There’s nothing else in L.A. County quite like Terranea. Located on a picturesque oceanside bluff in Ranchos Palos Verdes, the all-inclusive luxury resort is the perfect place to unwind for a long weekend and experience a serene, far ritzier side of Los Angeles. The 102-acre resort boasts a nine-hole golf course, award-winning spa, four pools (including one that’s adults-only), a fitness center that offers complimentary classes and seven unique dining concepts. Throw in the paddleboarding, snorkeling, kayaking and horseback riding, and you could spend a couple of nights here without leaving the property. Accommodations range from the typical rooms and suites to more luxurious bungalows, casitas and villas—but even in a standard king, as I experienced firsthand, you’ll be treated to ocean views from your balcony or terrace. (Long hallways ensure every resort guest has them.)
Terranea could coast by on its beautiful location alone, but well-considered dining concepts and a jam-packed activity calendar ensure the resort is a worthy splurge for out-of-towners and locals alike. Over my two-night stay, my partner and I attended a meet-and-greet with the on-site falconer, sampled five of the dining concepts, relaxed in one of the spa’s poolside cabanas and took a guided early morning tour to the neighboring tide pools. There’s also numerous walking trails and a small beach. On my own, I took an all-levels yoga class and enjoyed a massage at the Spa at Terranea, which includes a day pass to the gender-segregated soaking tubs and a tranquil adults-only pool with reservable cabanas. Booking any body treatment also grants access to the Spa’s upstairs relaxation room, home to one of the most stunning vantage points of the Pacific that I’ve ever seen in my life.
Among the culinary concepts, the showiest by far is mar’sel, one of the most romantic dining destinations in all of Los Angeles. The indoor-outdoor restaurant’s small patio offers panoramic ocean views and a seasonal fine dining menu with first-rate cocktails, a curated wine list and a little bit of something for everyone. During my stay, I enjoyed the vegan-friendly cauliflower and white chocolate soup and the deconstructed old-fashioned for dessert. The resort’s sleeper hit restaurant, however, is bashi, a pan-Asian concept that serves seriously great garlic noodles, the requisite fusion-style maki rolls and a whiskey miso bread pudding that’ll have you planning a return visit. For more casual dining and unparalleled views at sunset, there’s Nelson’s, an indoor-outdoor restaurant located at the water’s edge with a standout lobster roll and other straightforward fare.
Given Terranea’s distance from most of Los Angeles—it’s nearly a half hour drive to get back to the South Bay’s Beach Cities—the resort is more suited to travelers looking to escape the city and relax, not those who are jonesing to visit all of L.A.’s major tourist attractions. Even given the high price tag, however, a single nights’ stay here is still well worth the cost of admission—but I’d highly recommend booking at least two.
Neighborhood
Terranea is in the suburb of Rancho Palos Verdes, a fairly residential area with a small shopping center, fairly rocky beaches and bluffs with striking views. The coastal area has recently made headlines due to unprecedented land movement and subsequent red-tagging of entire neighborhoods. (Where Terranea is located is considered, as of writing, completely seismically sound.) The resort is located about 45 minutes drive from LAX and an hour or more journey from most parts of Los Angeles.
Nearby
San Pedro: A far-flung coastal neighborhood of Los Angeles with a recently revitalized waterfront area and other local attractions, like the Battleship Iowa, the Korean Bell of Friendship and the Sunken City.
Manhattan Beach: One of the most upscale cities in the South Bay, complete with a walkable waterfront area full of restaurants and shops.
The Strand: The 22-mile bicycle path that spans almost the entirety of L.A.’s westward-facing coastline ends at Torrance Beach, about a 15 minute-drive from Terranea. More pedestrian-friendly sections can be found in Manhattan Beach, Venice and Santa Monica.
Time Out tip
If you’re booking a spa treatment and want to go all out, look for treatments that include a 30-minute Balneo Soak. Guests can choose between a relaxing bath in the Ocean Suite, which boasts a private balcony with seaside views, or the Fire Suite, where a built-in fireplace offers maximum hygge factor.