<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-02798) dated May 23, 1996 and related
Prospectus of Pacific Gulf Properties Inc. (the "Company") for the registration
of $112,155,139 of common and preferred stock, as amended on January 14, 1997,
and to its incorporation into a registration statement on Form S-3 filed
pursuant to Rule 462(b) for the registration of an additional $14,454,500 of
common and preferred stock (the "462(b) Registration Statement"). We also
consent to the incorporation by reference of the following into the Prospectus
related to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-02798) dated May 23,
1996, the related Prospectus Supplement dated May 20, 1996 for the registration
of 2,800,000 shares of common stock, the Prospectus Supplement dated January 3,
1997 for the registration of 1,351,351 shares of preferred stock, the
Prospectus Supplement dated January 15, 1997 for the registration of 2,000,000
shares of Common Stock thereunder, and the 462(b) Registration Statement of our
reports; (a) dated February 9, 1996, with respect to the consolidated and
combined financial statements and related financial statement schedule of the
Company included in the Company's Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year
ended December 31, 1995; (b) dated April 30, 1996, with respect to the
statement of revenues and certain expenses of Tukwila Business Park included in
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 1996; (c) dated April 12,
1996, with respect to the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses
of the Konwiser Acquisition Properties included in the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 1996; and (d) dated July 28, 1995, with respect
to the combined statement of revenues and certain expenses of the Konwiser
Acquisition Properties included in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A
dated May 7, 1996, all of which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

We also consent to the use of our reports: (a) dated April 25, 1996, with
respect to the statement of revenues and certain expenses of Bay San Marcos
Industrial Park; (b) dated April 25, 1996, with respect to the statement of
revenue and certain expenses of Escondido Business Center; (c) dated May 20,
1996, with respect to the statement of revenue and certain expenses of Eden
Landing Commerce Park; (d) dated May 20, 1996, with respect to the statement of
revenue and certain expenses of Riverview Industrial Park; (e) dated May 20,
1996, with respect to the statement of revenue and certain expenses of Pacific
Park; (f) dated December 6, 1996, with respect to the statement of revenue and
certain expenses of Miramar Business Park; (g) dated December 9, 1996, with
respect to the statement of revenue and certain expenses of Algona Warehouse and
(h) dated January 3, 1997, with respect to the statement of revenue and certain
expenses of Harbor Business Park, included in the Registration Statement (Form
S-3 No. 333-02798 dated May 23, 1996, the related Prospectus Supplements
referred to above, the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 13,
1997 and the 462(b) Registration Statement.


                                                ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Newport Beach, California
January 15, 1997