What to expect: Traditional Ritz-Carlton style is combined with the resort's relaxing Mediterranean setting and grounds. The lobby welcomes newcomers with marble floors, ornate rugs, and a large fireplace. Outdoor pools are flanked by palm trees and gardens. Guests are often business travelers and conferees, or families and couples spending time road-tripping the California coastline.

Amenity highlights: Some employees have worked at the hotel since its opening, for almost two decades, which translates to experienced professional service. The 2-mile sandy public beach is conveniently accessed by a walking path—or hotel tram service can be arranged at the pool. Health club, tennis courts, and spa facilities and services, such as sauna, yoga and Pilates classes, are included in the resort fee.

Insider tip: Just 5.5 miles from the Ritz-Carlton is the Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded 200 years ago and site of the famous return of the swallows celebration in March. Today it serves as a monument to California's multicultural history and showcases 10 acres of gardens and historic sightseeing in and around its adobe walls.

• Set on 172 oceanfront acres, this hilltop retreat has Tuscan-style terraces, courtyards, and fountains throughout.
• The resort offers an 18-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, a private beach club, an extensive spa, and a fitness center.
• All 400 rooms have high-speed Internet access, down comforters, 300-thread-count sheets, flat-screen TVs, and DVD players.

Amenity highlights: A focal point is the lushly planted cobblestone courtyard that surrounds a cascading fountain off the main lobby. Le Chateau Garden serves fine Continental cuisine in a Provençal-style dining room that opens onto the courtyard, with outdoor seating at small marble tables and white wrought-iron chairs.

Amenity highlights: The lobby and adjacent Mexican restaurant open to an expansive, landscaped courtyard with an inviting swimming pool, spa, and seating areas beneath tall palm trees. For restless younger guests, the Kid's Club next to the restaurant provides small tables and toys. The hotel's mezzanine level houses Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, complete with altar and oak pews, available to guests for prayer and contemplation.

Amenity highlights: The upscale Napa Rose restaurant offers acclaimed California Wine Country cuisine, along with an excellent selection of wines by the glass; meanwhile, kids enjoy character breakfasts with Chip 'n' Dale at the Storytellers Cafe. A licensed childcare facility is available for children age 5–12, affording parents some worry-free alone time. Eureka Springs Health Club offers massage and facial treatments, and also houses separate saunas and steam rooms for men and women. Guests use their room keys to access a private turnstile into Disney's California Adventure™ park, located between the Napa Rose restaurant and Grizzly Game Arcade. High-speed Internet access is available in all guestrooms as well as the hotel lobby, Hearthstone Lounge, Whitewater Snacks (pool area), business center, and concierge lounge.

Amenity highlights: Vivo lounge offers an indoor/outdoor cocktail bar with ocean-view rooftop patio and live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Guests can access other rooftop patio areas—one with a Ping-Pong table, another with excellent ocean views. Conversational seating with small tables and upholstered chairs on the second floor overlook the lobby and indoor waterfall.

Insider tip: Dana Point Harbor, a quarter-mile from the hotel, is a launching point for daily excursions to Catalina Island. The ride takes approximately 90 minutes, and ships dock in Avalon Bay, an easy stroll into the colorful village with vintage cottages, restaurants, and shops.

• This hotel is located 30 minutes from the Disneyland Resort, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego; beaches, South Coast Plaza, and Irvine Spectum Center are minutes away.
• All 252 guestrooms feature contemporary decor, color-coordinated drapes and bedspreads, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
• Complimentary transportation is provided to and from the airport, and for a nominal fee to local businesses. Other amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and family-style restaurant.

Amenity highlights: Guests gravitate toward the seven-story, tropical-style lobby, exquisite with white oak paneling, bamboo floors, and three glass elevators. The bistro, martini bar, gourmet pizza bar, and coffee bar all share the space. A fitness center comes with steam, sauna, and massage rooms, and looks over a large outdoor pool, spa, and sundeck on the second floor and a fountain terrace.

Insider tip: The Orange County Performing Arts Center, 1 half-mile from the hotel, presents internationally acclaimed productions of Broadway musicals, as well as performances by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Opera Pacific, and Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

Amenity highlights: Hotel shuttles provide complimentary transportation within a 3-mile radius, including John Wayne Airport, 1 block away. A large, landscaped patio adjoining the contemporary restaurant and wraparound bar leads to a lighted tennis court and private outdoor pool and spa. High-speed Internet access (fee) is available in the 24-hour lobby business center.

Insider tip: The Orange County Performing Arts Center, 2 miles from the property, presents internationally acclaimed productions of Broadway musicals, as well as performances by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Opera Pacific, and Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

Amenity highlights: The atrium lobby, accented with marble floors and waterfalls, is outfitted with comfortable seating areas, providing a dramatic focal point for relaxing or people-watching. The first floor houses an indoor pool and sauna, separated by a glass wall from an outdoor pool and spa.

Insider tip: The Block at Orange, an open-air retail complex, is one mile from the hotel and offers numerous stores, restaurants, and movie theaters.

Amenity highlights: Guests enjoy access to the beach by a walkway over the Pacific Coast Highway. This 1-minute walk includes a lighthouse elevator transporting passengers to the Strand, a paved bike/walk path traversing 8 miles of coastline. The on-site spa offers a range of treatments, including its signature hydrotherapy bath. The hotel also has a large freeform pool and several spa tubs. Guests can enroll children ages 3-12 in day or evening programs.

Insider tip: Huntington Beach is Surf City with good reason. The beach hosts the U.S. Open Surf Championship, and the International Surfing Museum is located downtown—a 20-25 minute walk from the hotel.

Amenity highlights: Guests have complimentary use of the new second-floor fitness center with multiple TVs and personal headsets; an outdoor swimming pool with spa, sundeck, poolside massage treatment room; and a lighted tennis court.

Insider tip: Guests who opt to park their own vehicles use a side entrance that necessitates a walk through the hotel before reaching the lobby. Valet parking is a better option for those who prefer quick access to the main entrance.

Amenity highlights: Recreation-minded guests will find plenty to do here, with the nine-hole, par-three executive golf course, three beautifully landscaped outdoor pools, spas, shuffleboard, volleyball, table tennis, an adjacent tennis club (fee), and bikes for rent. Newport Dunes Aquatic Park is steps away, with a beach and swimming in gentle bay waters. The hotel's Summer Jazz Series hosts renowned jazz stars on Friday nights, June through October, in the outdoor amphitheater.

Insider tip: Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, a short walk from the hotel, is one of Southern California's few remaining coastal wetlands, and is home to 200 resident and migratory bird species. Visitors may jog or cycle along designated trails, or join a guided naturalist-led tour.

Amenity highlights: Guests come to the soaring atrium lobby to dine in the restaurant, surf the Internet (fee) in the lounge, or sip a drink at the on-site Starbucks. Recreation options include the outdoor pool and spa near the north tower, and the south tower’s third-floor pool, spa, and two tennis courts with complimentary use of equipment. Complimentary shuttle service is provided to Disneyland Resort.

Insider tip: A driving range is right next door at Harbor Greens Golf Center, near the hotel's self-parking area. This independently operated golf range is open from early morning to late night in winter, and even later in summer. Hotel guests pay a fee for a bucket of balls.

• Renovated in 2005, this hotel offers lodging 2 miles from Angel Stadium, 7 miles from Disneyland, and 17 miles from John Wayne Airport.
• The multi-million-dollar renovation included guestroom updates such as new bedding, carpeting, wallpaper, chairs, vanities, bathroom flooring, and artwork.
• Amenities include an outdoor pool, spa tub, fitness center, and complimentary wireless Internet access in the lobby.