Kid-friendly resorts in Southern California
By Michelle Rae Uy
Terranea Resort (Courtesy Terranea Resort)
A place of eternal sunshine, Southern California may not be famous for that crisp weather and gold-and-red foliage we love most about the fall season. However, its year-round warm weather and sunny, blue skies make it an appealing destination for families seeking that last vestige of warmth before settling in and bundling up for the winter.
Consider these five family-friendly Southern California resorts for your fall getaway with the kids.
(MORE: Chill Out at These 6 California Mountain Resorts)
St. Regis Monarch Beach, Dana Point, CA
St. Regis Monarch Beach (Courtesy St. Regis Monarch Beach)
Double staircases, fountains and its Tuscan and Spanish Mission architectural mix make kid-friendly St. Regis Monarch Beach an idyllic setting for a fall family vacation. But what really makes this breathtaking resort a gem among stones are its lavish in-room amenities like private balconies, spacious tubs, separate rainfall showers, Remede toiletries and (let’s not forget) the Butler Service. There’s also a menu of recreational activities that include paddle boarding, golf, tennis, nature hikes, surf and body boarding lessons, and more! A quiet, private beach and the several heated pools, one of which plays music underwater, are great for laid-back days. Take your pick from a variety of room options – from standard guestrooms and grande deluxe rooms to different suite types, all of which are newly-renovated and feature bright accents.
Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
The five star luxury Terranea Resort is set on the cliffs of affluent Rancho Palos Verdes, nestled among sea caves and tide pools. This stunning resort that spellbinds with its California and Mediterranean styles not only presents a magnificent view of the Pacific, it also has plenty of family-friendly offerings you can take advantage of even when temperatures on the coast slightly dip in the fall. These include outdoor fireplaces, pools, a 140-foot waterslide, plant and wildlife discovery trails, tide pooling, and horseback riding. For accommodations, standard guestrooms, suites, bungalows, casitas and villas are among your options. Kids 17 and under stay FREE when staying in the same room as their parents.
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, Huntington Beach, CA
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa (Courtesy Hyatt)
The Spanish Mission, oceanfront elegance of Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort embodies the ultimate Southern California family getaway – easy access to the warm beaches and some of the best surfing waves as well as close proximity to the theme parks. More importantly for families planning to stay put, the lovely resort also boasts the Slyders Water Playground, which has three heated water slides and two splash pools; a main pool; a shallow wading pool for kids; and two fire pits for roasting marshmallows and keeping warm and toasty on cooler nights. Cosmic Sliding (Saturdays, 8 pm – 10 pm), an out-of-this-world experience involving lasers, a fog machine and glow-in-the-dark necklaces, ushers the fall season in.
Miramonte Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, CA
Miramonte Resort & Spa (Courtesy Miramonte Resort)
For warmer days, head out to the desert and stay at the four star oasis of Miramonte Resort & Spa. This beautiful resort near Los Angelenos-approved destinations like Palm Springs and Indio feels very much like a hidden, subtropical paradise in Italy, with its Tuscan villa-inspired architecture and color palette as well as the bougainvillea that accentuate its walls and archways. The Mediterranean blue pool sits in stark contrast to the rust red roofs and the dry desert mountains that border the resort. Great fall activities for families that are unique in this part of the country include exploring the impressive Joshua Tree National Park to the east, visiting the ruins of the once thriving resort town of Bombay Beach, and finding creative inspiration at Salvation Mountain.
(MORE: 7 California Hotels that Woo Parents and Kids)
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, CA
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa (Courtesy Omni Hotels)
About 30 minutes from Old Town San Diego, Carlsbad, CA is more popularly known for the LEGOLAND theme park that considers it home; but this affluent city is also home to several resorts like Omni La Costa Resort & Spa that provide quiet hideaways and access to less populated beaches. This four star, Spanish Colonial-style resort, located about five minutes from LEGOLAND California, 30 minutes from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and even closer to the beach, is a glorious sight at sunset. Upon closer look, families will love the three water slides, the sand beach, eight pools and the water play zone, perfect especially in the early fall when the weather in SoCal is still nice and warm. Stay in a guest room or a suite, or spread out and make yourselves at home in one of the villas that come with a fireplace.
Michelle Rae Uy contributed this to MiniTime. She is a travel writer based in Los Angeles and MiniTime’s Head of Content, who spends her free time on adventures and film photography.
