Pelican Hill Golf Club: Spiffy in Southern California

Few public-accessible golf facilities overwhelm golfers with views as relentlessly as Pelican Hill Golf Club. The Pacific Ocean is in full view from practically every hole on both its Ocean South and Ocean North layouts, and two back-nine par 3s on the Ocean South get within spitting distance of the waves.

But it's actually the Ocean North that serious golf course enthusiasts will prefer. Not only is it a bit longer, but it has a more engaging and varied mix of holes. It also mostly eschews the occasional odd routing loops and switchbacks that break up the flow of the South course, somewhat. Though don't be fooled - carts are mandatory and necessary on both these courses.

Playing golf at Pelican Hill is a splurge at $295 ($195 twilight, which is frankly the best time to play, given the possibilities of the sunset on the Pacific), but one many golfers consider worthwhile.