Holidays at Terranea Resort
Set along the Palos Verdes coast with the Pacific stretching toward Catalina, Terranea offers a distinctly Southern California setting for the festive season. Here, sun-filled days along the bluffs give way to candlelit dinners, seasonal gatherings, and oceanfront evenings. From Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, A Coastal Holiday brings together beloved Terranea traditions and new experiences for every generation. Families can gather under one roof, couples can enjoy a quiet coastal escape, and guests can move easily between festive celebrations, time outdoors, destination dining, and moments of relaxation at The Spa.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving at Terranea invites you to make the most of the long weekend. Gather around the table for a beautifully prepared feast, then spend the days together exploring the coast, relaxing by the pool, or simply enjoying the rare luxury of having nowhere else to be.
- Thanksgiving Feast: Gather for a generous holiday buffet featuring seasonal favorites, thoughtfully prepared dishes, and an abundant selection for the entire family.
- Time Along the Coast: Follow trails along the Palos Verdes bluffs, take a kayak out on the water, or play a round at The Links, Terranea's nine-hole, par-three golf course.
- Family Activities: Younger guests can enjoy seasonal crafts and creative activities at Kids Club throughout the holiday weekend.
- Time to Recharge: Spend an afternoon at The Spa overlooking the Pacific, settle into a private cabana, or enjoy one of the resort's pools before coming together again for dinner.
For families traveling from across Southern California or farther afield, an overnight stay turns Thanksgiving dinner into a few unhurried days together by the coast.
Christmas
December brings a different rhythm to Terranea. The resort comes to life with lights, seasonal gatherings, family traditions, and unexpected moments of holiday magic, all framed by the Pacific.
Festive Highlights:
- Tree Lighting: Terranea's annual Tree Lighting returns November 28, bringing carolers, seasonal bites, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus as the festive season begins.
- Gingerbread Hut: This beloved Terranea tradition returns this year as a coastal-inspired holiday pop-up crafted from more than 1,000 pounds of house-made gingerbread. Stop in for festive cocktails with tropical notes, house-made cocoa, spiced cider, and seasonal sweets with the Pacific just beyond.
- Feast of the Seven Fishes: On December 11, Terranea introduces a new coastal interpretation of the beloved Italian American holiday tradition. Gather for a seven-course seafood dinner celebrating the flavors of the sea, thoughtfully prepared and served in an intimate setting overlooking the Pacific.
- Winter Wonderland: On December 12, an unexpected touch of winter arrives on the Southern California coast with falling snow, special character appearances, family activities, and festive surprises.
- Gingerbread House Workshops: Terranea's pastry team invites families to create their own holiday centerpiece during hands-on workshops offered December 12, 19, and 23.
- Breakfast with Santa: All aboard for a festive morning on December 19, with playful nods to a beloved holiday train journey, a celebratory breakfast, keepsake moments with Santa, golden-ticket touches, and activities for younger guests.
- Festive Traditions for Little Ones: Throughout December, children can follow Terra the Elf's daily adventures, write letters to Santa, decorate ornaments, and enjoy seasonal activities at Kids Club.
New Year's Eve
Terranea closes the season with two distinct New Year's Eve celebrations, making it easy for couples, families, and multigenerational groups to welcome the year in their own way while staying together at the resort.
- Family Feast, Once Upon a Time: Families can gather for an imaginative evening of dining, entertainment, and celebration designed to delight guests across generations.
- Kids Club New Year's Eve: Younger guests ages 3 to 12 can enjoy their own evening of activities and celebration at Kids Club while parents attend the resort's New Year's Eve festivities.
- New Year's Eve Masquerade: Adults are invited to dress for the occasion and welcome the new year with an elegant masquerade celebration, music, dancing, and a midnight toast.
With accommodations just steps away, the final toast of the year does not have to mark the end of the evening. Guests can simply return to their room, suite, casita, bungalow, or villa and wake to the first morning of the new year on the coast.
A Holiday Stay Designed for Every Generation
One of the pleasures of celebrating at Terranea is bringing everyone together while still giving each guest space of their own.
Accommodations include:
- Villas: Residential-style accommodations with generous living spaces, full kitchens, and private outdoor areas, ideal for extended and multigenerational stays.
- Casitas and Bungalows: Spacious accommodations that offer added privacy while keeping families close to the resort's dining, activities, and festive events.
- Guestrooms and Suites: An inviting option for couples and smaller families, with many offering private balconies and views across the resort and Pacific.
Whether you're planning a single festive evening or several days together, Terranea keeps dining, outdoor experiences, wellness, and seasonal celebrations within easy reach.
Explore current Terranea offers when planning your festive stay.
Celebrate A Coastal Holiday at Terranea
The holidays at Terranea are shaped as much by the setting as by the celebrations themselves. Mornings might begin with a walk along the bluffs, afternoons with time at The Spa or beside the pool, and evenings gathered around the table as the sun disappears over the Pacific.
This season is designed for being together, with enough space, experiences, and thoughtful service for everyone to enjoy it differently.
Discover A Coastal Holiday at Terranea and plan your stay on the Palos Verdes coast.