California is famously known for its beautiful scenery and great weather, but it’s also a state full of unique family-friendly destinations. Whether you’re excited about spending some quality time at the beach or want to explore some new mountain towns, these Northern California hotels are sure to please.
You’ll find that each one has something different and unique about itself. You can choose between hot springs, golf courses, indoor water parks, or even camping out on their private beaches. These resorts have something unique that makes them stand out from other options in this area. These are great places to stay if you’re looking for a family resort in this locality.
- Calistoga Ranch, An Auberge Resort — Calistoga
If you’re searching for a family-friendly resort in Calistoga, look no further than this charming and historic property. With lots of activities for kids to keep them entertained and plenty of fun places to eat, there’s no doubt that your whole crew will have a blast while they’re at Calistoga Ranch. The resort offers great food options like the Gourmet Grilled Cheese Table (which features locally made cheeses) and delicious cocktails at the bar. And with its convenient location near Sonoma Square Park, it’s easy to get around town during your stay!
The resort also offers a variety of activities for kids and adults, including wine tastings and cooking classes. If you’re looking for fresh air during your stay, head to the hiking trails running through the ranch!
- Carmel Valley Ranch — Carmel-By-the-Sea
The Carmel Valley Ranch Carmel by the Sea is a family-friendly resort. It’s close to the beach, has a water park, spa, golf course and much more! The resort also offers many amenities for children, including an activity center where they can play games in the arcade or make crafts with their big sister/brother. There are also plenty of places where you can take your kids on walks or bike rides along one of their many trails around the property – which will make them happy because they won’t be able to see how many trees there are until you get back home!
The resort offers a lot of activities for adults. Free classes such as yoga, Zumba, and more are provided throughout the day! If you’re expecting something exciting to do outside the resort, there are plenty of things nearby, including Los Suenos Marina, where you can rent jet skis and boats or go parasailing over the ocean.
- The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay — Half Moon Bay
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is on the west side of San Francisco, just south of the Golden Gate Bridge and north of the city’s downtown area. This luxury resort offers a variety of activities for all ages, including golfing and fishing.
The Ritz-Carlton is also known for its excellent childcare program (which includes babysitting services) and its family-friendly restaurant options, including an ice cream parlor and pizza place, Papa Joe’s Pizza & Ice Creamery. There’s also a poolside bar where you can enjoy drinks while watching your kids play in the water or do other activities around the pool area.
- Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa — Monterey
Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa is a family-friendly resort in Monterey, California. The hotel features both a spa and an oceanfront pool. It has a variety of family-friendly amenities, including:
- Family suites with a kitchenette that can accommodate up to six people;
- A kids club with unlimited fun activities for children;
- A playground area with swings and slides, as well as two mini golf courses;
- An arcade room where you can play games like foosball or air hockey;
The property also offers multiple family dining options—breakfast at the Ritz Carlton restaurant or lunch at Bryan’s Steakhouse & Seafood Kitchen (which serves up USDA Prime Angus beef). Several kid-friendly restaurants are nearby: Salinas River Grill & Bar is just steps away from Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.
- The Stanford Inn by the Sea — Mendocino
If you’re looking for a quiet, family-friendly resort with plenty of activities and good food, look no further than The Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino. Located near the Mendocino coast, this resort offers oversized rooms with balconies overlooking the ocean. Two pools (one adults-only), a hot tub, and an oceanfront restaurant serve fresh fish tacos to accompany your main dish.
If you’re interested in an affordable option close to home but still want some luxury in your accommodations—and don’t mind spending a little extra time away from it all—this is one option worth considering!
- Meadowood Napa Valley — St Helena
Meadowood Napa Valley is a luxurious resort located in St. Helena, California. It has a spa and many other amenities to offer its guests. In addition, this property also offers an on-site children’s program that allows parents to spend time with their kids without leaving the property.
Meadowood offers several options for families who want a resort experience but don’t want all of the bells & whistles that come along with it (and can often be irritating). The resort also has the Garden Suites, which offer private balconies overlooking vineyards.
- Rosewood CordeValle — San Martin
Rosewood CordeValle San Martin is a family resort that offers the best of everything to make your stay as long-lasting, relaxing, and enjoyable as possible. You can select one of many accommodation options, including suites, rooms, and villas. The resort has a spa where you can enjoy some pampering treatments or relax in their steam room if you want something more relaxing than just lying down on a massage table!
They also have an array of activities for children, such as kids clubs offering daycare services and enrichment programs like arts & crafts classes or soccer games. If you have young ones who love water sports, they will surely love playing with the poolside contraptions provided by Rosewood CordeValle San Martin. There are lifeguards available, too, so no worries about drowning!
- The Lodge at Pebble Beach — Pebble Beach
The Lodge at Pebble Beach is a family resort that offers all of the perks of its sister property, The Lodge at Monterey Bay. Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, it’s nestled directly on the Pacific Ocean and has been named one of the Top 10 Family Resorts for Golf by Golf Magazine.
The Lodge at Pebble Beach also boasts
- a spa with an outdoor hot tub and pool area with views of Monterey Bay
- two championship golf courses (one designed by Jack Nicklaus)
- restaurants such as Casa Bonita Mexican Buffet & Grill or Golden Bear Steakhouse & Bar
- water slides for kids
- arcade games
- Wi-Fi access throughout all buildings
- laundry facilities on-site, so you don’t have to pack too much gear!
- Claremont Club and Spa, A Fairmont Hotel — Berkeley
Claremont Club and Spa Berkely is a family-friendly resort that offers guests various activities, amenities, and services. Located in the heart of Berkeley, CA, with easy access to all major Bay Area cities like San Francisco, Palo Alto, and San Jose, this resort makes it easy for families to enjoy themselves while staying at this magical place!
The grounds are vast enough to host tennis games or pick up a ball outside in the grassy lawn area. It also has a large pool where kids can play. At the same time, parents relax nearby with drinks in hand on their lounge chairs by the side of this gorgeous pool that overlooks beautiful gardens filled with flowers from all over California. Including roses that bloom throughout springtime until fall arrives again before winter sets in full force here at Claremont Club & Spa Berkeley, CA. There’s an outdoor spa where you can enjoy some relaxation after being active during your stay here at this resort hotel near UC Berkeley Campus.
However, if you want something more energetic, why not try out one of their many classes locally around towns? These classes/mentorships include aerial silks (available year-round) and yoga or tai chi classes taught by certified instructors. They care about teaching others how best to utilize these techniques so they too can feel better physically when coming back home after experiencing something new like these types of entertainment options available nowhere else besides within walking distance from the campus itself!
- Timber Cove Resort — Jenner
Timber Cove Resort Jenner is a great place to stay with your family. It has a great location, and the rooms are very friendly with many amenities. The resort is near the beach and offers an indoor pool, which is pleasant for everyone in your family since it’s usually hot outside during the summertime.
The resort also has a great restaurant, and the food is delicious. The resort also has an outdoor pool you can swim in during the summer.
- Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite — Fish Camp
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Fish Camp is a great place to stay in Northern California. It’s a beautiful resort with plenty of amenities that you’ll enjoy, including an on-site spa and fitness center, tennis courts, and more. The lodge also has a restaurant where you can enjoy meals with your family or friends.
The best thing about this famous resort is that it’s near Yosemite National Park! There are plenty of trails around Tenaya Lake (right outside the property) where young kids can run around while their parents relax by the lake or swim in their private cabins built into nearby trees.
- Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa — Sonoma
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa are in Sonoma, California. The inn has 171 rooms that can accommodate families of up to six members.
The resort features a spa and pool, an outdoor Jacuzzi, an 18-hole golf course, and a restaurant for breakfast or lunch. There’s also a bar for you to relax after playing golf or spending time at the pool. If you’re looking for something exciting but not too expensive on your next vacation, consider taking advantage of one of these family-friendly activities:
- Horseback riding lessons from 9 am-1 pm (ages 7+)
- Guided wildlife tours around Marin Headlands State Park (ages 10+)
- Hotel Zephyr — San Francisco
Located in the heart of San Francisco, Hotel Zephyr San Francisco is a family-friendly resort that offers an array of amenities. The hotel has two pools, an outdoor bar area, and lounge chairs for sunbathing or relaxing on the beach. The grounds are open to guests who want to enjoy the peace while taking in the sights around them. Families can also take advantage of kid-friendly activities at this location—including sailing lessons with Captain Jack (ages 7+) or kayaking trips down the bay (ages 10+). Your children will enjoy learning about nature through hands-on experiences like collecting shells or identifying animal tracks.
- Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite — Groveland
This Lodge at Yosemite Groveland is a family-friendly resort with plenty of activities for kids. There are several water slides, a lazy river, and even an outdoor swimming pool with hot tubs!
The lodge also offers excellent food, including breakfast served every day. And if you’re craving something other than burgers, fries, or Chinese takeout on your trip here? Well, then, why not try some fresh sushi from their on-site restaurant?
If you want a get away from it all but still be close enough to Yosemite National Park, this is one of the best places (and it has some incredible views!).
- Monterey Tides — Monterey
Monterey Tides is a family-friendly resort located in Monterey, California. It has a variety of amenities, including an indoor swimming pool and hot tub, a kiddie pool for the kids to play in, sand volleyball courts, and an outdoor fitness center. There are also walking trails that lead you up the hill to one of the best views in all of California—the Pacific Ocean!
Monterey Tides offers spacious rooms with king-size beds and junior suites if you have more than one family member in your hotel room. If you want something fun but relaxing while on vacation, this may be what you’re looking for!
We hope you’ve thoroughly enjoyed this list of the best family resorts in Northern California! The next time you vacation, consider one of these gorgeous places to stay and relax with your loved ones. You’re sure to have a great time!
