best beachfront hotel/resort in Southern California
 

Planning a summer weekend and want to be on the ocean...prefer LA or north rather than San Diego since it's further from us (we're in Northern California and looking for a short getaway).

www.montagelagunabeach.com
hoteldel.com my absolute fav though

I'd go to the Del

I see you are hoping for North of LA. Both mentioned are south of LA, but I think are the best options for So CA. Of the two, Montage is best

Central CA has a few nice options if you are set on staying N of LA

www.thesanctuarybeachresort.com

its in Marina near Monterey Bay... amazing!!!

I like Ritz-Carlton Dana Point.

Are you driving or flying? If flying - it doesn't matter if you go to LA or here in SD. There are a number of good ocean front hotels down here - but the Hotel Del remains a classic.

You might also consider Santa Barbara if you want to be north of LA.

The Ritz at Dana Point is also world class.

Just to be sure - the Hotel Del is the Hotel Del Coronado - across the beautiful Del Coronado bridge from San Diego - and where they filmed the classic movie - Some Like it Hot - with Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe. :)

It has been visited by everyone from Royalty to us commoners. :) For some pics - see: http://tinyurl.com/6ogu4tb

Do you want on the sand, on a bluff above a beach, would across the street from a beach do? Many hotels are listed as oceanfront, beachfront, waterfront(sometimes in a harbor, but not a beach) but very few are right on the sand.

The Beach House in Hermosa is one exception:
www.beach-house.com

Terranea's beach is not great, but it is oceanfront: www.terranea.com

The Four Seasons Santa Barbara is an option, north of LA.

I'd go with the Ritz-Carlton at Dana Pint also.

The "Del" is in Greater San Diego - at least a two hour drive south of LA.

Ritz at Dana Point is gorgeous and amazing with their awesome customer service. Can't go wrong there. Get a view room if you can.

The Del was looking kind of tired last time I saw it, but that was five or so years ago.

We prefer the scenery at Dana Point, and its proximity to Laguna Beach.

If you are considering The Ritz. Montage etc. price range, then the Hotel Del in Coronado is also a consideration: but consider The Beach Village instead of the main Hotel rooms. Much more private, nice villas-- many with direct beach/boardwalk access thru a private gated beachfront, private concierge (be sure to ask for coupons to restaurants in town), parking, private Clubhouse with fire pits (you can have nice buffet breakfast or dinner on patio beachfront)private pools and spas.

http://www.beachvillageatthedel.com/

I haven't been in a guest room in the Del in years but the public areas are beautiful.

Thanks for the suggestions. We'll be driving, with kids (should have mentioned that), but it's a special occasion so planning to splurge a bit. I looked at the Four Seasons in Santa Barbara, but it's $800/night, which is a little too much splurge. We'll be in San Diego earlier in the year for all the San Diego kid attractions, so that's why I was thinking LA or north for beach going. Off to look up the above suggestions. Agree the Del is great, we used to live on Coronado a long time ago.

how about the Surf and Sand? Or Shutters? http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/

http://www.surfandsandresort.com/

I agree! Surf and Sand in Laguna is great and Shutters in Santa Monica is super-but $$$$