What to pack for a Pelican Hill stay
Pack a mix of smart-casual clothes for dining and light layers for coastal breezes, swimwear and sun protection for pool and beach days, and sport-specific gear if you plan to use the golf practice facility or fitness classes. Bring ID and the credit card used to reserve the room; Villa reservations include breakfast at the Villa Clubhouse while Bungalow and Villa guests pay a daily Resort Fee that covers selected amenities.
In this guide
Travel documents, payments, and check-in
Bring a government-issued photo ID and the credit card used to guarantee the reservation — both are required at arrival. Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM.
The resort accepts major credit cards and contactless mobile payments; some listings disagree about cash and debit, so confirm with the resort or your BookResorts agent if you plan to use cash or a debit card.
- Photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
- Credit card used for booking
- Printed or digital reservation confirmation
- BookResorts 24/7 phone: +1 (888) 605-1350
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Photo ID | Required at check-in |
| Credit card on file | Authorization for room, tax, and Resort Fee deposit |
| Reservation confirmation | Speeds arrival and any room requests |
Clothing: dining, evenings, and coastal weather
Pelican Hill’s restaurants range from casual to smart casual. Andrea follows a smart casual dress code (polished but relaxed), while Pelican Grill and the Coliseum Pool & Grill are casual dress.
Evenings can be breezy near the ocean — bring a light jacket or layers even in summer. For villas and bungalows with terraces, a nicer outfit for dinner and a comfortable sweater for terrace evenings are useful.
- Smart-casual outfit for Andrea (men: collared shirt; women: dress or blouse/trousers)
- Casual daytime clothes for poolside and Pelican Grill
- Light jacket or sweater for ocean breezes
- Comfortable shoes for walking resort paths and nearby trails
| Situation | Suggested clothing |
|---|---|
| Andrea (dinner) | Smart casual |
| Pool & daytime dining | Swim cover-ups, shorts, tees |
| Evening on terrace | Light jacket or knit |
Pool, beach, and sun essentials
Pelican Hill has multiple outdoor pools (Coliseum Pool, Bella Vista Pool, and Villa Pool); the Coliseum Pool has sun hours and closes in the evening — follow posted pool hours and rules. The resort provides a complimentary Crystal Cove beach shuttle and supplies beach chairs and umbrellas at Crystal Cove by request.
Pack sun protection and poolside items; note pool rules prohibit outside food/beverages and inflatable pool toys at the Coliseum Pool, and cabana policies restrict self-decorating surfaces and loud personal music.
- Swimsuits and an extra set of dry clothes
- High-SPF sunscreen and a wide-brim hat
- Sunglasses and a reusable water bottle
- Light cover-up for walking between pools and restaurants
- Waterproof phone pouch or small dry bag
| Facility | Note |
|---|---|
| Coliseum Pool | World-famous circular pool; no outside food/beverage or inflatables |
| Villa Pool | Private pool area; Villa guests and resort transport may be used |
| Crystal Cove Shuttle | Complimentary beach drop-off with towels/chairs by request |
What to bring for Villas and Bungalows
Room types include many Bungalow options (for example, Bungalow, Terrace, Garden View; Bungalow, Terrace, Ocean View; Premium Bungalow, Ocean View (Terrace)) and a range of Villas (Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Terrace; Villa, 4 Bedrooms, Ocean View; etc.). Villas often include larger living areas and kitchens; Villa reservations include breakfast at the Villa Clubhouse for the number of guests covered by the villa size.
If you reserve a Villa and plan to cook or eat in, check whether your specific Villa has a full kitchen and bring any specialty items you prefer — Villas can vary between simple kitchenettes and fully equipped kitchens.
- Copies of any villa-specific arrival instructions
- Groceries or specialty pantry items if you prefer to self-cater
- Comfortable indoor shoes or slippers for villa living rooms
- Small laundry supplies if staying longer (laundry policies vary)
| Room type example | Typical feature to expect |
|---|---|
| Bungalow, Terrace, Garden View | Private terrace and standard guestroom amenities |
| Premium Bungalow, Ocean View (Terrace) | Ocean-view terrace and upgraded room features |
| Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View | Multiple bedrooms, larger living space; villa breakfast inclusion |
Spa, fitness classes, and wellness packing
The Spa at Pelican Hill is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; spa services and facilities are for guests 18 and older. If you plan spa treatments, book well in advance — the spa recommends reserving services at least two weeks ahead for best availability.
Fresh Air Fitness classes (Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yogalates, etc.) are offered daily; many classes are for ages 16+ and the Resort Fee includes a daily Fresh Air Fitness class for Resort guests.
- Workout clothes and supportive shoes for classes or the Villa Clubhouse Fitness Center
- Flip-flops or sandals for spa locker areas
- Swimsuit if you plan to use spa whirlpools or the pool facilities
- Reusable water bottle and small towel for fitness
| Service | Age note |
|---|---|
| Spa treatments / spa facilities | 18+ for services and facility access |
| Fitness classes (Fresh Air Fitness) | Typically 16+; check specifics for each class |
| Camp Pelican kids' activities | Ages 4–12 (supervised program) |
Golf, outdoor activities, and day trips
Pelican Hill guests have access to the golf practice facility and a pro shop; the Resort Fee includes daily practice facility use after noon based on the program. The golf club has a minimum age policy for players and riders (5 years old) and operating a golf cart requires being 18+ with a valid driver’s license.
Nearby destinations and excursions include Crystal Cove State Park (accessible by the resort shuttle), Newport Harbor boat tours, and day trips to Catalina Island and San Juan Capistrano. Pack appropriate footwear if you plan to hike Crystal Cove trails or explore tide pools.
- Golf polo and soft spikes if you plan to play or take lessons
- Hiking shoes for coastal trails and tide-pool exploring
- Binoculars for whale watching season (spring) and harbor cruises
- Daypack for excursions and water/snacks for beach trips
| Activity | Packing tip |
|---|---|
| Golf practice/lessons | Polo shirt, golf shoes (rental clubs available) |
| Crystal Cove beach/trails | Sturdy shoes and sun protection |
| Boat/harbor trips | Light windbreaker and motion-sickness remedies if needed |
Tech, kids, and extras
The resort provides free Wi‑Fi in guestrooms and public areas. If you’re traveling with children, bring any favorite small toys or tablet content for Camp Pelican downtime; Camp Pelican accepts children ages 4–12 with supervised activities.
If you’re bringing a pet, disclose it before arrival and be ready to sign the Pet Agreement — the resort allows up to two dogs with combined weight limits and a non-refundable pet fee per stay.
- Phone chargers and portable battery
- Headphones for pool or kid activities (note: loud personal music is not allowed at pools)
- Children’s identification and any medical/medication notes
- Pet supplies and proof of disclosure/agreements if bringing dogs
| Topic | Quick note |
|---|---|
| Wi‑Fi | Complimentary in rooms and public spaces |
| Children | Camp Pelican for ages 4–12; children under 16 should not be left unattended |
| Pets | Up to two dogs allowed with prior notice and Pet Agreement |
