Pelican Hill’s South Course is an outstanding golf experience, with many holes offering beautiful ocean views and the holes running along the coastline being particularly spectacular. The course offers a great mix of scenery and challenge, including several demanding carries that require thoughtful shot selection. The conditioning was exceptional throughout, with tee boxes, fairways and greens all in spectacular shape. Overall, for resort golf in Southern California, Pelican Hill’s South Course is one of the best experiences you can have and significantly better than Monarch Beach Golf Links.
Jeremiah Y
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September 01, 2026
Spectacular setting and first-class facilities, but the golf itself doesn't justify the price.
Start with what's undeniable: the scenery is a 10. Ocean views from almost everywhere on the property, immaculately framed, and genuinely one of the most beautiful pieces of land you'll play golf on in California. If you're here for the photographs and the sense of occasion, you'll get exactly what you came for.
The off-course experience matches it. The pro shop is outstanding — a 10, easily among the best stocked and best presented I've been in. The practice range is excellent at a 9, with proper facilities and quality balls. Service is a 9 throughout: attentive, well drilled, and everything you'd expect at this level of resort. Nobody here is doing their job badly.
The problem is the golf. The design is a 6 — pleasant enough, but the holes don't ask much of you strategically, and the routing leans heavily on the views to carry the round. Take away the ocean and there isn't a great deal of architectural interest left. Conditioning was a 7, which is respectable but not what you'd expect given the rate and the reputation. Greens were spongy, bumpy and really banged up - admittedly we were at the end of the days play.
And the rate is the issue. USD 395 on a twilight booking is a 3 out of 10 for value. That's marquee pricing for a course that, on the golf alone, sits well behind others in the region charging a third of it. You're paying for the address, the ocean and the polish rather than the holes.
Very much worth doing once for the setting and the occasion. But if you're a golfer choosing where to spend your money on quality of design, there are better rounds nearby for far less.
Allison D.
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May 26, 2026
Our stay at Pelican Hill this past weekend was absolutely incredible and truly one of my favorite resort experiences. The property is beyond beautiful, the grounds are perfectly maintained, the pool area is stunning, and I loved the Coliseum-style design overlooking everything. Everywhere we went felt peaceful, luxurious, and welcoming.
What really made the stay exceptional, though, was the staff.
A huge thank you to Adriana at breakfast our first morning for being so attentive, kind, and welcoming. Johnny at the pool service was absolutely amazing, even during such a busy and hot day, he constantly checked on everyone with a smile and made sure we always had what we needed. His kindness and professionalism truly stood out.
Jason at the Coliseum Grill greeted us so warmly our first morning and immediately made us feel welcomed. Yamah, the concierge valet outside the Coliseum Pool & Grill, was so knowledgeable about the area and took the time to genuinely chat with us. Everyone we encountered was just sincerely kind.
And a special thank you to Person for the opportunity to stay at such a beautiful resort. Everything about our weekend was wonderful, relaxing, and memorable.
There honestly is not one bad thing I could say about our stay. Thank you to the entire Pelican Hill team for such an amazing experience, we cannot wait to return.
(Took so much more pictures but not on this phone, these few do no justice!)
James Holdsworth
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July 19, 2026
Without a doubt the most beautiful course I've ever played highly recommend if your in Newport Beach area. Every hole has an ocean view.
Briana Burris
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August 31, 2026
Worth every penny. Immaculate golf course with insane views on nearly every hole. The North course is underrated and receives my vote for the best golf course in Southern California.
Our Address
22800 S Pelican Hill Rd, Newport Coast, CA 92657, USA
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Pelican Hill’s South Course is an outstanding golf experience, with many holes offering beautiful ocean views and the holes running along the coastline being particularly spectacular. The course offers a great mix of scenery and challenge, including several demanding carries that require thoughtful shot selection. The conditioning was exceptional throughout, with tee boxes, fairways and greens all in spectacular shape. Overall, for resort golf in Southern California, Pelican Hill’s South Course is one of the best experiences you can have and significantly better than Monarch Beach Golf Links.
Spectacular setting and first-class facilities, but the golf itself doesn't justify the price. Start with what's undeniable: the scenery is a 10. Ocean views from almost everywhere on the property, immaculately framed, and genuinely one of the most beautiful pieces of land you'll play golf on in California. If you're here for the photographs and the sense of occasion, you'll get exactly what you came for. The off-course experience matches it. The pro shop is outstanding — a 10, easily among the best stocked and best presented I've been in. The practice range is excellent at a 9, with proper facilities and quality balls. Service is a 9 throughout: attentive, well drilled, and everything you'd expect at this level of resort. Nobody here is doing their job badly. The problem is the golf. The design is a 6 — pleasant enough, but the holes don't ask much of you strategically, and the routing leans heavily on the views to carry the round. Take away the ocean and there isn't a great deal of architectural interest left. Conditioning was a 7, which is respectable but not what you'd expect given the rate and the reputation. Greens were spongy, bumpy and really banged up - admittedly we were at the end of the days play. And the rate is the issue. USD 395 on a twilight booking is a 3 out of 10 for value. That's marquee pricing for a course that, on the golf alone, sits well behind others in the region charging a third of it. You're paying for the address, the ocean and the polish rather than the holes. Very much worth doing once for the setting and the occasion. But if you're a golfer choosing where to spend your money on quality of design, there are better rounds nearby for far less.
Our stay at Pelican Hill this past weekend was absolutely incredible and truly one of my favorite resort experiences. The property is beyond beautiful, the grounds are perfectly maintained, the pool area is stunning, and I loved the Coliseum-style design overlooking everything. Everywhere we went felt peaceful, luxurious, and welcoming. What really made the stay exceptional, though, was the staff. A huge thank you to Adriana at breakfast our first morning for being so attentive, kind, and welcoming. Johnny at the pool service was absolutely amazing, even during such a busy and hot day, he constantly checked on everyone with a smile and made sure we always had what we needed. His kindness and professionalism truly stood out. Jason at the Coliseum Grill greeted us so warmly our first morning and immediately made us feel welcomed. Yamah, the concierge valet outside the Coliseum Pool & Grill, was so knowledgeable about the area and took the time to genuinely chat with us. Everyone we encountered was just sincerely kind. And a special thank you to Person for the opportunity to stay at such a beautiful resort. Everything about our weekend was wonderful, relaxing, and memorable. There honestly is not one bad thing I could say about our stay. Thank you to the entire Pelican Hill team for such an amazing experience, we cannot wait to return. (Took so much more pictures but not on this phone, these few do no justice!)
Without a doubt the most beautiful course I've ever played highly recommend if your in Newport Beach area. Every hole has an ocean view.
Worth every penny. Immaculate golf course with insane views on nearly every hole. The North course is underrated and receives my vote for the best golf course in Southern California.