San Diego's Aviara Golf Club: Eye candy at every turn

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- In a sunny golf destination full of luxurious resorts, Aviara Golf Club, part of the Park Hyatt Aviara, stands out in a big way.

Located north of San Diego in Carlsbad, Aviara features one of the area's most impeccably manicured layouts to go along with a player-friendly design by Arnold Palmer. It's a host of the LPGA's Kia Classic and is particularly inviting to women, and couples trips. But the championship tee yardage of 7,007 yards means its a test for any level of golfer.

The course winds through hillsides and features long views, particularly from such elevated tees as the downhill seventh and eighth holes on the front side, not to mention the gorgeous par-3 14th hole on the back.

Though Aviara Golf Club is open to the public, is it part of the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, which is located just up the hill, and is a lavish experience beginning with a great breakfast buffet. The resort caters particularly to health and wellness, with a sleek fitness center plus outdoor classes, as courts for tennis enthusiasts. For relaxation, there are two large pools (including an adults-only pool) and a spa. Rooms have been recently updated and feature all of the latest technology. For dinner, you can take the shuttle back down the hill to Aviara Golf Club, which has a signature steakhouse, Argyle, featuring numerous cuts of wagyu beef, plus cuts of bison and lamb.

Golf Advisor raters are high on Aviara, a course managed by Troon Golf. It's currently the no. 2-rated course on the San Diego destination page.