Courtesy of Terranea Resort
Golf-loving parents with their kids want to know: is it possible to have a golf vacation that’s fun for the family, too?
Sometimes it seems farfetched, but I’m happy to report that the answer is resounding Yes, with a few caveats—the first of which is the golf itself. If 36 days is your ambition, it’s undoubtedly best to embark on an adults-only trip and leave the kids at home. But if you are happy to include golf like part From experiencing your vacation instead of being it all, after all, you’ll be hard-pressed to headline the shows at Terrania Resorta glorious destination perched on the slopes of the stunning Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Terranea ticks all the boxes, from luxury accommodations and stunning views to kid-friendly restaurants and activities, and of course, golf. My recent stay blew me away, here are the 7 reasons I loved it.
preparation
If, like me, you arrived via LAX, your Terranea experience begins with a jaunt 17 miles south, down Pacific Coast Highway. The views are beautiful, and set the perfect tone for your entry. The resort itself is located on the coastal cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, offering incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.
Residence
The main hotel building of Terranea has 360 hotel rooms, 31 of which are suites. For guests and families, there are also 50 oceanfront rooms and 32 villas ranging in size from 1,850 to 2,800 square feet, with spacious kitchens and living areas – a real boon when traveling with kids. And if spa living is a priority, book one of the resort’s 20 two-bedroom bungalows, which offer spa and fitness facilities, and are located next door to the Terranea Spa.
the food
One of my favorite things about my experience with Terranea was the fact that the dining options were loud enough to feel fancy but accessible enough that it didn’t feel showy if your child made some unexpected yelling.
Families were plentiful during my visit, and not only did all the restaurants I visited on the property have a great children’s menu, they were also very child friendly, offering crayons and coloring sheets.
We enjoyed alfresco fish and chips at Nelson’s casual restaurant, sushi rolls at Bashi and more than a handful of hot dogs by the pool over the course of our stay, but our favorite meal was the seafood buffet on Friday night at Catalina Kitchen. Everything you could think of was on offer, from a wide assortment of charcuterie and salad to tempura shrimp, fresh crab, paella and seafood, topped with hand-wrapped ice cream for dessert. The kids loved having an agency to pick whatever they liked – and who am I kidding? I did that too.
golf
The Links at Terranea is a three-part, nine-hole layout by Todd Eckenrode, which is exactly what the doctor ordered when it comes to golf. Links’ short yardage (all holes range from 104-173 yards, with a total length of 1,239) not only makes him a friendly challenge for all ages and abilities, but also means you can get ripped pretty quickly, leaving you with plenty of time for other resort activities.
While my kids aren’t quite yet ready to accompany me on a full ride, they did enjoy the Terranea Play Course – part of The Links’ expanded short game play area.
the activities
In addition to golf, Terranea offers a plethora of activities for families. Amazing on-site hiking starts at the resort and guests can also arrange outdoor painting sessions, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and whale watching. The pace of your stay is up to you, and with so much to do, there is never a dull moment.
One of the most enjoyable mornings for my family was sitting down for a free group chat with Terranea’s resident falconer, Joe Roy III. Roy hosts guest receptions four times a week, and always brings a few special friends along. During our time with him, Roy brought a hawk, Harris’ hawk, and Eurasian owl to help introduce him to the role of birds on the property. Thanks to them, seagulls give the region Terranea a very wide dock.
Roy is so knowledgeable and passionate about his field that I could have listened to him for hours. The children were delighted to see these beautiful birds of prey up close. It must be done!
Swimming pool
Swimming pool. amazing. Always a highlight of any resort with kids in tow, but the setting at Terranea is really cool. If you’re traveling alone or as a couple, there are additional adults-only areas, but we spent all of our time at the main pool, which features expansive ocean views, two hot tubs, and…the perfect waterslide providing hours of entertainment for kids and adults alike. more!
resort
A truly luxurious vacation isn’t complete without a visit to the spa, and Terranea caters greatly. I indulged in a 50-minute marine massage on my visit, and absolutely loved the experience—especially being able to walk to my spa appointment from the pool. The 50,000-square-foot space features 25 treatment rooms and has a Mediterranean setting, with ample opportunity to enjoy the view of the crashing waves below.
It was the perfect arc in a short period of revitalization, and writing about the experience now makes me think of all the ways exactly Terranea must be a family-friendly golf getaway.
I already can’t wait to go back.