Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa
Spanish Colonial hacienda meets laid-back Southern California luxury. Terracotta tiles, hand-painted ironwork, wood-beamed ceilings, open courtyards with tiled fountains. Warm and residential rather than grand-lobby formal.
Request a casita that overlooks the fountain courtyard for the best views
Why It Matters
Southern California's only Relais & Châteaux property. Holds Forbes 5-star ratings for both the resort AND the spa simultaneously — a rare double. Named #1 Best Hotel and #1 Best Resort in California by U.S. News for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Tennis Magazine perennially ranks it among the top U.S. tennis resorts. Open since 1989, fully renovated in 2013, spa expanded again in 2020–2021.
Rancho Valencia is the only Relais & Châteaux property in Southern California, and it earns the designation. Forty-five acres of olive groves and gardens, 49 hacienda-style casitas all clocking in at 900–1,300 sq ft, a Forbes 5-star spa, world-class tennis, and the kind of thoughtful service where orange juice appears at your door every morning before you ask. It sits about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego in the affluent canyon community of Rancho Santa Fe — far enough from the beach crowds to feel genuinely private, close enough to Del Mar that you're not stranded.
Where You'll Stay
12 room types available
Agave King
The entry-level casita is still larger than most city apartments. Renovated suite with 900–1,300 sq ft of space, rustic custom furnishings, romantic lighting, wood-burning fireplace, and a private garden patio overlooking the olive groves. Includes Frette terry, Illy Espresso machine, Bang & Olufsen stereo, 600-thread-count linens, and nightly turndown.
King
Agave Two Queen
Same hacienda-style casita layout as the Agave King but configured for two queen beds — good for friends or families who want separate sleeping space. Garden patio, fireplace, full suite amenities.
Two Queen
Casa Valencia
The big one. A lavish five-bedroom private residence with a Mexican-Moroccan design aesthetic, private pool, outdoor kitchen, private gym, and a golf cart to zip to the Spa or Pony Room. Two king master suites, 2 king bedrooms, and a flexible 5th bedroom with two double beds. Private chef and concierge services can be arranged. Full resort amenity access.
MultipleEucalyptus ADA King
Fully accessible version of the casita suite with king bed. Retains the same luxury finishes and private patio; designed to meet ADA requirements without sacrificing the resort's hacienda aesthetic.
KingEucalyptus ADA Two Queen
ADA-accessible casita with two queen beds. Full suite amenities including private patio, fireplace, and all standard resort in-room inclusions.
Two QueenOlive Grove ADA Two Queen
ADA-accessible casita with olive grove views and two queen beds. Same luxury finishes as the standard Olive Grove casita.
Two QueenOlive Grove King
Mid-tier casita suite with views over the olive groves and surrounding canyon landscape. Private garden patio, fireplace, and all premium casita amenities. A step up in location and outlook from the entry Agave category.
KingPalm Suite
Upper-tier casita suite with upgraded positioning on the property. Shares the hacienda-style architecture with rustic furnishings, fireplace, private patio, and full premium in-room amenities.
King
Spa House
A 5,400 sq ft four-bedroom private residence built in the same style as the resort casitas. Soft neutrals, hacienda-style ironworks, vintage tiling. Designed to feel like a spa retreat within a retreat. Full access to all resort amenities.
MultipleThe Hacienda
A 5,000 sq ft adobe home with three separate bedroom suites, each with its own deluxe private bath. Full kitchen, wood-burning fireplaces in nearly every room. Suited for honeymoon hideaways or small group retreats. Private pool, outdoor whirlpool, and five fireplaces according to Amex travel listing. Full access to all resort amenities.
MultipleThe Villas
Twelve standalone private villas at the heart of the resort property, each with 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, full kitchen, and spacious private patios with outdoor dining and fireplace. These function as permanent-feel luxury homes within the resort. Dedicated staff, full resort amenity access.
MultipleValencia Suite
One of the largest standard casitas at 1,300 sq ft. Living room, fireplace, deep soaking tub, private patio. The room that gets referenced in the '10-Star Celebration' package — it's the top-tier casita before stepping into the private residences.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Guests can borrow a Bentley from the resort's fleet to explore the local area — and buy one if the drive seals the deal.
Over 95 fitness classes per week, all complimentary for resort guests. Includes yoga in the Serenity Yoga Pavilion, Pilates, cardio, spin, TRX, sculpt, and outdoor classes like 'Sculpt and Stride' and 'Root to Rise'.
A wide roster of complimentary daily activities including croquet, bocce ball, volleyball, badminton, and ping pong. Board games, cards, and puzzles available for family game nights.
Complimentary Electra pedal-assist (e-bike) bicycles for guests to explore the Rancho Santa Fe area at their own pace.
Private kayak tours with sea lions, snorkeling with leopard sharks, and e-bike excursions through La Jolla. Arranged through the resort concierge.
Full or half-day surf lessons at Del Mar Beach for all skill levels and ages. Resort instructors, mellow beginner-friendly waves. Available as a standalone activity or as part of package deals.
Guided hiking excursions along the Torrey Pines trails with a naturalist guide. Arranged through the resort concierge.
Choose from a small luxury sailboat or power boats and yachts on San Diego Bay. Options include sunset cruises, sightseeing, whale watching, and live concerts from the water. Arranged through concierge.
Resort provides complimentary use of top-of-the-line Callaway golf clubs. Concierge arranges privileged access to nearby courses including Torrey Pines. Last-minute tee times can often be arranged.
12 Plexipave championship tennis courts, 3 European Red Clay courts, 3 Padel courts, and 4 Pickleball courts. Group clinics, private training, and recreational match play available for all levels and ages. Contact Pro Shop at 858-759-6224 or tennis@ranchovalencia.com.
Behind-the-scenes VIP tours of the world-renowned San Diego Zoo or up-close wildlife experiences at Safari Park. Arranged through the resort concierge.
Private VIP day trips to the wine country just south of the border in Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe, or to Temecula vineyards. Arranged through the resort concierge.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Business center with meeting rooms and conference space. Resort is popular for corporate retreats and buyouts.
Wi-Fi included in the daily resort fee.
Full Pony Room menu available 24 hours via in-room dining, plus complimentary morning OJ and newspaper delivered to every casita.
Babysitting available through the concierge at surcharge. Tennis camps for kids ages 5 and older also available.
Located inside the Spa gates. Cutting-edge cardio, free weights, and stationary equipment. Must be 18+ to access. Open 6am–8pm.
Stocked non-alcoholic minibar and in-room snacks included with the resort fee. Customized minibar upgrades also available.
Dogs welcome. The resort offers a menu of made-to-order dog dinners for canine guests.
An adults-only Spa Pool with private cabanas and poolside dining, plus a family-friendly Resort Pool. Both feature attendant service.
Thoughtfully curated retail boutique inside The Spa, including wellness products, Lawless Beauty items, and resort merchandise.
Personal concierge to arrange day trips, tee times, surf lessons, beach setups, childcare, private dining, and more. Dedicated concierge email: smarciulaityte@ranchovalencia.com.
Valet parking included in the daily resort fee.
Open-air yoga pavilion with a surrounding reflective pool. Used for yoga, meditation, and special wellness workshops.
BUILD YOUR RANCHO VALENCIA RESORT AND SPA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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