- Signage: amazing. High-quality signs on each tee, indicating all basket locations, distance, and other course info. Arrows below each basket directing you to the next tee. Signs pointing you in the right way when it is unclear. I had a map but didn't really need it because the signage was top notch.

- Teepads: fantastic. The unique red color apparently comes from being made partially with whale rocks, which are aplenty on the course. Every teepad had a bench with a broom mounted under it for quick and easy clearing of debris. Genius. Never seen that before.

- Scenery: hard to beat. Playing through the vineyard is a really unique experience, well worth the $5 entry fee. This area of California is beautiful, and the vineyard is very well maintained - better than any course I've played.

- Special touches: so fun! The antique truck on Hole 1 lets you know from the start that this isn't your mammy's disc golf course. You'll see baskets mounted atop barrels (barrels are everywhere on this course) and hanging from trees. Most (if not all, I can't recall) baskets had a flag on top to make them more visible.

- Course design: stellar. The way the course weaves around the vineyard utilizes the land very well. There are all kinds of shots - big bombers, short and technical, uphill, downhill, over vines, etc.

I'm hard-pressed to come up with any cons to speak of here, but I could see these things bothering people:

- Some fairways play quite close to each other. I'm thinking of 18 and one of the early ones (3? 4?). There wasn't anyone else on the course so it obviously wasn't an issue for me at all, but on a busy day I could see it becoming problematic.

- Locked course. You can't just show up here anytime and play. Playing hours are limited to the vineyard's shop hours, which I believe are 10-6, eliminating the possibility early morning rounds. Perhaps there is a work-around for this for locals, but I was just passing through and the timing worked out fine.

- Paid entry. Only listing this here because I can imagine others may complain about this. Once you see the course and consider how much money and energy it takes to create and maintain a top-caliber course like this, I think you'll feel it was well worth the Lincoln.

- Not a lot of shade. Load up on suntan lotion and you'll be fine. You should be doing that at any course in Southern California, anyways!

If you find yourself in the area, or are planning a disc golf road trip, this course is well-worth your time!!! Be sure to stop by the visitor center area near the entrance to get a key to the course, which is fenced-in and gated. From there, it's just a 1 minute drive up a small road to the course.

Love how playful this course is. Hole 8 is my favorite as the tee pad is nestled under the branches of a big oak and they've created a little branch fence and added some wine barrel obstacles. Feels like a fort! The course is exciting, with hole 6 offering a huge drop over the vines to a basket near another large oak and there's a hanging basket on 14. From hole 6 on I love how you stretch along the vineyard in the flats and really experience the land, then wind back up and around. Benches on every hole and little touches like whale bones set in the concrete and signage telling you about the winery keep it interesting on every level. So much handmade love went into this and it shows!

This course feels a bit advanced for the beginner, but I also think that's part of the fun. The uphill on 16 and crossing the vines on 17 are my nemeses! Can be hot in summer so bring plenty of water! Private course = set hours so kinda a shame it has to close at 5pm. Would love to toss here at sunset!

Playing in a working vineyard is such a fun experience and you can look forward to different happenings in all seasons. Experiencing the fall colors in the vineyard is a must.

Whale Rock DGC is one of the nicest courses out there. Each tee pad has a wooden bench and great signage. You'll never struggle to find the next hole and you might learn something about organic farming and winemaking while you're out there. Also, the scenery is simply hard to beat...it is set in a vineyard amongst rolling coastal hills in California....

Can be very windy at times, especially later in the day. Hour restrictions on access, closes at 5.

Great course, well maintained, family friendly. Nice variety of holes.