21 Best Hotels in California for Wine Getaways, Ranch Life, and Endless Ocean Views

According to our Triple Crown Awards—a distinction for hotels that have been recognized by Traveler thrice over.Courtesy Terranea Resort & SpaThe best hotels in California shine with the same luster of the Golden State itself, so much so that they've swept the slate of Condé Nast Traveler Triple Crown award—a distinction for hotels which have garnered the Readers’ Choice Awards, our annual survey of the hotels you, our readers, love the most; the Gold List, which features the places to stay our editors consider their all-time favorites; and the Hot List, our compendium of the year's hottest new openings.Whether it's a wine resort in Napa, or a downtown boutique perched above the best sights in the Bay Area, to achieve this status is to win thrice over thanks to a well-roundedness that stands the test of time. And with a state as sprawling as California, where some locales perfectly triangulate desert, mountain, and sea, you're sure to find the perfect place the occasion calls for: Seeking a home base for one last trip with the kids before school starts again? Check into Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa where you'll have prime access to, “the happiest place on Earth.” Want to live like a prince for a weekend? Explore the palatial estate of the Hotel Bel-Air.As exclusive of a cohort as this is, our winners have range, and the best hotels in California are far from constrained from any singular archetype. Should you set your sights beyond the West for your future travels, check out our complete list of Triple Crown winners for the crème de la crème around the world.1 Hotel San FranciscoThe unicorn this city has been waiting for, 1 Hotel San Francisco has an excellent location overlooking the Bay, an eco ethos at the core of its brand, on-point design, and a bar/restaurant that takes advantage of the fact that it’s mere feet from one of the country’s best farmers markets. While the lobby and the hallways are on the moody side of lighting, the 186 rooms and 14 suites are bright and sunny. My king room looked out toward the Ferry Building and over the Bay, with the Bay Bridge off in the distance. (For even more insane waterfront views, the panoramic suite—630 square feet with sweeping Bay vistas—is the room to book).Read Full ReviewBardessono Hotel and SpaA secluded, eco-minded hideaway that feels like your very own grown-up modern residence, this is the ultimate place to slip completely under the radar while being surrounded by world-renowned art and nature. It's quiet luxury here. Think of the property's 62 rooms as sophisticated sanctuaries—modern, sleek, and intimate—done up in a palette of earth tones punctuated with pops of maroon and warm yellow, dark wood, and leather. But what really sets these rooms apart is their dual identity: Each is designed to transform into a private spa suite—a concept that feels both innovative and somehow obvious (why hasn't everyone always done this?). Privacy screens glide into place, massage tables appear as if by magic, and suddenly the room becomes your own personal wellness retreat. And as a LEED Platinum–certified property, there's not much about the hotel that isn't thought out from an eco-friendly lens, from bathrooms with low-water flow toilets to the salvaged wood integrated in select buildings.Read Full ReviewCordeValleA stay at CordeValle feels like you’re crashing a weekend party at a Gatsby private estate, where your hotel key grants you access to a 1,700-acre private enclave of restaurants, fitness facilities, a pool, and a world-class golf course otherwise available only to golf club members. Hidden in a verdant oak-studded valley just an hour from the tech hub of Silicon Valley, CordeValle offers a secluded retreat permeated with an air of exclusivity.Read Full ReviewDisney’s Grand Californian Hotel & SpaDisney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is renowned for its service and proximity to the two Disneyland Resort theme parks. The attention to detail, ample dining options, on-site spa, and beautiful rooms make this a property worth booking for special occasions or a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. Additionally, guests can watch the nighttime spectaculars that take place at Disney California Adventure from the sixth-floor viewing deck, which can only be accessed with a hotel key.Read Full ReviewEstancia La Jolla Hotel & SpaEstancia La Jolla has long been beloved by locals and visitors to Southern California. La Jolla residents love to drop in for spa days, long lunches, and languorous evenings on the string-lit patio. Both the hotel’s public spaces and residential-style rooms are designed for lounging, the gardens and pathways are wonderful for wandering, and the lived-in, relaxed overall energy defines the experience at Estancia. The vibe is relaxed and social without being stuffy. Distinctly Southern California in spirit, Estancia feels less like a hotel you pass through and more like a private estate that you settle into and never want to leave.Read Full ReviewFairmont Grand Del MarThe Fairmont Grand Del Mar stands out as a luxury resort nestled in San Diego's Los Peñasquitos Canyon, featuring a Mediterranean-inspired design, spacious accommodations, and top-class amenities. Grand Del Mar is known for its culinary offerings, including the three-Michelin-starred Addison, as well as a world-class spa with hydrotherapy and relaxation lounges, and activities such as championship golf and tennis. Fairmont's typically high level of service is on display, while the location offers privacy and seclusion while remaining close to beaches, Torrey Pines hiking, and local attractions. Rooms feel elegant and comfortable, with great views and plenty of space, making it well-suited for couples and families alike.Read Full ReviewFour Seasons Hotel San FranciscoLocated in the heart of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Arts District on Market Street, Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is centrally located, just a quick walk from Union Square and the Moscone Center, making it popular with convention-goers as well as visitors enjoying all the city has to offer. The hotel occupies 12 floors of a 42-story tower, offering 277 guest rooms and suites, along with 15,000 square feet of event space. The interior design incorporates the natural elements of the San Francisco Bay Area, including misty fog, forests, and a coastal atmosphere, with expansive windows and window seating providing incredible views. Access the 127,000-square-foot Equinox Sports Club, and sit down for a meal at MKT Restaurant and Bar, or opt for 24-hour room service. Kids can enjoy welcome milk and cookies, a variety of in-room kids’ amenities, and posh pet offerings, including a “ruff service” room service menu and an array of pet amenities.Read Full ReviewFour Seasons Hotel San Francisco at EmbarcaderoOne skyscraper amidst a sea of them, the Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero blends in with its surrounds. But step inside—into a spherical space practically radiates light—and it’s clear you’ve entered an entirely different realm. With a rhythmic, polished Guy Dill sculpture anchoring the lobby and a bright-white Guggenheim-esque staircase just beyond, the entryway is an aesthete’s fever dream: It’s like a modern art museum you can check into. The hotel is in the thick of FiDi, a short walk from the Ferry Building, Chinatown, and North Beach. It’s a convenient neighborhood for daytime touristing (or weekday business meetings), but it’s pretty sleepy at night. The Skybridge—the glassed-in midsection of the upper floors—grants views even more jaw-dropping than the ones in the guest rooms. On the 48th floor, you can play “Eye Spy” and try to and identify 10 landmarks outside.Read Full ReviewHotel Bel-Air, Dorchester CollectionTucked into the hills above Los Angeles, checking into the Hotel Bel-Air is like staying at a grand private estate, with lush gardens, serious privacy, and old Hollywood glamour. Opened in 1946, the iconic pink-walled property has long attracted Hollywood royalty, global tastemakers, and discreet Angelenos seeking refuge from the city. Today, it remains a residential-style hideaway, with elegant rooms, standout canyon suites with private spa pools, and refined Californian dining served in a garden setting.Read Full ReviewLa Valencia HotelLa Valencia, also known as La Jolla’s legendary “Pink Lady,” is one of San Diego’s most iconic stays. The hotel has been rolling out a phased renovation over the years, and now offers a full-service resort experience in what is arguably one of the best locations in town. Just steps from La Jolla Cove, and within walking distance to independent boutiques, cafés, galleries, and some of the area’s best restaurants, the hotel blends historic charm with a lively neighborhood vibe. Inside, the revived Whaling Bar is once again the go-to La Lolla locals and visitors swapping stories over martinis, while La Sala’s Pacific-facing patio is the perfect place to start or end the day. Rooms range from classic guest rooms to expansive oceanfront villas with fireplaces, patios, and deep-soaking tubs. The newly opened Spa at La Valencia adds a serene escape, and the pool scene skews younger, with weekenders settling into striped loungers or one of the splashy new cabanas. Service can feel relaxed to a fault, but the location, views, and century-old charm make La Jolla’s unofficial living room one of Southern California’s most scenic stays.Read Full ReviewThe Lodge at Torrey PinesThe Lodge at Torrey Pines feels like stepping into a bygone California era. It’s campy meets California Craftsman–era estate, complete with stained glass, dark woods, and sweeping views of the Pacific and the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. The 170-room property still feels more like a private estate than a luxury hotel, with kilted doormen and a setting that blends into the landscape of Torrey Pines State Park. Golf is the big draw, but cliffside hikes, a destination spa, and locally loved on-site dining at The Grill and A.R. Valentien round out the experience.Read Full ReviewMontage Laguna BeachMontage Laguna Beach is a polished, residential-style resort set on 30 oceanfront acres along one of Southern California’s most scenic stretches of coastline. Opened in 2003 as the brand’s flagship, the hotel continues to deliver consistent high-level service, a strong food and beverage program, and a true sense of privacy despite its size. Every one of the 263 rooms has an ocean view and outdoor space, and the property's layout, from the cliffside paths, tiered lawns, and access to Treasure Island Beach, makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile. Guests skew toward special-occasion travelers, West Coast couples, families, and loyal Montage regulars who return year after year. Highlights include the 20,000-square-foot Spa Montage, the renovated Mosaic Pool, direct beach access, and the return of Studio Mediterranean, the resort’s stellar fine-dining venue. While there’s no tennis or golf on-site, the concierge can arrange access at a nearby club. Overall, the Montage remains one of Southern California’s most resplendent luxury getaways.Read Full ReviewRancho Valencia Resort & SpaMore like a luxurious neighborhood than a typical resort, this sprawling getaway is peak California. Think orange groves, bright pink bougainvillea, and Spanish Colonial architecture. The main features—the suites, restaurants, lobby—are spread out across 45 acres, making it feel more like a luxurious neighborhood than a typical resort. Located in Rancho Santa Fe, a ritzy enclave 25 miles north of downtown San Diego, this place has the whole package—beautiful decor, dedicated service, next-level amenities, well-manicured grounds, and a serene vibe.Read Full ReviewThe Resort at Pelican HillThe Resort at Pelican Hill, located in the ultra-exclusive Newport Coast zip code, has a luxurious Tuscan vibe, well-manicured hills overlooking the Pacific, beautiful villas and bungalows, and Roman aqueduct-style architecture. At 504 acres, it's huge—so huge that you'll likely need your car to get to your room. It's also surrounded by 50,000 acres of protected green spaces. You'll want to leave plenty of time to relax by The Coliseum Pool, the resort's crown jewel.Read Full ReviewThe Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa BarbaraSet on a dramatic coastal bluff near Santa Barbara, the Ritz-Carlton Bacara is a sprawling, 78-acre Spanish-style destination resort that offers something for nearly every traveler. After a top-to-bottom renovation completed in mid-2025, the property is newly polished while retaining its Spanish Revival roots and nods to Chumash heritage. Indoor-outdoor living spaces, multiple dining venues, a vast spa, and nature-focused programming mean there’s little need to leave the property, though Santa Barbara is just a short drive away.Read Full ReviewSingleThread Farm-Restaurant-InnA Périgord black-truffle omelet laced with local Cowgirl Creamery cheese, cedar-roasted salmon, and yuzu-scented rice are just a few of the breakfast marvels at this wine-country take on a traditional ryokan. After stints in Japan and the UK, chef-owner Kyle Connaughton and his wife, Katina, returned home and opened SingleThread, aiming to meld Japanese sensibilities with a Californian look and feel, all via a fine-dining kaiseki-inspired restaurant that has quickly earned a place among the world’s best, along with three Michelin stars. Foodies make the pilgrimage to try Connaughton’s seasonal cooking, in which he uses rare ingredients such as hourglass-shaped shishigatani pumpkins grown on the couple’s farm. The thread that ties the inn and restaurant together is omotenashi—Japanese hospitality that goes above and beyond. While the modern farmhouse might be small, its diminutive size enables deeply personalized service. There are just five guest rooms, but each channels the casual elegance of surrounding Healdsburg, with a calming palette and beds prepped with the softest Matouk sheets.Read Full ReviewSolage, Auberge CollectionSolage, Auberge Collection offers a distinctly modern take on Napa Valley luxury that’s centered around privacy, wellness, and a social resort atmosphere. The cottage-style accommodations give plenty of space and indoor-outdoor living, and shared areas (especially the main pool) create a lively, communal energy. Dining ranges from dependable, seasonal cuisine at Solbar to a more playful, poolside option at Picobar. The spa, which is anchored by Calistoga’s geothermal bathhouse, is one of the most compelling in the region. Service is polished but can be uneven at peak moments, particularly on arrival—although that can largely be a Napa problem. Set in laid-back Calistoga, the property is best for couples and small groups seeking a relaxed, design-forward base in wine country rather than a traditional, hushed retreat.Read Full ReviewThe St. Regis San FranciscoThe St. Regis is a staple for big names when they visit San Francisco: Recently a line of fans were waiting outside to snag autographs from the Dallas Mavericks, who were staying there after their game against the Warriors. Inside, the mirrored bar is separated from the seating area by a long, open gas fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls let a lot of light into the space, which is decorated in tones of gray, with dark wood herring bone floors in the bar. Framed prints hang above the reception desk, and sculptures sit near the elevators. It's modern and swanky. Even the smallest rooms—the superior guest rooms on floors five through eight—are 450 square feet, large for San Francisco hotels. Rooms on lower floors have at least partial views of the city. Room decor is by famed Canadian design firm Yabu Pushelberg, and the palette sticks to neutral tones of cream and white.Read Full ReviewTerranea ResortAt Terranea Resort, situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula approximately 31 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, prepare to be awe-stricken by unobstructed ocean views, a plethora of outdoor activities, and a revamped spa with 25 treatment rooms. Undoubtedly Southern California’s best take on the Mediterranean with hints of New England (the Point Vicente Lighthouse is 1.6 miles away), the dreamy property originally opened in 2009 on the former site of Marineland of the Pacific, an oceanarium and animal theme park that shuttered in 1987. The sprawling oceanfront refuge, replete with eight dining options, four swimming pools, and a nine-hole golf course features 582 guest rooms, casitas, bungalows, and villas with outdoor patios or balconies. Want to learn all about raptors with a resident falconer, book a private tennis lesson with a pro at a local racquet club, or charter a private helicopter to Catalina Island? No request is too big or outlandish here.Read Full ReviewViceroy Santa MonicaLocated just a short walk from the beach and the pier, this intimate property blends a modern beach house vibe with distinct Southern California flair. It’s perfect for special occasion celebrators, romantic weekenders, and limelight-shunning VIPs seeking oceanside action. Following a renovation in 2021/22, guests can lounge by the updated pool area in private, open-air cabanas or gather at the redesigned indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar. The 169 accommodations feature bespoke furnishings, pillow-top mattresses encased in Italian linens, and views of the ocean, pool, city, or gardens. Dining centers around Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue, a revamped coastal dining concept, alongside the dramatic Sugar Palm Lounge for cocktails and DJ-spun tunes. It is the ultimate four-star refuge by the water.Read Full ReviewWaldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & ClubDon’t let the grandiose water fountains at the entrance deter you. The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is casual luxury at its best, where relaxation and fun pair up whether it be chilling at the pool in a cabana, hitting the golf links in front of the resort, or sharing dinner with friends around the fire pit at the beach club. This is the ultimate refined family-friendly getaway, with enough options to keep kids entertained and plenty of amenities to make traveling families comfortable, but without being too “kiddie” centric.Read Full ReviewMore hotels nearby$$$ | United States, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Camino Real at Eighth AvenueA grand dame overlooking the Pacific Ocean in charming Carmel-by-the-Sea.Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove$$ | United States, Pacific Grove, 150 Fountain AveA charming California coastal town with mostly small inns gets its first branded full-service boutique hotel.$$$ | United States, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Camino Real at Eighth AvenueA grand dame overlooking the Pacific Ocean in charming Carmel-by-the-Sea.$$ | United States, Monterey, 652 Cannery RowWith epic views over Monterey Bay, this is an ocean lover’s ideal escape.