There are plenty of top class ocean-front resorts and hotels to choose from, too, and not all of them with rates that only movie stars can afford. There are often last-minute internet deals, special offers and out-of-season bargains – and even out of season the Pacific Coast is beautiful. So what if there is a rainy day? Isn’t that what heated indoor pools, spas and health clubs are for?
Here are a few suggestions of some of the best California beach hotels, ranging from historic inns to spa resorts.
Viceroy Santa Monica
1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
Celebrities like Sting, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Alyssa Milano have all hung out here, just a few minutes from Santa Monica Pier and beach. It’s a discrete retreat, where most of the rooms have Pacific Ocean views, there are two outdoor pools, the acclaimed Whist restaurant (Cindy Crawford and Dustin Hoffman have been spotted dining here), a 24-hour fitness centre, and the Cameo Bar, where Kelly Osbourne, Mira Sorvino, and Jennifer Love Hewitt have all been seen.
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
450 East Harbor Boulevard, Ventura
The 4-star Crowne Plaza is Ventura’s only hotel that’s right on the beach. It’s right next to the historic Ventura Pier, and only a stroll to downtown. It’s also recently been renovated, and has balcony rooms with ocean views, a heated ocean-front pool, business centre, games room, exercise room. There’s also the AQUA Beachfront Bar, with views along Ventura’s Pacific Coast, and a new C-Street concept restaurant.
Pierpont Inn, Ventura
550 Sanjon Road, Ventura
The historic Pierpont Inn was opened in 1910 and was one of the very first California coastal hotels built to accommodate people who were starting to drive the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s got an oceanside setting, a fine dining restaurant, Austen’s, with ocean views and California cuisine, a day spa, 77 rooms and several suites including a 1950s-style apartment and old cottages in the grounds.
Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, San Diego
San Diego’s best-known hotel combines luxury, history, and one of the best beaches on the Southern California coast. You can stay in the Beach Village or in the main Victorian hotel building which dates back to 1888. Since then many famous names have stayed there, including Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Brad Pitt, Humphrey Bogart, Charlie Chaplin, and eleven US Presidents. Facilities include the Spa at the Del with 21 massage and treatment rooms, several fine-dining and more casual restaurants, and a range of good shopping in Shops at the Del, including Tommy Bahama, Karen Kane, and Trina Turk.
Featured Places in California
Cities
- Los Angeles 2,151 hotels
- San Diego 971 hotels
- San Francisco 689 hotels
- Palm Springs 296 hotels
- Anaheim 209 hotels
- San Jose 162 hotels
- Santa Monica 142 hotels
- Palm Desert 159 hotels
- Newport Beach 212 hotels
- Santa Barbara 107 hotels
- Sacramento 116 hotels
- Long Beach 92 hotels
- Napa 112 hotels
- Monterey 78 hotels
- Fresno 73 hotels
- Oakland 71 hotels
- Bakersfield 67 hotels
- Irvine 72 hotels
Towns
- Yosemite National Park 175 hotels
- Big Bear Lake 989 hotels
- Mammoth Lakes 998 hotels
- South Lake Tahoe 1,087 hotels
- La Quinta 252 hotels
- Truckee 162 hotels
- Paso Robles 87 hotels
- Big Bear City 240 hotels
Airports
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- John Wayne Airport (SNA)
- San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Places of Interest
Tourist Regions
- Disneyland 53 hotels
- Lake Tahoe 645 hotels
- Death Valley 6 hotels
- Silicon Valley 497 hotels
- Joshua Tree National Park 141 hotels
- Mammoth Mountain Ski Area 930 hotels
- Squaw Valley Ski Resort 59 hotels
- Natural Bridges State Park 64 hotels
- Northstar at Tahoe 70 hotels
- North Bay 365 hotels
- East Bay 340 hotels
- South Bay 477 hotels
- San Francisco Bay Area 2,136 hotels
- Santa Catalina Island 25 hotels
Business
Entertainment
Sights
- Vandenberg Air Force Base
- Mount Tallac
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Los Angeles County Museum Of Art / LACMA
- Hamilton Air Force Base
- Travis Air Force Base
- Beale Air Force Base