SeeCalifornia.com

There are dozens of beach hotels along the Southern California coast, but Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel (ritzcarlton.com) is one of the most luxurious beach resorts. Below the hotel property (pictured) is Salt Creek Beach, an Orange County-operated beach which features a concession stand open during the summer, public restrooms, metered parking and an ideal location south of Laguna Beach and north of Dana Point. The resort offers complimentary golf cart shuttle rides to and from the beach, though the hill climb after a beach retreat is great exercise! The resort features two outdoor swimming pools, two whirlpools, a playground area, basketball court, ping pong table, and tennis courts, plus 15 excursions led by expert naturalists, part of the The Eco-Adventure Center. The Ritz-Carlton is among the handful of exclusive, luxury resorts along the coast that dignitaries and celebrities like to escape to. Vacationers choose it because of the location, views, and the great family beach.