The 7 Best Beach Hotels in California in 2023 (2023)

The best beach hotels in California

The best beach hotels in California

This iconic Big Sur retreat has earned a place on countless top hotel lists and in the hearts of travelers for its impeccable service and unbeatable views.

Perched 1,200 feet above the roaring Pacific Ocean, the Post Ranch Inn feels intimate and spacious at the same time. With just 40 rooms and private homes, the hotel blends seamlessly into the wild landscape. Rooms offer stunning views of the ocean and mountains, and the property is surrounded by a redwood forest, making it California's ultimate natural world getaway.

Guests can start the morning with an invigorating yoga class, then book a private guided hike in the area. But visitors should also take the time to enjoy the on-site amenities. The spa offers signature organic treatments, including an aromatherapy massage using Big Sur flower essences, and guests seeking inner reflection can book a private session with the inn's resident shaman. The cliff top pools are perfect for relaxing under a starry night sky.

• Spa no local
• shaman on site
• Unique experiences such as falconry lessons, forest meditations and sound baths

The elegant Japanese-inspired Nobu Ryokan Malibu is all about exclusivity and refined details.

The first of Nobu's ryokan collection, this intimate 16-room boutique hotel follows the minimalist design of Japan's traditional inns. Upon entering through the private front entrance, guests are greeted by a lush garden of California palms and ferns, where a path leads directly to tranquil Carbon Beach.

Spacious rooms are outfitted with teak baths, tatami mats, shoji screens and kimono robes. Each room is unique, but each has its own fireplace, skylight, and private patio. Indulge in an in-room spa treatment or Nobu classics like Black Cod Miso or King Crab Tempura Amazu.

• Spa no local
• Acclaimed non-local restaurant
• Parkservice
• academia

Nestled between the canyons and the beach, this 87-acre private oasis offers amenities and activities that kids and adults alike will love.

Whether traveling as a family or as a couple, guests may never want to leave this sprawling resort, and with a golf course, spa, pool and restaurant, they don't have to either. If visitors are looking for a getaway that doesn't require a lot of pre-planning and has plenty of activities on its doorstep, this is it. Guests can hike in the surrounding hills or head to Aliso Beach for surfing and sunbathing.

Rooms and suites are spread out in a park-like setting where deer and other wildlife can be seen eating breakfast. A two-bedroom, three-bath treehouse suite is the ultimate family getaway, yet all rooms are spacious and decorated in warm, neutral tones. Ingredients for the Harvest Restaurant and Bar are harvested directly from the property's organic garden.

• free parking
• Pool
• academia
• golf course
• conference facilities

The idyllic setting of Santa Barbara, also known as the American Riviera, sets the stage for romance at this Hollywood-style former Four Seasons.

Situated on 22 lush acres with beach access, the Biltmore Santa Barbara offers plenty of secluded nooks and patios to relax in. The property's lantern-lit brick pathways lead to rooms and suites filled with handcrafted period furniture, polished mahogany antiques and artwork. Old Spanish red-tiled adobe buildings and hand-painted Andalusian talavera bathroom tiles in the bedroom recall another era of Mediterranean travel.

The atmospheric Ty Lounge is the perfect spot for tapas and cocktails for two, dimly lit with blown-glass chandeliers and a fireplace. Before dinner, book an 80-minute couples massage on a sea-breezy terrace, complete with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Butterfly Beach, lined with palm trees, is never far away, whether you're enjoying the view from the pool or under the stars at Bella Vista Restaurant by candlelight.

• Parkservice
• Pool
• On-site restaurant, bar, and fitness center

Travelers looking to catch a wave will appreciate this surf-inspired boutique hotel, named for Surfrider Beach across the street.

This Instagram-worthy 1953 motel converted into a modern boutique residence is all about laid-back vibes and easy access to the beach. With its neutral, organic aesthetic, outdoor shower, hammocks and rooftop lounge, the property is an ode to California surf culture. Travelers can choose to wake up to the sun and hit the water or spend the morning sipping espresso at the Roof Deck Bar and Restaurant. The terrace restaurant is open to guests only and serves chamomile-infused hot toddys alongside live music in the evenings.

Twenty monochromatic rooms decorated with teak furniture, Bellino linens and jute pendant lamps are a peaceful oasis at the end of a day in the sun. Guests won't want to leave without stopping at the boutique to pick up a handcrafted sail, tote bag or surf-inspired book to take home.

• on site parking
• On-site restaurant, bar, and room service

At the bright and cheerful Ocean Park Inn, travelers can enjoy mid-century style and ocean views without breaking the bank.

Located directly on the Pacific Beach Boardwalk in San Diego, this hotel underwent a complete renovation in early 2021. The new suites have a streamlined, mid-century aesthetic, decorated with splashes of sunny yellow and mint green. Sea View rooms have a private terrace where guests can enjoy the morning sun with a coffee.

Visitors will find a heated pool and spa in the courtyard, but with the beach just steps away, you might be tempted to opt for a day of sand and surf. Bicycles are also available for rent at the property, giving visitors another way to explore the boardwalk and surrounding area. In-room massages, 24-hour concierge and complimentary breakfast complete the experience.

• Breakfast included
• Concierge 24/7
• Pool

This SoCal icon is as well known for its New England beach house style as it is for its A-list clientele.

Shutters on the Beach has long been known as a mecca for people, which also offers sunny views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Pier. Hollywood stars and creatives can be seen in poolside cabanas and on the patio. But it's really the timeless white clapboard Cape Cod decor and breezy rooms that keep travelers coming back.

The 186 rooms and 12 suites are decorated in a calm seaside color palette, with hardwood floors covered in hand-woven Tibetan rugs and louvered sliding doors to let in salty ocean air. Shutter designer Michael S. Smith -- best known for decorating the Obama White House -- also designed the hotel's 1 Pico restaurant, where guests dine on coastal California cuisine like seared scallops in a light-filled nautical space.

• Parkservice
• Pool
• On-site restaurant and cafe
• Pets