Pelican Hill Ocean North
Tom Fazio opened the Ocean North Course at Pelican Hill in 1993, a par 71 of about 6,945 yards laid along the bluffs above the Pacific in Newport Coast. The longer of the resort's two ocean courses, it pairs Fazio's polished routing with some of the most valuable real estate in golf and a sweep of blue water on the horizon.
Photo via Google.
The verdict
Pelican Hill is the rare resort that delivers true coastal golf in Orange County without a private membership, and the Ocean North is its longer, more expansive test. Tom Fazio routed it across rolling ground high above the sea, with wide, immaculately conditioned fairways and large greens that make it playable for the resort guest while still demanding well shaped approaches. The ocean is almost always in view, and the canyons that thread the property add both drama and strategy.
Our verdict: this is a polished, generous, beautifully kept course built for an enjoyable round in a stunning setting rather than for punishment. It suits a couples trip or a buddies group that wants championship scenery without a brutal scorecard, and it pairs naturally with its sister course. For the wider state picture, see our best golf courses in California.
Pelican Hill Ocean North Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1993
- Designer
- Tom Fazio
- Type
- Coastal resort
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 6,945 yds
- Green fee
- From about $300 (indicative)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Pelican Hill Golf Club and leading course databases: Tom Fazio, 1993, par 71, about 6,945 yards. Peak season green fees ran roughly $300 to $400 in the 2025 to 2026 season, with resort guests receiving preferred rates. Treat the figure as indicative for the 2025 to 2026 season and always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The coastal holes are the headline. As the course works toward the cliff edge, the Pacific fills the view and the wind picks up off the water, and the par 3s in particular play across canyon and toward the ocean with nothing but blue behind. Fazio used the natural fall of the land to frame each shot, so the scenery and the strategy arrive together.
Inland, the canyons that cut through Newport Coast become the defining hazard. Several fairways tilt toward a barranca that swallows the loose drive, and the smart play is to favor the safe side and accept a longer approach. The greens are big and receptive, rewarding the player who controls distance, and the conditioning is as good as resort golf gets.
It is a course to savor rather than survive, with a view from almost every tee, and it leaves you wanting to play the shorter, tighter sister layout next. Compare the two at our Pelican Hill Ocean South Course profile.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course open to all golfers, with priority tee times and preferred rates for guests of The Resort at Pelican Hill |
| Green fee | Roughly $300 to $400 in the 2025 to 2026 peak season, indicative and subject to seasonal change (always confirm before booking) |
| Booking | Resort guests book the furthest ahead and at the best rates; non guests can reserve tee times in advance, with weekends filling early |
| On the day | Carts with GPS are standard, forecaddies can be arranged, and conditioning and service are at a high resort standard |
| Getting there | In Newport Coast off Coast Highway, about 20 minutes from John Wayne Airport and an hour south of Los Angeles |
| Best months | Year round in a mild coastal climate; spring and autumn offer the clearest, calmest conditions |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from Pelican Hill Golf Club. Rates move with season and demand, so confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The Resort at Pelican Hill sits right on the property, a luxury hotel of bungalows and villas with the two ocean courses on the doorstep and the best access to the tee sheet. Newport Beach and Laguna Beach are both a short drive away with a wide range of hotels and dining for travelers who prefer to base in town.
Coastal Orange County pairs beautifully with a wider Southern California golf trip, linking the Pelican Hill courses with the famous San Diego layouts to the south. Build the week around the two ocean courses here and add a clifftop round at Torrey Pines North.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Pelican Hill.
Build a Southern California golf trip
We secure Pelican Hill tee times across both ocean courses, pair them with the best of coastal Southern California, and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Pelican Hill Ocean North Course questions
Who designed the Pelican Hill Ocean North Course?
Tom Fazio designed the Ocean North Course at Pelican Hill Golf Club, which opened in 1993 in Newport Coast, California.
What is the par and length of the Ocean North Course?
The Ocean North Course is a par 71 of about 6,945 yards from the back tees, the longer of the two ocean courses at Pelican Hill.
Can the public play the Pelican Hill Ocean North Course?
Yes. Pelican Hill is a public resort course open to all golfers, with priority tee times for guests of The Resort at Pelican Hill.
How much does it cost to play the Ocean North Course?
Peak season green fees ran roughly $300 to $400 in the 2025 to 2026 season, with resort guests receiving preferred rates. Treat this as indicative and always confirm directly before booking.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.