California
Santa Barbara
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
Low-rise villas with wrought-iron balconies. Natural beaches that glow under the sun. Three infinity-edge pools with ocean views. Vibrant blues and intricate patterns. Food that is meant to be savored with the sunset. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara embodies the charm, beauty, and energy of the Mediterranean in the heart of Santa Barbara, offering quiet courtyard and ocean-view accommodations, an indulgent spa, and dining that celebrates local ingredients. Quite simply, a 78-acre oceanfront resort where relaxation and adventure are set against a backdrop of golden beaches and lush mountains.
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Belmond El Encanto
Perched high in the Santa Barbara hills, this iconic hideaway offers the best views of the American Riviera. Spread across seven acres of secluded gardens, Belmond El Encanto opened in 1918 and has been part of Santa Barbara’s social scene ever since. A Forbes Five Star resort, this enchanting escape features 92 bungalow-style suites and guest rooms with sweeping views over Santa Barbara and the Pacific Coast. The resort is gleaming and glamorous, yet relaxed and low-key – the kind of place that invites you to recline poolside, breathe in the ocean air, and sip a glass of crisp local wine.
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San Ysidro Ranch
At San Ysidro Ranch, it's easy to hide away in one of 41 individually decorated cottages and suites, thoughtfully sited along the resort's hillside paths, neighboring the pleasant creek. Each offers a king-size bed, fireplace, patio, outdoor hot tub, and rainhead shower, while the newest boast private plunge pools. It's little wonder that John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned here – to this day, the resort is legendary for its discreet personal service and stunning natural environment. The Stonehouse offers remarkable regional cuisine, with herbs and vegetables harvested from the on-site garden.
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Rosewood Miramar Beach
With its light and airy guest rooms and suites on one of Southern California’s most exclusive beaches, Rosewood Miramar Beach is a seaside gem. Tucked away in idyllic Montecito, just 80 miles northwest of L.A., the resort’s bungalows are the perfect respite from the everyday grind. Rejuvenation happens daily at Sense® Spa, while sunrise yoga and sunset walks begin and end days in paradise. Dine at Helene Henderson’s first California resort setting, Malibu Farm at Miramar – favorites include mini Swedish crêpes and crispy whole-fish tacos, enjoyed individually or family style. Beachfront Caruso’s is just as enticing.
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Santa Monica | Malibu
Hotel Casa del Mar
Santa Monica
Inspired by the grand villas of the Mediterranean and the effortless glamour of Santa Monica Beach, Hotel Casa del Mar lets you unwind in style amid the captivating scenery of Southern California. Originally built in 1926, the 129 exquisitely restored, residential-style guest rooms include 16 redesigned suites showcasing modern coastal designs and sweeping vistas from Palos Verdes to Malibu. Discover acclaimed, farmers’-market-driven cuisine at Catch Restaurant and Terrazza Lounge. Indulge at the eco-minded Sea Wellness Spa, then take a dip in the iconic Palm Terrace Pool. You’re never more than a stone’s throw from the Pacific.
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Shutters on the Beach
Santa Monica
When sand and sea beckon, head for Shutters on the Beach, a boutique-style getaway that feels more like your own lavish seaside cottage than a traditional hotel. The serenity of the interiors and guest rooms is complemented by modern technological amenities and the impeccable service of a gracious staff. Don’t miss ONE Spa, with its menu of signature therapies featuring Luzern, Omorovicza, ComfortZone, and Biologique Recherche products. One Pico is the hotel’s signature restaurant, with a market-fresh menu and panoramic ocean and coastline views.
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Nobu Ryokan Malibu
Malibu
Nobu Ryokan Malibu pays homage to the traditional Japanese inn while giving it a haute makeover. Super chef Nobu Matsuhisa and superstar Robert De Niro reimagined a historic 1950s motel on exclusive Carbon Beach (aka “Billionaire’s Beach”) into a California lifestyle-conscious retreat. Tatami mats, fireplaces, and original prints inspire serenity in the 16 rooms, as do the teak tubs set beneath skylights, creating the sense of soaking outdoors. Do your sun salutation on the spacious beachfront deck, and dine in your suite with a custom menu from Nobu Malibu restaurant next door.
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Malibu Beach Inn
Malibu
Malibu Beach Inn’s seaside hideaway beckons you with barefoot luxury. Each of the 47 guest rooms displays brilliant views of the swimmable beach from the private balcony positioned directly above, while a soft palette of blue and gray soothes the tired L.A. soul. The sitting room is particularly inviting, with handcrafted furniture and low-slung, teak chairs that ring the fireplace, encouraging you to wrap up in a woolly throw on chilly nights. Seagrass walls and linen-draped ceilings add a dreamlike quality to the on-site spa suite. The Carbon Beach Club terrace serves both Californian coastal cuisine and celebrity sightings.
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California Wine Region
Farmhouse Inn
Sonoma
Located in Sonoma-Napa wine country is the Farmhouse Inn, one of the world’s most highly rated resorts. The 25-room boutique luxury hotel blends the outdoors and indoors with two-sided gas fireplaces, private patios, open-air hallways, and plenty of communal outdoor spaces. In addition to the spacious suites, the Farmhouse Inn boasts a 3,000-square-foot spa and Michelin-starred restaurant, which offers magical cuisine featuring fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Dinner is sublime, but don’t forget to enjoy breakfast – the two courses change daily and are often a highlight of visitors’ trips.
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Auberge du Soleil
Napa
Showcasing breathtaking views, Auberge du Soleil is the dream of French restaurateur, Claude Rouas. In 1981, with business partner, Bob Harmon, Rouas opened Napa Valley’s first fine-dining restaurant, designed to reflect a taste of Provence in California wine country. The immediate success prompted the addition of “The Inn of the Sun” five years later. Nestled within a terraced, sun-kissed hillside amid 33-acres of heritage olive and oak trees, the hotel’s 50 contemporary guestrooms and suites, effortlessly blend relaxed sophistication with understated elegance, earning a long-standing reputation as wine country’s most iconic luxury property.
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Additional California Recommendations
Rancho Valencia Resort
Rancho Santa Fe
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa effortlessly blends five-star luxury with the spirit of Southern California in its guest casitas and restaurants. Nestled in a private enclave in Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Valencia is sought out for its spacious, hacienda-inspired accommodations and lush grounds. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel an unmistakable sense of comfort in this relaxed yet refined, sophisticated yet understated atmosphere. And, with a year-round sunny climate, it’s perfect for enjoying a variety of outdoor activities.
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Montage Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach
The 259 guest rooms and suites of Montage Laguna Beach are designed with your every comfort in mind. You’ll love its feathertop beds, and private ocean-view balconies or patios from every room. In a nod to the town’s past as an artists’ colony, the resort showcases museum-quality art amid its inviting Craftsman-style lines. Settle into comfortable elegance at Spa Montage, with its indoor/outdoor beachfront facilities and marine-based treatments. Don’t miss Studio restaurant, with many menu items featuring ingredients from the restaurant’s raised-bed garden.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
Rancho Mirage
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage offers a desert-chic ambience that embraces its beautiful natural setting. You’ll especially find this in your accommodations’ decor, which reflects the desert surroundings with locally sourced stone and wood. Admire the views from your private balcony or patio. Club Level rooms offer a private, well-stocked lounge with a dedicated concierge. The Ritz Kids program keeps children and teens occupied so you can indulge in the spa’s indoor/outdoor Spirit of the Mountains renewal treatment. Close proximity to Palm Springs brings golfers within range of more than 100 fine courses.
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Parker Palm Springs
Palm Springs
Set on a 13-acre complex and featuring decor by designer Jonathan Adler, this chic, upscale resort is 3 miles from Palm Springs Airport and 4 miles from shopping in downtown Palm Springs. The fashionable, modern rooms have flat-screen TVs. Some have private patios. Suites add living rooms, dining areas and kitchens, while some have private entrances.
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Post Ranch Inn
Big Sur
High above the cliffs of Big Sur, you’ll find a luxurious, romantic escape: Post Ranch Inn, known for its award-winning organic architecture. Choose 1 of the 40 secluded guest rooms, suites, and private houses that blend rustic elegance and comfort with ocean and mountain views. Each room features a wood-burning fireplace, private deck, and complimentary minibar. Enjoy activities like morning yoga, rejuvenating spa treatments, swimming in the heated pool and ocean-view basking pools, hiking, and nightly stargazing. The celebrated Sierra Mar restaurant, recipient of Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, serves organic seasonal fare.
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