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Eco-Friendly, Five-Star Coastal Resort with Old-World Charm

When night falls, a constellation of twinkling outdoor fireplaces lights up Terranea Resort’s 100-acre expanse of Pacific coastline. The fires are a kind of modern-day equivalent to the encampments of early Spanish explorers who discovered the Palos Verdes Peninsula several hundred years ago. The five-star Terranea Resort pays tribute to these first European settlers with a Mediterranean design incorporating red adobe roofs and archways inlaid with colorful mosaic tiles. Its gorgeous setting combined with an abundance of luxurious facilities helped the resort land on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the Best Hotels in the USA and on Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Gold List for 2013.

From coastal fishing and scuba diving to preserve hiking and falconry, Terranea Resort offers a wide range of recreational activities set amid its paradise-like scenery. Tee off on The Links at Terranea, a nine-hole, par 3 course dotted with indigenous California plants, or relax alongside one of three ocean-view pools. A 50,000-square-foot glass-walled fitness center and spa offers daily classes, including complimentary yoga sessions.

The resort also maintains an eco-friendly focus. Its grounds are comprised of roughly 75% green space, including a 2-mile Discovery Trail where visitors might occasionally spot gray whales from December to April. The resort's emphasis on nature extends to lushly appointed ocean-view and resort-view rooms, which are accented with golden-hued woods. Among the resort's many dining options is mar'sel, an upscale oceanfront eatery. Chef Rebecca Merhej serves flavorful dishes crafted by using sustainable methods and local ingredients, including fresh herbs plucked from a garden guests pass on their way in.

Rancho Palos Verdes, California: Secluded Coastal Town Abounding with Aquatic Adventure

Nestled in the hills of the Palos Verdes Peninsula about 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, secluded Rancho Palos Verdes is home to expansive estates set on jagged bluffs looming over the coastline. Terranea's Pointe Discovery adventure shop equips visitors for exploring all that the peninsula has to offer, including standup paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and mermaid speed dating.

Fewer than 2 miles from the resort, Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, a state ecological preserve, has pristine tide pools home to starfish, pointy urchins, and brightly colored anemones. Within walking distance of the cove lies Wayfarers Chapel, a structure built from glass and redwoods by Lloyd Wright, son of pioneering architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Point Vicente Lighthouse also stands nearby. First lit in 1926 to help mariners steer clear of rocky shoals, the lighthouse now makes an ideal spot for whale watching.

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