From Wine Country to sunny San Diego, California hotels have some beautiful pools. If you’re planning a trip to the Golden State, choosing one of the best to stay at isn’t easy with so many different options. Dreaming of a serene rooftop that provides an oasis in the city with epic views or an oceanfront jewel? Here you go. Instead of just one, you might even want to create a pool-themed road trip to sample several.
Carneros Resort and Spa - Napa
Carneros Resort and Spa offers an adults-only pool that boasts one of the most epic views in California, surrounded by the state’s famous Wine Country with unparalleled panoramas of the rolling hills and vineyards. One of the best five-star hotels in Napa Valley, accommodation is in luxurious stand-alone cottages with snug fireplaces, bathrooms with heated floors, and even private gardens with outdoor tubs. Enjoy “transcendent relaxation” at the spa with a wide range of healing treatments and relaxation therapies inspired by natural resources using the abundance of local ingredients in the region. There’s an outstanding fitness center with complimentary fitness classes like yoga, Fitness Fusion, and Vineyard Walks that are available daily. The multiple restaurants include the fine dining FARM with dishes based on locally sourced produce.
Key Amenities:
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Three full-service restaurants and a wine tasting room
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Two pools with hot tubs including an adults-only pool and family pool
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Guest-only luxury spa and fitness center with complimentary fitness classes
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Daily resort events and activities
San Diego Mission Bay Resort - San Diego
Set along beautiful Mission Bay, San Diego Mission Bay Resort offers one of the coolest hotel pools in San Diego where you can chill poolside in a lounge chair and soak up the sun with a cold drink in hand as well as enjoy tranquil walks on the beach. It offers some great amenities, including the Spa Brezza, with a menu of stress-melting treatments and a 24/7 fitness center. Dining and drinking options include Mexican dishes that can be enjoyed poolside, craft cocktails, and shareable small plates at Plaza Del Sol and Covewood, a spot that focuses on the local bounty and offers an intimate indoor/outdoor atmosphere. Accommodation includes rooms and studios to one-bedroom suites with patios or balconies. Some have fire pits and bay views.
Key Amenities:
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Waterfront pool with kids’ activities, a wading pool, and a poolside bar
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Private beach access with beach chairs and umbrellas included
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Three waterfront dining options on-site
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Seasonal weekly s’mores and bonfire nights on the beach
1775 E Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109, USA— +1 619-677-1161
Hotel Cerro - San Luis Obisbo
Hotel Cerro is an eco-friendly hotel in the heart of charming San Luis Obisbo that boasts a spectacular rooftop pool. It’s surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas, ideal for unwinding with a view of the surrounding hills. Poolside service is available, so you can sip cocktails and enjoy light bites here. There’s a spa for a little pampering and multiple dining options on-site, including an open-air cafe and a French restaurant, while luxurious rooms and suites come with various perks, like views of the surrounding mountains and downtown.
Key Amenities:
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Rooftop pool with pool bar, cabanas, and loungers
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On-site distillery that uses botanicals harvested from the Central Coast
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Fitness center with free weights and cardio equipment
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4,000-square-foot spa with menu of facials, scrubs, wraps, and wet treatments
1125 Garden St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA— +1 805-548-1000
Miramonte Resort & Spa - Indian Wells
Miramonte Resort and Spa is a Mediterranean-inspired resort and one of the best spa and wellness resorts in California, with a picturesque backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains and two glistening pools that provide a luxurious oasis in the desert. There’s a lavish spa and outstanding dining on-site, while the upscale rooms are located in red-roofed villas with private patios or balconies featuring views of the gorgeous gardens. Hammocks and reading nooks provide even more places to relax.
Key Amenities:
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Rooms have private balconies or patios, complimentary WiFi, and refrigerators
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On-site spa with a menu of massage services, body treatments, and facials
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Two outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, a 24-hour fitness center, and an alfresco restaurant
45000 Indian Wells Ln, Indian Wells, CA 92210, USA— +1 844-202-2237
Andaz San Diego - San Diego
Andaz San Diego is a Gaslamp District hotel with a rooftop that has one of the largest heated saltwater pools in the city and often hosts pool parties with DJs that are known to attract quite a few VIPs and celebrities of all types. It also includes a wine bar, a fire pit, and a magnificent view of the skyline. There are cabanas with bottle service available that include a dedicated server for food and drink, a TV, and Wi-Fi. Keep up with your workout routine at the fitness center, and look forward to dining at the steakhouse too. The contemporary rooms come with large flat-screen TVs and Keurig coffeemakers. Suites with city views are available too.
Key Amenities:
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Largest rooftop in the Gaslamp Quarter with DJ sets at sunset
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On-site steakhouse, rooftop saltwater pool, and fitness center
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Pet-friendly amenities like dog beds, water bowls, and treats
Hotel Nikko - San Francisco
Located near Union Square, Hotel Nikko is a boutique property that offers one of the best hotel pools in the city. The 50-foot pool sits within the 10,000-square-foot health club in a glass-enclosed space providing plenty of natural light while keeping the chill of the frequent fog and wind out. There are fire pits and an indoor/outdoor deck too. One of the best pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco, those who want to bring their four-legged friends can also take advantage of the “pet terrace” with a dog run. Dog beds and treats are provided too. The guest rooms are Japanese-inspired and include pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docking stations. Book one of the Imperial Club rooms for upscale perks, including breakfast, the wine and beer reception hosted every evening, and 24-hour in-room dining.
Key Amenities:
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10,000-square-foot glass-enclosed health club and swimming pool
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Bathrobes, hair dryer, and iron/ironing board provided
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In-room coffee maker, minibar, and refrigerator (upon request)
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Pet-friendly amenities like a dog run, dog beds, and treats
Shutters on the Beach - Santa Monica
Located on Santa Monica Beach, Shutters on the Beach has a gorgeous ocean-facing pool surrounded with loungers, while cabanas are available for rent with packages that can include cocktails, beers, fruit, and snacks. The iconic Santa Monica Pier, with its Ferris wheel and other amusements, and a wealth of restaurants, bars, and shops, are all just a short walk away. This top-rated California beach resort also offers surfing lessons and yoga classes on the beach. All rooms are high-end with balconies, and most have ocean views, but you’ll get the best ocean views by booking a suite.
Key Amenities:
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Beach concierge on standby to arrange bike, surf board, and boogie board rentals
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Full gym with Peloton bikes and selection of daily outdoor activities like surf lessons and yoga on the sand
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On-site spa with products and services designed by Kerstin Florian and Omorovicza
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Outdoor heated pool with whirlpool spa, chaise loungers, private cabanas, and towel service
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills - West Hollywood
The London West Hollywood is just off Sunset Strip and offers an oasis in the city with a rooftop on the 10th floor that includes a beautiful pool, loungers with umbrellas, and fire pits. From this luxury Los Angeles hotel, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view that includes the famous Hollywood sign. Poolside cabanas are available that come with 32″ flat-screen TVs and minifridges stocked with fruits and beverages. Rooms start at 750 square feet and come with private balconies with mountain and city views, room service, stocked wet bars, and flat-screen TVs with HBO.
Key Amenities:
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Suites with oversized bathrooms, walk-in showers, deep soaking bathtubs, and private balconies
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Guest-only rooftop pool with private cabanas and city views
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State-of-the-art fitness facility open 24 hours
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Complimentary breakfast menu daily
1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA— +1 844-489-9660
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells - Indian Wells
One of the best hotels in Palm Springs, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells sits at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains and includes a fantastic pool with a sandy beach for the ultimate oasis in the desert. There are two 18-hole golf courses, a world-class spa, and a wide range of dining options with everything from a pizzeria to restaurants serving Japanese and American fare. The spacious rooms come with views over the greens, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and coffeemakers. Some also have whirlpool tubs to soak in and fireplaces to cozy up to.
Key Amenities:
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Guest rooms with private balconies and scenic views of the Santa Rosa Mountains
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Access to 18-hole golf course, world-class spa, and sandy beach pool
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24/7 fitness center with Peloton bikes, treadmills and free weights
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Five different dining options on-site
44400 Indian Wells Ln, Indian Wells, CA 92210, USA— +1 760-773-4444
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club - Dana Point
Located about midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club is a Tuscan-inspired resort with spectacular pools and jaw-dropping ocean views. Besides being one of the top golf resorts in California, it offers a long list of luxurious amenities and activities, including a world-class spa, guided wildlife tours, yoga classes, and even whale-watching excursions. There’s a kids’ club the younger ones can enjoy while parents can take advantage of alone time, while dining is offered at multiple restaurants, including the popular Stonehill Tavern, renowned for its extensive selection of wines. Rooms and suites are extra spacious with features like beds with goose-down comforters and fresh flowers and plants.
Key Amenities:
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Private beach club with equipment for rent, instructors, chairs, umbrellas, and towel service
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Family-friendly amenities like a kids’ club, family pool, and “sprayground”
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Championship golf course and world-class spa with personalized treatments and wellness events
1 Monarch Beach Resort N, Dana Point, CA 92629, USA— +1 949-234-3900
Terranea - Rancho Palos Verde
One of the top Southern California resorts, Terranea offers a Mediterranean-style escape with four pools, including an adults-only saltwater Cielo Pool with ocean views and food and drink service. There’s also one the kids will love with a giant water slide. If you want to take your relaxation up a notch, head to the lavish spa, where the wide range of treatment options go well beyond the typical massage or body wrap and are enjoyed with a breathtaking view of the Pacific. It also has its own pool, steam rooms, saunas, fire pits, and a cafe. The ocean-view rooms include balconies or patios, and bungalows are available with one or two bedrooms, full kitchens, and indoor and outdoor fireplaces.
Key Amenities:
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Eight distinct dining experiences, from full-service to casual fare
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50,000-square-foot spa and fitness center complete with 25 treatment rooms and an oceanfront yoga and movement studio
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Nine-hole, par-3 golf course and four heated swimming pools including two adults-only pools
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Complimentary on-property activities including self-guided nature walks, meet & greet with the resort’s falconer, scavenger hunts, and sunset ritual
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Kid-friendly amenities like a kids’ club, 140-foot waterslide, and splash zone
Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, USA— +1 310-494-7891
Ojai Valley Inn - Ojai
Nestled in the scenic Ojai Valley surrounded by the Topa Topa Mountains, the Ojai Valley Inn offers four sparkling pools, including the adults-only Indigo Pool, which boasts sweeping valley views and oversized cabanas and day beds. Enjoy food and drink service by the poolside, including locally-sourced small plates complemented by hand-crafted cocktails, refreshing sparkling beverages, or craft beers from the state’s top producers. There are many activities to enjoy, too, with the Golf Academy on-site, where guests can learn from some of the best in the game, horseback riding, fishing, and tennis. The award-winning spa has two of its own pools, along with a spa boutique and a menu of indulgent treatments.
Key Amenities:
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Seven unique dining outlets with settings that range from fast-casual and poolside to fine dining
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Legendary golf course, 31,000-square-foot spa, and multiple pools
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Calendar of exclusive events and activities for guests
Montage Laguna Beach - Laguna Beach
One of the best hotels in Laguna Beach, Montage Laguna Beach is a luxury beach resort that sits atop a coastal bluff in the artsy community of Laguna Beach. It offers the ideal blend of oceanfront and upscale perks with the warmth you’d find in a more intimate inn. Look forward to swimming and lounging around multiple sparkling pools, with the Mosaic Pool being the crown jewel where you can relax while watching the sun go down over the Pacific. You’ll have access to white sandy beaches and a world-class oceanfront spa, along with activities like wine tasting and yoga on the beach. Enjoy upscale dining on-site and accommodation in rooms and suites with private balconies showcasing ocean views or one of the beachfront bungalows and villas.
Key Amenities:
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Two outdoor pool decks and beach access
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20,000-square-foot oceanfront spa
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Three signature restaurants
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Daily activities like wine tasting and yoga on the beach
30801 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA— +1 866-271-6953
Sky Valley Resort - Desert Hot Springs
One of the best hot spring resorts in California, Sky Valley Resort is a destination resort within a short drive from Palm Springs that offers RV sites as well as accommodation in vacation rental homes with one to four bedrooms, some with private pools. Either way, you’ll get to enjoy its 13 naturally hot mineral springs pools along with hiking trails, pickleball, golf, and other activities. Social events and health and fitness classes are available too.
Key Amenities:
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13 hot mineral springs and pools
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Daily calendar of events ranging from fitness classes to pickleball tournaments, music at the pool, and more
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Access to nine-hole, par-three course at sister resort, Caliente Springs
74711 Dillon Rd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241, USA— +1 760-548-4114
