Terranea Resort for Families

As a long-time Southern California resident, I’ve had Terranea Resort on my radar for years. And while the stunning Destination Hotels property is certainly romantic, it’s not just for couples — judging by the way families flock to Terranea, you’d think the resort was a stellar preschool or a popular birthday party location. That might have something to do with its clifftop pools, diverse restaurant options and adventure opportunities. When my husband and I decided to celebrate our recent wedding anniversary with a staycation, we set our sights on Terranea. Our young daughter, Olivia, came along to test the waters, as well.

Rooms Fit for a King
Our Ocean-View King Room had just what our trio needed: a sea breeze, gorgeous views of the Pacific and plenty of space for three people to lounge luxuriously. From our balcony, we watched multiple weddings unfold and were inspired by early morning hikers to take our own walk in the sunshine. For bigger groups or for those who simply want more room in which to sprawl out, Terranea also offers one-, two- and three-bedroom Casitas and two- and three-bedroom Villas, all of which have full kitchens, separate living rooms and more. Expect a little more grandeur and privacy in the Villas, however, where private garages and wide terraces help guests feel like they’re celebrities hiding out in paradise. 

Things to Do
When visiting with little ones, there’s no place better to spend an afternoon than the main resort pool, a 5,000-square-foot oasis with a splash pad and hot tub. Olivia was entertained for hours here, and her parents fended rather well, too, thanks to poolside service that included tropical drink options such as pina coladas and lava flows. Children who are independent swimmers can hop in line for the Peninsula Plunge, a 140-foot waterslide for solo riders.

Should Mom and Dad want to relinquish their responsibilities for a fraction of the day, Terranea’s Tide Pool Kids’ Club has a bevy of enticing programs for children ages 3 to 12, including half-day camps and hourlong classes such as Mad Science and Fun With Food (each class is $20 per child). There are also complimentary options: supervised Free Play from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and Story Hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Teens with an eye for adventure can opt for private surf or stand-up paddleboard lessons. Kayak tours and horseback rides are also available.

Extracurricular activities for the entire family are varied as well, from day trips to Catalina Island and guided bike tours to a falconry experience and a walk through Terranea’s edible garden — tasty snack included. For a full list, check the resort website.

If, like us, you’re visiting with kids not yet kids’ club age, there’s always the possibility of splitting up here and there in order to explore the adults-only side of the resort. While Olivia napped, for example, I hustled down to the award-winning spa for some much-needed pampering. Treatments should be booked in advance, especially on weekends, but just visiting for the day to use the saunas, steam rooms and plunge pools is well worth the day rate. Daily outdoor and indoor fitness classes are other great escapes, as is the adults-only Cielo Pointe Pool (open Memorial Day through Labor Day). Guests ages 13 and over can dip their toes in the brand-new Vista Pool. 

Places to Eat
While the pools caught my eye long before I set foot on the property, the restaurant options were deliciously intriguing, too. There’s Bashi for Japanese cuisine, Marsel for decadent, formal affairs and Sea Beans for grab-and-go bites. 

That said, the umbrella-clad picnic tables, fire pits and live music at Nelson’s make it my top recommendation for guests with kids. The indoor-outdoor setting is casual enough that wiggly eaters can walk around between bites and wave to neighboring tables or pet dogs laying at their owner’s feet. Of course, killer food is the ultimate reason to make a reservation here. Consider the Bavarian pretzel and poke nachos to start, then follow with the cioppino or the masterful burger adorned with burrata. Chicken tenders and other classic kid-friendly options are available on a children’s menu. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, pancakes steal the show — foodies have been known to visit the resort just for the apple caramel sea-salt pancakes served here.

Our other go-to on-site restaurant was Catalina Kitchen, where breakfast might be cinnamon roll French toast or a wild mushroom scramble. On Saturdays and Sundays, the breakfast buffet is a popular alternative. I appreciated how noticeably genial the staff was — this mother needed her coffee cup kept full — and the scenic, shady patio is a fine setting for children. Come dinner time, expect brick-oven pizzas, quality meats fresh off the grill and a rotating menu of specials.

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