As soon as I passed by the tree-lined driveway and stepped out into the Plaza at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, I immediately felt like I had found a sanctuary a million miles away from reality. But reality is, the 600-room property is just 30 miles north of downtown San Diego, three miles from the Pacific Ocean and near both the beach towns of Carlsbad and Encinitas.
The resort first opened in the 1960s as a getaway for the Hollywood elite and soon received international praise for its golf and spa offerings. Over the years the property has been reimagined and renovated, with a $140 million restoration as its most recent, before Omni took over in 2013.
As if just being at the resort isn’t relaxing enough, the moment I stepped through the doors of the 28,000-square-foot building I understood why The Spa at La Costa keeps popping up on so many “best of” spa and wellness lists. The resort is also home to the renowned Chopra Center, ideal for meditation, yoga and renewal.
The phrase “there is something for everyone” rings true here. There are two championship-caliber golf courses, eight pools, including a kids pool equipped with waterslides, five restaurants, 17 tennis courts and eight retail outlets. If there ever was a place to mix business with pleasure, this is the spot.
I toured the resort’s 110,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space with John Anderson, director of sales at the property. There is the two-level Coastal Events Center that includes a ballroom, 85-seat classroom-style learning center and the Vista Terrace, as well as a stand-alone building housing the 18,000-square-foot Costa del Sol Ballroom with adjoining breakout rooms, two offices and terraces. Events aren’t limited to the traditional meeting space, as Anderson explained that groups have utilized the outdoor Plaza area for an array of functions.
But alas, after one last dip in the adults-only infinity pool that overlooks the golf courses, it was time to pack up and head back to reality.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
760.438.9111
