Boutique Hotels for Every Type of Mom
There are countless types of moms, each wielding their own unique combination of personalities, tastes, and interests. Whether your mom delights in food and wine, arts and culture, glamour, wellness, or outdoor sports and adventure, California is the perfect destination for planning or gifting a vacation getaway. We’ve rounded up some of the best boutique hotels in the state offering tailored experiences for the special mother in your life.
Wellness-Focused Mom
Sensei Porcupine Creek
Wellness is rooted in mindful practice at Sensei Porcupine Creek, a luxury desert oasis in Rancho Mirage. While the 230-acre retreat’s 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, yoga pavilion, and full-service spa present myriad opportunities for enhancing physical well-being, it’s Sensei’s guided programs that tap into mind-body connection. Move, nourish, and rest are the tenets of Sensei wellness experiences, which are informed by science, evidence-based practice, and technology. Programs are customized to participant’s needs by an integrated team of specialists and designed to encourage continued practice after leaving. Among the offerings is Rest & Recovery, a five-day program that focuses on managing stress patterns and reclaiming restorative sleep. Learn more online.
Canyon Ranch Woodside
Canyon Ranch Woodside follows in the footsteps of its legendary predecessor, the Tucson original which defined integrative wellness. The all-inclusive Woodside retreat is nestled in a forest of ancient redwoods high above the frenzied pace of Silicon Valley. The destination itself lends to communing with nature through meditation and stillness, as well as enjoying outdoor activities that honor physical movement and fitness. Even the treehouse-style accommodations with floor-to-ceiling windows celebrate nature’s majesty and invite soulful reflection. Canyon Ranch Woodside offers three programs to align with guests’ wellness intentions. Guests can design their own luxury visit in consultation with a Wellness Guide, participate in an immersive multi-day Designed Experience package, or join themed camps and retreats held throughout the year. Learn more online.
Inn at Moonlight Beach
Well-being emanates from the ground up at the Inn at Moonlight Beach; its power is felt immediately upon arrival. This boutique inn near the beach in Encinitas is the first lodging property in the world to be recognized as a WELL™ Certified Platinum hotel building. Every detail of the property – from green building materials to the air- and water-filtration systems to circadian lighting and the biodynamic vegetable, herb, and flower gardens – was designed intentionally with wellness in mind. Each of the inn’s five guest suites features its own HVAC system, aromatherapy diffuser, and a private deck for yoga practice, meditation, and relaxation. Guests can also enjoy access to the gardens, spa therapies, and a variety of wellness-oriented workshops and retreat packages. Book online.
Foodie/Oenophile Mom
San Ysidro Ranch
For wine enthusiasts, San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito is an A-list hideaway that delivers an exclusive epicurean experience. In addition to award-winning dining and a wine cellar holding more than 14,000 bottles of remarkable varietals, the historic resort houses one of the most notable hotel collections of rare wine anywhere in the world. Among the collection is a highly-sought allocation of Château d’Yquem, which includes 138 vintages spanning centuries. A culinary highlight for discerning tastes is the Secret Cellar experience which showcases three wine-pairing menus. This unique wine-and-dine is held in the ranch’s wine cellar. Guests interested in exploring the holistic properties of grapes will enjoy the Vinotherapy Wine Wrap body treatment offered in the full-service spa. Book online.
Farmhouse Inn
Food and wine are star attractions at the luxe Farmhouse Inn in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Of the boutique property’s two dining options, the intimate Michelin-starred Farmhouse Restaurant has long been savored for its exquisite six-course tasting menus. Crafted by Chef Craig Wilmer, the ever-changing menus feature fresh, local, and sustainably sourced ingredients, much of which is harvested directly from a neighboring family ranch. Wine Director Jared Hooper offers expert wine pairing for each course from the restaurant’s extensive wine list with an emphasis on Sonoma County vintages. For a taste of California vintages outside the restaurant setting, the inn hosts nightly wine receptions featuring a rotating roster of local winemakers pouring complimentary tastings. Book online.
The Craft House Inn
Pair fine wine and culinary experiences with a getaway to The Craft House Inn in downtown Santa Barbara. This extensively renovated 100-year-old craftsman bed and breakfast can be booked in its entirety or by individual guest room and offers a range of dining enhancements to whet any appetite. Among the popular experiences for wine lovers is a private in-room wine tasting. It’s an oenophile adventure through Santa Barbara’s finest vineyards, all within the comfort of the inn’s luxury accommodations. For small groups, The Craft House Inn offers personal chef services. Michelin-recognized Chef Julian Martinez works in consultation with guests to create multiple-course menus showcasing seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Wine pairings are available. Book online.
Sporty Mom
Courtwood Inn
Situated on a hilltop in the Sierra foothills town of Murphys, the tennis-themed Courtwood Inn is a smash hit. Innkeepers Chris and Larry are former tennis pros with impressive credits to their names and deep experience coaching all levels of players from beginners to nationally ranked. Guests can book private tennis lessons with these resident pros or enjoy independent play on the property’s two asphalt championship courts. The tennis theme continues throughout the custom-built cedar log inn. Individual accommodations are identified by tennis terms, and the inn offers tennis getaway packages as well as discounted rates during high-profile events such as Wimbledon and the Australian, French, and US Open tournaments. Call the inn directly at 209-728-8686 for rates and availability.
Noyo Harbor Inn
Noyo Harbor Inn is the gateway to outdoor recreation in Fort Bragg. Overlooking the working harbor and Noyo River, this meticulously restored property offers convenient access to premier trails and waterways. From the inn, standup paddleboarders have direct access to the river where abundant marine life moves with the tides. A short drive away, Noyo Headlands Trail meanders for five miles along the cliffs of a former mill site that was private property for generations. Fort Bragg reclaimed the coastal property in 2015. The multi-use trail connects with MacKerricher State Park to the north and Pomo Bluffs to the south. Nearby Jackson Demonstration State Forest is a 48,652-acre redwood forest playground for hiking and mountain biking and is the largest demonstration forest in California. Book online.
Stanford Inn
Located on a bluff with a trail that leads to the banks of Mendocino’s Big River, Stanford Inn is the perfect launch point for water sports enthusiasts. Guests can rent standup paddleboards, kayaks, and custom-made outrigger canoes onsite at the inn’s Catch a Canoe & Bicycles Too equipment outpost. A tidal estuary and wildlife haven, Big River winds gently for 8.3 miles past bucolic landscapes and features sections of mild Class I ripples. Guests who prefer trail running will find miles of forested paths that lead from the inn’s front door. For those new to the sport or considering getting started, the inn offers a beginner trail running package that includes guided runs, coaching, and health and nutrition workshops. Book online.
Cultured Mom
Inn at the Opera
Arts aficionados will find Inn at the Opera in downtown San Francisco worthy of a standing ovation. Located in the city’s Hayes Valley neighborhood, the inn is within walking distance or a few blocks’ rideshare to popular performing arts venues and museums including the War Memorial Opera House, home of the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet; Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall; and Asian Art Museum. For pre- or post-performance dining, dozens of restaurants are steps away. Inn at the Opera offers newly revamped guestrooms and suites with elegant furnishings, plush bedding, and complimentary WiFi. Self-parking is available for a fee. Book online.
Cormorant Boutique Hotel
Cormorant Boutique Hotel in La Jolla blends the best of a coastal getaway with a cultural scene that celebrates art’s many forms. From fine and performing genres, arts and culture in La Jolla span a wide spectrum of interests. La Jolla Playhouse, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, and La Jolla Symphony & Chorus present world-class stage performances throughout the year. Lovers of fine arts will find hours of enjoyment at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego – La Jolla is the museum’s flagship location – and among boutique art galleries in downtown. Balboa Park in San Diego, located a short drive from the hotel, is home to over a dozen museums. Book online.
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel
Arts and culture in Los Angeles are a world-class experience. At Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel, guests are minutes from it all. Within blocks of the boutique hotel are such landmark institutions as MOCA – The Museum of Contemporary Art and The Music Center, a sprawling 22-acre performing arts complex that includes the renowned Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, home to the LA Opera; Mark Taper Forum; Ahmanson Theatre; and Walt Disney Concert Hall, home to LA Phil. Also nearby is the Arts District where street muralists have transformed exterior walls into master works of art. Guests can get their bearings for downtown LA from the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant that showcases 360-degree views of the city. Book online.
Glamorous Mom
Hotel Bel-Air
The iconic Hotel Bel-Air has defined discreet Hollywood glam since welcoming its first guests in 1946. Spread among 12 acres of lush gardens, including the famous Swan Lake, the historic estate is a world-class destination of understated opulence. Service excellence is the hallmark here and each guest is treated with a pampered touch. Hollywood celebrities from Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin to contemporary stars have found sanctuary at Hotel Bel-Air. In addition to luxuriously appointed accommodations, the hotel offers fine and casual dining, a top-shelf bar and lounge, a full-service spa and fitness studio, and poolside lounging at the signature oval pool. With impeccable attention to detail and service, there is little reason to leave the property. Book online.
Hotel Californian
Hotel Californian glistens in the American Riviera sun of Santa Barbara. Revered celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard has infused the elegant Spanish Colonial Revival building with Moroccan flair, adding a glamorous touch to the classic design. The hotel is situated in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, an emerging district of on-trend bars, restaurants, shops, and scene-to-be-seen gathering spaces. The waterfront, including Stearns Wharf, beaches, and a miles-long recreation path lined with towering palms are within walking distance from the hotel. Also nearby is the Santa Ynez Valley, home to dozens of wineries. When exploring is complete, guests can lounge at the hotel’s private pool, sip handcrafted cocktails at the onsite bars and lounges, or relax in the full-service spa. Book online.
Seven Gables Inn
Classic and refined, Seven Gables Inn exudes the sophistication of its Victorian estate heritage. The Pacific Grove property fronts a stunning edge of Monterey Bay and was a private home for more than 100 years before it began operating as a boutique hotel in the 1980s. The inn’s 22 guest accommodations are spread among the estate’s seven homes and cottages. All rooms feature stunning ocean views and are luxuriously appointed with fine furnishings and amenities. The grounds feature impeccably manicured gardens and quiet seating areas. Seven Gables Inn is within walking distance to Lover’s Point, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Cannery Row, and just a few minutes’ drive to prestigious Pebble Beach golf courses and 17-Mile Drive. Book online.