Natural Haven Protecting the California Coast
Eco Friendly For Minimal Impact
Terranea is dedicated to protecting the coastal resources that define the Palos Verdes Peninsula and make this destination one of the most-valued natural locations in the world. Since its inception, Terranea has remained committed to minimizing its environmental footprint by integrating transparent eco-friendly practices throughout the resort, including but not limited to—those that protect open space, improve wildlife habitats, and enhance local water quality. Today, Terranea occupies only one-quarter of its 102-acre site, allowing guests to enjoy more than 75 acres of natural landscape.
Additional environmentally friendly measures supported at the resort include:
- No land was removed from the area during the development of Terranea. Instead, existing structural and raw materials were recycled in the site preparation, including more than 65,000 tons of on-site stone quarried, crushed, and utilized under roads and walkways.
- Approximately 45 mature trees, legacies of Marineland of the Pacific dating over 50 years old, were carefully boxed and preserved during construction and then replanted throughout the site as a tribute to the area's history.
- Terranea employs natural irrigation and water treatment through a series of wet ponds and vegetated wetland channels called bioswales. These wetlands enhance water quality while serving as a habitat for native avian species. First flush rainfall collection systems called Storm Filters also reduce and treat the runoff of pollutants.
- The resort's native plant palette features coastal species indigenous to Palos Verdes and the Channel Islands. The development team worked diligently to restore, protect, and preserve the ecological balance of the area by replacing non-native plants with indigenous ones, locally cultivated and grown by the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy to reinforce biodiversity. Pesticides and fertilizers are limited to those which are either organic in nature or pose no residual effect on the environment.
- All four sparkling resort pools boast saltwater treatment in lieu of a fully chlorinated system, a process both environmentally friendly and healthier for pool users.
- Terranea's eco-friendly growing philosophy incorporates seasonal dining menus that feature local ingredients and organic, freshly picked produce and herbs from the Chef's Garden.
Natural Encounters
Wildlife Experiences
- Naturalist-led tours guide visitors along the resort's extensive walking, hiking, and bird-watching footpaths along the scenic Discovery Trail, part of the Palos Verdes Peninsula trail system. The tours help further the awareness of the land's ecology, educating guests on the resort's coastal flora and fauna, such as the California crabapple, a rare species that grows only on the Peninsula and Catalina Island.
- California Blue and Pacific Gray whales migrate through the waters just 50 yards offshore, within view of Terranea nearly year-round.
- The Experience Concierge specializes in unforgettable indigenous recreational excursions, ranging from ocean kayaking, to tide pool treks through diverse marine habitat at the Terranea Beach Cove, and even falconry.
- For guest enjoyment and in support of the local community, several telescopes are set along Terranea's coastal bluffs to view the whales, sea lions, and dolphins ever-present offshore. Proceeds from the coin-operated telescopes support area non-profit environmental organizations: The Palos Verdes Land Conservancy, Marine Mammal Care Center, and Algalita Marine Research Foundation.
Green Measures
Terranea Resort embraces a vision of decreasing energy and water usage, reducing waste, increasing recycling and composting, and purchasing local and organic food and beverages as often as possible. In addition to these standards, Terranea is committed to innovative solutions that help inspire guests and develop a greater degree of environmental stewardship.
- Hybrid and low-emission vehicles are used for on-site shuttle service to reduce carbon emissions; carpool programs are encouraged for resort staff.
- Dimmers, motion detectors, low-voltage devices, and fluorescent bulbs are utilized to reduce total lighting energy consumption.
- Terranea's golf tees are completely biodegradable.
- Guestrooms offer biodegradable amenity containers and a voluntary reuse program for linens and towels.
- Plastic straws were replaced with paper straws in 2017, and no balloons are allowed on property.