California Hotels & Resorts

1. L’Auberge Del Mar

Surrounded by five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with stunning views of Del Mar Beach, L’Auberge Del Mar is a luxurious coastal retreat that offers the best of both worlds—beachfront access and proximity to the popular Del Mar Plaza shopping mall, just across the street.

The rooms are bright, spacious, and decorated in a style that’s both beachy and upscale. Each one comes with iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs, and many have private patios or balconies with ocean views that really elevate the experience.

Suites offer even more space, with cozy living areas, fireplaces, and sofas. The resort features two restaurants, a lively lounge with live music, a poolside bar, a relaxing spa, tennis courts, and a gym—plenty to keep you entertained and pampered. There's even a free shuttle to the nearby Del Mar beaches, making beach days a breeze.

1540 Camino Del Mar, P.O. Box 2889, Del Mar, CA 92014, 858-259-1515, L’Auberge Del Mar Video

Del Mar is a 25 minute (20.3 miles via I-5 N) day trip from San Diego.

2. Carneros Resort and Spa

Set on 28 acres of scenic countryside in the Napa Valley, Carneros Resort and Spa is a chic, award-winning retreat with spectacular scenery and warm and welcoming hospitality and service.

Inspired by the classic California lifestyle, this one-of-a-kind getaway is an hour’s drive from San Francisco and features contemporary cottages, suites, and fully furnished homes.

Cottages have comfortable bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, heated flooring, indoor and outdoor showers, wood-burning fireplaces, and French doors that open on private patios, while large family-centric homes have full kitchens and living areas that flow onto decks and gardens.

Upscale amenities include a newly renovated spa, two swimming pools, an infinity-edged hot tub, three restaurants, bocce ball courts, a boutique store, and loaner bicycles for exploring.

4048 Sonoma Hwy, Napa, CA 94559, Phone: 707-299-4900, Carneros Resort Video

3. Meadowood Napa Valley

Surrounded by patchworks of rolling vineyards, Meadowood Napa Valley is a luxurious and romantic Napa Valley resort a few miles from the scenic Silverado Trail. The resort features cozy cottages, sophisticated suites and upscale lodges with comfortable beds dressed in goose-down bedding, living areas with wood-burning fireplaces, wet bars with mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, and private terraces with gorgeous views. In-room dining and spa services are available, as well as bottled water, and complimentary wireless Internet, while additional amenities include wine socials in the evenings, access to the outdoor swimming pool, fully equipped gym, and numerous hiking trails, and local car service. An acclaimed on-site restaurant and bar, and several casual eateries serve a variety of cuisine, which can be enjoyed alfresco-style or by the poolside.

900 Meadowood Ln, St Helena, CA 94574, Phone: 707-531-4788

4. Ojai Valley Inn

Located a few miles from the Los Padres National Forest, the Ojai Valley Inn is an elegant Spanish hacienda-style resort that has been providing loyal customers with refined accommodations, deluxe amenities, and award-winning hospitality and service for more than 85 years.

The Inn features posh, contemporary rooms with designer linens and décor, living areas with fireplaces and kitchens, en-suite bathrooms with whirlpool baths, and modern amenities like flat-screen televisions with DVD players, and complimentary wireless Internet. Facilities at the grand inn include a luxury spa and wellness center, several fine dining restaurants and bars, a championship golf course, driving range and a putting green, and tennis courts.

Guests have access to fully equipped business and fitness centers, and ample event spaces cater for special functions and celebrations.

905 Country Club Rd, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 855-697-8780

5. The Ranch at Laguna Beach

The Ranch at Laguna Beach is a beautiful resort within the heart of Orange County, located within the spectacular Wood and Aliso Canyons. The 87-acre resort is the only National Geographic-designated Unique Lodge of the World in California, located conveniently near Aliso Beach Park and the Coast Highway. World-class accommodations are offered at the resort's boutique hotel, offering private furnished balconies and patios. The resort's Harvest Restaurant serves up specialty California cuisine at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with in-room dining options available. Luxury spa services are also offered, along with a heated outdoor pool, nine-hole golf course, and sand volleyball courts.

31106 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, Phone: 949-499-2271, The Ranch at Laguna Beach Video

6. Auberge du Soleil

Exuding the luxurious style of a secluded Côte d’Azur retreat and the sun-drenched ambiance of Provençe, Auberge du Soleil has perfected the art of balancing wellness with luxurious indulgence. Boasting breathtaking Napa Valley views in a spectacular natural setting, the inn features a collection of beautifully appointed rooms and suites, featuring private terraces, cozy fireplaces and sensual elements such as private soaking tubs for two. The intimate retreat also offers the indulgent Auberge Spa, a gorgeous swimming pool and oversized chaises and gauze-draped day beds for lounging. Dine in style at the Michelin-rated Auberge du Soleil Restaurant where Executive Chef Robert Curry presents beautifully prepared, Mediterranean inspired Wine Country cuisine accompanied by some of Napa Valley’s finest wines.

180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, California, Phone: 707-963-1211, Auberge du Soleil Video

7. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a gorgeous Spanish Mission-style resort in Riverside, conveniently located near top area attractions such as the Riverside Art Museum and the Riverside Convention Center. The National Historic Landmark hotel is considered to be the United States' largest Mission Revival-style building, occupying a full city block within the city's downtown district. For nearly a century and a half, the hotel has hosted international luminaries ranging from United States presidents to actors and entertainers such as Cary Grant, Barbra Streisand, and Ethel Barrymore. Its beautiful aesthetic has made it a common subject in art and film, showcased in major motion pictures such as The Wild Party, Black Samurai, and The Man in the Iron Mask. Chic rooms and suites offer amenities such as flat screen televisions and coffeemakers, with private living spaces offered in upgraded rooms. A plethora of guest amenities are offered for guests, including a full-service spa, an outdoor pool and hot tub, a chapel, and six decadent international restaurants.

3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501, Phone: 951-784-0300

8. Kenwood Inn and Spa

Kenwood Inn and Spa is an elegant Mediterranean hotel experience in Kenwood, conveniently located off Highway 12 near Jack London State Historic Park and Quarryhill Botanical Garden. The posh hotel and spa, located within the heart of the beautiful Sonoma Wine Country Valley of the Moon, stretches across 2.5 acres nestled within gorgeous vineyard and orchard lands. Villa-style rooms and suites overlook gorgeous courtyards with fountains and landscaped gardens, decked out with Italian linen featherbeds, cozy fireplaces, and private terraces and balconies. Guests can make use of the resort's full-service spa or enjoy relaxation opportunities at its sparkling outdoor pool and two hot tubs. A complimentary breakfast buffet serves up pancakes, omelettes, and quiche each morning, while an afternoon wine and cheese tasting experiences samples locally-sourced sustainable farmhouse wines.

10400 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, CA 95452, Phone: 707-833-1293

9. Hotel Drisco

Hotel Drisco is an upscale hotel in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood, located within walking distance of top area attractions like The Presidio and the boutiques of Fillmore Street. Gorgeous guest rooms and suites feature pillowtop beds with Egyptian cotton linens, along with amenities like high-definition televisions, in-room sleep bmachines, and complimentary wireless internet. Upgraded rooms feature beautiful city views and private sitting areas with pullout sofas. All guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet with stay, along with an evening wine reception and nightly turndown service providing dark chocolate shortbread cookies. Room service is available 24 hours a day, with wine and beer service provided during select hours. All guests can enjoy use of hotel loaner bikes, along with membership access to the nearby Presidio YMCA's fitness center.

2901 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94115, Phone: 415-346-2880