Top 20 California Resorts (2025)

From its stunning coastline to its magical mountains — and everything in between! — California offers a host of opportunities for the holiday of a lifetime. Whether you're looking for vast open spaces with magnificent views, cosy lodges with a touch of luxe, vineyard stays, chic beachside hotels, or family fun and activities, if you're California dreaming you've come to the right place. Our experts at The Hotel Guru have selected their picks for the top California resorts so you can make that dream a reality. Browse our list of the best, and get planning!

For the great outdoors

• Located beside Yosemite National Park, Evergreen Lodge is an outdoor lover's dream. Hiking, biking, swimming, white water rafting — it's all going on here. And after all that activity, there are cosy lodges to return to with roaring fires, plenty of wood and rustic plaid fabrics. The perfect back-to-nature break.
• Everline Resort & Spa is a year-round option in Olympic Valley. Modern rooms feature granite bathrooms and all the mod-cons, plus there are multiple dining options. Enjoy activities galore here with an 18-hole championship golf course for all the family, horse riding, tennis, mountain biking and outdoor pools boasting stunning views. There's even a private ice rink at the resort in the winter months!

• First and foremost, Rosewood CordeValle is a golf resort, but there's also tennis, biking and hiking here in the Santa Cruz foothills. Classic rooms offer wooden accents, stone fireplaces, original artworks, and stunning views. There are three top restaurants, a gym, and a pool. Make the most of the picturesque scenery by hiking the CordeValle trail or the Vintner’s trail.
• From adventure to relaxation, and endless room for exploration, Carmel Valley Ranch is a 500-acre playground. Whether you're into golf, biking, sailing or tennis (it has nine courts!) or you just want to relax by the pool or at the spa, it's all on offer here. Whilst indoors, you can enjoy romantic fireplaces, rooms with private decks, spa-inspired bathrooms, and plenty of space.

For a stylish stay 

• Kona Kai Resort & Spa boasts a prime spot overlooking the marina in San Diego. Contemporary rooms have bold prints and a stylish nautical colour-scheme, and offer private furnished patios or balconies. There's a man-made beach, a luxe spa and al fresco dining, plus two stunning waterside pools — adult-only and child-friendly. Seriously chic.
• Set on seven acres of lush gardens and minutes from Santa Barbara, Belmond El Encanto is a charming hotel with stylish bungalows. There's an infinity pool, spa, and restaurant, all with spectacular ocean views. For added style,  a Damian Hirst silkscreen in diamond dust hangs in the lobby, and a Charles Arnoldi painting is in the dining room.

• Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach exudes glamour with Californian-Mediterranean design, red roof tiles, plaster walls, and bougainvillea vines. Activities range from morning yoga to evening wine flights, plus there's a world-class spa and fine dining, and every evening, personal valets serve complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. A charming oasis.

For a wellness break

• A chic wellness retreat set in Napa's vineyards, Stanly Ranch blends countryside luxury with farmhouse charm. Rooms decorated in a neutral palette are stylish and calming, and enjoy fabulous views. There's a tranquil spa offering performance-enhancing therapies, an adults-only pool, and top-notch dining.

• Soak in spring-fed mineral pools, detox in volcanic ash mud baths, and chill out in the secluded spa garden at Dr Wilkinson's Backyard Resort in the Napa Valley. This refurbished Victorian house can accommodate up to 15 so it's perfect for a group getaway. Rooms are a mix of modern and retro, plus there's a cool restaurant serving rustic fare.

For a coastal escape

• Balboa Bay Resort sits in Newport Beach's Bay area overlooking the stunning marina. Spacious rooms boast fantastic views, plus there's a restaurant serving casual California cuisine and a heated year-round open-air pool. Water sports and land sports can be arranged via the Recreation Centre and, as the resort has its own private dock, small boat and yacht rentals are available.
• Timber Cove Resort is a secluded and peaceful pick on the Sonoma coast. Set on 25 acres of rugged Pacific coastline, with fire pits, stargazing, sunset walks and fresh local food, it's an idyllic escape whose rooms feature record players and spectacular sea views. The resort offers guided hikes along two miles of trails, plus the seaside towns of Fort Ross, Sea Ranch and Bodega Bay are all nearby.

• A sea-facing infinity pool, cliff-top location and walking distance to local Shell Beach make Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa a dream beach break. The spacious and well-planned apartments offer large kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, washing facilities and sea-view balconies. Enjoy sport-fishing, paddle-boarding, kayak tours, riding a dune buggy, ziplining and more.
• Cool ocean blues and pops of sunny yellow create a chic seaside vibe at Kimpton Shorebreak Resort by Huntington Beach. Casual dining, bike and surfboard rentals, a ping pong table and outdoor fire pits add to the relaxed atmosphere, plus the Main Street outside the hotel is buzzing with hip boutiques and surf shops. 

For family fun

• Juniper Springs Resort in Mammoth offers a great choice of accommodation — comfortable studios, condos or town-homes with fully-equipped kitchens, living areas, fireplaces and balconies. The resort facilities will appeal to kids of all ages with two pools, six hot tubs, a cafe bar, a golf course, and games rooms. This ski-in ski-out property has direct slope access, plus in the summer months there's hiking, biking, golfing, and Yosemite National Park just 30 minutes away.
• Spread over five acres of lush palm-filled grounds, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is perfect if you're looking for a luxury family stay. Kids will feel pampered with children's bathrobes, buckets and spades at the beach club, special minibar items and toys on arrival. The family pet is well catered for too, with its own bed, bowl and treats and a pet room service menu! There's also a poolside outdoor cinema and wonderful views everywhere you look.

• Ideal for a family adventure, La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs offers spacious rooms and family-friendly activities amidst California's stunning landscapes. There are no less than 41 pools here and three on-site restaurants serving everything from classic American fare to hand-selected Wagyu beef. 

For the design

• Parker Palm Springs makes a stylish statement reminiscent of the city's Hollywood heyday hotels. Expect hip and quirky furnishings, cool pop art and a spa with a '60s vibe. Enjoy the mature gardens, excellent restaurants, and sumptuous rooms, plus free bikes are available to explore nearby cycle trails.

For stunning views

• For a prime position with views to die for, Auberge du Soleil in the Napa Valley fits the bill. Nestled within a terraced hillside amid 33 acres of olive and oak trees, the hotel’s contemporary rooms and suites offer effortless sophistication — some even boast a bath on the balcony so you can admire those vistas in total relaxation. It also has a renowned restaurant and extensive wine collection. 

For a rural retreat

• Nestled in the beautiful Napa Valley, The Carneros Inn is the epitome of 'agri-chic'. Cottages and suites feature private, furnished patios and very stylish rooms. With a top-class spa, three pools, hot tubs, free bikes, and extensive gardens, you'll feel very spoiled here. Pure relaxation.

• For a magical mountain retreat, it doesn't get much better than Highlands Ranch Resort next to Lassen Volcanic National Park. The rooms here ooze rustic glamour with fireplaces and impressive views; some have hot tubs. There's open space for miles, and the area is a real outdoor playground offering activities throughout the year in this stunning and remote landscape.

Still not sure? 

• Browse through our full list of accommodations in California.
• Refine your search to include our recommendations for the Top California Spa Resorts or the Top Golf Resorts in California.
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.