Horse Riding HotelsTerranea Resort
Rating:
Terranea Resort Overview
First Impressions
Terranea Resort sprawls across the dramatic cliffs of Rancho Palos Verdes like something out of a Mediterranean dream — except you’re just thirty minutes south of LAX. The moment you drive through the gates, you’ll notice how the Pacific stretches endlessly before you, and honestly, it’s one of those views that makes you understand why people pay five-star prices. The architecture feels intentionally weathered in the best way, all stone and terra cotta that seems to emerge naturally from the coastline.
Location & Setting
You know what’s brilliant about this spot? It sits on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, which means you get this incredible sense of isolation without actually being isolated. The resort occupies 102 acres of what used to be Marineland — remember that old theme park? — and they’ve transformed it into something genuinely special. The walking trails wind along the bluffs, and if you time it right during whale migration season (December through April), you’ll spot gray whales from your room balcony.
Accommodations & Amenities
The casitas and villas feel more like luxury homes than hotel rooms, with fireplaces, private patios, and those deep soaking tubs that actually fit an adult. Most have ocean views, though I’d honestly recommend springing for oceanfront if your budget allows — the difference is dramatic. The main amenities include multiple pools (the adults-only one is tucked away beautifully), a world-class spa built into the clifftop, and enough activities to keep families busy for days.
Dining & Local Flavors
The signature restaurant, Catalina Kitchen, does this California coastal thing really well — think locally caught fish and produce from their own herb garden. But here’s a local tip: the Sea Beans coffee shop makes arguably the best breakfast burrito on the peninsula, and it’s about a third of the price of room service. The resort’s Nelson’s restaurant offers more casual fare, and their Sunday brunch actually lives up to the hype (though you’ll want reservations).
Why Guests Love It
Look, this place isn’t perfect — parking can be a maze during peak season, and some of the luxury touches feel a bit forced. But there’s something about waking up to those sunrise views over Catalina Island that makes it all worthwhile. Families love the tide pools and supervised kids’ activities, while couples appreciate the adults-only areas and romantic cliff-top dining. It’s one of those rare resorts where you can actually forget you’re still technically in Los Angeles County — until you need to head back to reality, anyway.
Hotel Highlights
Reviews
Staff: 8.6
Comfort: 8.8
Location: 9.2
Free Wifi: 10
Facilities: 8.5
Cleanliness: 8.9
Value for money: 7.6
Shilpa from United States (September 4, 2025)
Excellent view and location
James from United States (May 12, 2025)
Attention to detail and staff friendliness
What could be improved: Price
Richard from United States (January 11, 2025)
What could be improved: $67/night for parking! $295 for a dog!
Dirk from United States (November 30, 2024)
Casita was very comfortable and clean, views were amazing. Staff was friendly and helpful.
What could be improved: Overall restaurants were overpriced and quality was lacking for such an expensive resort. Was anticipating better.
Richard from United States (November 5, 2024)
Beautiful location!
What could be improved: I would give five stars for the resort. The only negative we experienced was dinner at Nelson‘s. Minimal menu and poor service.
Kenia from United States (August 22, 2024)
The property is beautiful.
What could be improved: The food was not good. Did not match the hotel luxurious look.
Wayne from Australia (August 3, 2024)
Terrible service for the breakfast, with only 5 tables used by customers
What could be improved: Service at bars and restaurants
Dino from United States (November 13, 2023)
Friendly staff, nice accommodations. What could be improved: Felt we could’ve been put into a better location. Stuck in a corner location with very little Ocean View, which is what we purchased. Room was more akin to a Resort View. Valet was very slow. Took over 25 minutes to get the car, causing is to be late to an appointment. Would like to...
Charles from United States (June 5, 2023)
we loved it all!
Carly from United States (April 4, 2023)
The location was beautiful! A 45 minute drive from LAX (with good traffic), the room was gorgeous, the pool, bar and food scene was fantastic. The meals were pricey, but that was to be expected. You could see whales from your pool lounge chair. It was family and dog friendly, but you could also easily avoid both by going to the adult only pool. The...
Surroundings
What's nearby:
- PV Dog Park: 2.1 km
- Founders Park: 6 km
- Del Cerro Park: 5 km
- Rolling Hills Park: 4.8 km
- Three Sisters Reserve: 1.7 km
- Barkentine Canyon Preserve: 1.6 km
- Abalone Cove Shoreline Park: 2 km
- Point Vicente Fishing Access: 1.1 km
- Palos Verdes Shoreline Preserve: 5 km
- Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve: 4.4 km
Restaurants & cafes:
- Restaurant Bashi: 300 m
- Restaurant Solviva: 300 m
- Restaurant Lobby Bar: 300 m
Top attractions:
- Vincent Park: 15 km
- Hermosa Beach Pier: 18 km
Natural Beauty:
- Peak San Pedro Hill (435m): 12 km
Beaches in the Neighborhood:
- Royal Palms Beach: 8 km
- Abalone Cove Beach: 2.1 km
- Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve Beach: 7 km
Closest Airports:
- Long Beach Airport: 32 km
- Hawthorne Municipal Airport: 29 km
- Los Angeles International Airport: 28 km
Terranea Resort Rooms
- Estimated price from: $2,081. Two-Bedroom Villa with Ocean View with 2 king beds for Max. people: 6
- Estimated price from: $2,561. Three-Bedroom Villa with 2 × 1 queen bed and 2 full beds for Max. people: 8
- Estimated price from: $2,615. Apartment with 3 × 1 king bed and 1 full bed for Max. people: 10
Facilities
Spa:
- Kids' pool
- Locker rooms
- Personal trainer
- Fitness classes
- Yoga classes
- Fitness
- Massage chair
- Spa/Wellness packages
- Spa lounge/Relaxation area
- Steam room
- Spa facilities
- Beauty services
- Beach umbrellas
- Beach chairs/Loungers
- Waterslide
- Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- Massage Additional charge
- Spa Additional charge
- Fitness center
- Sauna Additional charge
Outdoors:
- Outdoor fireplace
- Picnic area
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Sun deck
- Terrace
- Garden
Activities:
- Bicycle rental Additional charge
- Archery Additional charge
- Live sports events (broadcast)
- Live music/Performance
- Cooking class Additional charge
- Tour or class about local culture Additional charge
- Happy hour Additional charge
- Themed dinners Additional charge
- Bike tours Additional charge
- Walking tours
- Movie nights
- Stand-up comedy Additional charge Off-site
- Beach
- Evening entertainment
- Kids' club Additional charge
- Water sports facilities on site Additional charge
- Mini golf
- Snorkeling Additional charge
- Horseback riding Additional charge Off-site
- Diving Additional charge
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Ping-pong
- Fishing Additional charge
- Golf course (within 2 miles) Additional charge
- Tennis court Additional charge Off-site
Food & Drink:
- Coffee house on site
- Fruit Additional charge
- Wine/Champagne
- Kid-friendly buffet
- Kids' meals Additional charge
- Special diet meals (on request)
- Snack bar
- Breakfast in the room
- Bar
- Restaurant
Languages Spoken:
- English
- Spanish
Cleaning Services:
- Daily housekeeping
- Suit press Additional charge
- Ironing service Additional charge
- Dry cleaning Additional charge
- Laundry Additional charge
Safety & security:
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke alarms
- Key card access
- Key access
- 24-hour security
- Safe
Business Facilities:
- Fax/Photocopying Additional charge
- Business center Additional charge
- Meeting/Banquet facilities Additional charge
Front Desk Services:
- Invoice provided
- Concierge
- ATM on site
- Baggage storage
- Tour desk
- Express check-in/out
- 24-hour front desk
Great for your stay:
- 5 restaurants
- Parking
- Pet friendly
- Free Wifi
- Spa
- Fitness center
- Shuttle service
- Family rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Room service
Entertainment & Family Services:
- Outdoor play equipment for kids
- Indoor play area
- Board games/Puzzles
3 swimming pools Pool 1 – outdoor Free!Pool 2 – outdoor (kids) Free!Pool 3 – outdoor Free!:
- Open all year
- Pool with view
- Heated pool
- Saltwater pool
- Swimming pool toys
- Pool/Beach towels
- Pool bar
- Beach chairs/Loungers
- Fenced pool
- Open all year
- Suitable for kids
- Pool with view
- Heated pool
- Saltwater pool
- Pool/Beach towels
- Pool bar
- Beach chairs/Loungers
- Beach umbrellas
- Fenced pool
- Open all year
- Adults only
- Heated pool
- Saltwater pool
- Pool/Beach towels
- Pool bar
- Beach chairs/Loungers
- Beach umbrellas
- Fenced pool
Parking Private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed) and costs U S$72 per day.:
- Valet parking
- Electric vehicle charging station
- Accessible parking
Other for your stay:
- Shuttle service Additional charge
- Grocery deliveries Additional charge
- Designated smoking area
- Air conditioning
- Smoke-free property
- Hypoallergenic room available
- Heating
- Car rental
- Elevator
- Family rooms
- Hair/Beauty salon
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
House Rules at Terranea Resort
Pets:
- Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Groups:
- When booking more than 10 rooms, different policies and additional fees may apply.
Check-in:
- From 4:00 PM
- Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card at check-in.
Check-out:
- Until 11:00 AM
Cancellation/prepayment:
- Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Check what conditions apply to each option when making your selection.
Terranea Resort Location
100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, United States
