The Life · Country Clubs & Private Clubs

Country Clubs & Private Clubs

Yacht club terrace at sunset

We believe a club is known by the company it keeps and the standards it holds when nobody is watching. These are the rooms we respect around Newport Beach — member-owned fairways, quiet dining rooms and one or two city clubs built for conversation — and we list them as a neighbour would: accurately, and without pretending to doors that are not ours to open.

Country Clubs & Private Clubs

Big Canyon Country Club

Newport Beach

A private, member-owned country club established in 1971, with championship golf, clubhouse dining and a social calendar.

Membership & costs

Membership is by invitation at this member-owned club. The club states that its staff is only permitted to provide membership information to Club members — details are obtained through a member.

Shady Canyon Golf Club

Irvine

A private golf club set in a 300-acre preserve; its course opened in 2002.

Membership & costs

Membership by invitation only, as the club states.

House rules (as published)

The club publishes a guest dress code, recorded here as published. Course and practice facilities — ladies: skirts, slacks, sundresses, or golf and Bermuda-length shorts (mid-thigh); golf-fashion sleeveless and collarless shirts are acceptable. Not permitted: leggings, yoga pants, cutoffs, halter tops, exposed midriffs, workout attire, or swimwear — and denim of any kind is not permitted. Gentlemen: collared, turtleneck, or mock shirts, tucked in with a belt; slacks or golf and Bermuda shorts. Not permitted: workout attire, cargo shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, swimwear, or beach flip-flops. At the Golf Grills: the same base code, with sandals welcome (closed-toed for men), hats permitted indoors, and tasteful denim acceptable if neat and hole-free.

Mesa Verde Country Club

Costa Mesa

A member-owned private country club founded in 1959, with an 18-hole course, a tennis and pool complex and three dining rooms, per the club’s own description.

Membership & costs

The club publishes its categories, not its costs: Full Golf Equity · Junior Golf (non-equity, under age 40) · Social Tennis. Membership is by invitation only, per the club.

Membership at Mesa Verde ↗

The Park Club California

Costa Mesa

A private business and social club on the Segerstrom Center arts campus; memberships are open for inquiry. Formerly Center Club Orange County, it was acquired by BNG Hospitality, renovated and reopened under this name in 2024, and recognized with a 2025 Distinguished Clubs Award, per CultureOC.

Membership & costs

The club's current site takes inquiries only and publishes no categories or costs. Its categories were named in the club's 2023 founding brochure — a founding offer that has since expired — and are recorded here dated, as published then: Founding Executive · Young Executive (age 38 and under) · Corporate (minimum three from the same company) · Non-Resident (resides 50+ miles away) · Life (includes spouse and dependents under 23). The brochure included Palmer Advantage reciprocal benefits, and founding members' dues were exempt from increases for three years.

Balboa Bay Club

Newport Beach

A private membership club since 1948, self-described as the “Host of the Coast,” with a 130-slip private marina, a private beach and the Members Grill.

Membership & costs

The club publishes its privileges, not its costs: valet; a private beach, pool and poolside bar; fitness facilities; basketball and pickleball courts; a members-only restaurant; member guest docks; year-round events; Kids Club; Duffy boats, e-bikes and paddleboards; preferred rates at Balboa Bay Resort; and access to an extensive network of reciprocal clubs. The club marina is members-only.

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