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. During the summer months, the Junior Ranchers Kids Camp, which provides organized swimming, crafts, sports and more, is also available to guests. In addition, there is a junior tennis academy for those ages 7 to 20 that although established for the children of members also welcomes the children of guests.
Dining: The Pony Room, which spills out on the adjoining terrace, stands out both for its locally sourced “Coastal Ranch” cuisine and its views of the valley. An inviting bar within specializes in craft cocktails and tequila. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all available here.
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. The treatment rooms open onto private outdoor gardens. A saline pool is part of the complex, as is a yoga studio seasonally open to a reflecting pool with an island platform at its center. The fitness center has moved here as well, offering such wellness workouts as yoga, Pilates (private Reformer Sessions and group mat classes), spinning, TRX, and a suite of Cardio machines each with personal televisions. Remarkably all of these classes—some 75 in all—are free to registered guests.
Golf. Although it lacks a golf course of its own, the resort has playing privileges at several nearby courses, free loaner clubs, and the option of a golf package, which can include nearby Torrey Pines Golf Course, home of the 2008 U.S. Open.
Outdoor heated lap pool with adjacent Jacuzzi, complimentary mountain bikes, maps of walking/jogging trails in nearby hills.
182 Reviews on “Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa”
A fantastic Tennis resort. We stayed 8 days. From the first day until the last matches and clinics were arranged for me. I have never played more tennis in such a short period and never enjoyed it more. Matches and coaching for my wife was also arranged. All matches were arranged at perfectly suitable standards. The facilities were fantastic, the coaches excellent, the administration faultless. I cannot wait to return
Absolutely fabulous resort with top class tennis facilities and staff. We had Mario coaching us during our stay and he was excellent. Each session was informative, fun and a great workout. Our tennis experience was the highlight of a great stay at Rancho Valencia
Overall, my family and I had an amazing experience. The key highlights were the teaching staff and instruction. My young daughter very much enjoyed working with Steve and I very much enjoyed working with Mario. Other instructors were great tool. The tennis facilities were also outstanding and very conveniently located near the villas and restaurant. RV is somewhat near San Diego and probably a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles. In other words, there won’t be many other activities except tennis and the nearby beaches. Having said that, there were a couple of outstanding restaurants nearby which are worth going to, including Market. Based in Asia, my wife and I travel extensively within Asia and Europe. Rancho Valencia would be without a doubt one of our top resorts and mirrors the high level of service quality we are accustomed to at 5-star resorts.
Fantastic! Our accommodations in the Olive Grove Suite were superb. The food was excellent. Service was courteous and attentive. The tennis facilities and spa were first rate. I will definitely recommend.
Incredible facility, GREAT staff and Pros. They arranged hitting times with club members I had an incredible time, definitely will come back next year if not sooner .
Wonderful facility, courts well maintained in a beautiful setting, pro staff topnotch, office staff friendly and helpful.
Beautiful setting, great accommodations and tons of tennis courts. Its a wonderful place to go with other tennis playing couples since there is no court charge for hotel guests. Clinic are available on daily basis, and a staff of good pros is also available for lessons.. If you are a fan of fine resorts, and you like tennis its a good fit.. The accommodations and suites are exceptional, but they are also very expensive, so this might be a reach if you are on a tight budget
No other tennis resort has ever compared to Rancho Valencia. It has it all. Beautiful setting, plenty of courts, great instructors, amazing spa, and top notch accommodations. It is the type of place where everything is high end without feeling stuffy and pretentious. The rooms and spa are warm, comfortable, and relaxing. My wife and I find it hard to believe that there is a better place to relax and play tennis.
My experience was private lessons only. I did not participate in any clinics or group activities. The private lessons were excellent. Only so much one can do with a resort guest in a couple of days–well done, however, in that context. Quality instruction in a beautiful environment.
Our entire family enjoyed all aspects of Rancho Valencia. We took full advantage of all of the resort’s amenities. The attentiveness and personalized service of the tennis staff was extraordinary. The pro staff was truly world class. Robin and her team arranged top flight teaching pros and high quality junior match play for my family. They could not be more supportive and accommodating. The accommodations were five star and the resort spa was top shelf. We hope to return very soon.
Absolutely beautiful! If you like to play tennis and be active, but want a really nice room and surrounds, then this is the place for you!! I’d live there if I could!
My family and I spent a wonderful few days at Rancho Valencia recently. The resort is beautiful! Our two “family” tennis lessons with Mario were very enjoyable and helpful – he did a great job of working with three of us with different skill levels. The tennis courts were well kept and in a beautiful setting.
Came to Rancho Valencia for tennis. Director Robin White could not have been more accommodating. From arranging courts to a fabulous hitting partner for my daughter, she went above board to make our time there perfect. It is one of the most fabulous tennis resorts we have ever visited. The setting is divine, the cuisine unreal, and the friendly staff amazing. Peeked in on the junior program one afternoon and was astonished by how many local children were participating and how innovative it was. It was such a treat to finally visit Rancho Valencia after hearing about it for so many years.
I have been to tennis resorts and camps all over the country and RV is definitely the best of the best. Robin White , head tennis pro, is a seasoned tennis veteran with a US Open Mixed doubles trophy in the pro shop. Her teaching style is refreshing and straightforward. The facilities are gorgeous. I highly recommend for your next tennis vacation!
It’s a beautiful resort! Small and intimate feeling. They set my husband and I up with mixed doubles games and they had clinic instruction also. They would have fresh squeezed orange juice and fresh fruit for us. You feel so pampered! The downside is that the rooms are very expensive…we’ve been there a couple of times for special occasions…we wish we could go more often.
Rancho Valencia is the best tennis resort in the country. Every year we have gone to a tennis destination; Rancho Valenchia is our favorite because of the great tennis teacher, fantastic food, beautiful room, great plantings and surroundings. We will definitely return to Rancho Valencia. (Our home is in Washington, DC)
Just returned from a ladies tennis weekend. The entire experience was amazing. The accommodations are spacious and beautiful. The restaurants and food are fantastic- loved all the outdoor seating areas with fireplaces and fire pits . The spa and fitness classes are outstanding. The tennis clinics were challenging and a great workout! Lots of great tips to take home! The tennis facilities are top notch. The Director of tennis, Robin White and her staff are all very friendly and welcoming, as is the entire resort staff. Would highly recommend – Can’t wait to go back!!
Just returned from an amazing weekend with a group of friends. Robin White ran an engaging tennis program including terrific clinics and round robins. We all learned a lot! The accomodations, meals, spa and pool areas were top notch. The resort provides exceptional service in a beautiful setting. Can’t wait to return!
Enjoyed an amazing girls tennis weekend at RV. Tennis Director Robin White and her staff provided outstanding tennis instruction while being friendly, professional, and client-centered. Great formats for round-robin. Terrific skills and drills. Excellent facilities in a stunning setting. Cannot be beat. Looking forward to returning next winter.
WOW! An unforgettable experience. Not only are the accommodations amazing, but everything else about this resort is truly superior. We came to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Although we are avid tennis folk, every experience was extremely thoughtful, individualized and genuine! Service is impeccable, People are very genuine, and ALL services are waay above the norm!
My wife and friends just stayed and Rancho Valencia for 4 days of relaxation and tennis. The tennis facility was great and Maria was particularly helpful in helping us to set up some games with other couples. The courts were in great shape, plenty of water on each court, and perfect weather. The rest of the resort was also way above our expectations — food, spa, staff, and accommodations. A big thanks to Alan on the sales team for bringing us to Rancho Valencia.
Just returned from our annual girls tennis retreat. The clinics were fun, a great workout and educational. Pros Arturo, Mario, Todd and Mason were each unique in their instruction which made the daily lessons great. The food at the resort (Pony Room and Veladora) was delish. Fab service all the way around.
My wife and I just celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary at Rancho Valencia and decided to combine it with some great tennis instruction. My wife has been playing for two years and I recently picked up tennis again after playing a lot as a youth. The tennis facility at Rancho is excellent, the clinics and lessons we arranged were very good as we golf during the summer and needed this as a tennis tune up. We highly recommend this resort.
Excellent instruction. However,1. Drills should be limited to 1 1/2 hours rather than 3. 2. Balls used during instruction should be relatively new instead of very worn,
Outstanding program. They have a daily clinic for all levels (beginning, intermediate, and advanced). The instructors are top-notch. The front desk staff is very accommodating. The courts are beautiful. The water dispenser is replenished throughout the day. The locker rooms are immaculate. I cannot say enough good things about this program and resort. We are planning to return next month. There is not one bad thing to say. It truly could not be better.
Rancho Valencia is simply the best tennis resort I have been to in my entire life. I have traveled to 30 of the 50 states and stayed and played at many of best tennis resorts in the county, including some of the most noteworthy and highest rated ones in Florida. It is easy to say that the Rancho Valencia “experience” trumps them all! Tennis Director Robin White and her dedicated staff present a first class tennis facility that caters to both expert instruction via the resort’s top credentialed teaching professionals as well as high-end customer service too.
Pro Mark Davis is a consummate professional well versed in the dynamics, techniques, and mechanics of the proper tennis swing. I was immensely helped by his instruction, especially by the video lesson technology using an Ipad that he is able to implement into the lesson plan. In fact, I highly recommend everyone who plans to visit the Rancho Valencia take a video analysis lesson as Mark as he is then able to email you the video footage of your lesson and you can watch it at home and show your friends and family. It is simply the best souvenir of a memorable vacation! Plus you can review the video clips when you get back home to learn more about your swing.
The tennis courts are always in perfect shape there. The locker rooms adjacent to the facility are convenient for a post lesson or match shower. Marie and Sergei are super wonderful and are always most willing to help best enhance the guest experience in any way possible! The accommodations at the Rancho Valencia are spacious, well appointed, and literally dreamy! The weather is always perfect for tennis with temperatures in the low 70’s and little humidity.
The spa is not to be missed! It is extremely tranquil there and very relaxing. The spa treatment rooms are unique in that they are open air, and this is something I have never seen before. The spa pool is wonderful too. And the food and beverages at both Veladora and the Pony Room are exceptionally good. All in all, the Rancho Valencia resort is probably one of the best vacations I have ever had in my entire life. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
awesome
Rancho Valencia is paradise! We’ve stayed in the villas several times with our children. We are always impressed with the quality of service and attention to detail. The Easter Brunch was superb and included a “Bubble Bar” (champagne bar) as well as bounce house and face painting for the children. I walked into the pro shop and was accommodated immediately with a lesson on the spot with Mason. The whole resort is just amazing since the renovation. We could stay forever….. Weakness: Pony Room service a bit slow…especially when hungry children are waiting.
Fantastic- We are from Colorado and visit Rancho Valencia at least six times per year. My partner has been playing tennis there for at least 10 years and I am more of a beginner. Let me say that it is hands down one of the nicest places in the country (Hawaii included). Amanda, Mason, and Eduardo are all top notch for instruction. Marie and Sergio are fantastic and will accommodate schedules (I like to do yoga and barre before playing tennis). Rancho is our home away from home and is one of the best places to relax, play tennis, and enjoy a beautiful life.
We have been to Rancho Valencia twice now, and each time was amongst the best vacations/tennis experiences we have ever had. For the (father and son) tennis fanatics in the family the beautiful courts, accomplished competitive tennis professionals (who enjoy teaching), and attentive staff make it unsurpassed as compared to our other tennis destinations to-date. The non-tennis players in the family (wife, daughter, close friends) report to me that the spa is perhaps the best they have ever been to; next time I am definitely carving some time away from tennis to see for myself! The facilities are impeccable and we all like the weather and great food at RV, not to mention the fantastic Tequila bar at The Pony Room. Tennis, Tequila and tacos – it doesn’t get much better than that!
The facilities were first class. The personnel were outstanding making our stay for our 50th anniversary wonderful. We found the restaurants two of the best we have experienced. We would definite recommend Rancho Valencia (and we have).
We loved everything about this place and we will be back!
One of the nicest resorts in the country that we have ever visited. Great pros: Todd and Robin that enjoy people and teaching. The tennis complex was under major renovation in Dec 2013, but they had ample courts for play and instruction. First class in all respects. Marie does a great job in game matching. Short drive to the ocean to visit Delmar, Solona Beach, and Torey Pines State Park.
Rancho Valencia is THE BEST in every way!! The hotel,the courts, the staff ,the lessons….it is far & away the best tennis facility in the most beautiful location with great weather….look no further foe another tennis resort…nothing can compare to Rancho Valencia! At this moment the pro shop is being remodeled…to be even better soon!
Strengths: Good pro team and great at matching players.gorgeous resort (it was our 4th time but first since the renovations) Weakness: need to be more proactive with their program
I was blown away by the meticulous attention to detail at Rancho Valencia. Our stay exceeded my expectations in just about every way possible. The service, the friendliness, the beautiful grounds, the wonderful tennis…it was all first-class. Marie and the rest of the tennis pros were just so helpful and friendly. I was able to play tennis as much as I wanted every day of my stay. They connected me with great players who were at my level for fun, exciting, friendly competition. I will definitely be returning to this amazing resort and recommending it to all of my friends.
Absolutely beautiful surroundings and facilities. Terrific California weather – warm and dry with no humidity. Wonderful staff who make you very welcome and do everything for you. On the grounds of a five star plus hotel, with Spa, restaurants, etc.
Beautiful resort that treats you right. Pros: Lots of courts for a resort with so few units. Food was excellent. Cons: Expensive
We have been to Rancho 20 times over the last 23 years. We try to make an annual getaway there. It is without a doubt the most accomodating resort we have ever been to. Last year, Rancho was under renovation so we stayed at the Grand Del Mar. That hotel and resort is also over the top, but Rancho has casitas that make you feel like you are in your own little oasis. The tennis courts are beautiful and the dining superb but the staff is what makes each trip truly memorable. We may be bias with our many return visits, but we have never been disappointed
It took us about a week to come off the high of staying at the newly renovated Rancho Valencia. The hotel is over the top. The tennis facility is as well with their 18 courts, all conveniently walkable to our gorgeous huge room with a very large private patio and spa pool. The Pros there are top notch and very personable. Lots of great tips to take home. For the first time ever, I wrote notes on the plane ride home of valuable tips I was given during my clinics and lessons from Robin and Eduardo! We were served freshly squeezed orange juice and sliced fruit between clinics. Everyone should add this resort to their list of tennis camp must-do list!
We LOVED Rancho Valencia. We have been to other tennis resorts in the top 10 (Kiawah, Wild Dunes, Tops’L) and this was our best experience. The rooms are luxurious and the setting spectacular, though the feeling around the resort is very casual. It is very expensive, but you get a lot for the money. They don’t nickel and dime you, which we found so refreshing. Included in the cost is full access to the state of the art gym, free yoga and fitness classes (the yoga class was the best I have ever taken, in the most beautiful setting), free use of the ball machines, and all of the snacks and drinks in the room are complimentary. We even asked where we could rent bicycles, and they produced two bicycles free of charge. The staff couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful.
As for the tennis, we called a week before and asked if they would arrange games for three of the afternoons we would be there. I am a 4.0 and my husband is a 4.5, and we have always had trouble finding challenging games at other resorts. They often have trouble providing matches, or match us against much weaker players. At Rancho Valencia, we had three very competitive, highly enjoyable matches with exceptionally nice club members, who went out of their way to make sure we were having fun.
We took a clinic with Mason, who gave us good, specific instructions that both my husband and I can implement at home. I also took a lesson with Eduardo, who is not only an excellent instructor, but clearly loves what he does. My lesson ran over by 15 minutes, because he was so focused on trying to teach me something. And then afterward, he even stayed around to watch a few games of a match I had following the lesson, to make sure I was doing what we had just practiced on my serve.
I would highly recommend this resort. My only complaint is that I was very sore when I got home from all of the tennis, because I am used to playing on soft courts and they have only hard. But overall, it was a truly memorable experience.
There’s some good news and some bad news….
Has to be my favorite place to play and stay.
Excellent facility. Large number of courts with no witing. Great instructors at all levels. Casitas, spa, and food are world-class.
The rooms were beautiful with a large living area. Fresh orange juice arrived every moring with the daily paper. Tennis facilies were great and staff fantastic. Lessons with pro, Robin White, were fun and she gave great insight to the strategies to the game. Yoga classes were led by skilled and kind instructors. All of the staff was attentive, friendly, and on top of what you need. Rancho Valencia is a gorgeous location with everything you need to enjoy tennis, relaxation, great dining, and lounging by beautiful pools. If you get lucky like us, you will even have hot air baloons fly overhead. We loved it there!
Visited on a girls’ trip and had a wonderful time. Robin White was exceptional in her instruction and clinics! I would and have recommended this resort to many of my friends and fellow tennis players. We are looking forward to another trip to Rancho Valencia and more clinics with Robin!
Great facilities, tennis clinics were very specific to our group level. Pro put together some super-fun, competitive games with tennis members of the resort. Can’t say enough about the tennis pro and her wonderful personality. After a 2 hour clinic we basked in the sun by the Rancho Valencia pool, a must for all tennis enthusiasts!
Revisited Rancho Valencia following its multimillion dollar renovation and 6-month closure and was pleasantly surprised by the upgraded rooms and tennis program being instituted by the new director of tennis, Robin White, two-time US Open champion in both doubles and mixed dbls.
Robin is aggressively revamping the program to make it more inclusive for Resort guests with both a daily 3hr morning clinic and a slew of other activities including Cardio Tennis. The courts have all be resurfaced and while I prefer soft courts these are first rate and a lot slower than the old ones. I definitely recommend Ranch Valencia for anyone looking for a truely luxurious destination and topnotch tennis. Only disappointment was the food, which is overly ambitious and appears to be a work in progress.
One of the most beautiful settings anywhere for tennis. Classic southern California ambience with tennis courts nestled amongst groves of orange and lemon trees, birds of paradise and bougainvillea. Also, perfect tennis weather, with cool ocean breezes and warm sunshine. Excellent and also fun-filled instruction and John DeLile will serve up his special pancakes for breakfast, courtside. It just doesn’t get any better than that!
The staff is friendly and the pros are really experts. I have played tennis at many resorts and tennis clubs, but I always leave here with a “new tip” and a better game than when I came.