Ocean and Canyons Come Alive at Real Del Mar - Northern Baja California, Mexico

- Let’s face it: courses in northern Baja are often nothing to write home about. That being said it is the exotic factor, the experience of traveling down to Mexico and combining the margarita with the mariachi which makes golfing south of the border exciting. It’s the ultimate golfing road trip for those living in the southwest United States; or at the least the most convenient.

Real Del Mar is situated closer to the American border than any other course in northern Baja California. It’s this convenience which makes the drive worth it. The course itself is not too shabby either.

Crossing the international border into Tijuana is not for the faint of heart, at least not for those behind the wheel. It’s like a voyage into chaos; with reckless pedestrians, indiscriminate vehicles, and everything else you can imagine threatening to make you lose your mind. But stay cool. If you know where you’re headed the scenic drive will be quick and effortless. However, if you miss your exit you will probably end up driving through the squalid streets of downtown Tijuana, which might give you a cause for concern.

Rosarito, Ensenada, via Highway 1 is the turnoff you’re looking for, and the green signs will point you in the right direction. Pay attention as soon as you cross the border and you’ll be fine. Once you make it onto Highway 1 (Baja’s main highway) you’ll see the Pacific Ocean and it’s only a twenty-five minute drive from there. If you keep your eyes open, you’ll be teeing off in Mexico in less than an hour. The course is actually only a dozen miles from the border.

Many think of Mexico as home to rustic bungalows and rundown motels. However Real Del Mar offers a Marriott Hotel with a pleasant restaurant, tennis courts, spa, swimming pool, and of course: the golf course you risked your life driving to discover. Really, there’s nothing to it.

It’s less than an hour from San Diego and a world away from anything you’ve ever played before. It’s an ethereal playground where the adventurous come to let loose and lose their worries in the majesty of Mexico. The service and people are congenial, and everything you need is right here at Real Del Mar. Golf and hotel packages start at $129 per person.

Once you get there accuracy is the name of the game. The fairways grow narrower as you proceed forward on holes as the canyon walls engulfing the fairways grow more precipitous and take on a life of their own. You won’t find many wide fairways here; just the opposite in fact.

The 13th hole is known for its meager fairway. This par 5 is known as “Double Trouble” for the creek running across the left side and the steep wall of the canyon crawling across the right. Here, like many other holes, you’ll have to take blind shots on an uphill slope.

Canyons and ocean views are the highlight of Real Del Mar. There are a few houses, but most of the views are unobstructed. Though the course is narrow, it is not especially difficult. Think of the narrowness as a challenge and precision is your weapon for scoring an impressive round.

The squirrels and the bees are the main concerns on this course. The bees can be handled easily enough by not carrying any sodas while playing, as sugar seems to be their weakness. The squirrels are reluctant to leave the fairways but more of a nuisance to the course itself and the groundskeepers who have to deal with their destruction on a daily basis.

All in all, Real Del Mar is an oasis in the desert and well worth the trip. The tequila is as warm as the weather, so don’t be afraid to drink the worm at the bottom of the bottle.