Dinogo Readers' Top 15 Resorts in California for 2024

For those seeking endless sunny days and tranquil evenings with a glass of wine in hand, California is the perfect getaway. Known as the Golden State, it has long been a premier destination offering everything from peaceful retreats to thrilling adventures. In California, you can experience it all, starting with the ideal hotel for your stay.

Understanding the Voting Process

Each year, T+L invites its readers to participate in the World's Best Awards survey to share their insights on travel experiences worldwide. Readers provide feedback on top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. In 2024, over 186,000 T+L readers took part, casting more than 700,000 votes across 8,700 properties, including hotels and cities.

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, inns, or safari lodges, depending on their location and amenities, and were rated based on the following criteria:

Room amenities
Location
Service quality
Culinary offerings
Overall value

Respondents had the option to rate each feature as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores represent the average of these ratings.

Highlights from Readers

This year, two notable trends have emerged among the California hotels that readers are most enthusiastic about: they are either located by the beach or in vineyard regions. Out of the 15 winners on this year's list, ten are situated near the coast, while the remaining hotels are serene retreats in wine country. More specifically, in 2024, T+L readers favored destinations further south, particularly in San Diego County, featuring hotels like Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa (No. 2), The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa (No. 3), and Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa (No. 13).

This year's champion — and a new entry in the World's Best Awards — is the Mission Pacific Beach Resort, another promising destination in San Diego County. Its beachfront location makes it a haven for beach enthusiasts, offering a chance to fulfill all your Southern California dreams, from watching dolphins from your balcony to joining some of the world's top surfers in the waves. Continue reading to discover more beloved California resorts featured in our readers' favorites.

The Champion

Mission Pacific Beach Resort: Oceanside, California

A guest room featuring ocean views at the Mission Pacific Beach Resort

Image courtesy of Mission Pacific Beach Resort

Few places capture the essence of Southern California’s laid-back vibe quite like the Mission Pacific Beach Resort in Oceanside. Located mere steps from the beach, guests can easily find an ocean-view room; just open the doors to your private balcony and immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of the surf. The resort features Valle, a Mexican restaurant led by chef Roberto Alcocer, which proudly earned a Michelin star in 2023, making it the sole Michelin-starred establishment in Oceanside. While the restaurant delights with exquisite cuisine, the most breathtaking views can be found at The Rooftop Bar, where guests can enjoy small plates, artisanal cocktails, and stunning sunsets. But that’s not all—despite being 80 miles from Hollywood, Mission Pacific holds its own in cinematic history, as it houses the iconic “Top Gun” house, a 19th-century Victorian that served as Charlie Blackwood’s residence in the original film. The cottage has been lovingly restored to its 1980s charm, inviting guests to capture countless Instagram moments (and yes, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX900 Motorcycle is right out front).