Photos courtesy of Terranea
By GINA KERNAN | Managing Director
A luxurious coastal escape where ocean breezes, adventure and serenity come together in perfect harmony.
Discover an unforgettable stay at Terranea Resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula—a breathtaking oceanfront retreat offering coastal dining, live music, ocean-view rooms and bungalows, golf, kayaking, seaside yoga, guided meditation, and spa serenity.
Our family’s stay at Terranea Resort felt like discovering a hidden piece of California. Perched high above the Pacific on the cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the resort offers panoramic ocean views, luxurious comfort and experiences that blend family fun and relaxation. Only a short drive from Los Angeles, it somehow feels worlds away—a peaceful sanctuary where the sea seems to set the rhythm of every day.
Bungalow Rooms: Our Oceanfront Retreat
We stayed in one of the resort’s bungalow-style rooms, and it immediately felt like home. Nestled along pathways lined with lavender, cacti and coastal blooms, our cottage combined seaside charm with luxury and comfort. A warm fireplace welcomed us and our rooms private terrace overlooking the Pacific gave it the warmth of a coastal home.
Mornings began with coffee on the patio as bunnies scurried in the grass below and dolphins were spotted in the distance. The kids loved evenings by the fire and meeting our neighbors who shared the communal seating area before entering our room.
In our room the ocean breeze drifted through open windows, and the cottage provided a peaceful, private and perfectly designed for space for families who want serenity.
Dining: From Elegant Evenings to Fun Family Meals
Dining at Terranea was as memorable as the views. With multiple options to choose from, including Mar’sel, Catalina Kitchen, Bashi, Nelson’s, Sea Beans, Solviva, The Grill at the Pool, and Lobby Bar and Terrace, the options are plentiful and delivered the most scrumptious of meals.
Mar’sel, the resort’s signature restaurant, delivered a flawless mix of refinement and warmth. We dined without the kids for this memorable evening and each dish celebrated the California coast—creative, seasonal and full of bright, natural flavor.
The seared halibut and slow-braised short rib were exceptional, and dining by candlelight with the ocean below was simply magical. Mar’sel’s, MICHELIN plate 2022 award-winner, fine dining offerings and service are impeccable, and I would definitely recommend not forgetting to order the blueberry Greek yogurt cheesecake, which is to die for.
Bashi, the fusion restaurant at the resort, was unique with rich whiskey flights and true Japanese flavors. We thoroughly enjoyed the lobster fried rice and the shaking beef with perfectly caramelized onions and rich flavor profiles. The spicy pork and chicken dumplings are also a must-order item, and you can never go wrong with the fresh hamachi carpaccio. Bashi also has an extensive selection of Rishi teas and sake, beer, wine, and cocktail selections to choose from.
For more casual meals, Nelson’s offered unbeatable cliffside views and a relaxed family vibe, while Catalina Kitchen became our go-to for breakfast and the best brunch menu, filling the particular desires of everyone in our group. From eggs Benedict and crab legs and fresh pancakes, lamp chops and sushi, the Catalina brunch and cocktail menu was incredible.
Whether we were savoring fine dining or sharing tacos poolside, every meal felt fresh, thoughtful and deeply connected to the sea.
The Spa: A Parent’s Sanctuary
While the kids joined an art activity on the lawn, I indulged in an afternoon at the Spa at Terranea, and it was pure bliss. Tucked away on the resort, the spa feels open and alive, with the Pacific as its constant companion. The Spa at Terranea has just emerged from a comprehensive $4.5 million refresh of all its facilities.
“We are thrilled to elevate the guest experience and create a luxurious yet approachable waterfront space for our visitors,” Ralph Grippo, president of Terranea Resort, said. “Our intentional upgrades masterfully capture both the energy and serenity of the stunning Palos Verdes Peninsula. The new interior design accents and fine touches enhance the spa’s breezy indoor/outdoor motif, eliciting a delicate harmony with nature while enriching our world-class facilities and amenities to accommodate a rising demand.”
The new design draws its inspiration from the raw coastal beauty of the surrounding area—with a fresh color palette of soft blues, sandy neutrals and organic materials. The co-ed relaxation room showcases new ergonomic Evo loungers by Gharieni—equipped with electronically adjustable head, back, leg and foot sections to provide guests with supreme comfort. The spa’s 25 treatment rooms have all been refreshed as well.
The Spa’s stunning oceanfront outdoor spaces—lush gardens surrounding the private spa pool and hot tubs, relaxation lounges, and fire pits—deepen a connection to the natural habitat and have been rejuvenated with fresh greenery and vibrant plantings.
Also situated to allow breathtaking ocean panoramas, the 5,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center features expansive floor-to-ceiling windows to bring the beauty of nature indoors, and has been upgraded with state-of-the-art Precor equipment, offering everything from free weights to cardio and strength training machines plus Peloton bikes, a Peloton rowing machine, TRM treadmills, stair climbers an air bike and more.
I tried out the new Harmonic Aura Awakening treatment at The Spa that harnesses the healing vibrations of Himalayan singing bowls, which are expertly placed on and around the body to awaken the body’s chakra points. The sacred sound therapy is followed by a restorative marma point body and facial massage, designed to rejuvenate energy flow and promote holistic healing. Using ayurvedic plant extracts, including arnica and ashwagandha, the treatment soothes the mind, nourishes the body and revitalizes the spirit, leaving you in a state of deep relaxation and balance.
Afterward, I lingered by the hydrotherapy pool, sipping herbal tea and watching waves roll against the rocks below. It was one of those rare moments where body, mind and soul all seemed to exhale all at once.
The spa pool and cabanas are a must for a true day of relaxation and rejuvenation. The Spa offers a full slate of immersive treatments and wellness packages that go far beyond traditional—from signature wellness treatments to skincare and bodycare—all inspired by the natural elements of earth, ocean, fire and air and curated to rejuvenate the senses, restore the body and relax the mind.
In addition to therapies rooted in the area’s natural habitat and holistic principles, The Spa offers fitness and wellness classes, a dry sauna, steam room, cold plunge, Jacuzzi, spa pool, and wellness café, solviva.
Unforgettable Experiences
Terranea fills every day with a sense of discovery. The weekly schedule of activities is packed with something for everyone.
Goat yoga was a joyful surprise—equal parts laughter and calm, and my son thought it was truly the most magical thing ever. The falconer experience captivated us all, offering an up-close encounter with majestic birds of prey and a fascinating look into their role at the hotel. From owls to eagles, we learned, touched and discovered all about these predators and how helpful they are in maintaining the resort and local ecosystem.
Families can also explore tide pools, join kids’ club programs, take part in family art workshops on the lawn that blend creativity with coastal inspiration. From custom coastal resin cutting boards, outdoor tie-dying, guided mandala painting, archery, archery tag, tennis with a view or golf, every experience felt authentic, educational and unique—and let us not forget about meeting a mermaid, which thrilled the kids.
Nature and Ocean Adventures
Terranea’s connection to nature runs deep: We spent hours exploring the rocky shoreline, discovering crabs and shells and watching adrenaline enthusiasts dive from the cliffs in the distance.
For those adventurous ones, there are spots for cliff jumping and breathtaking coastal trails that weave along the cliffs we enjoyed getting lost in. With ocean kayaking, leopard shark tours, stand up paddleboarding or guided fishing adventures each step, paddle or glance toward the horizon reminded us how vibrant and alive this coastline truly is.
Pools and Family Fun
The resort’s multiple pools offered something for everyone. The main family pool became our daily gathering place—sun-soaked, spacious and full of contagious energy, complete with splash zones for kids and comfortable cabanas for parents. When we wanted quiet, we escaped to the adult-only pool, where calm music, palm trees and sea breezes made the world feel miles away.
A Lasting Impression
Our stay at Terranea Resort was full of unforgettable moments with every experience feeling both grounding and luxurious. Terranea has a way of bringing families closer while giving each person space to unwind. It’s elegant yet unpretentious, grand yet intimate.
We left with a little salt in our hair, smiles on our faces and that unmistakable feeling that we’d found somewhere truly special to return to.
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