California - Terranea, Pelican Hill, RC Laguna, St Regis Monarch or Montage Laguna?

The title is hopefully pretty much self explaining.
I am looking for a few days of R&R at the end of a family trip.
Where can we hope that the small ones (5 and 7 yo) and the other ones will be happy?

Been through 3 of those properties and it's a tough call.

While they;re all upscale, it's not unusual to see families at them during tourist months so I wouldn't worry too much about the kids presence.

That said, you're looking at fairly removed areas [as in nothing to walk too off property].

Pelican Hill / Newport Coast - Property is big with lots of space per person and tons of pools. Use to live here and loved it... there's a super market and few restaurants. >10 minutes to crystal cove beach, shops or fashion island mall.

St Regis Monarch / Dana Point - More of a resort as I recall. There tends to be a number of activities in a given week and you may find it easier for the kids to mingle with others. You're outside of main dana point by a few blocks but right near the beach and again, lots on site.

Montage Laguna - Pretty remarkable location and property. Their website shows a couple kids programs but I think of this place as being pretty peaceful [personally]. You're in south laguna but could make a longer walk to downtown. Probably the closest to activity of these choices.

RC Laguna & Terranea - Never been.

My suggestion would be Pelican Hill if you want to do the BBQing, days at the pool, with the family experience and the Montage if you want to be moving around, headed to restaurants and at the beach more often.

Thanks a lot Ted, that's very helpful.
I am hesitating Terranea has no beach but seems a little closer to LA (we would like to go to the Getty) while St Regis and Pelican have a shuttle to the beach.
help would be appreciated on two points ;
- How the st regis beach club compare to pelican's beach (crystal cove)?
- Is pelican worth something like 200 bucks more than st regis (pelican 'basic' room with two queen beds being sold at the same rate that the 2 rooms st regis suite)?

The beach near St. Regis Monarch Beach is far superior to crystal cove and most others in Southern California. The Ritz Carlton has better access to the same beach as one would use while at St. Regis. However, St. Regis has use of a fine private club/restaurant (access by St. Regis large golf cart) and restaurant is right on beach.

The beach near St. Regis Monarch Beach is far superior to crystal cove and most others in Southern California. The Ritz Carlton has better access to the same beach as one would use while at St. Regis. However, St. Regis has use of a fine private club/restaurant (access by St. Regis large golf cart) and restaurant is right on beach.

Thanks you very much; St Regis it will probably be then.

Terranea has a beach with freshwater shower and restrooms.

Terranea has a beach with freshwater shower and restrooms.

UH ???
I understood that they got what they call a "cove" where you can't swim because of the rocks. are you sure you can qualify that as a beach?

UH ???
I understood that they got what they call a "cove" where you can't swim because of the rocks. are you sure you can qualify that as a beach?

Hi! We're so glad that you are considering a stay at Terranea. We understand your concern about our beach cove. The ocean and beaches on the Palos Verdes Peninsula are rocky. We discourage swiming from our beach cove, however - Abalone Cove is right around the corner which has some sandy areas and the water is very calm. Plus, there is a free shuttle that takes you within 5 miles of the resort. However, please note that it is still not a sandy beach like Manahattan, Hermosa or Redondo and it's a bit of a hike to get down to the water. Our new activities center, Pointe Discovery has fun activities for all including kayaking, kayorkling (kayaking & snorkling combined), stand up paddle boards, and other fun land and sea adventures that launch straight from the resort!

Terranea is extremely family friendly! We have a 140ft waterslide and a splash zone for the kids at the main resort pool, plus the Cielo Point pool and a spa pool that are adults only. There are plenty of family "togetherness" activities as well as a kids club so that mom and dad can get away from the kids for a bit to have some adult time!

Our residental style units (Bungalows, Casitas & Villas) are perfect for the fam with anywhere between 1 and 4 bedrooms with kitchens, washer/dryer, living rooms, fireplaces, etc.

We'd love to answer any other questions that you have. Please call us at 866.802.8000!

Welcome to FT, TerraneaResort!

I will be visiting friends staying at your resort this weekend. Looking forward to it!

Terranea seems to be having a nice promo ^ $229+tax (no resort charge)

http://www.travelzoo.com/hotels/los-angeles/-229-Southern-California-5-Star-Coastal-Resort-40-Off-1080446/?utm_source=top20_us&utm_medium=email_top20

Two night min, book by August 27th, travel thru October :)

"The beach near St. Regis Monarch Beach is far superior to crystal cove and most others in Southern California. The Ritz Carlton has better access to the same beach as one would use while at St. Regis. However, St. Regis has use of a fine private club/restaurant (access by St. Regis large golf cart) and restaurant is right on beach."

I have to disagree with the above statement.

Crystal Cove is the largest undeveloped stretch of sand between Santa Babara, CA and Mexico. It's anchored by tidepools which kids love, it's a shallow breaking beach (once again good for kids) and it's got some of the clearest water in the area (hence the name Crystal Cove).

It's also a dolphin birthing ground in the spring but it's not unusual to see dolphins playing right off the cove.

Crystal Cove also is a marine park and a number of people go diving there. It also has hiking trails and even some mountain bike trails in the hills above it.

CC is also a California Historic District with the Crystal Cove Cottages that trace their linage back to the 1920's when early movies were shot there---they occassionally still shoot movies there today. The cottages are available for rent (very tough to get because they are so popular and sit right on the beach) but they do offer tours of them on certain days.

At CC is a restaurant called the Beachcomber Cafe which sits right on the sand. The second you step off their deck you are on the beach. The food is good and they have a kids menu as well.

Pelican Hill has a shuttle that will take you there or, if you are driving, park in the Los Trancos parking lot. The parking is $15.00 but if you spend $15.00 at The Beachcomber (not hard for a family to do) they validate and you can park all day for free.

As far as the restaurants at the resorts go, Andrea at Pelican Hill is quite a bit better than the restaurant in the St. Regis, IMO. PH also has the Pelican Grill which is their casual bar & grill at the golf course and the kids might enjoy that depending on their age and tastes. There is also a much larger and wider selection of restaurants in Newport/Laguna than Monarch Beach.

PH also offers kitchens and, with a number of nice grocery stores in the area it's always nice to stock in some breakfast food, snacks, orange juice, other beverages, etc. and kick back on your deck or patio and have a relaxing breakfast and enjoy the ocean views. As a plus, they offer a 'kids club' program.

BTW, if you are considering playing golf while you are there, Pelican Hill is the far nicer course, with 36 holes including an ocean course, driving range, pro shop etc.

www.thebeachcombercafe.com
www.crystalcovestatepark.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmhps0uktrY