Terranea: Taste of the Amalfi Coast

Story & Photos By Stan Wawer

Terranea Resort occupies a dramatic and historic piece of Rancho Palos Verdes property. Once the site of Marineland of the Pacific, which closed in 1986, Terranea reminds me of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, with its outreaching cliffs and coves. The five-star resort, which opened in June, cohabits with the natural and typical vegetation of the Pacific Ocean.

The name Terranea was created to reflect the Mediterranean nature of the resort’s coastal setting. Breathtaking views, dramatic gardens and indulgent amenities define this classic Southern California Resort. Everything about Terranea says luxury. It has a world-class spa, fitness center, a challenging nine-hole par three golf course (I played the course in 45 minutes on an early Sunday morning in November) and excellent dining.

Terranea is pricey but it delivers the goods. Food and beverage could break the average person’s weekly budget in the first hour. It cost me $8 for a Heineken beer. Room rates start at $320 a night. All rooms offer private balconies and the majority of the rooms offer views of the Pacific Ocean. I witnessed spectacular sunrises. Ninety percent of the resort is oceanfront or ocean view.

The Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe originally inhabited Rancho Palos Verdes (canyon of green trees). The land eventually passed to a consortium of New York investors led by Frank A. Vanderlip, by way of Don Dolores Sepulveda. Considered the founding father of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Vanderlip built the first homes on the land in 1924 with a plan for a magnificent Italian village that would hug the coast.

Most of you over the age of 30 remember the site as Marineland, one of Southern California’s most familiar tourist attractions. Marineland opened in 1954. When is opened, it was the world’s largest oceanarium. Opening one year before Disneyland, many considered it California’s first theme park. It was best known for its performing Orcas (killer whales). Think Shamu and SeaWorld.

Lowe Enterprises became involved with the 102-acre property in 1998, which began a 10-year odyssey, finally opening in June 2009 as Terranea Resort. The city of Rancho Palos Verdes approved the Terranea Resort project in the summer of 2002, but groundbreaking didn’t take place until March of 2007.

The 582-room resort offers a 360-room hotel with 30 suites, 20 bungalows, 50 ocean-view casitas and 32 villas. The bungalows and casitas lock off to provide multiple room configurations. The villas are 1,800 to 2,800 square feet, with two or three bedrooms, two-car garage and a gourmet kitchen. They can be rented or purchased. All the artwork is provided by artists from Portuguese Bend where the Palos Verdes Art Center was founded in 1931 as a cultural arm of the planned community of Palos Verdes Estates.

Interestingly enough, many Peninsula residents take advantage of Terranea’s incredible spa, golf course and fine dining.

The spa is a 50,000-square-foot sanctuary and retreat. The state-of-the-art complex is nestled in a secluded setting with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island (on a clear day). One morning, I spotted two cruise ships leaving Catalina. The spa offers customized wellness treatments that welcome both resort and day visitors.

The Spa at Terranea includes 25 treatment rooms, 25,000 square feet of outdoor space with ocean view terraces, hot tubs and spa pool, a spa café, manicure and pedicure stations, hare and beauty salon services, separate men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor relaxation areas and a 5,000-square-foot fitness center.

Designed by Todd Eckenrode, Origins Golf Design of Irvine, the 9-hole par 3-oceanfront course has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.

“This course is fun,” said Mike Hill, assistant golf professional at Terranea. “It’s a refreshing alternative that addresses the three areas that are vital to the growth of golf — time, affordability and enjoyment.”

The resort also has three heated pools with private cabanas and food service. The Resort pool is available for all guests and features a 140-foot waterslide, children’s splash zone, two hot tubs and fire pit. The Cielo Point pool offers more ocean views for guests 18 years of age and older and the spa pool offers ocean views and is available before and after spa services.

Add to these amenities a children’s center with interactive programs, Discovery Trail (a bluff-top trail that connects miles of coastal trails), secluded beach cove, business center, full concierge staff and a separate group check-in desk.

Yes, it’s pricey but you get your money’s worth. If you are looking for a place to hide from stress for a weekend, Terranea Resort is only about an hour from most points in the San Gabriel Valley.

If you go

Terranea Resort is at 100 Terranea Way Drive. Phone: (310) 265-2800. Web Site: www.terranea.com.