Beach: The resort is inland from the Pacific; however, paid shuttle service is available daily to Moonlight Bay Beach.

Golf Courses: Arnold Palmer designed the 18-hole Aviara Golf Club to make the most of the rolling hills and views of Batiquitos Lagoon. The LPGA’s Kia Classic is held here. Custom club fittings are available through the golf club’s TaylorMade Performance Lab.

Spa: The 15,000-square-foot Aviara Spa has 20 treatment rooms devoted to “bespoke” treatments—that is, customized programs for each individual spa-goer. Before and after, guests can take advantage of an indoor solarium as well as whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms. The spa also contains a modest fitness center staffed by personal trainers.

Children's programs: Aviara Kids Academy by Camp Hyatt operates on select dates from Memorial Day to Labor Day and takes children 4-12 for a full- or half-day of activities, arts, and crafts. That said, San Diego has its own attractions for kids, among them Legoland and the San Diego Zoo.

Dining: There is live music Monday to Saturday in the hotel’s lobby lounge, after which you can head for Vivace for Italian cuisine, Argyle Steakhouse in the golf clubhouse, or California Bistro for farm-to-table Southern California specialties. There is also a poolside bar and grill.