One of the many spectacular experiences California has to offer is the unique ability to get away to both sea and summits at once.  It’s the best of both worlds—

swimming in the ocean and hiking in the hilly trails, each with breathtaking views of the other. This beach-meets-mountains landscape is home to Lido House, a hotel in iconic Newport Beach (it was the vacation playground of old glamorous Hollywood stars). Arriving here, it was eye-opening to find that my husband and I could stay in coastal luxury while also exploring the wild backcountry mountain trails—for nature lovers, it’s heaven. 

Lido House is designed with a nod to Newport Beach’s Cape Cod charm, with nautical elements blended in. There are 130 stylish guest rooms, outfitted with beloved D.S. & Durga products, and five private cottages. Each unique in its vibe and named after local islands, they’re perfect for grabbing your crew for a group getaway that feels homey. 

Outside our dreamy digs, Newport Beach leverages its diverse topography. We hung out on the sandy coast (the hotel offers complimentary beach gear, surf and body board rentals, and shuttle service to make your experience hassle-free), and hit the trails at Crystal Cove State Park to hike up the peaks and take in the bucolic world around us. The Back Bay Loop Trail links with the 22-mile Mountains to Sea Trail, running from Upper Newport Bay into the rugged mountains of Weir Canyon. All to say, there’s a lot of gorgeous terrain to cover. 

As I discovered, this is part of the luxury at Lido House.  The aesthetics and service are extremely thoughtful and indulgent, but more so, staying here is about the splendor of feeling great and fueling your well-being. That starts with the spa but doesn’t end there. The big news is the hotel has introduced some exciting wellness packages created to help you thoroughly relax, enhance health, and revive your body after a day of hiking and swimming. Our in-room treatments included cold plunge therapy in complete privacy (which made that exhilarated yelp as we dunked less awkward!) for a zingy energy boost, improved muscle recovery, and immune support. Therabody's Leg Recovery Jet Boots arrived in the evening to sooth our muscle soreness with a smart percussive therapy device and internal pumps that totally recharged our bodies. And Therabody's SmartGoggles were a dream – almost literally, as they’re designed to help one sleep—using a biometric sensor to lower our heart rate to a calmer state.

For the more traditional spa menu, Lido House Boost Spa goes with ocean-inspired treatments, mixing botanicals with modern techniques. The Ultimate Seaweed Ritual starts with a mineral rich exfoliating scrub to buff your body, followed by a hydrating marine algae treatment. Go for the Oceanic Healing Stones and warm salt rocks are used to work out muscle tension, while Himalayan salts boost nutrients and minerals in your skin.

For dinners, the Mayor’s Table Pacific Pub & Kitchen serves seafood and vegetable-forward cuisine. And for festive evenings, the Topside Roof Deck offers stunning views and champagne pairings.

Of course, like us, you may just want to spend your evening on the sand—Corona del Mar State Beach provides fire rings for a perfect wind-down of s’mores, stars, and stunning vistas.