and up, Edge Adult Pool & Terrace is full of energy all day where you can enjoy a ton of fun in the sun and then relax poolside next to the romantic warm glow of fire pits and tranquil sounds of trickling fountains. Or you can relax in the privacy of the plush, fun cabanas. This place was rocking all day on our fun weekend visit!
THE ATHLETIC CLUB
The Athletic Club at La Costa offers a wide variety of classes and state-of-the-art athletic equipment for resort guests. You can choose from many fitness classes including body sculpting, Spin and much more or customize your workout and exercise with a friendly personal trainer.
MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Club at La Costa is a wonderful community and offers members daily access to the amenities of this world-class destination, a full calendar of social events, complimentary fitness classes, discounts throughout the property, and travel benefits when visiting other Omni properties.
If you’re looking for a luxury world-class resort to stay, play, and getaway, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is the perfect destination!
For more information, please visit omnilacosta.com.
