Del Mar Golf Center - Pelly's Mini Golf
4.5(425)google
4.5(290)yelp
GolfFamilyKidsOutdoor
Overview
Del Mar Golf Center - Pelly's Mini Golf offers a delightful, family-focused recreational experience featuring two beautifully themed 18-hole miniature golf courses located in the scenic coastal enclave of Del Mar. The carefully designed courses, Pelly's Ocean Adventure and Pelly's Surfin' Safari, are adorned with colorful, oversized marine animal statues, educational ocean conservation facts, and gentle water hazards. It serves as a fantastic, laughter-filled outdoor activity spot for competitive friends and parents traveling with young children.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 1.5-2 hours
Best TimeLate afternoon to evening (4 PM - 8 PM) during spring and summer is ideal. Featuring two ocean-themed 18-hole miniature golf courses, it lights up beautifully at dusk, offering a cool, breeze-filled environment perfect for family fun or causal dates.
Getting ThereLocated near the Del Mar Fairgrounds at 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Driving is best: exit I-5 at Via De La Valle and follow Jimmy Durante Blvd. The facility provides a sprawling, complementary surface parking lot directly outside the entrance.
Travel Tips
- The mini-golf courses do not accept online reservations and operate strictly on a walk-in basis. Weekend afternoons from 1:00 to 5:00 PM are peak times for families, causing waits over 45 minutes; opt for weekday mornings or evenings.
- The courses are entirely outdoors with zero shade, making summer day play intensely hot. Outside open food containers and pets are banned on the greens; you must wear flat-soled athletic shoes—heels or cleated shoes are strictly prohibited.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- The best angle for capturing the colorful marine-themed obstacles like the signature red octopus is behind the 18th hole of Pelly's Ocean Adventure. Side-lighting around 4:00 PM defines sculpture details perfectly and avoids turf glare.
Reviews
Positive
- Features two highly creative 18-hole mini-golf courses themed around ocean adventures and surf towns, with vivid kid-friendly water layouts.
- A perfect family entertainment hub with difficulty levels fitting all ages, making it highly fun for toddlers, teens, and parents alike.
- The admission rates are highly affordable, offering great value with all clubs and balls provided—ideal for budget weekend fun or parties.
- The course facilities are well-maintained with pristine lawns; the staff are patient and welcoming, and free dedicated parking is ample.
Heads up
- Functions as a fully open-air outdoor center; fairways lack large shade trees, leading to heavy sweating under fierce afternoon UV rays.
- Weekend afternoons see heavy swarms of families, requiring lengthy waits at each hole for groups ahead, which slows the playing pace.
- The overall footprint is compact and tailored explicitly for casual mini-golf, completely unfitting for golfers seeking professional championship play.
- The on-site snack kiosk has a limited variety of drinks and ice creams, and the surrounding upscale equestrian area lacks close budget dining.