RCA Labels Group chairman Joe Galante and his wife Phran first vacationed at California's Rancho Valencia Resort in 1996 and were so taken by it they've been back several times since, each time enrolling in the three-hour morning tennis clinic.

"We've been to camps in Florida and on Hilton Head Island," Galante told me during a break in the drills. "This one is more relaxed. A really aggressive approach is fine if you're a 5.0 trying to improve, but there's enough aggression in our lives without having it spill over onto the tennis court."

"The staff hasn't changed during the year we've been coming," he continued. "What's impressive is they remember what we worked on the last time and pick up from there."

The relaxed pace of the drills on Galante's court, which held four intermediates, did not carry over onto the next, where former Princeton player Rob Glanville was trying to recover his form after years of living in Russia and playing at most an hour a week. Since there was no one else in the clinic near his level, he worked one-on-one. The pace and aggressiveness of his drills contrasted dramatically with Galante's.

"At a resort like this, we feel we have to provide that kind of service," explained Nancy Hunter, the resident manager. "We run the clinic even if only one person signs up and we use an additional pro when we have someone who's much stronger or weaker than the others."

If Glanville needed a match, Rancho Valencia's staff would not have to look any farther than its general manager, Michael Ullmann, a 5.0 player himself. The fact that the manager is a passionate player helps to explain Rancho Valencia's dedication to the sport. But then the man who built it in 1989, Harry Collins, also plays, as do his wife and son. He was the one who decided to provide a prodigal 18 courts for the resort's 52 suites.

"Developing this resort was something I'd wanted to do for 20 years," he told me, "but I couldn't find the right place for it until we discovered this property."

Overview

Set amid the horse farms, citrus groves, and multi-million-dollar houses in the hills 24 miles north of San Diego, Rancho Valencia hugs the eucalyptus-capped slope of a secluded valley not far from Rancho Santa Fe. The access road loops around the 18 courts—built in three clusters connected by walkways—before ending in front of a Spanish Colonial-style clubhouse inspired by old Rancho Santa Fe estates.

For a tiny resort it has remarkable breadth of dimensions, not only the tennis but a spacious outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a 10,000-square-foot spa, a croquet court, and putting green. The nearest golf course is immediately adjacent, though guests have privileges at half a dozen in the area. And all of the rooms are just short walk from the resort's award-winning restaurant.

"We love everything about it: the rooms, the restaurant, the staff," says Galante. "Each time we come back we feel like family."

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 858-759-6224

When Rancho Valencia first opened, it was part of the John Gardiner family of tennis camps (see Gardiner's Resort, California). Although it has dropped the all-day camp format, it substituted still seeks to satisfy avid players with a three-hour clinic, which finishes by noon. Guests who want more—or something else—can then take advantage of its conscientious game-matching services, private lessons, and weekly men's and women's round robins.

Tennis Staff. Technically, Nancy Hunter can no longer be considered a member of the tennis staff. Her title is resident manager, but she rose to that position after years as Rancho Valencia's tennis director. Before that, she was head pro at Hawaii's Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and as tennis director at the Ritz-Carlton, Mauna Lani (now called the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii), both very service conscious hotels. The day-to-day tennis operations now fall to head pro Eduardo Sanchez. He has been there since the resort opened and spearheaded the evolution from the Gardiner camp program to the resort's own instructional clinics. Another mainstay is John Delille, the tennis and recreation director, who has himself been there for 17 years and is the glue that holds the operation together. They're assisted by another handful of full and part-time staff, who together ensure that guests and members get as much tennis as they crave.
Game-Matching: Staff recruits other guests or draws on its local membership to find appropriate opponents.
Instructional Clinics: 3 hours/day. Notable for the small size of the groups—never more than four players per instructor and often less—and a philosophy of tailoring the instruction and drills to the particular needs of each session's players. Combines work on technical aspects of all the strokes with doubles and singles play.
Social Tennis. Every week there is a men's round-robin doubles event and a ladies tenniscize—fast-paced drills—followed by social doubles. There is also a Saturday morning men's 5.0 workout and a Sunday morning 3.0 ladies workout. Once a month the club stages a mixed doubles round robin. Any of these afford the opportunity to meet other tennis-playing guests and local tennis members.
Courts & Fees. There are 18 hard courts (none with lights) arranged in three clusters variously called Palm, Citrus, and Sycamore for the trees planted around them. One of these courts has been dedicated to a self-feeding ball machine. Court time is free.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa.

• "This was probably the best tennis resort my wife and I (4.0/4.5 playesrs) have been to, and we've been to many along the east coast and FL. The tennis pros and instruction were outstanding. We were there in January and had the equivalent of semi-private lessons for the cost of group.
  The pros were very knowledgable, friendly, and humorous. At the end of each session, we played doubles with the pros for 30 to 45 minutes, which was great fun and still instructive. The food was very good and the rooms here are awesome--more like a luxurious studio apartment than a hotel room. The only drawback for us is that they only have hard courts, as we prefer clay. Even so, we will definitely be back the first chance we get."—E.A., Adv. Int., May 2008

• "My favorite tennis resort. Great friendly staff.Always can arrange a competitive match. John is an outstanding tennis director. Super setting, food, accomodations, and weather."—H.S., Int., April 2008

• "My family of 5 recently returned from a richly rewarding week at Rancho Valencia resort in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. The tennis instruction was superb (but not too intensive) and easily accomodated a range of abilities. The staff (virtually without exception) was comprised of warm and gregarious human beings who were a genuine pleasure to spend time with.
  The resort itself was located in a spectacularly beautiful setting with superb food and access to all of San Diego's various activities. I highly recommend this resort as a destination for families who wish to have an activity (tennis) to complement their California vacation."—J.Z., Adv., April 2008

• "I have had many great tennis vacations, but what made rancho valencia so incredible was the staff. John the Head pro made our family feel at home and went out of his way to make our vacation first class. We had the perfect tennis package made to fit our needs. The Pros were so much fun and accomodating - we not only had an amazing vacation at RV, but we improved our tennis game tremendously thanks to the skill level and expertise of the tennis staff. We felt catered to from the moment we arrived - this is an amazing vacation with a beutful spa and grounds. We look forward to our next trip to Rancho Valencia"—J.D., Adv., April 2008

• "Beautiful setting, excellent accommodation, good food and new, luxurious spa. The tennis is of a high quality by relaxed. The staff are charming and accommodating and even though we only enlisted for the morning clinics, these were often on a 1:2 ratio and ones wishes were often granted. There is no difficulty finding a court if one wants to play. Our latest visit was our third."—C.H., Int., April 2008

• "Rancho Valencia is a fantastic resort with an outstanding tennis prorgram. The Tennis Director and teaching pro's are professional, supportive, and they provide top-notch instruction. In addition to the great tennis program the spa provides perfect service with an atmosphere that's second to none."—R.W., Adv. Int., April 2008

• "The tennis coaches were awesome!"—J.G., Int., April 2008

• "The Pros are excellent and very friendly. Great tips and loads of fun."—T.O., Int., April 2008

• "Beautiful grounds, terrific staff, stunning accommodations and dining room. Staff could not be nicer. They can arrange for quality tennis at any player's level.
  I have stayed t many of the best tennis clubs and resorts around the world. Rancho Valencia is the best in the U.S.A.
  The weather in the San Diego area was perfect."—R.S., Adv., April 2008

• "Great secluded location and yet only 15 minutes to the race track or beach. Was there on business and learned of the great tennis facility. Was introduced to the head pro John. Very engaging and easy to converse with. Offered to arrange for a game for me, which I will take him up on that on my next trip as this time I was at resort on business. Courts looked to be in great condition and my accommodations were first class. I will be back for the property condition AND service!"—M.L., Int., April 2008

• "Having tried Vic Braden's camp in Utah and La Costa, among others, Rancho Valencia is clearly the best. The teaching staff is exceptional, the grounds and courst stunning, and the accomodations first-rate. We will definitely be returning."—K.W., Adv., April 2008

• "Rancho Valencia is an amazing tennis resort. I would tell friends the grounds are beautiful, and the tennis is the best! The tennis staff is knowledgeable and took my tennis to the next level."—T.P., Int., April 2008

Other Recreation

Spa & Fitness Center. At 10,000 square feet, the Spa at Rancho Valencia is very large relative to the number of rooms. Decor runs to hand-crafted European tiles and Italian fountains, while the treatments focus on using such local ingredients as avocado, grape seed, and natural healing agents from the ocean. Outdoors, there are three therapeutic pools (hot, warm and cold), a Watsu therapy/massage pool, a lap pool, and private sun gardens. The fitness center has moved here as well, offering such wellness workouts as yoga, Pilates (private Reformer Sessions and group mat classes), and spinning, as well as a suite of cardio machines each with personal televisions and attached DVD players.
Croquet. Regulation croquet lawn adjacent to the main clubhouse. Use of the lawns and equipment is complimentary.
Golf. Although it lacks a golf course of its own, the resort has a putting green and has playing privileges at several nearby courses. It also offers a golf package.
And ... Outdoor heated lap pool with adjacent Jacuzzi, complimentary mountain bikes, maps of walking/jogging trails in nearby hills.

Children's Programs

Although you may not at first expect Rancho Valencia to lure families, it does accommodate guests with kids by offering summer and holiday tennis camps for juniors and, in fact, devotes one pro year-round specifically to tennis for juniors. Among the offerings is a two-hour clinic specifically for your family. does not discourage children, it is essentially an adult retreat. It has little organized activity for kids apart from a junior tennis academy (ages 7 to 20) that exists to serve the children of members but also accepts the children of guests.

Lodging

Short of booking a luxury condominium at some of the better tennis resorts, nothing comes close to the elegance, comfort, or spaciousness of Rancho Valencia's accommodations. Lodging at the resort consist of 20 cottages—each containing two lavish suites—and a 3-suite Hacienda. All of these casitas perch in a garden of flowers and trees on a grassy knoll above the clubhouse.

The basic suites—if "basic" is the right word for these lavish spaces—have three floor plans. The smaller Del Mar suites are technically junior suites since there is no wall separating the bedroom from the living area. However, at 850 square feet, these suites hardly deserve the diminutive "junior." The 1,200-square-foot Rancho Santa Fe suites, by contrast, do have a completely separate bedroom and more space than most one-bedroom condos. The newest Grove Suites are, like Del Mar, technically junior suites, but provide a very ample 1,000 square feet of living space. All three types have a sitting room with a fireplace, a private patio with views of the surrounding hills, and a mammoth tiled bath with separate tub and shower, terrycloth robes, and towels the size of sheets. The Grove Suites add a high-definition plasma screen TV, outdoor Jacuzzi, steam shower, a home entertainment center with CD and DVD players, VCR, a tuner.

Their exquisite decor includes vaulted wood ceilings above terra-cotta floors accented with Berber rugs. Signed lithographs and original watercolors decorate the walls. Scattered throughout are plants, fresh flowers and beeswax candles. Among the amenities are wet bars, coffeemakers, safes, and two remote-control televisions. And to cap it off, every morning the Rancho Valencia staff leaves fresh-squeezed orange juice, a newspaper, and a rosebud on a shelf just outside the front door.

Restaurants

Even people who are not guests of Rancho Valencia drive the winding road to the resort to indulge in the sumptuous California-Mediterranean cuisine of Executive Chef Angel Bajana. Although the menu changes seasonally with available ingredients the choices could include seared coriander-crusted ahi, Valencia veal piccata with asparagus spears, vegetable risotto, goat cheese crusted roasted Shelton chicken, and mesquite grilled prime filet capped off with an artisan cheese plate. No one has to leave the property to dine extremely well.

See Also

If you like the sound of Rancho Valencia, you may also want to consider, in this order:

• Inn at Manitou, Canada
• Gardiner's Resort, California
• Topnotch Resort & Spa, Vermont
• Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Florida
• Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, Florida

Travel Essentials

Seasons: Year-round. The climate here, 7 miles from the ocean, borders on ideal. Average high temperatures in January hover in the mid 60s and even in August it is possible to sleep comfortably without having to turn on the air conditioning, especially since the rooms have ceiling fans.

Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa
5921 Valencia Circle
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
858-756-1123
Toll-free: 800-548-3664
Fax: 858-756-0165
Web Link: Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa

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Book Online: Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa

 

Travel Instructions. The resort is 24 miles from San Diego International Airport. To reach it from San Diego or La Jolla by car take I-5 north to Del Mar Heights Road east. Continue to El Camino Real and turn left. Turn right at San Dieguito Road. Turn right on Rancho Diegueno Road, then left (immediately) at Rancho Valencia Road and then left at Rancho Valencia Drive.

General Tourist Information. There are two sources of information: for the immediate area, visit the San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 360 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025-2600. Phone: 800-848-3336; for the county as a whole, visit the San Diego County Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 2215 India St., San Diego, CA 92101. Phone: 619-236-1212.

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