The beauty of California is that there’s so much, well, beauty to behold. Savvy travelers know the best way to see the state is by touching grass—and trees, and the ocean. Whether you’re based in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, or elsewhere, there are plenty of greats resorts in California where you can go to scratch each of those itches. No matter if you’re spotting dolphins from a cliffside perch or walking among redwoods in Big Sur, choosing a resort here is a feast. California is, after all, a state that thrives on contrast: surf towns and snowcaps, design-forward mountainous escapes and wine country wellness sanctuaries.
The trick is zeroing in on the type of escape you need right now. Is it a breezy coastal inn with a hyper-local Michelin-starred restaurant? Or an under-the-radar resort tucked off a Russian River tributary, with luxe cottages and cabins? From properties that excel at intuitive service and five-star flourishes to temples of slow travel, where nature and quiet do the heavy lifting, there are so many to pick from. Below, read on for the best hotels and resorts in California; they don’t just let you unplug, they let you fully escape.
How we choose the best resorts in California
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location, and warm service—as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.
