The End Of The Green: 5 Shocking Facts About The Carmel Mountain Country Club Redevelopment
The Carmel Mountain Country Club (CMCC), once a premier fixture in the Carmel Mountain Ranch community of San Diego, is no more. As of late December 2025, the sprawling 18-hole golf course has been fully transformed from a lush, manicured landscape into the site of one of the region's most ambitious and controversial housing projects: The Trails at Carmel Mountain Ranch. The story of its demise and subsequent redevelopment is a microcosm of the intense land-use battles gripping Southern California, pitting the need for new housing against the preservation of open space.
The latest updates confirm that the former clubhouse, a central hub for the community for decades, was demolished in July 2024, marking a definitive end to the country club era. This transition, led by developer Lennar, involves building up to 1,200 new housing units, a move that has generated significant debate and opposition from long-time residents concerned about traffic, density, and the loss of their neighborhood’s defining green space. This article dives into the fresh, unique details of the CMCC’s history, its closure, and the explosive future of the land.
The Forgotten History of a Ron Fream Masterpiece
To understand the depth of the controversy surrounding the redevelopment, one must first appreciate the legacy of the Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club. Opened in 1986, the course was a notable addition to the San Diego golf scene.
A Unique Design by a Global Architect
The 18-hole, par-72 course was designed by the internationally renowned golf course architect, Ron Fream. Fream, whose Golfplan firm is more prolific in Asia and Europe, created a rare U.S. design at CMCC, lending the course a distinct and valued pedigree. The layout was known for its challenging play and the picturesque canyons and hillsides of the Carmel Mountain Ranch area it was built into.
- Year Built: 1986
- Architect: Ron Fream
- Course Type: 18-Hole, Par-72
- Location: Carmel Mountain Ranch, San Diego, California
- Original Features: Lush fairways (Bermuda grass) and a full-service clubhouse.
For over 30 years, the country club served as a key amenity for the surrounding suburban community, offering not just golf but a social center for weddings, banquets, and local events. Its presence was integral to the property values and the overall aesthetic of the master-planned community.
The Sudden Closure: Declining Patronage and Rising Costs
The closure of the Carmel Mountain Country Club in July 2018 was a major shock to the community and a sign of a broader trend affecting golf courses across the San Diego region.
The Economic Reality of Golf
The primary reasons cited for the permanent closure were a combination of declining patronage and the skyrocketing cost of irrigation. Maintaining an 18-hole golf course in a semi-arid climate like San Diego requires immense water resources, making it financially unsustainable for many private and semi-private clubs.
CMCC was not an isolated incident. It was the seventh golf course in the San Diego area to close in a relatively short period, highlighting a significant shift in recreational land use and the economic viability of the sport in Southern California.
The Land Battle Begins
Following the closure, the land was quickly purchased by developers with the clear intent to convert the approximately 110-acre site into a new residential neighborhood. This immediately ignited a fierce battle with local residents, who feared the loss of open space, increased traffic congestion, and a negative impact on their quality of life.
The Trails at Carmel Mountain Ranch: A 1,200-Unit Future
The future of the former country club is now definitively tied to the massive residential project known as "The Trails at Carmel Mountain Ranch," spearheaded by developer Lennar. This project represents a significant increase in density for the area.
Project Scope and Timeline
The development plan calls for the construction of up to 1,200 new housing units. This includes a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and multi-family residences, designed to address the critical housing shortage in San Diego County.
Initial steps involved extensive community engagement led by New Urban West (NUWI), followed by Lennar taking the lead on construction. The most visible sign of progress was the demolition of the old clubhouse in July 2024, clearing the way for the new community infrastructure.
The Neighborhood Development Controversy
The "Golf Course-to-Housing" trend is rarely smooth in San Diego, and The Trails project is no exception. Local residents, often organized through groups like the Carmel Mountain Ranch/Sabre Springs Community Planning Group, have voiced strong opposition.
- Increased Density: The primary concern is the sheer volume of 1,200 units on the former open space, which residents argue will strain local infrastructure, schools, and roads.
- Traffic Congestion: A major point of contention is the expected increase in vehicle traffic on already busy local streets, particularly during peak commuting hours.
- Loss of Open Space: Many homeowners purchased property near the country club specifically for the expansive green views and the feeling of open space, which the new development eliminates.
The battle over the CMCC land mirrors other high-profile San Diego land-use controversies, such as the proposed Cottonwood Sand Mine at the former Cottonwood Golf Club and the redevelopment of the Riverwalk Golf Course. These disputes demonstrate the intense pressure on developers and local government to balance housing needs with community preservation.
What Remains of the Country Club Legacy?
While the golf course and clubhouse are gone, the influence of the Carmel Mountain Country Club remains in the community's identity. The new development, "The Trails," attempts to incorporate elements of the site’s history and natural landscape into its design, focusing on new community amenities.
The property’s transformation is a testament to the changing face of San Diego suburbia. The closure of the country club—a symbol of leisure and exclusivity—and its replacement with high-density housing—a response to a housing crisis—is a powerful symbol of the region's evolving priorities. As construction progresses, the former fairways will be replaced by new streets and homes, permanently altering the landscape of Carmel Mountain Ranch.
Future Outlook: A New Era for Carmel Mountain Ranch
The construction of The Trails at Carmel Mountain Ranch is a multi-year effort that will significantly reshape the local real estate market. Potential homebuyers are already tracking the progress, with homes legally posted by Lennar for transparency, even if they are already under contract.
For the existing residents, the focus shifts to mitigation—working with the City of San Diego and the developers to ensure that infrastructure improvements, like road and utility upgrades, keep pace with the influx of new residents. The legacy of the Carmel Mountain Country Club will endure not on the green, but in the memory of a community that once revolved around its fairways, and in the new homes that now occupy its storied ground.
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