The 8 Best Luxury Resorts in California

We analyzed all the choices and found the best luxury resorts in California that deliver the highest-end experiences in every corner of the state — from breezy coastal hideaways to secluded mountain sanctuaries and vineyard-backed estates.

best luxury resorts in california

Each property listed here isn’t just stylish — they’re the kind of California luxury resorts that offer over-the-top amenities, personalized service, remarkable food and drink, and surroundings that stay with you for years.

Table of Contents

Methodology

To identify the best luxury resorts California offers, we compared hundreds of properties across dozens of top-rated travel platforms.

This included analyzing feedback and reviews from Booking.com, Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia, sorting for guest satisfaction, standout features, exclusive perks, and consistency in hospitality.

The 8 Best Luxury Resorts in California – Updated for 2025

8. Alila Ventana Big Sur

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Big Sur, California
Key Highlights:

59 luxurious suites surrounded by redwoods and ocean cliffs
Fully inclusive experience (meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks)
Spa Alila and cliffside infinity hot tubs

This luxury resort California travelers rave about is tucked away in a secluded part of Big Sur that, frankly, feels removed from the rest of the world — in the best possible way.

It’s almost like stepping into a private, open-air retreat built specifically for slowing down, enjoying hand-crafted meals, and reconnecting with nature.

The adults-only policy adds a quiet calm across the grounds, which are spread out across 160 forested acres overlooking the Pacific.

The suites are essentially rustic-chic residences with oversized soaking tubs, fireplaces, and terraces made for stargazing.

There’s a Japanese-style bathhouse, yoga pavilions, and guided nature walks, all included in the rate.

Alila Ventana may not sit right on the beach, but the coastal views are nothing short of breathtaking — and Pfeiffer Beach is just a quick drive away.

Between the all-inclusive approach and remarkable setting, this one consistently earns a spot among the best luxury resorts in California.

7. Ojai Valley Inn – Most Affordable

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Ojai, California
Key Highlights:

220-acre property with championship golf and tennis facilities
Two full-service spas including an artist’s cottage and apothecary
Multiple dining venues, some with farm-to-table menus

Ojai Valley Inn feels more like a quaint countryside estate than a resort, but that’s what makes it stand out.

This is one of those California luxury resorts that blends elegance with charm — and the pricing tends to be more accessible without cutting corners on quality.

Rooms and suites here are warm and refined, featuring Spanish-style design, handcrafted decor, and balconies that overlook lavender gardens or rolling hills.

For those needing relaxation, the 31,000-square-foot spa is highly regarded, with treatments that make use of local citrus and herbs.

Families are welcome, yet the peaceful layout and adult-centric areas mean it never feels crowded.

Location-wise, Lake Casitas and Ventura beaches are under 30 minutes away, making it a highly versatile pick.

When looking for the best luxury resorts California has in store that balance value and experience, Ojai often tops the list.

6. Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa – Best-Seller

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Carlsbad, California
Key Highlights:

200-acre coastal property with Arnold Palmer-designed golf course
Renovated in 2020 with ultra-modern room upgrades
Family-friendly with two pools and a splash pad for kids

Set in the quiet, upscale pocket of Carlsbad just north of San Diego, Park Hyatt Aviara is an incredibly polished luxury resort California travelers with families and golf fans tend to gravitate toward.

The rooms are roomy and elegantly styled, with marble bathrooms and private terraces that overlook either the botanical gardens or golf course.

This resort is especially known for its golf and spa combo — and honestly, both could be standalone experiences.

The Miraval Life in Balance Spa offers treatments tailored to wellness-minded travelers, while the golf course is one of the top public tracks in California.

The ocean is about a 10-minute drive away, but with two resort pools, plus shaded cabanas and a kids’ splash zone, guests never feel far from that laid-back SoCal energy.

As one of the best-selling California luxury resorts on major booking platforms, it’s clear this property knows exactly how to impress.

5. Auberge du Soleil

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Napa Valley, California
Key Highlights:

50-room adults-only resort with vineyard and mountain views
Michelin-starred restaurant and private dining terraces
On-site sculpture garden and yoga pavilion

In the middle of Napa’s wine country, Auberge du Soleil tends to be where serious oenophiles and romantic getaways intersect.

This isn’t just a resort; it’s more like a luxury hilltop estate for adults who appreciate exceptional food, curated experiences, and quiet sophistication. There are no kids here, which gives the entire property an exclusive, serene rhythm.

Each suite feels like its own mini villa, with French doors, fireplaces, and sprawling terraces surrounded by olive groves.

The spa is perched above the valley and comes with soaking pools and panoramic views.

Of course, its location in Napa Valley offers endless vineyard-lined drives and wine tastings that provide their own kind of indulgence.

For refined travelers searching for the best luxury resorts California offers with a wine country slant, this is a top-tier choice.

4. The Maybourne Beverly Hills

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Key Highlights:

Rooms start at 600 square feet with marble baths and balconies
Rooftop pool and spa with Hollywood Hills views
Five-star dining and on-site cocktail bar ranked among LA’s top

The Maybourne blends European sensibilities with classic California glamour, which makes it feel incredibly opulent without ever trying too hard.

It’s set right in the middle of Beverly Hills, so guests are surrounded by designer shopping, high-end salons, and iconic restaurants — all just a short stroll away.

Inside the resort, rooms are big, filled with natural light, and styled with plush textures and artistic flair.

The rooftop pool is sleek and offers views that stretch across Los Angeles, especially stunning at sunset. Also, the spa features deeply personalized treatments, eucalyptus steam rooms, and spacious lounges.

If you’re into fine dining, the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant serves some of the most thoughtfully plated dishes in the city.

Overall, it’s certainly one of the most luxurious resorts California offers for those seeking urban indulgence.

3. Montage Laguna Beach

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Laguna Beach, California
Key Highlights:

30-acre oceanfront property with direct beach access
Three pools including a mosaic-tiled infinity pool
Highly acclaimed spa and five ocean-view restaurants

This Southern California property sits right on the bluff above Treasure Island Beach, and it might be one of the only luxury resorts in California that gives you both top-tier amenities and true oceanfront living.

Everything about the Montage oozes quality — from the signature scent that drifts through the lobby to the sprawling suites with soaking tubs and private patios.

Families and couples both fit in here, thanks to kid-friendly programming and adult-only spaces. The onsite restaurants are a culinary draw on their own, offering seafood-forward menus and impressive wine pairings.

The beach is a short walk down a private trail, and the soft sand and tide pools make it ideal for a relaxed beach day.

This is the kind of resort that fully defines what California luxury resorts should feel like.

2. The Lodge at Torrey Pines – Top Value Pick

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: La Jolla, California
Key Highlights:

Overlooks the Pacific and the legendary Torrey Pines Golf Course
Timber and stone Craftsman-style architecture
Pool and spa with garden surroundings and ocean breezes

The Lodge at Torrey Pines manages to stay casually sophisticated, which is actually harder than it sounds. Set in the scenic cliffs of La Jolla, this California luxury resort brings in both golf lovers and spa seekers alike.

Even if you’re not swinging a club, the views and walking trails through the adjacent nature preserve keep you immersed in coastal beauty.

The rooms channel early 1900s charm with dark wood, handmade tiles, and plush furnishings. On the dining side, A.R. Valentien is constantly praised for its farm-driven, seasonal menu.

The heated pool and therapeutic spa are excellent, but what really adds value here is the service — friendly, efficient, and warm in a very California way.

For guests wanting a high-end resort that delivers a great value, this remains one of the best luxury resorts California has to offer.

1. Meadowood Napa Valley – Top Overall

See Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Location: Napa Valley, California
Key Highlights:

250-acre estate with private cottages and suites
Three pools, nine tennis courts, and a forested fitness trail
Multiple dining venues including a Michelin-starred restaurant

Meadowood is the best luxury resort in California as it offers everything — rustic charm, culinary prestige, and pampering done right.

Located just outside St. Helena, it spreads across hundreds of forested acres with walking trails, croquet lawns, and vineyard views. Staff anticipate your needs without ever feeling formal or stiff, and every corner of the property feels intentionally designed.

Every suite or cottage has its own personality, but they all feel private, cozy, and decidedly high-end.

The spa here is immaculate, and the food? Well, it’s among the best in the region, full stop.

There’s a reason this is routinely ranked among the best luxury resorts in California, and honestly, it’s well earned.

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