Located only 30 minutes from LAX or Long Beach, the luxurious Terranea Resorts sits on the coastal bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It offers sweeping ocean views, outdoor adventures, fine dining, great golf and relaxing spa visits.
Terranea Resort California
The Palos Verdes Peninsula is one of Southern California’s most scenic coastlines. It offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. The coastline became famous thanks to a 1950’s television series called Sea Hunt, in which Lloyd Bridges played Mike Nelson. Protecting that unspoiled coast was part of the philosophy that guided the property owners when they set out to open a new resort.
Terranea Resort (pronounced terra-NAY-a) opened in June 2009. The Mediterranean-inspired resort is the ultimate tranquil resort, but with plenty of activities and options to keep the entire family happy. It is only 30 minutes from either LAX or Long Beach, yet seems to be a world away.
The 102-acre resort includes 75 untouched acres, which offers the opportunity for hiking, biking, and appreciating the local flora and fauna. The Palos Verdes Peninsula trail system runs along the coast and a 14-acre coastal wildlife habitat surrounds the property. It’s easy from the trails or the resort’s patios to see the California Blue and Pacific gray whales that migrate through the area. Sea lions play near the cove and dolphin pods come within view of the shore.
The resort itself offers a luxurious stay, with 326 guestrooms and 34 suites in the main building. There are also 50 three-bedroom ocean view casitas and 32 villas. For the ultimate escape, book one of the Bungalows at Terranea. There are 20 of these two-bedroom bungalows adjacent to the spa, each with wellness amenities.
The resort offers something for the entire family. A team of Experience Concierge members can help answer every question and make arrangements to dine, play and experience the area.
The natural beauty of the area—combined with Terranea’s philosophy of ecological sustainability—offers an ideal respite or a base for great outdoor adventures. And with 228 fire pits and fireplaces, you'll be sure to find a corner to relax. Book at Terranea.com.
ACTIVITIES
The natural environment of the Palos Verdes Peninsula lends itself to an array of activities. Note that activities might vary depending on the time of year.
Water Adventures: Go ocean kayaking through the kelp beds of the Catalina Channel underwater reserve with an instructor. Hop on a stand-up paddleboard. Go tide pooling through the coastal preserve with the resort naturalist. Book a whale watching and harbor tour.
Kids’ Activities: Kids can join the Junior Golf Camps at The Links at Terranea for lessons from a PGA professional. Children from 4 to 12 can join the Tide Pool Kids Club to explore the beach and bluffs.
Land Adventures: Walk along the coastal trails to nearby Point Vicente Lighthouse. Join the Terranea falconer to experience the falcons, Harris’s hawks and Eurasian eagle-owls. Let an instructor teach you archery by the cove. Set up your easel by the coast for en plein air painting with the help of a local artist.
Culinary Delights: Experience the art of mixology using local ingredients and make two handcrafted cocktails. Young and old will enjoy cake decorating with the pastry team—and take the 6” cake back to your room!
SPA
The Spa at Terranea is easily a destination itself. The tranquil, ocean-front spa welcomes you with natural stone, native woods, bamboo and water elements. You can relax in the quiet with the doors open and a sea breeze wafting in, gently soothing you before your treatment.
There are 25 treatment rooms for massage, hydrotherapy and facials. Couples can book one of the Signature Treatment Suites, each with a copper soaking tub, fireplace, infrared sauna, Swiss showers and couples’ massage tables. Outside, you can enjoy the oceanfront pool and relax in a private cabana. The Fitness & Wellness Center invites you to workout, take part in a yoga class or use the fitness equipment.
GOLF
The Links at Terranea is a nine-hole, par-3 Todd Eckenrode-designed oceanfront course. Players have dramatic ocean vistas as they play. There is a multi-tiered, short-game practice area.
The Links’ Golf Academy offers on-site instruction from PGA professionals.
EAT
mar'sel: Terranea's signature restaurant puts a California twist on classics with a seasonal menu. mar'sel (derived from Spanish mar for sea and French sel for salt) uses local ingredients along with herbs and produce grown on the property. The outdoor terrace offers perfect al fresco dining.
Nelson’s: A casual cliff-top venue featuring coastal cuisine and breathtaking sunset vistas around the firepit or in the comfortable dining room.
catalina kitchen: The resort’s all-day dining venue offers indoor dining or on the patio with gorgeous ocean views.
bashi: Exquisitely blends Asian cuisines with California products. Specialties include Sizzling Shaking Beef and Garlic Noodles. The inside is comfortable, but the patio offers spectacular views.
sea beans: The resort’s boutique café serves gourmet coffee, specialty espresso drinks and organic teas. Housemade pastries, muffins or croissants are offered each morning with sandwiches, wraps and smoothies mid-day. The homemade gelato is perfect for a warm afternoon.
The Grill at the Resort Pool: The poolside bar and grill serves up light fares and great cocktails. There are also big screens, making this the perfect spot to catch the big game.
solviva: solviva in the Spa uses nutrient-rich ingredients along with locally and seasonally available produce.
DRINK
Lobby Bar & Lounge: An evening at a quiet table by the fireplace is near perfection. The only way it gets any better is to sit by one of the firepits on the terrace and watch the sunset.
cielo point: This seasonal adults-only retreat is the ideal spot for a cool iced beverage.
Bar at mar’sel: The panoramic ocean backdrop is perfect for drinks at the upscale bar at mar’sel. Order from the extensive wine list or try a handcrafted, specialty cocktail.
bashi: Head to bashi for a large selection of sake and wine, along with Asian-influenced cocktails.
solviva: solviva continues its wellness theme with a selection of organic, biodynamic and sustainable libations from wineries and breweries.
Palos Verdes Peninsula
Southern California Coast
EXPLORE
The Palos Verdes Peninsula was once part of the Channel Islands archipelago. You can see its sister island, Catalina Island, just west of the resort. The resort includes 75 acres of natural landscape and there is plenty to explore there. However, if you want to go off the resort property, you can find ample places to explore nearby.
Point Vicente Lighthouse is walking distance from the resort along the Discovery Trail. The lighthouse began shining its beacon on the point in 1926. The lighthouse is 67 feet tall and was once part of the U.S. Coast Guard. It was manned until 1971, when the operations became automated. The lighthouse was added to the National Registry of Historic Sites in 1979. The tower and museum are open the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC.org) operates numerous trails on the peninsula. These are frequented by hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. There are organized monthly outdoor walks the second Saturday of each month.
Wayfarers Chapel is a beautiful chapel with a breathtaking setting. The natural sanctuary sits on the Pacific Coast, and the chapel is a stone and glass structure designed by Lloyd Wright, son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. You can visit the chapel, which was built between 1949 and 1951, Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.