The Lodge at Torrey Pines Hotel, La Jolla, CA

The Lodge at Torrey Pines Hotel is one of the more magnificent locations visitors to La Jolla, California can enjoy. The hotel is made up of natural woods and stone. It sits atop the bluffs to look out at the Pacific Ocean below. Inside the stone and wood decor continues throughout the lobby and rooms. The hotel is a typical western California design, with plenty of windows to view the sights in the area.

On site at the hotel are a spa, dining, wedding and meeting rooms, golf, local activities, and a hotel shop. One can stay in the lobby on the cool tile floor sitting in front of the stone fireplace, or enjoy cocktails in the dining area while watching the tide come and go.

The Lodge is made up of rooms that are 520 to 1,500 square feet. Each room offers luxury in custom designed furniture, fabrics, and carpets. The rooms also have business amenities for the business traveler. Guest rooms include double rooms up to suites with fireplaces. The suites all have a different theme typical of California. One room has an all white fireplace in the corner, while another has a center located fireplace with natural cherry wood and green tiles. The bathrooms are marble.

The Spa offers a number of relaxing treatments for the traveler. All of the treatments are based on natural methods including coastal botanicals and marine based extracts. Any of the treatments used do not endanger species, but instead are chosen due to the plethora of medicinal uses.

AR Valentien is only one of the dining options. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating with an elegant timber decor. The restaurant has normal California fair. The Executive Chef for the restaurant is Jeff Jackson. He has been cooking for more than 30 years with many competitions and talent behind him. The other dining option is the less formal Grill and Bar. This area is still the timber decor, but less luxurious in its looks. It is more for comfort. The Grill has US fair such as hamburgers, steak, and fish. It is also the place to go for cocktails before dinner or during a meal.

Golf at Torrey Pines is just as exquisite as the hotel itself. The golf course is a championship location with 18 fairways. The natural landscape was used, as were natural minerals to form the grassy land. Tee times vary to ensure all guests can have a chance to try out the course.

If golfing is not on the cards, there are plenty of other activities at the hotel to enjoy. Guests can take advantage of the pool, badminton, treasure hunts, and the Del Mar Race Track. The race track is a small drive from the hotel, as is the Aquarium and Playhouse all located in La Jolla. Other activities are as simple as walking along the bluffs to look out at the water and waves below. A beach is also within driving distance.