Bonita Golf Course

Bonita Golf Course is rarely even mentioned these days when it comes to San Diego golf. Unless you are a local, it seems to be an excellent course for the golf community and is very playable.

BGC was built in 1956 by well-known California architect William F. Bell. Still, the course has been renovated, most notably the routing of the holes, as the trail weaves through in a confusing pattern where it doesn’t flow quite naturally. The Par 71 course is just 15 minutes from downtown, but you feel like you are in a different world as the course is tucked into the Bonita valley and borders a horse ranch.

Bonita is highly playable for golfers of all skill levels, with several short, even drivable, par 4s for the long hitter. Visually, the course is primarily treelined with a few holes that play wide open.

I got in at 3:30 on a Sunday, and they charged me $30 to walk because no carts were allowed for some reason. This course is a good value at a price. It was an eerie vibe on the trail, cloudy and tranquil. The course reminds me of another closed course, Rancho Cañada in Carmel, California. That club eventually got sold to Clint Eastwood to develop houses, a fate we have often seen in San Diego.

I missed a group until the 15th hole and finished in 3 hours. Luckily, the course is highly walkable; I; found that to be one of the most redeeming qualities of this place because the conditions were spotty – it’s already hard enough to put on these greens. On short putts, the key here is to take the break out and hit putts firm because poa anna greens roll so inconsistently.

I think with some work, this place could have some potential. Overall, an easily walkable course with little elevation overall. Good for beginners. Competitive golfers will go very low here.

Notable Holes

Hole 3 is the most challenging hole on the course and arguably the most beautiful on the course.