Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Monarch Beach
Situated on the bluffs of Laguna Niguel, overlooking the Pacific, has all the creature comforts you'd expect from a big Ritz-Carlton—luxury spa, multiple restaurants, top-notch service—but in a quiet setting with quick access to Salt Creek Beach. The restaurants here are solid (Raya is open all day and serves up Latin-inflected dishes, while 180blũ has the prettiest water views and live music on Fridays and Saturdays), as is the spa, which offers reflexology, beach stone, and couples massages. Bonus: It's super kid-friendly, making it an easy weekend escape for families.
