Are you looking to escape to the best beach resorts in California?
If so, you may be looking for the best luxury beachfront hotels in California!
Well luckily, in this list we’ve compiled 15 of our favorite California beach resorts!
So you’re looking for the perfect beach resorts in California to spend some time relaxing and recharging… Hopefully, this list of amazing California beach resorts will give you some ideas!
There are loads of amazing beach resorts in California, but picking the best of the best is key to having a wonderful experience.
Different California beach resorts offer different things, so it’s all about choosing your priorities.
We’ve scouted out of the best luxury beachfront hotels in California. A state with almost 1000 miles of coastline, there’s sure to be a beach resort in California to suit you and what you’re after!
Whether you’re staying in Santa Monica or Los Angeles, we’ve rounded up the best resorts in California on the beach, for you to take a look at!
So let’s get into it!
Here are some of our favorite beach resorts in California!
Best California beach resorts: Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica
First on our list of luxury beachfront hotels in California, it’s Shutters on the Beach. Located in Santa Monica, Shutters on the Beach is a breezy, chic California Beach resort has an amazing cocktail lounge and two major restaurants.
This is such an amazing choice for beach resorts in California. Just moments from the Santa Monica coast, this top-notch luxury beachfront hotel is the perfect getaway in Santa Monica that’s sure to relax and rejuvenate tired city workers.
It’s cool, modern beach-comber style decor is perfect for switching off and feeling relaxed.
If you’re looking for beach resorts in California with style, this is it. It’s one of the top California beach resorts!
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Top beach resorts in California: San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara
This is our next pick for luxury beachfront hotels in California, and it’s one of the best beach resorts in California if you’re looking for that cozy vibe.
Located at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains, this wonderful beachfront resort in California dates all the way back to 1893! It’s a California beach resort with history!
Not only does this beach resort in California have a great degree of history, but it’s seen several famous faces over the years.
When it comes to choosing California resorts on the beach, you’ll always want to choose one with great style, and this resort in California, definitely ticks that box!
In fact, this ranch in Santa Barbara even hosted JFK and Jackie Kennedy back when they took their honeymoon! With amazing private cottages and a breathtaking set of gardens, it’s a slice of paradise that needs to be seen to be believed. It’s an amazing choice for beach resorts in California.
California beach resorts: Rosewood Miramar Beach, Santa Barbara
Next on my list of beach resorts in California, it’s the amazing Rosewood Miramar resort. This is a beautiful pick for the best resorts in California on the beach!
Located in sunny Santa Barbara, this luxury beachfront hotel in California is located on the stunning Miramar Beach. One of the most incredible beaches in the state, and an amazing choice for California beach resorts.
If you’re coming on holiday to chill out, then this perfectly maintained West Coast resort is the ideal spot to do so, it oozes luxury and every little detail in this stunning hotel seems to be looked after and perfected. It’s considered one of the best beach resorts in California!
With lavish bedrooms and picture-perfect pools, it’s the epitome of Californian paradise. And you just can’t beat that incredible sunset too…
It’s a beautiful choice for beachfront hotels in California. This is one of my favorite choices for beach resorts in California.
Read more USA travel inspiration: Top 10 beautiful Minnesota resorts
Beach resorts in California: Oceana, Santa Monica
Next on our list of beach resorts in California, it’s Oceana, Santa Monica. This stylish and stunning hotel is located right on the right at Santa Monica.
You’re so close to neighborhoods like Beverley Hills (should you wish to shop ‘til you drop!) but you also have the beach literally a minutes walk from the front door too.
Oceana is a winner from all angles. This is a beautiful choice for beach resorts in California, and is considered one of the best beach hotels in California!
This trendy but tranquil hotel in the heart of Santa Monica is a magnificent spot to zen out. Beautiful inside and out, it’s got a five-star service, with personalized experiences promised for all guests.
This is one of my favorite luxury beachfront hotels in California because it’s also really affordable too!
Read more about California: 26 things to do alone in San Diego
California beach resorts: Hotel del Coronado, San Diego
Another amazing choice for luxury beachfront hotels in California, it’s Hotel del Coronado.
If you’re looking to stay on the oceanfront but don’t want to be too far from the city of San Diego, then Hotel del Coronado is an amazing choice for beach resorts in California.
This beach resort in California is in itself is so luxurious and eye-catching, you know from the second you arrive that it’ll be a vacation to remember!
Feeling worlds away from city life, this luxury resort is home to soft sands and castle-like turrets. Serving memorable food and boasting an amazing list of prior guests (Marilyn Monroe, anyone?), it’s absolutely one of San Diego’s most luxurious spots.
This is such a great choice if you’re looking for luxury beach resorts in California.
Best California beach resorts: Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
Next on our list of beach resorts in California, it’s Post Ranch Inn. Big Sur is home to some of the state’s most luxurious accommodations, including the Post Ranch Inn. A perfect choice for California beach resorts!
Whilst this ranch isn’t ‘on the beach’ it is ‘on the ocean’ – as you’re right on that famous Big Sur cliff edge overlooking the crashing waves. A perfect choice for luxury beachfront hotels in California if I ever saw one!
Though it’s rooted in nature, you needn’t slum it when you come to visit this choice for the best California beach resorts.
At Post Ranch Inn, you have your pick of luxurious private suites that offer unparalleled views of the sea. If you want to stay in bed and just watch the world go by, this is your best call on our list.
There are so many incredible activities on offer here, it’s not just about relaxation – but about exploring new hobbies and interests too. Also, the pool is beyond incredible! This is such a gorgeous option for beachfront hotels in California.
Top beach resorts in California: Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Next on our list of the best resorts in California on the beach, it’s the Ritz Carlton on Half Moon Bay. How amazing is this next option for beach resorts in California?
Only an hour away from San Francisco but feeling miles away from the city, the Ritz Carlton’s Half Moon Bay is one of California’s top beachfront resorts.
With stylish rooms that overlook amazing coves, this property is one that never under-delivers in the luxury department.
With a spa that caters to your every whim and private fire pits where you can wile the night away, it’s a stunning place to escape the city without missing out of its wonderful sights. This is a wonderful choice for beach resorts in California!
This is a really classic and traditional hotel, but still a fantastic choice for luxury beachfront hotels in California.
Top beach resorts in California: Terranea Resort, LA
With incredible views of the Pacific, the Terranea Resort is certainly deserving of a spot of this list of luxury beachfront hotels in California.
A 5-star beach resort in California that certainly lives up to its rating, you’ll receive unparalleled service here whilst you indulge in amazing food and spa treatments galore.
Located just south of LA, this oasis offers a huge 582 guest rooms, and even has a private beach on property. It’s an amazing choice for top beach resorts in California.
This is one of my favourite luxury beachfront hotels in California, because of the sheer size and location of the resort! This is a simply stunning choice for beach resorts in California, you’ll love it.
Best beach hotels in California: Four Seasons Hotel, Santa Barbara
If you’re looking for beach resorts in California that are classic and luxurious – this should make your list. This is definitely one of the most luxury beach resorts California! The Four Seasons always delivers!
Another stunning choice in Santa Barbara is the Four Seasons Hotel, which fully epitomizes the beauty of the Riviera.
With acres upon acres of luscious grounds and palm trees, you can spend all day just soaking up the California rays.
This beautiful beach resorts in California has some amazing 1920s architecture, so make sure you check that out if you happen to pay this place a visit.
With an amazing spa to boot, it’s no wonder this is one of the best luxury beach resorts California. This is one hotel that should be well-considered if you’re staying in Santa Barbara.
Four Seasons never disappoint, so obviously this is a great choice for luxury beachfront hotels in California. This is a wonderful choice for beach resorts in California!
The Lodge: Pebble Beach
My next suggestion for luxury beachfront hotels in California…. This historic hotel is one of the finest beachfront offerings in California, The Lodge at Pebble Bay is just beautiful.
Each room in this beautiful beach resort in California having a wood-burning fireplace and stunning ocean views, you’d be hard-pressed not to feel relaxed here. It’s no wonder this is classed as one of the best resorts in California on the beach!
The spa at Pebble Beach is also world-renowned. With treatments incorporating native plants from the Peninsula, prepare to be pampered into oblivion at this oceanfront resort.
This is a wonderful choice for beach resorts in California, and it’s right on the beach too!
Best resorts in California on the beach: Ventana Resort Big Sur
Next on my list of beach resorts in California, it’s Ventana Resort. Another stunning resort in Big Sur, Ventana is a place to relax and indulge in nature’s wonders.
As this luxury beach resort in California is set in the woods, its detailing makes you feel like you’re at one with your surroundings.
With a constant ocean breeze and private balconies that give you unparalleled views, you’re sure to have a memorable vacation here.
This is a slightly different suggestion for luxury beachfront hotels in California, as it’s more ‘glamping’ – but still luxurious and amazing!
Beachfront resort California: Malibu Beach Inn
Known for its wonderful beaches, Malibu Beach Inn is THE place to come if you’re looking for a luxury beachfront hotel. And it’s next on my list of beach resorts in California.
On a stretch of coast known as Billionaire’s Beach, the Malibu Beach Inn is certainly a splurge and a half. This is a wonderful choice of luxury beachfront hotels in California, I mean just look at that terrace in the photo below!
As well as being located on an aptly named beach, this is also the perfect place to catch some waves if you’re keen on surfing.
We must say, you’ll certainly feel as though you’re in paradise each day you’re booked in here! You will love staying at this amazing choice for beach resorts in California.
California beach resorts: Skylonda Lodge, Woodside
Skylonda Lodge is the next hotel on my list of beachfront hotels in California. Touting itself as a place where visitors can experience a luxury lifestyle makeover, it has more amenities than you can count.
If you’re looking for a luxury beach resorts in California, this is a great choice!
With fitness, nutrition, mindfulness and relaxation being important buzzwords to this beachfront hotel in California, it’s an amazing serene getaway in Woodside that should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a place to refresh your senses and feel utterly revived.
Whilst it’s not right on the beach, it’s only a short drive away, and the beautiful grounds of this secluded retreat make it worth-while visiting regardless.
This is one of those california beach resorts you won’t want to miss!
Ritz Carlton: Laguna Niguel
And finally on my list of luxury beachfront hotels in California…. A luxury spot that’s picture-perfect in every way, the Ritz Carlton’s Laguna Niguel is the kind of place that you see in the movies.
With every inch of this place looking picture-perfect and every staff member on hand to cater to your every whim, this place takes luxury seriously. This is one of those beach resorts in California you won’t want to miss out on!
Including private balconies that offer sweeping ocean views, this particular beachfront hotel is one for the books. This is one of the most wonderful California beach resorts to visit!
What should you pack for your vacation to a California beach resort?
If you’re planning a trip to one of these many California beach resorts, you may be wondering what to pack! Great question!
When packing for the best california beach resorts, you want to make sure you’ve got a variety of clothing with you! Most of these California beach resorts will provide towels and toiletries, so it’s mainly you’re wardrobe you need to be concerned about!
Here’s what we’d pack for the best beach resorts in California!
- Beachwear (of course!)
- Coverups (sarongs, kaftans, etc)
- Smart clothing / dressy clothes for the evening (if you plan on visiting the onsite bars or restaurants)
- Casual clothes for day trips or by the pool
- Hiking clothes (if you want to enjoy some of the amazing local trails!)
Hopefully this list of beach resorts in California has been useful and given you lots of ideas for your next getaway!
California is so huge and there are so many stunning hotels in the state, but stopping in one of these luxury beachfront hotels in California has to top them all.
Being by the sea is what California is ALL ABOUT. There are so many wonderful beach resorts in California to choose from!
Hearing the ocean waves, taking life a little slower, and soaking in that Cali sunshine. I don’t think you could find a better vacation than stopping in one of these luxury beachfront hotels in California. Right?
