Looking for a great resort within Cal. that will provide sun, great pool, golf and
spa. Must be family friendly and have great
service. My family has been to Hawaii many
times and loves it... but we were looking for
something closer to home that would make us
happy too. Any suggestions or favorites ??

Cal is a big state. Do you want the beach and coast? Northern or Southern? Palm Springs?

Really does not matter - except that we
we would be going during summer months
and don't want to be TOO hot... like
the desert area.

Try the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel ... it's fabulous ... reminds me of a Hawaiian style resort. It is a little South of Laguna Beach, closer to Dana Point. There's great pools, Spa, golf ... and it sits high on a cliff overlooking the ocean. By taking the walkway down the cliff to the ocean you have easy access to a large beach as well. I think they even offer little trolleys/golf carts that will take you up and down to the beach.

I'm not a fan of the Ritz. (Small rooms, stuffy atmosphere) The St. Regis just across the street looks much nicer, but I haven't stayed there. The Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad is one of the country's best hotels. The Hotel Coronado is a great beach spot (no golf though).

Thanks! I will look at both the Ritz and St. Regis. I had thought of the
Del but was nervous it would be too
crowded.

Have they finished the renovations at La Costa? A resort and spa on a golf course (maybe two-- I've stayed there, but I don't golf). When I was there, the grounds were beautiful, service was very good, and it was quite family-friendly. But that was a couple of years ago, and they underwent some renovations in the interim.

The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is fine. The standard rooms aren't huge, and the golf course is off-site, but the natural beauty of the resort setting is unbeatable. The St. Regis is beautiful, but those bluff views at the R-C are breathtaking.

Sounds like you want something in Southern California. Those are great suggestions!

If you want a bit of a different experience in Northern California, there is the Pebble Beach Lodge or Chaminade (both on the Monterey peninsula) and Ventana Inn at Big Sur.

Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad would be my choice. It's tops in service, ambiance, and compares favorably with the Royal Hawaiian and Halekalani in Honolulu.

Please remember that fog can linger at the coast in CA in the summer- "June gloom" can happen in July and August as well. My daughter and I went to hang out in the sun in Newport Beach on Memorial Day weekend and the fog was so thick we came home a day early. Just something to consider!

That is true, welch, but in July and August it's much rarer. We had a rare fogged-in Santa Monica day yesterday thanks to Hurricane Ignacio in Baja (sent lots of moist air pouring into the Basin). It's hazy today, but the sun's out. On south-facing beaches, it was clear and VERY hot yesterday.

In most years, July and August are gorgeous. And this year, for the most part, has been spectacular (if, for a few weeks, blazingly hot)!

One more Northern California location: Silvarado in Napa Valley.

If you like horseback riding, consider the Alisal. One of their "pools" is a 100 acre private lake!

www.alisal.com

The Lodge at Torrey Pines. We just got back. It was totally wonderful: http://www.lodgetorreypines.com/