We know enough about what motivated The Mamas and the Papas to write their hit 1965 pop song “California Dreamin’.” In the first verse, they lay it all out: It was a cold, gray winter’s day in a place far from L.A. In their effusive pop harmonies, they pined for California.
Perhaps no part of the Golden State so embodies this dream of sunshine, salt water, safety and warmth than the highway that parallels the state’s dramatic coastline. Also known as Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), California State Route 1 stretches some 650 miles from Leggett in the north to Dana Point in the south. Surrounded by numerous points of interest and offering hours of jaw-dropping ocean views, PCH provides the raw materials for a happy-go-lucky road trip vacation.
Elevating the experience are luxurious coastal resorts where the ocean is the main character: The water influences the positioning of guestrooms and restaurants, and activities take place around or in the ocean, often in unique and exhilarating ways. Also inspired by nature are on-site restaurants, which feature the year-round bounty of California’s sea and land.
Top California resorts offer wellness activities, such as yoga and guided walks, on the beach.
Credit: Monarch Beach Resort
Not to be outdone by other parts of the hotels, spas dive in, too — sometimes oceanfront spa rooms are even complemented by treatments involving hydrotherapy and ingredients from the sea.
The properties hand-picked for this story know how to harness the powers of the ocean for the benefit of guest well-being. And because they’re not strict wellness-only retreats, these hotels are great options for couples, groups and families composed of folks with different vacation agendas.
Whether combined into one epic California coastal itinerary, or enjoyed separately, the following luxury resorts promise to leave guests golden and centered — and maybe a little sandy.
Best Beach Hotel in Northern California: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
When it comes to oceanfront luxury with a focus on wellness, The Ritz-Carlton is the company to beat with its trifecta of properties stretching from Dana Point in Orange County up to Half Moon Bay in San Mateo County. I wasn’t sure how it could get much better than the undeveloped coastline of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, until I made my way up to Half Moon Bay, which shines (quite literally) as the top spot for ocean lovers.
A scenic coastal trail intersects The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.
Credit: 2019 The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon BayThe hotel is positioned just feet from the ocean, which means the water is hardly ever out of sight. Floor level rooms have terraces with firepits, while some rooms on the fifth floor have petite balconies, highlighting the fact that the main activity here is enjoying life (eating, sleeping, reading and socializing) to the soundtrack of crashing waves. And as the sun sets, it beams into the hotel, giving everyone huddled around outdoor firepits a vibrant golden glow.
A fitness center faces the ocean, but the main active draws are self-guided and outside: tennis courts; two golf courses, with holes jutting up against ocean bluffs; and a coastal trail that intercepts the hotel but stretches along the coastline in both directions.
Some ocean-facing rooms at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay have terraces complete with fire pits.
Credit: 2019 The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon BayThis is a popular getaway for Bay Area locals, so guests in search of quiet should avoid weekend stays and opt for Club Level access. The spacious Club Lounge, headed by its own concierge and culinary team, is the most peaceful and exclusive place at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, and serves around-the-clock bites and drinks.
Serenity seekers should also head to the spa. Try the Redwood Forest Ritual signature treatment, which features hot, herb-filled poultices that act like hot stones, and achieves the perfect balance of effective deep pressure and soothing Swedish-style massage.
Best Beach Hotel in Big Sur: Alila Ventana Big Sur
Set in an ancient redwood forest perched above the Pacific Ocean, Alila Ventana Big Sur offers a seriously therapeutic location. Making matters even better for wellness travelers are the numerous amenities the property has installed to heighten guests’ experiences in the surroundings.
Ventana gives new meaning to the term “forest bathing.”
Credit: 2019 Ventana Big SurGuestrooms are set in small log buildings and feature earthy materials such as wood floors, stone bathtubs, neutral macrame wall hangings, leather chairs in front of the fireplace and large-format black-and-white photographs that depict the surrounding nature.
The Big Sur Forest Shower Suite, a popular room category, offers a large deck featuring two side-by-side outdoor showers made of bronze; two chairs and a small table in the shape of a tree stump; and an oversize hammock — arguably the best of the bunch for taking in the wraparound aerial views of a lush forest slope populated by redwood trees.
The most enjoyable place to take in the sights, however, is from Ventana’s infinity hot tub, just one of several superlative soaking options, which also include two pools with ocean views, Japanese-style indoor baths and the spa’s outdoor soaking tub.
On top of all that, Ventana provides one to three complimentary wellness classes daily, including gentle yoga, tai chi and meditation.
Enjoy ancient redwoods, live oaks and other forest fauna while at Ventana Big Sur.
Credit: 2019 Ventana Big SurWalking around — slowly and intentionally, like a forest bather — is a treat. During Ventana’s daily complimentary walk around property grounds, my guide revealed the resort’s gems, including a glass lookout cabin where we spotted a humpback whale splashing in the water; the property’s expansive organic garden; and dense forest trails featuring a circle of ancient redwood trees that lead to Ventana’s glamping tents (a new room option).
Ventana Big Sur offers both ocean and forest views.
Credit: 2019 Ventana Big SurThe property emerged from a refresh following Big Sur’s 2018 closure, and a new offering includes a nature trail that connects guestrooms to the Sur House fine dining restaurant (which serves smoothies and juices in the morning and even a vegetarian prix fixe menu for dinner). Another addition is “the redwood cathedral,” my guide’s name for an outdoor events space featuring wood benches among towering trees.
Best Beach Hotel in Santa Barbara: Rosewood Miramar Beach
Rosewood Miramar Beach in tony Montecito, Calif., might be one of the area's newest hotels, but it was quick to make a splash. The property is the first hotel owned by Rick Caruso, a shopping center and real estate developer (and LA mayoral candidate), and replaces the long-shuttered Miramar By The Sea Hotel.
Uniquely flanked by PCH and the Pacific Ocean, the hotel features 158 guestrooms, suites and bungalows; Sense, A Rosewood Spa; seven dining concepts; and more, spread out over two areas separated by Amtrak’s coastal railroad track. This quirk is celebrated with various hotel traditions, as well as a security guard.
Rosewood Miramar Beach offers 26 guestrooms directly on Miramar Beach.
Credit: 2019 Rosewood Miramar BeachThe hotel has plenty more stylistic anomalies (such as a fleet of pink vintage Fiats), but guests will also notice the property’s goal to set a new standard for high-end luxury on the ocean. All rooms feature expensive and stylish fixings — such as oversize bathrooms decked out in Carrera marble — but the best rooms are the 26 positioned in front of Miramar Beach with generous wooden decks that hover over the sand.
The waves crash equally loudly at Miramar Beach Bar and Caruso’s, the Italian American dining concept that’s best for a cheat night (though dishes feature farmers market ingredients such as gnocchi made with Weiser Family Farms potatoes). Healthy eaters can get by with a vegan salad here — featuring charred avocado and cashew cream — but they’ll be best taken care of at The Revere Room, an expansive restaurant set in the stately Manor House building and facing the hotel’s large, grassy lawn.
This is also the location of the chic spa, the handsome Manor Bar and a sundries shop curated by Goop, a high-end wellness brand founded by actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
While there are plenty of wellness amenities on-site — including a state-of-the-art fitness center, two cabana-lined pool areas and the beach (which features a concierge as well as complimentary stand-up paddleboards and kayaks), travel advisors should arrange a guided hiking experience in Montecito.
Best Beach Hotel in Los Angeles: Terranea Resort
A welcome respite for nature-starved city folk, Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes is known for its sensational 102 acres of oceanfront real estate.
The resort’s highlight for disconnecting is The Spa at Terranea, which incorporates water into many of its treatments via a copper soaking tub, a Vichy shower and white noise provided by the ocean, located just outside the best spa suites.
Several signature treatments at Terranea Resort feature hydrotherapy.
Credit: 2019 Terranea Resort
The spa also features an adults-only pool, a boutique and a spa dining concept that serves nutrient-dense food throughout the day. Terranea's fine dining restaurant, Mar'sel, is another must for oceanfront brunch or dinner. The Palos Verdes Peninsula directly inspires the cuisine here, which includes sea salt and kelp from the Pacific Ocean, fresh seafood and handmade pasta.
Guestrooms feature thoughtful amenities such as outlets built into the nightstand and reading lights embedded into the leather bed frame. Small touches — such as turndown service that includes L’Occitane lavender pillow mist and hand cream — add to the sense of calm.
The active set will enjoy a free guided walk around the property’s coastline as well as a meet-and-greet with the hotel’s falconer, whose feathered friends — such as Owlbert the owl — prevent seagulls from soiling guests’ experiences (and hairdos).
A coastal walk around the property and into Rancho Palos Verdes makes for an active afternoon by the water.
Credit: 2019 Terranea Resort
Terranea can also arrange outdoor activities — think: ocean kayaking, horseback riding and golfing — and complimentary yoga is often available on-site. Another mindfulness option is the Mandalas and Margarita activity. Painting rock mandalas (geometric figures used for meditation) by the ocean is a calming exercise, made even better with intention-setting conducted both before and after painting.
Best Beach Hotel in Orange County: Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club
According to PCH, California ends in Dana Point (sorry, San Diego!). And at the end of the road awaits Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club. Previously, the 30,000-square-foot spa enjoyed a partnership with wellness pioneer Miraval, and offered more than 70 treatments, with inspirations ranging from the California coast to Ayurveda, an ancient healing modality from India.
Monarch Beach Resort offers pools, a golf course, decadent dining and a world-class fitness and spa center, making it ideal for groups composed of folks with different vacation agendas.
Credit: 2019 Monarch Beach ResortNow under new ownership, the spa (now called Waldorf Astoria Spa) still offers numerous treatment options including a signature CBD massage and a spa package that includes a private yoga class followed by a massage. With numerous fitness rooms, the spa hosts more than 40 weekly fitness classes, including aerial yoga and boxing.
Though there are trolleys that can take guests to the beach, I enjoyed going by foot, walking past the resort's pools and golf course and through a tunnel. The recently renovated Monarch Bay Beach Club offers dining, a bar, chair service and enough activities for guests looking to spend a full day at the beach. It's yet another dream realized along the California coast.
