The woman was complaining. That’s right, complaining. To me. A stranger. Apparently, she wasn’t happy with walking so far to her room. I passed her and went on my way through the corridors of the new Terranea Resort until I found my number at the end of the hallway. I opened the door to find a stylish suite, with a cozy living area and spacious bedroom, both with sliding doors to the balcony. I stepped outside, and in the moonlight could see, and hear, the crashing surf below. “It’s a long walk to the edge of North America, Lady,” I said to myself with a chuckle. Clearly, I had no complaints.

Terranea Resort might be located on the best piece of resort property in all of Southern California if not the entire West. I had driven through rain, snow and maneuvered around a mudslide to visit the Palos Verdes Peninsula that day. And while the Golden State flooded, I was greeted by nothing but warm sunshine on this pretty little stretch of coastline. The next morning, views of Catalina in the distance were framed by my window, and breakfast tasted oh-so sweet as the salty air filled my room.

For golfers, Terranea Resort might be the perfect SoCal spot to call home away from home for your next vacation. First, it’s right down the picturesque road from Trump National Los Angeles, providing the nearby high-end lodging option Trump has always needed to draw stay-and-play travelers who can afford a week trying to master The Donald’s famous remodel.

But Terranea also offers the perfect counterpunch to Trump with a short course created by rising design star Todd Eckenrode. The nine-hole Links at Terranea offers more than mere ocean views from its perch just east of the resort; it’s a short-game test that will make any golfer better inside 150 yards, with a variety of shots throughout that put a premium on short-iron play, pitching, chipping and putting.

More importantly, it’s just pure fun — golf that can be played quickly, walking through the ocean breeze without lugging a full bag. Juniors, women and men of all ages can appreciate both the playability and the challenge. It’s the perfect warmup before 18 elsewhere or a fitting spot to wind down after other southland pursuits.

Of course, there’s a lot more to Terranea than just golf. Villas, casitas and bungalows round out the lodging options. And next time, I’ll check out mar’sel, the resort’s signature restaurant featuring herbs and produce grown on property.

Because my one-night stay went by far too quickly. The short course is calling my name, just as Trump National does every time I visit Los Angeles. And I can’t wait to experience Terranea Resort again. After all, I’d walk all the way from Pasadena without complaint just for one more night.

TERRANEA RESORT
www.terranea.com| 866.802.8000
Room rates $335-$1,440 | Golf rates $30-$35