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Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas in Palm Desert, California, its villas and palms beside the lake

California resorts: desert, mountains and coast

For families planning California: six resorts in Palm Desert, at Lake Tahoe and on the coast, rented from the owners who hold the weeks.

6 resorts in California

Marriott’s Newport Coast VillasMarriott’s Newport Coast VillasNewport Beach, California8 guests · 2 bedroomsFrom $331 a nightMarriott’s Desert Springs VillasMarriott’s Desert Springs VillasPalm Desert, California8 guests · 2 bedroomsFrom $166 a nightMarriott’s Timber LodgeMarriott’s Timber LodgeLake Tahoe, California8 guests · 2 bedroomsFrom $207 a nightMarriott’s Shadow RidgeMarriott’s Shadow RidgePalm Desert, California8 guests · 2 bedroomsFrom $233 a nightFour Seasons Residence Club AviaraFour Seasons Residence Club AviaraCarlsbad, California8 guests · 2 bedroomsFrom $631 a nightHyatt Vacation Club at Northstar LodgeHyatt Vacation Club at Northstar LodgeTruckee, California8 guests · 2 bedroomsFrom $740 a night

Where you’ll stay in California

In Palm Desert, Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas has seven outdoor pools and a children’s splash area, with golf and Joshua Tree National Park nearby. Marriott’s Shadow Ridge is a family resort in the same town, with golf courses and resort-style pools.

At Lake Tahoe, Marriott’s Timber Lodge is in the heart of Heavenly Village, with ski-in, ski-out access by the Heavenly Gondola and no resort fees. Hyatt Vacation Club at Northstar Lodge, in Truckee, has a private gondola to the slopes and the Village at Northstar steps away. Both work all year: skiing in winter, hiking in summer.

On the coast, Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas sits on the bluffs above the Pacific in Newport Beach, near Balboa Island and Fashion Island. Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara, in Carlsbad, overlooks the Batiquitos Lagoon, about 10 minutes from the beach and LEGOLAND.

Every stay is rented directly from an owner of the week. You don’t need a membership. One scowt handles your booking from your first question to check-in. Owners hold a villa type, such as a two-bedroom, not a set villa, so the resort assigns your villa when you arrive.

When to go

Tahoe works all year: skiing in winter, hiking in summer. At Newport Coast, summer is peak season.

In the busiest weeks, stays run 7 nights, weekend to weekend. Outside them, with enough notice, the minimum is 4 nights and check-in days are flexible. Check-in is 4 PM and check-out is 10 AM.

Questions about California

Desert, mountains or coast?

Palm Desert for pools and golf. Lake Tahoe for skiing and summer hiking. Newport Beach and Carlsbad for the Pacific, with LEGOLAND and the San Diego Zoo within a drive of Aviara.

Do any of these resorts charge a resort fee?

Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara charges a mandatory daily resort fee of about $40 per villa. Timber Lodge charges none. Ask your scowt about the others before you book.

Can I pick my villa or the view?

No. Owners hold a villa type, such as a two-bedroom, not a set villa or view. The resort assigns your villa at check-in, so no one can promise a view or a floor.

Can I stay fewer than 7 nights?

Often, yes. In the busiest weeks, stays run 7 nights, weekend to weekend. Outside them, with enough notice, the minimum is 4 nights and check-in days are flexible. Tell your scowt your dates and we’ll check availability.

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