Southern California is a favorite summer time destination. It offers temperatures between 70-80 degrees and the fun of being on the Pacific Ocean. I recently visited all of the timeshares along the coast that Interval International offers that are Premier or 5 star status. Unfortunately, other than Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas and the Four Seasons Aviara, many of the properties are similar to 3 or 4 star properties. Below is the list of the properties I like:
Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas, Newport Beach – This large property has nearly 800 2-bedroom villas. The villas are classic Marriott style–spacious, nicely decorated and comfortable. There are 4 pool areas to enjoy but the main pool is my favorite. The beach is about a 10-15 minute walk away or you can drive down and park within Crystal Cove State Park. There is no restaurant on property so plan on having a car to drive to Laguna, Newport or Balboa Island for your meals.
Four Seasons Residence Club, Carlsbad – This timeshare shares the property with the Park Hyatt (formerly the Four Seasons Aviara). The villas are beautifully appointed as you would expect from a Four Seasons property. Each villa complex has their own pool area plus you have access to the pools at the hotel. This property is about a 10 minute drive to the ocean.
Tamarack Beach Resort, Carlsbad – If you want to be at the beach in the Carlsbad area (35 miles north of San Diego), choose the Tamarack Beach Resort. Located directly across the Pacific Coast Highway from the ocean, this timeshare offers 50 timeshare units all with full or partial oceanviews. The villas are being updated and refurbished slowly over time so some of the villas have not seen an update in 7 years. They offer 1 and 2 bedroom units with a Queen or 2 twin beds in the second bedroom. They have exercise facilities onsite and a pool within the inner courtyard. They exchange both with RCI and Interval International with more of their trades coming through RCI.
Capistrano Surfside Inn, Capistrano Beach – Capistrano Beach is half way between LA and San Diego (approx. 60 miles from each). This resort is directly across from the Ocean but you need to walk to a bridge a couple blocks away to cross the Coast Highway. This a small and cozy timeshare. It is a Select rated resort with II. Only 37 1- and 2-bedrooms units are available, most with oceanviews . They offer a gym, pool, bikes and grills on all the decks. I liked the feel of the resort even though the villas are small and dated.
Welk Resorts, Escondido – If you don’t mind being 30 minutes away from the Ocean and 30 minutes from San Diego, then you will enjoy the Welk Resort. This 640 acre property boasts an executive 18-hole golf course and par 3 course, several pools, recreation facilities, a theatre, and shops. There are 3 phases of timeshare units: Mountain Villas are the newest and the most contemporary, Villas on the Green are all 1 bedroom villas soon to be updated and the Lawrence Welk Resort Villas which are the largest but also the oldest and soon to be updated as well. This family friendly property has a real resort feel, set into the mountains, but the temperatures are about 5-6 degrees warmer than at the Ocean.
