A Review of San Diego's Rancho Bernardo Inn

Rancho Bernardo Inn
San Diego, California
Relaxed retreat, $$$

Set on 265 acres in the rolling hills of North County San Diego, Rancho Bernardo Inn unfolds through gardens, courtyards, fountains, winding paths, and low-slung Spanish Colonial buildings, with plenty of tucked-away places to sit in the sun or by a fireplace. It's hard to believe that downtown San Diego is only a half hour drive away.

Guest rooms are scattered throughout the property rather than stacked in a single hotel building. Three pools, a full-service spa, an 18-hole championship golf course, and several dining options mean there is little reason to leave your little village retreat.

The inn's history is intertwined with golf: Its William Bell-designed course opened with the resort and has hosted both PGA and LPGA events. Golfers can have their day on the 18-hole championship course; everyone else can happily putter around on their own or disappear into the adults-only spa, with its outdoor treatment casitas, saline pool, and jasmine-scented garden.

Rancho Bernardo Inn Pool Cabanas — The pool cabanas. Photo courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Rancho Bernardo Inn Fountains — Garden delights. Photo courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Rancho Bernardo Inn Pool Terrace — Enjoy the view while (also!) enjoying one another. Photo courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Rancho Bernardo Inn Fireplace — Sophisticated and warm interiors. Photo courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Rancho Bernardo Inn Suite — Suite dreams. Photo courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn.

At a Glance

The Vibe: A gracious and relaxed SoCal estate.

Standout Detail: The 265 acres. Despite its size, the property doesn't feel like a mega-resort: guest rooms, restaurants, pools, gardens, and quiet corners are spread among low-rise buildings and landscaped grounds.

This Place Is Great For: Romantic weekends; spa getaways; locals craving an easy change of scenery; friends who want to eat, drink, swim, and relax without leaving the property; couples in which one person loves golf and the other emphatically does not.

Rooms: The 286 modern (subdued, spacious) rooms and suites are set among the gardens and grounds, with views of the golf course, spa, and resort landscape. Many rooms include private balconies or patios, while suites offer additional space and privacy.

On Site: Complimentary lawn games include corn hole, croquet, and oversized chess. There are three outdoor pools, including an adults-only saline pool, as well as a full-service spa with indoor treatment rooms and outdoor casitas, a fitness center, an 18-hole championship golf course, a golf shop, and the Chef's Garden. Golf instruction and clinics led by PGA professionals are available for adults and junior golfers.

Food + Drink: AVANT is the signature restaurant where contemporary California cooking is influenced by Baja California (incorporating produce from the garden) and classical French technique. The restaurant has an award-winning wine program featuring limited-production and biodynamic bottles. Veranda is the casual all-day option, with modern American food, cocktails, views across the 18th green toward the San Pasqual Mountains, and an open-air patio with lounge seating and a fireplace. Veranda Bar handles drinks and sports, while Café Granada has coffee, house-made pastries, salads, and breakfast and lunch to go.

Rancho Bernardo Inn Gardens — Next-level landscaping. Photo courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course — Make the rounds. Photo courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn.

Rancho Bernardo Inn at Twilight — The horizon at twilight. Photo courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn.

What to Do Nearby

The Inn sits in inland North County, close to attractions like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, while the surrounding landscape lends itself to hiking and other outdoor pursuits. Downtown San Diego is roughly 25 miles away.