Things to do near Pelican Hill: pools, golf, beaches and more

Near Pelican Hill you can swim at three outdoor pools (including the Coliseum Pool), play golf on the on-site course and driving range, and reach Crystal Cove State Park via the resort’s complimentary beach shuttle. The Spa at Pelican Hill and daily fitness classes round out on-site wellness, while nearby beaches, Newport Harbor excursions, and shopping at Fashion Island make easy day trips.
In this guide
Pools, cabanas and pool rules
Pelican Hill features three outdoor pools for guests: the Coliseum Pool, Bella Vista Pool, and the Villa Pool (the Villa Pool is for Villa guests). The Coliseum Pool is noted for being a very large circular pool and is a central resort feature.
Cabanas are reservable at the Coliseum Pool; guests may book up to two cabanas per room reservation with additional cabanas subject to availability. Pool rules prohibit outside food or beverages, personal music systems, self-decorating cabana surfaces, and inflatable pool toys.
- Coliseum Pool: large circular pool; pool service and cabanas available
- Bella Vista Pool: quieter pool area (subject to resort updates)
- Villa Pool: reserved for Villa guests and Villa Clubhouse access
| Pool | Notes | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Coliseum Pool | World-famous circular design; pool service and cabanas | Resort guests |
| Bella Vista Pool | Smaller secondary pool | Resort guests |
| Villa Pool | Private pool for Villa guests; cabanas with electronics and F&B service | Villa guests only |

Golf: course, driving range and lessons
Pelican Hill includes an on-site golf club with championship holes, a driving range, a pro shop, and instruction available with a golf pro. Guests can arrange lessons, tee times, cart and equipment rentals through the golf staff or concierge.
The resort’s policy notes a minimum age of 5 years for players, riders, and spectators on the golf course, and operating a golf cart requires being 18 or older with a valid driver’s license. Driving range access and practice facility use are included in certain resort-fee programs after noon.
- Driving range and practice facility available; range balls/access included as part of the resort program after 12:00 PM
- Pro shop on site for equipment, apparel and club arrangements
- Golf lessons with a pro can be scheduled through the resort
| Service | What to know |
|---|---|
| Tee times & carts | Book via golf club or concierge; cart drivers must be 18+ |
| Lessons | Available with golf pros; schedule through golf staff |
| Practice facility | Included under some resort-fee options after noon |

Beaches and the complimentary shuttle
Crystal Cove State Park and Crystal Cove Beach sit below the resort and are among the most requested beach destinations for Pelican Hill guests. The resort runs a complimentary beach shuttle (about hourly) to Crystal Cove that includes beach chairs and umbrellas by request.
Other nearby beaches include Little Corona Beach and Corona del Mar State Beach; the resort lists these as short drives from the property. The shuttle and concierge can help arrange beach drop-offs and provide timing/details at check-in.
- Crystal Cove Beach: complimentary shuttle; beach chairs and umbrellas provided as part of shuttle service
- Little Corona Beach and Corona del Mar State Beach: short drive from the resort
- Beach shuttle frequency: roughly hourly (confirm times with concierge)
| Beach | Access from Pelican Hill | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Cove State Park / Crystal Cove Beach | Complimentary shuttle | Shuttle includes beach bag amenities by request |
| Little Corona Beach | Short drive | Accessible by car or arranged transport |
| Corona del Mar State Beach | Short drive | Popular local beach and overlook spots nearby |
Spa, fitness classes and wellness
The Spa at Pelican Hill is Forbes Five-Star rated and open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with treatments scheduled from 8:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The spa includes Roman-inspired design elements such as the Acqua Colonnade, treatment rooms, and plush lounges.
Daily Fresh Air Fitness classes (Vinyasa Flow, Yin Yoga, Yogalates, Meditation & Breathwork, Yoga Sculpt) are available; classes are generally for guests 16 and older and spa services/facilities are restricted to guests 18 and older. The Villa Clubhouse Fitness Center offers complimentary cardio and strength equipment for guests.
- Spa hours: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; book treatments in advance (booking recommended)
- Fitness classes included as part of resort amenities; age limits apply (classes typically 16+)
- Spa facilities (locker rooms, whirlpool, steam) included with certain resort-fee options
| Service | Age policy |
|---|---|
| Spa treatments & facilities | 18+ for services and facility access |
| Fitness classes (Fresh Air Fitness) | Generally 16+ (verify current policy with resort) |
| Villa Clubhouse Fitness Center | Complimentary for resort guests; check access rules for minors |
Dining near the pools and in your room
On-site dining options include Andrea (Italian-inspired), Pelican Grill (casual Southern California fare), the Coliseum Pool & Grill for poolside meals, plus cafés such as Caffè 2 and Bungalow Caffè. Villa guests have access to the Villa Clubhouse Pool & Restaurant, which serves breakfast for Villa reservations from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Poolside service is available at the Coliseum Pool, and Villa cabanas include amenities like a Bose music system, HD TV, mini refrigerator, and personalized food & beverage service. Villa reservations include breakfast in the Villa Clubhouse; confirm covered guests based on villa size when booking.
- Coliseum Pool & Grill: pizza, pasta, seafood and pool service (check current hours)
- Villa Clubhouse Pool & Restaurant: breakfast for Villa reservations 7:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
- Caffè 2 and Bungalow Caffè: coffee and light fare for quick bites
| Venue | Typical offering | Hours / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Andrea | Northern Italian / contemporary European | Brunch Sat–Sun; dinner Fri–Sun (hours vary by listing) |
| Pelican Grill | Casual Southern California fare | Lunch and dinner on a schedule (confirm with resort) |
| Coliseum Pool & Grill | Poolside menu (pizza, pasta, salads) | Pool service and cabanas; check times with concierge |

Local activities, day trips and practical tips
Pelican Hill is close to Fashion Island shopping, Balboa/Coronado attractions such as Balboa Island and Newport Harbor departures for Duffy boat cruises, whale watching and fishing charters. The concierge can arrange harbor excursions, surf lessons, paddleboarding, and Catalina Island ferry crossings from Newport Beach.
Practical tips: check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM. The resort address is 22701 Pelican Hill Road S, Newport Beach, California, 92657; BookResorts agents are available 24/7 at +1 (888) 605-1350 for booking help.
- Nearby day trips: Catalina Island ferry from Newport Harbor, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and wine-region excursions
- Harbor activities: Duffy cruises, whale-watching (spring season is peak for whales), fishing charters
- Shopping & local sites: Fashion Island, Balboa Island, Corona del Mar viewpoints and Sherman Library & Gardens
| Activity | How to arrange |
|---|---|
| Harbor cruises & whale watching | Book through concierge or local operators in Newport Harbor |
| Catalina Island day trip | Ferry departs from Balboa Pavilion; concierge can assist with tickets |
| Shopping at Fashion Island | Short drive from the resort; approximately a few minutes by car |


