Terranea Resort Review: Is It Worth the Splurge?

If you’re looking for a luxury Southern California resort where you can truly relax, Terranea Resort might be one of the best-kept secrets on the coast.

My husband originally booked this trip after realizing Terranea was the resort featured in This Is 40, and after spending Mother’s Day weekend there with our daughters, I completely understand why people love it.

Perched on the cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, about 30–40 minutes south of Los Angeles, Terranea feels more like a luxury resort you’d find in Mexico or Hawaii than somewhere in Southern California. The ocean views are incredible, the grounds are beautifully landscaped, and the entire property has that laid-back California luxury feel.

One thing that surprised me most was how family-friendly it was. Before visiting, I assumed it was more of a couples resort, but my daughters absolutely loved it. Between the multiple pools, water slide, splash pad, Kids Club, walking trails, and wildlife, there was plenty to keep them entertained while still feeling incredibly relaxing for us.

You could easily spend an entire weekend without ever leaving the property. But if you’re looking for shopping, restaurants, or a change of scenery, you’re just a short drive from Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, and other nearby coastal towns.

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Our Room

If you know us, you know we’re always willing to splurge a little for a great view. We booked a One-Bedroom Hotel Suite (Premier Ocean View Suite) with an ocean view, and it turned out to be absolutely perfect for our family of four.

The suite was incredibly spacious, 900 sq ft. It had a separate living area with a pull-out couch, a large half bathroom, multiple closets, a desk, and plenty of storage. The bedroom had a king bed, another large bathroom, and two private balconies overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Having the extra space made such a difference. The girls slept on the pull-out couch while we had our own bedroom, and having two bathrooms was one of those little luxuries you don’t realize you’ll appreciate until you’re getting everyone ready at the same time. The extra closets and dressers also made it easy to keep everything organized, rather than living out of suitcases all weekend.

Finding our room was a little confusing the first day, but once we got our bearings, we realized how perfect the location actually was. We could walk straight from our room to the family pool, the walking trails, and many of the resort’s amenities without feeling like we were hiking across the property.

The room also included a Nespresso machine, which I always appreciate. I love making a quick coffee while I’m getting ready, before deciding whether to wander down to the coffee shop. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and between the ocean breeze and the peaceful atmosphere, I slept so well every night.

If you’re traveling with kids, I genuinely think upgrading to a suite is worth it. Having separate sleeping spaces, extra bathrooms, and room to spread out made the trip feel much more relaxing.

The Grounds and Ocean Views

The grounds at Terranea are absolutely stunning. They honestly reminded me of the luxury resorts we’ve stayed at in Mexico and the Caribbean, with perfectly manicured landscaping, winding walking paths, and gorgeous ocean views around almost every corner. The entire property has that laid-back, luxury California vibe that makes you immediately slow down and relax.

This is where I completely forgot there wasn’t a traditional sandy beach. The cliffs overlooking the Pacific are the real attraction. Everywhere you walk, you’re greeted with panoramic ocean views that never get old.

There were multiple moments where I genuinely stopped and thought, “This doesn’t even look real.” The cliffs, the waves crashing below, and the endless blue ocean looked like someone had painted the horizon. Every morning we found ourselves grabbing a coffee and heading out for a walk just to soak it all in.

If you’re someone who appreciates beautiful scenery, peaceful walking trails, and being surrounded by nature, I think this is one of Terranea’s biggest strengths.

Pools and Activities

Resort Pool

The family pool area is huge—over 5,000 square feet and easily one of the largest resort pools we’ve visited in recent years. There was plenty of room to spread out, and even over Mother’s Day weekend it never felt overcrowded or chaotic.

The pool area includes a 140-foot water slide, a splash pad for younger kids, and even a poolside ping pong table. Our girls probably went down the water slide 100 times, and Sadie had fun running through the splash pad.  We kept going back for rounds of ping pong throughout the day, especially after our morning coffee and walk along the cliffs. 

We never had any trouble finding lounge chairs or fresh towels, which made it easy to settle in for the afternoon instead of feeling like we had to claim chairs first thing. They also offer poolside food and drink service, and the staff was incredibly attentive throughout our stay. 

Cielo Pool (21+ Pool)

One afternoon, we signed the girls up for the Kids Club so Corey and I could spend a couple of hours relaxing at the adults-only pool. The adult pool sits closer to the cliffs, and all of the lounge chairs face the Pacific Ocean. Between the ocean views, the peaceful atmosphere, and my virgin margarita in hand, it was one of the most relaxing afternoons we’ve had in a long time.

Kids Club

The Kids Club turned out to be one of our favorite surprises at Terranea. You can reserve either a morning or afternoon session online in advance, and the programs typically run for about two to three hours.

The girls had an absolute blast. The Kids Club never felt overcrowded, and several staff members were with the kids throughout the session. Since we visited over Mother’s Day weekend, they spent the afternoon making Mother’s Day cards and a beaded bracelet for me. I still wear that bracelet all the time, which makes it such a sweet memory from our trip.

If you’re traveling with young kids, I highly recommend booking one Kids Club session during your stay. It gave Corey and me a chance to slow down and enjoy the adults-only pool while the girls had just as much fun making memories of their own. 

Dining at Terranea Resort

One thing that impressed us throughout our stay was the food. We ate at almost every restaurant on the property, and every meal was excellent. Resort food can sometimes be hit-or-miss, but that definitely wasn’t the case here. The service was equally impressive from start to finish.

Breakfast

We had breakfast one morning at Catalina Kitchen, and it was the perfect way to start the day. The coffee was great, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere felt relaxed without being rushed.

Later that day, we discovered the weekend pancake-and-waffle bar at the coffee shop, so naturally we had to come back the next morning to try it. It ended up being one of our favorite breakfasts of the trip.

Coffee

Every resort needs a good coffee shop, and Terranea delivered. We stopped at Sea Beans every morning before heading out for our walk along the cliffs. They offer coffee, pastries, and quick breakfast items, making it the perfect place to grab something before starting the day.

Since the resort sits on its own peninsula, with mostly residential neighborhoods nearby, having a great coffee shop on-site was a huge plus.

Dinner

Our first dinner was at Mar’Sel, where we sat outside overlooking the grounds, the cliffs, and the Pacific Ocean. The setting alone was worth the reservation.

Halfway through dinner, wild rabbits started hopping through the grass nearby. Our girls were absolutely obsessed. At one point, our youngest announced she wanted to “take a picture by the bunny,” which quickly turned into chasing it down the little grassy hill and doing a full somersault in her fancy dinner dress. Thankfully she was completely fine, and we all ended up laughing about it for the rest of the trip.  Looking back, that’s one of those little vacation memories we’ll probably laugh about for years.

The following evening we ate at Nelson’s, which has incredible cliffside views and a slightly more casual atmosphere. We ordered a little bit of everything, and every dish was delicious.

Since we had an early dinner, the umbrellas were still open instead of the patio heaters being on. As the sun started setting, the ocean breeze picked up, and it got surprisingly chilly. We asked if they could turn on one of the heaters, but instead they closed the umbrella near our table to position the heater closer to us and keep the girls warm.

It was one of those little moments that showed how attentive the staff was throughout our stay.

We never had a disappointing meal during our stay, and honestly, that surprised me. Resort restaurants can be inconsistent, but every meal at Terranea exceeded our expectations.

What We Loved

There were so many little things that made this weekend memorable, but these were our biggest highlights:

• Walking the oceanfront trails every morning with coffee in hand.
• Watching dolphins swim by from the cliffs.
• Spotting wild rabbits all over the property (our girls were obsessed).
• Our spacious ocean-view suite that gave everyone room to spread out.
• The large family pool, splash pad, and water slide.
• The peaceful adults-only pool overlooking the Pacific.
• Beautiful landscaping that made the entire resort feel like a tropical getaway.
• Friendly, attentive staff who consistently went above and beyond.
• Excellent restaurants and one of our favorite resort coffee shops.
• The Kids Club, which gave us a little time to ourselves while the girls made memories of their own.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was simply slowing down. Every morning we’d grab coffee and walk the trails along the cliffs, and every evening we’d head back out after dinner. We’d spot birds, rabbits, and even dolphins one morning, and there were lounge chairs overlooking the rocky shoreline where you could just sit and listen to the waves.

The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the entire resort has that signature luxury hotel scent that somehow makes every vacation feel even more relaxing. We loved sitting on our balcony at the end of the day, watching weddings being set up on the lawn or simply looking out at the ocean while the girls watched a show inside.

It wasn’t just one thing that made us love Terranea—it was how all of those little moments came together to create one of the most relaxing family weekends we’ve had in a long time.

Things to Consider Before Booking

As much as we loved Terranea, I think it’s important to know what kind of vacation you’re booking.

If you’re dreaming of a classic Southern California beach vacation where you can spend the day building sandcastles, swimming in the ocean, or laying out on a wide sandy beach, this probably isn’t the right resort. Terranea sits on the cliffs above the Pacific, and while there is access to a rocky shoreline below, you’ll need to drive to nearby beaches like Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Huntington Beach, or Long Beach for a traditional beach day.

The resort is also tucked into a residential area on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, so you won’t find shops, restaurants, or entertainment within walking distance. If you plan to explore beyond the resort, expect to drive about 10–20 minutes depending on where you’re headed.

That said, if your goal is to check in, slow down, and truly relax, you may never feel the need to leave. With multiple restaurants, a coffee shop, walking trails, four pools, a spa, Kids Club, and beautiful ocean views, Terranea has everything you need for a relaxing weekend away.

Before we get to whether I’d recommend Terranea, I think it’s worth acknowledging the price. This isn’t an inexpensive weekend getaway. Depending on the room category and time of year, you’re looking at a significant investment—our ocean-view suite would have been around $2,000–$3,000 per night at current rates.

That’s exactly why I wanted to write this review. If you’re considering spending that kind of money, I want you to know what you’re actually getting—and whether I’d spend my own money to stay here again.

Is Terranea Resort Worth It?

Absolutely.

If your idea of the perfect weekend is slowing down, enjoying incredible ocean views, eating great food, and spending quality time with the people you love, I think Terranea is absolutely worth the splurge.

To me, this is the epitome of Southern California living. Every morning we grabbed coffee and walked the cliffside trails, every evening we wandered back out after dinner, and somehow we never got tired of watching the waves crash against the rocks below. The girls were constantly looking for rabbits, and spotting dolphins one morning was one of those little moments that made the trip feel even more special.

This is about as close to hiking and camping as I ever want to get. 😂 You get all of the incredible scenery without giving up luxury, comfortable beds, amazing restaurants, or a pool waiting for you afterward.

For a quick weekend getaway, I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed. Maybe it was the ocean. Maybe it was the slower pace. Or maybe it was simply waking up every morning to views that looked like they belonged in a movie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Terranea Resort good for families?

Absolutely. Before our trip, I assumed Terranea was more of a couples resort, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. With the spacious rooms, large family pool, water slide, splash pad, Kids Club, walking trails, corn hole, ping-pong tables, and all the open grassy areas, our daughters stayed entertained the entire weekend.

Is Terranea Resort worth the price?

I think so. You’re paying for much more than just a hotel room. The incredible ocean views, beautifully maintained grounds, excellent restaurants, thoughtful service, and relaxing atmosphere made it feel like a true luxury getaway. For us, it was worth the splurge.

Is there a beach at Terranea?

Yes, but it’s not a traditional sandy beach. You can walk down to the rocky shoreline and enjoy the ocean views, explore the tide pools, or book activities like kayaking. If you’re hoping for a classic beach day with swimming and sandcastles, you’ll want to drive to one of the nearby beaches instead.

How far is Terranea Resort from LAX?

Terranea is approximately 30 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), depending on traffic.

How many pools does Terranea Resort have?

Terranea has four different pools, each with its own purpose.

• Resort Pool – The main family-friendly pool with the water slide and splash pad.
• Spa Pool – Reserved exclusively for guests visiting the spa.
• Vista Pool – Open to guests ages 13 and older.
• Cielo Point Pool – The adults-only pool overlooking the cliffs and Pacific Ocean.

During our stay, we spent most of our time at the Resort Pool with the girls and snuck away to the Cielo Point Pool while they were enjoying Kids Club. Both were beautiful, but they offered completely different experiences. If you’re traveling with kids, I think having both options is one of the things that makes Terranea so special.

Can you visit Terranea Resort without staying there?

Yes. You can visit Terranea to dine at one of the restaurants, grab coffee, explore parts of the grounds, or book a spa treatment. However, resort amenities like the pools are reserved for overnight guests and require a room key for access.

How many nights should you stay at Terranea Resort? 

I think two or three nights is perfect. We stayed for Mother’s Day weekend, and it was enough time to enjoy the pools, restaurants, walking trails, and Kids Club without feeling rushed. If I went back, I’d probably stay one extra night just to soak it all in. 

Would We Stay Again?

Absolutely.

Terranea reminded me a lot of the Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay in Hawaii. It has that same luxury resort feel, but with a strong emphasis on the surrounding natural beauty. Between the walking trails, wildlife, ocean views, and beautifully landscaped grounds, you really get to experience your surroundings instead of just looking at them from a lounge chair. Nature-maxxing, as the kids would say. 😂

One thing I really appreciated was how intentionally the property blends into the California landscape. It almost feels like you’re staying inside a nature preserve. Maybe it’s because I live in the Las Vegas desert where everything is trying to survive 120-degree summers, but I couldn’t get enough of all the plants, flowers, and greenery throughout the resort.

The food was consistently delicious, the service was impeccable, and the entire weekend left us feeling refreshed instead of rushed. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or even a trip with your parents, I genuinely think Terranea is one of those rare resorts that has something for everyone.

We’ll absolutely be back.

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