18 Best Hotels and Resorts in California, From Malibu to Napa Valley

"Carmel Valley Ranch is a perfect sanctuary nestled at the bottom of a valley about 25 minutes from Monterey Bay. The 500-acre expanse resembles the shire from Lord of the Rings, but the real magic is in the activities that the resort offers: top-tier tennis instructors, a Pete Dye–designed bentgrass golf course, and several hiking trails of various difficulty levels that originate from the resort. We’re pleased to report a kid-friendly activity calendar that's actually fun with an awesome kids’ pool, a beekeeping experience, and geocaching lessons. At the end of the day, you can grab a bite at Valley Kitchen, where the meals are locally sourced and they serve up goat cheese and wine made right on the premises."