It’s true, when most Arizonans ready their plans to head to the beach, San Diego is usually the destination…I’ve got another idea. It’s still got a beach, and the sun is plentiful, of course. But this resort isn’t your typical “struggle to find a parking spot, then struggle to grab all your stuff from the car, then struggle to find a place to put all that stuff” resort. No… Terranea Resort is a hidden gem with one agenda in mind: RELAX.
Built on coastal bluffs overlooking the Pacific, the 102-acre resort feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, despite being a 35-minute drive from LAX (on a good traffic day, anyway). It opened in 2009, and frankly, if the scenery doesn’t get you, the weather will. During our stay in May, the temperature never went above 85. You know how, in Arizona, when you open your front door, and the air hits you like an oven? Yeah, that doesn’t happen at Terranea. The breeze prompted a sweatshirt to be nearby no matter the time of day.
Before the resort existed, the peninsula was home to the indigenous Gabrielino-Tongva tribe, who lived as skilled fishermen, traders and seafarers. Over the decades, the area evolved through Spanish land ownership, Japanese farming communities and eventually the development vision of financier Frank A. Vanderlip, who helped shape the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the early 20th century.
The coastline later became a favorite backdrop for Hollywood productions, appearing in everything from Sea Hunt to Pirates of the Caribbean. One of the guests told us that The Rock stayed there at one point, so my eyes were peeled for celebs the whole stay.
Terranea has 582 guest rooms, suites, casitas, bungalows and villas, all designed with warm coastal tones and private outdoor spaces with ocean views. Accommodations range from guest rooms inside the main building to three-bedroom ocean-view casitas and villas for bigger groups. [Insider tip: if you’re not a fan of sleeping on those super-soft down pillows, you might want to bring your own.]
Dining is on a whole other level, thanks to the property’s eight concepts. Signature restaurant mar’sel showcases California cuisine inspired by local ingredients and produce grown on the property. Nelson’s, perched right above the ocean, offers a coastal menu, outdoor fire pits and unbelievable views. Guests will also find Pan-Asian cuisine at bashi, wellness-focused offerings at solviva spa café, all-day dining at catalina kitchen and pastries and coffee, plus grab-and-go, at sea beans café.
I attempted to eat as much seafood as I could: the steamed mussels and sausage at Nelson’s, diver scallops at mar’sel and grilled king salmon bowl at solviva were favorites, but we also got a plate of nachos at the pool grill and garlic noodles with beef at bashi that were something I could eat every day, given the chance to do so.
Following a $4.5 million renovation, the 50,000-square-foot Spa at Terranea now features updated treatment rooms, redesigned relaxation lounges and upgraded locker rooms. Massages, facials, salon services and wellness treatments, oceanfront yoga classes, gardens and a private spa pool are all on the menu.
I opted for the Sound and Silence, which set me in a giant copper tub for 30 minutes to soak before my massage therapist used tuning forks (plus CBD and a rose quartz crystal) to “cleanse my energy.” In a word: incredible. In more than one word, I wish I could’ve brought my massage therapist home with me. She was the greatest and I think of her every day. Remember I mentioned ‘relax’ at the beginning of the article? This is the place to start.
As far as activities go, the options are plentiful. The resort’s award-winning Links at Terranea golf course offers nine holes, while four heated pools, a dedicated kids’ club, hiking trails, tide pooling excursions, and kayaking adventures allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the beauty.
We checked out the kayak and falconry experiences – I’m a water person but apparently cannot handle paddles, so I sat quietly and watched as dolphins poked their heads out of the water right in front of us, and my ankle (yep, JUST my ankle) got absolutely roasted by the sun. Don’t forget sunscreen, people.
Joe Roy III is the Resident Falconer. Every week, he hosts complimentary 30-minute experiences (you can also book a longer session!) where you get an up-close introduction to a hybrid gyr + peregrine falcon, a Harris hawk, and Eurasian eagle-owl named Owl-bert. Joe shares insights on the history, technique, and ecological impact of his birds.
Summer brings a lineup of new events, too, like Sips and Sunsets on the Lobby Terrace with wine, seasonal bites and live music. During our stay, they were setting up the Casamigos pop-up, which serves tequila cocktails and small plates. At Nelson’s, Crabby Sundays feature customizable seafood boils, cocktails and entertainment. There’s also “From Vine to Ocean” wine dinners at mar’sel with wineries like GAJA and Shafer Vineyards, concluding in the Third Annual Food & Wine Festival on July 26.
Those on the lookout for a romantic escape, a family getaway or just a break from the relentless Arizona heat might want to check out Terranea. By the end of the trip, I realized the best part wasn’t the ocean views or the food… it was how my body and mind were happy to slow down and breathe – something I forget to do quite often, these days. What a relief to know an escape is just a short trip away. Learn more at terranea.com.
