ULTIMATEHotels

Where to stay in

California

28 hotels from our guide: California, USA.

A cedar-panelled guest room at Alila Ventana Big Sur, with a window seat and slatted shutters
Cliff-top retreat

Alila Ventana Big Sur

Big Sur · California · United StatesA Big Sur retreat among redwoods and meadows above the coast, formerly Ventana Big Sur.
Auberge du Soleil’s lodge and pool lit at dusk on its wooded hillside
Resort hotel

Auberge du Soleil

Rutherford, Napa Valley · California · United StatesA hillside resort above the Napa Valley, with a one-MICHELIN-star restaurant and terrace views over the vineyards.
Bardessono, from its own photography
Boutique hotel

Bardessono

Yountville, Napa Valley · California · United StatesA boutique hotel and spa in Yountville, the Napa Valley’s dining village.
Carmel Valley Ranch
Resort hotel

Carmel Valley Ranch

Carmel Valley · California · United StatesA resort in the hills of Carmel Valley, inland from Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Carneros Resort and Spa, from its own photography
Resort hotel

Carneros Resort and Spa

Carneros, Napa · California · United StatesCottages among the vineyards of Carneros, between the Napa and Sonoma valleys.
The gilded dining room at Colony Palms Hotel
Boutique hotel

Colony Palms Hotel

Palm Springs · California · United StatesA boutique hotel on North Indian Canyon Drive, a short walk from downtown Palm Springs.
A suite at Everline Resort & Spa, with a stone fireplace and windows onto snowy pines
Mountain resort

Everline Resort & Spa

Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe · California · United StatesA mountain resort and spa in Olympic Valley, home of Palisades Tahoe.
The palm-ringed pool before the Mediterranean-style façade of Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Resort hotel

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Del Mar, San Diego · California · United StatesA grand resort in a canyon north of San Diego, home of the three-MICHELIN-star Addison.
The lobby lounge with fireplace and timber beams at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Resort hotel

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Sonoma · California · United StatesA mission-style spa resort in the Sonoma Valley.
Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara
City hotel

Hotel Californian

Santa Barbara · California · United StatesA Spanish-Moorish style hotel at the foot of State Street, by the beach and Stearns Wharf.
Hotel del Coronado from the air
Beach resort

Hotel del Coronado

Coronado, San Diego · California · United StatesSan Diego’s famous Victorian beach resort, with its red turrets on the sand at Coronado.
The pool beneath the San Jacinto Mountains at Korakia Pensione
Boutique hotel

Korakia Pensione

Palm Springs · California · United StatesA Mediterranean-style hideaway in the Tennis Club district, below the mountains.
The stone-pillared entrance of La Playa Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Boutique hotel

La Playa Hotel

Carmel-by-the-Sea · California · United StatesA classic Carmel hotel a short walk from the beach and the village.
The palm-lined entrance to La Quinta Resort & Club
Resort hotel

La Quinta Resort & Club

La Quinta · California · United StatesA sprawling resort of casitas, pools and golf in La Quinta, in the Coachella Valley.
Meadowood Napa Valley, from its own photography
Resort hotel

Meadowood Napa Valley

St. Helena, Napa Valley · California · United StatesA resort set in a wooded valley outside St. Helena.
A living room at Montage Healdsburg with floor-to-ceiling glass onto a terrace and the oak-covered hills
Resort hotel

Montage Healdsburg

Healdsburg, Sonoma County · California · United StatesA resort in the oak-covered hills above Healdsburg, in Sonoma County wine country.
Yellow parasols at the poolside bar, Parker Palm Springs
Resort hotel

Parker Palm Springs

Palm Springs · California · United StatesA colourful resort on East Palm Canyon Drive, with gardens, pools and a spa.
Pendry San Diego in the Gaslamp Quarter at dusk
City hotel

Pendry San Diego

Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego · California · United StatesA stylish hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter, close to the convention centre and Petco Park.
Sierra Mar's glass dining room at Post Ranch Inn above the Big Sur coast
Cliff-top retreat

Post Ranch Inn

Big Sur · California · United StatesCliff-top rooms high above the Pacific on Highway 1.
A casita sitting room at Rancho Valencia, with a beamed ceiling, tiled fireplace and doors onto a terrace
Resort hotel

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Rancho Santa Fe · California · United StatesA resort and spa in Rancho Santa Fe, north of San Diego.
Rosewood Miramar Beach’s white beachfront buildings and the sand at sunset
Beach resort

Rosewood Miramar Beach

Montecito · California · United StatesA Rosewood beach resort on the sand at Miramar Beach in Montecito.
Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park
Resort hotel

Rosewood Sand Hill

Menlo Park, Silicon Valley · California · United StatesA Rosewood resort on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, at the heart of Silicon Valley.
The palm-framed pool at Solage at dusk
Resort hotel

Solage

Calistoga, Napa Valley · California · United StatesA relaxed spa resort on the Silverado Trail in Calistoga, at the top of the Napa Valley.
A guest room at The Landing Tahoe, with a cane headboard and black-and-white lake photographs
Lakeside hotel

The Landing Tahoe Resort & Spa

South Lake Tahoe · California · United StatesA lakeside resort and spa on Lakeshore Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.
The Craftsman lodge and pool at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Resort hotel

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

La Jolla, San Diego · California · United StatesA lodge overlooking the Torrey Pines golf course and the Pacific.
The fireside great room at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Mountain resort

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Truckee, Lake Tahoe · California · United StatesA mountain resort on the slopes of Northstar, near Truckee.
A sitting room at The Saguaro Palm Springs, with a white sofa, paper lamps and a cactus drawing
Design hotel

The Saguaro Palm Springs

Palm Springs · California · United StatesA brightly painted hotel around a lively pool on East Palm Canyon Drive.
Retreat centre

Esalen Institute

Big Sur · California · United StatesThe Big Sur retreat centre founded in 1962, famous for its hot-spring baths on the cliffs above the Pacific and its workshops.