The 6 Best Hotels with Private Pools in California

Situated in the shadow of the coastal Santa Monica foothills, the Hotel Bel-Air oozes old Hollywood glamour and refinement. A beloved haunt for celebrities—Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe were known regulars—this luxe property makes for the perfect romantic weekend getaway without ever having to leave the confines of Los Angeles.

While the heated outdoor pool provides plenty of opportunities for celeb-watching while working on your tan, book one of the hotel’s lavish accommodations for a more intimate experience — the Grace Kelly, canyon, patio, and presidential suites all come with their own secluded outdoor patio pools, with the latter including a much larger infinity pool and Spanish-style courtyard.

The verdant grounds are also home to a serene lake, where swans flock and guests can choose to dine al fresco with a picnic menu composed of seasonal crudités, Mediterranean-inspired mezze, and gourmet sandwiches, all designed by renowned chef Wolfgang Puck.

Primely situated in California’s bountiful wine country, the Hotel Bardessono offers up innovative farm-to-table cuisine at its on-site restaurant, Lucy—many of the ingredients, like fresh herbs, come from the hotel’s very own certified organic garden.

One of the best hotels with private pools in California, this Napa valley resort has not one, but three private villas perfect for couples seeking ultimate seclusion and romance. Each comes with fully stocked wine fridges, outdoor patios with individual private pools, and unobstructed views of the Mayacamas Mountains in the distance.

This LEED-certified property puts sustainability at the forefront in everything it does—100,000 square feet of salvaged wood make up the hotel’s doors, flooring, and walls, while heating and cooling of guest rooms occurs thanks to an underground geothermal system. There are also 940 solar panels to help reduce energy consumption.

With 41 heated pools to choose from, you’re never at a loss for some water therapy when staying at La Quinta Resort & Club, one of the few sprawling hotels with private pools in California’s dusty Coachella Valley.

The property’s pool suites and private haciendas come with their own full-sized pools; some even offer hot tubs which, at night, turn into ideal dark sky stargazing-locations-for-two.

The property also offers a romantic evening of camping in nearby Joshua Tree National Park—a luxe tent, personalized butler service, and traditional campsite meal (s’mores included) await the more adventurous couples.

Sitting on 20-acres of verdant green land, this beautiful poolside Tuscany setting abode in San Luis Obispo exudes European charm, thanks to its Italian architecture, well-manicured gardens, outdoor resort-style pool, and relaxing hot tub.

The private 1-bedroom pool house comes with all the amenities you need for a romantic weekend getaway, including its prime location on California’s Central Coast: it’s less than 10 minutes by car from both the sandy shores of Avila Beach and the comforting bread bowls of clam chowder from Splash Café, a notable San Luis Obispo dining institution.

Mid-century modern reigns supreme at The Residence at L’Horizon Resort & Spa, an upscale adults-only Palm Springs desert getaway.

Complete with its own private pool, outdoor patio, kitchen, luxe Frette linens, and fragrant Le Labo bath amenities, the property’s private 5,000 square foot house is perfect for a romantic weekend stay for two.

A 13-minute walk takes you to the Moorten Botanical Garden, a family-owned arboretum where cacti and various desert flora that thrive in the area’s Colorado desert ecosystem have been meticulously cultivated for over eight decades.

Escape the Los Angeles craze and experience a romantic whirlwind of a weekend when you book a stay at Four Seasons The Biltmore, a chic oceanfront resort in the coastal Californian town of Santa Barbara.

Check in to the property’s exclusive bungalow suites for sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel islands as you bask in the glorious California sunshine from your private plunge pools that overlook the warm coastal waters.

Head back indoors to warm up next to the hand-painted mosaic tiled wood-burning fireplace as you decide on dishes for your intimate in-room dinner. If you don’t feel like cooking, the two on-site restaurants serve coastal California and Italian cuisine, showcasing the best in the region’s local produce, meats, and freshly caught seafood.