California’s Tantalizing Terranea Resort

Wait, what!? Don’t you mean the Atlanta Falcons? Aren’t we talking about football here? No, we are talking about the amazing, game-stealing, heart-winning, and breath-catching falcons (with real feathers) who are the avian kingpins of the stunning Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Barely 30 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, Terranea is a 30-minute drive, give or take, from metropolitan mayhem, and once you are there, you will feel as if you are a world away from urban headaches. Situated above coastal bluffs with sweeping, heart-stopping vistas of the Pacific Ocean, the resort is the only luxury destination resort on the Los Angeles coast.

Awash with natural beauty, the Mediterranean-inspired property offers up a sophisticated retreat, with impeccable service, in a relaxed setting, punctuated by the panoramic seascape…and that ocean-side perch provides a unique aspect to this property, delivering on-premises activities that include kayaking, paddle-boarding, and tide-pooling, all a stone’s throw from your guest room. There are also bucolic nature paths surrounding the main property footprint, with names like Flowerfield Trail and Bluff Top Trail.

Long before Terranea was established, the resort’s pristine, pastoral setting on the Palos Verdes Peninsula served as backdrop to a rich and diverse natural habitat. Once a part of the Channel Islands, the peninsula shifted slowly over millions of years and fused to the mainland coast of California. As a result, it is now home to a unique collection of rocks and plant species. This scene-stealing, Kodak-worthy panorama has attracted Hollywood film crews since the 1950s, when Lloyd Bridges (in case Lloyd is not in your memory bank, he’s the father to Beau and Jeff) starred in the popular TV adventure series Sea Hunt. At the time, the land was also home to Marineland of the Pacific, a seaside animal theme park.

FOR THE BIRDS
And that brings us to the period when those Terranea falcons entered the picture. Marineland seemed like a natural hunting ground and magnet for local seagulls and as a result, the gulls were pretty fearless, swooping down on diners’ picnic fare and flying away with half a sandwich! Rogue gulls were definitely accustomed to humans and were skillful at grabbing easy nourishment, eager to join the party.

So, with a two-fold purpose—gull-, pigeon-, and crow-abatement by serious raptors and rodent control supplied by barn owls—enter the formidable Joe Roy III. He is The Man in charge when it comes to those Terranea falcons; Roy is passionately committed to his avian flock and is remarkably knowledgeable on all related topics--and he will mesmerize you with his abilities as a “bird-whisperer.”

Every morning Roy gives an informal talk with a feathered raptor friend, outside the heart of the resort, adjacent to the Sea Beans coffee café and the shop-till-you-drop boutiques Marea and Pointe Discovery. Definitely plan on this activity one day, to experience him and whichever feathery buddy he brings to the talk. You may get to meet Owlbert, a Eurasian Eagle Owl; Tomahawk, a Harris Hawk; or Soroush, a Gyr Falcon; in total, Joe is guardian to five falcons, two hawks, one owl, and some other non-predatory parrots and pigeons. They are fascinating, and I guarantee you will come away with a plethora of knowledge about falcons and their extraordinary abilities.

Did you know:

• The US Air Force studied the peregrine falcon, to determine the physics of flight that enable these birds to fly with minimal drag, despite significant velocity, so that Air Force engineers could apply that science to the design of their jets, emulating the aerodynamics of the falcon? (And for the record, falcons have been clocked flying some 240 miles per hour!)

• The life expectancy of these breeds is the inverse of that of dogs, in that, with canines, the larger the breed, the shorter the life. With these birds, the bigger they are, the longer they live. But, in wild populations, Roy tells us, the mortality rate is very high, approaching 70% in the first year.

• Owls have phenomenal hearing; it’s been said that they can hear the heartbeat of a mouse!

As fascinating and educational as the falconry experience is with Roy, I found that most of Terranea’s activities (for kids of all agse, including me), are all five-star and better! There is a plethora of fun activities—for families, friends, and solo travelers.

MORE FUN THINGS TO DO
When scheduling our days and activities, we were quite torn as to what to select, among the many enticing-sounding choices (and lounging by the pool was always a tempting activity). On day two, we opted for mandala-painting, basically, rock-painting, embracing the circle of life. It proved to be another winner, and so much fun. Guided by an expert and spiritual activity leader, we created stunning stones, and all our completed designs were charming and different. This was a wonderful activity, conducted outdoors, overlooking the bluffs and ocean.

Another artistic endeavor was making personalized resin-coated charcuterie boards. The gifted and talented teachers instructed us patiently on how to decorate the supplied teak boards (with the resort’s logo already on them), and when we were done, we were all shocked to see how different and striking all our boards were.

A nighttime pastime was star-gazing. I fully expected to be standing outside with binoculars and looking at the moon. Oh, no. Terranea practically brought in the Hubble Telescope for us, along with an astronomer who could likely sub on the lecture circuit for Neil deGrasse Tyson. We all learned so much and also got to espy Jupiter and her moons—and it was truly thrilling. Our nighttime star-watching “pasture” was on a bluff, and it was a perfect setting. Our evening was punctuated by the goodies the kitchen set up for us—including jumbo, house-made marshmallows, so we could make our own s’mores to accompany hot cocoa.

A SALUBRIOUS SPA AFTERNOON
The recently renovated (to the tune of $4.5 million) 50,000-square-foot spa is everything a wellness sanctuary should be…and then some. The “then some” includes the most stunning terraces overlooking the sea, with vistas of Catalina Island, and including a private veranda for women only. The spa facilities are breezy, open, and refreshing, and include 25 treatment rooms, and a spa pool and gardens. There is also a yoga and movement studio, adjacent to the spa pool. I was completely blissed out with a double-header spa afternoon—a reflexology treatment and a very deep tissue massage. But if that is not your jam, the spa menu incorporates countless, seductive choices, from a Citrus Glow Facial, a Sea Mineral Balance Scrub, a Meditative Sound Bath, to the Crimson Revival: A Holistic Sauna. You will not want for an indulgent, sybaritic, and indolent way to spend an afternoon here.

LET’S EAT
With eight restaurants on the property, your biggest dining dilemma will be where to eat! This “problem,” while at the spa, is easily solved by sticking with Solviva, the spa café. I enjoyed a tasty, nutritious salad here, casually attired in my spa robe and flip-flops. Fresh, organic, and locally-sourced ingredients are the bedrock for delicious salads and sandwiches. We thoroughly enjoyed our toothsome meal at Mar’sel, the resort’s signature restaurant, serving up a modern twist on California cuisine. You will be bowled over by the breadbasket alone, with about a half dozen interesting-looking and tasty rolls, breads, and crackers. Accompanying that cornucopian breadbasket are butters, honey, spreads, and olive oil. If it is Asian-inspired cuisine you hanker for, you’ll be totally satisfied at Bashi, where the pan-Asian menu includes the Sizzling Shaking Beef Garlic Noodles and sushi. The flavors are abundant, the presentation dramatic, and the atmosphere, easy-going. If you are fortunate enough to be here on a weekend, trot on over to Catalina Kitchen, the gustatory heartbeat of the resort; where, on both Saturdays and Sundays, there are different brunch menus or sumptuous buffets, which rival the never-ending fare served up on a cruise ship. Dine alfresco (remember, thanks to Joe Roy, Tomahawk, and their feathered friends, you don’t have to worry about a seagull filching your pancakes), and enjoy the breezes, the bounty, and the buffet.

I could easily have spent a few additional days here, as there was so much more to do, see, and savor. It is certainly worth a cross-country flight to luxuriate in the resort’s splendor, in such a calming and cossetting atmosphere. And a word of advice for savvy travelers: If business brings you to Los Angeles, then tack on a few extra days of personal time, for unwinding in this thoroughly blissful environment.

Additional info: terranea.com