San Diego issues new lease search for Tecolote Canyon Golf Course during sewer construction closure

New operator sought amid closure and infrastructure work

The City of San Diego has opened a competitive process to select a new long-term lessee for Tecolote Canyon Golf Course, a 71-acre public facility at 2755 Snead Ave. that includes an 18-hole course, driving range and clubhouse. The solicitation seeks a private or organizational partner to lease, renovate, operate and maintain the property, with a focus on capital improvements and continued golf programming.

The golf course and practice facilities are currently closed while the city carries out a major underground infrastructure project that runs through the site: rehabilitation and replacement of roughly 4.7 miles of sewer line. City staff have indicated the work is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2026. During the closure, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is overseeing the property.

What the city says the next lease must deliver

The request for proposals outlines both operational requirements and a set of specified upgrades the next operator would be expected to plan and deliver. In addition to routine maintenance of the course, range and clubhouse, the city is seeking improvements that address aging assets and visitor services while keeping the site’s use focused on golf.

• Replace bridges that cross Tecolote Creek.
• Complete replacement of the irrigation system.
• Upgrade the clubhouse Pro Shop and food-and-beverage services.
• Continue tournaments, instruction, training and coaching programs.

Any proposed work is also constrained by the Tecolote Canyon Natural Park Master Plan, which sets guidelines intended to protect the canyon’s natural resources and limits how development near the canyon may proceed.

Timeline for proposals and public approval steps

City staff have scheduled in-person site visits for prospective bidders on March 23 and March 24, 2026. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on April 14, 2026. After evaluation, the city expects to negotiate lease terms with a selected proposer, but the final lease would still require approval by the San Diego City Council.

Why the lease process is drawing attention

The Tecolote solicitation is unfolding alongside broader scrutiny of how the city manages its golf course portfolio. San Diego owns multiple golf properties and leases eight of them to outside operators. A recent city audit review highlighted that lease structures, capital-improvement expectations, and oversight practices vary widely across sites, affecting how much revenue the city receives and how consistently facilities are maintained.

The new Tecolote lease is being framed as a vehicle to secure defined capital improvements while restoring full operations after construction, with the selection criteria emphasizing experience, financial capacity and a sustainable operational plan.

For nearby communities—including Clairemont, Bay Park and Linda Vista—the selection will influence when and how the course reopens, what upgrades are prioritized, and how the facility balances recreation, maintenance demands and the environmental sensitivities of Tecolote Canyon.