Easter weekend is an ideal time to take a Spring trip to a new Southern California destination. The flowers are in their fully glory and the weather is warm with bright blue skies this time of year. Gather your loved ones and check into a luxury resort for some Easter festivities.

Flowers in Full Bloom at Omni La Costa

During the month of April, the flowers around the resort are in full bloom. Nearby, at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, the sloping hills are ablaze in a rainbow of vibrant colored ranunculus with purple, salmon, pink, picotee (a mixture of colors) orange, gold, yellow and white petals.

The Omni La Costa is having a special family fun Easter weekend with lively egg hunts hidden throughout the resort and golf course. Not only are there sweet treats, but spa treatment prizes, a round of golf and even a free night’s stay in some of the eggs. Craft tables are set for little ones and a special holiday brunch. The Easter Bunny will hop around the resort for photo opportunities. The Spa is utilizing lavender, citrus and kale in botanical-inspired spa treatments. The resort’s Diversions Sport Lounge is creating floral craft cocktails that include a Rosebiscus and Coconut Lavender Lemonade. Athletic Club trainers will lead guests around the resort grounds on a botanical walking tour. https://www.omnihotels.com (760)438-9111.

Celebrate Easter next to the Sea

Cape Rey Carlsbad is hosting an open-air fun-filled family Easter celebration. Easter egg hunts begin at 11:10 a.m., 11:50 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. The Easter Bunny will arrive for photo opportunities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and arts and crafts area for little ones. Mom and Dad may want to enjoy a complimentary mimosa to pair with an array of Executive Chef Teri McIllwain’s Easter Brunch classics and specialities. The menu includes a deviled egg bar and a raw bar featuring oysters, prawns, crab claws and poke. Heartier items include a smoked whiskey brined pork loin, and mixed boat paella. Ask for their Stay, Play & Save Spring Break package complimentary breakfast, discounts at the inhouse Ocean Crest spa and Chandler’s restaurant. www.chandlerscarlsbad.com (760)683-5500.

OC Easter Extravaganza

In the Backyard of the Hotel Irvine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is a celebration of Easter with a treat filled egg hunt, photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, and a photo booth for the family to snap a memory souvenir to take home. The chefs at EATS Kitchen & Bar are preparing brunch favorites that include Huevos Rancheros, smoked salmon eggs, Eggs Benedict and Prime rib. Adults can prepare their own mimosas at the build-your-own sparkling cocktail with an array of freshly squeeze juices. Take advantage of Hotel Irvine’s Spring Break Getaway package until May 2017. Guests can take complimentary bicycles out for a spin on over 22 miles of paved bike paths to the beach, and receive a $50 credit at the hotel’s hip Marketplace to purchase picnic items for lunch on the road. Ask about the Duffy electric boat rental to cruise around Balboa and Lido Islands in Newport Beach. www.hotelirvine.com. (866)396-4201.

The Shade Hotels

Both Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach have invited the Easter Bunny to hop over for an appearance at both properties, while the chefs are making a decadent Easter Brunch. In Manhattan Beach at Zinc on April 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with tables in the courtyard and on the terrace. Both hotels will host a gourmet buffet, and entertaining activities for little ones that include art pieces at a supervised craft table and an Easter egg hunt. At the Shade Manhattan Beach, Executive Chef Ashley Oates offers an abundant classic brunch menu with French toast; mini crab cakes; cabernet braised black angus short ribs and Scottish salmon filets. Guests can indulge their sweet tooth with a chocolate fountain and assorted dipping items such as fresh fruit, mini crème brulees and cake pops. Guests can reserve tables in the courtyard or on the terrace. 1221 N. Valley Drive (310)546-4995. http://www.shadehotel.com

Overlooking Redondo Beach Marina

At the Sea Level Restaurant and lounge inside the Shade Redondo Beach boutique hotel, Executive Chef Aaron Robbins will offer a guests decadent brunch items that include vanilla bean French toast; rigatoni with garlic roasted tomatoes, house made fennel sausage and fresh basil; and a taco station with a choice of slow roasted carnitas and tender marinated chicken; roasted chicken breast with fresh Marsala-mushroom sauce; and a smoked salmon and charcuterie display. For dessert, a decadent assortment of fresh fruit tarts, mini cupcakes and strawberry cream puffs are available for guests to savor. Guests can also reserve a table on the third-floor Horizon Level overlooking the sailboats. 655 North Harbor Drive, (310)921-8950. Click here to learn more

Montage Laguna Beach

Two years ago we celebrated Easter at the beach themed Montage Laguna Beach. Located on 30 acres of seaside luxury, the resort offers 250 guest room and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. On Easter morning after we took a walk along the beach, we noticed the property was prepared for festive Spring celebrations. There was a musician setting up on the grassy lawn, near a petting zoo with bunnies, chickens and other farm animals. An Easter buffet inside had 12 stations of visually stunning dishes from appetizers to desserts. This year they are offering a Family Memories Package with one night’s accommodations in an oceanfront guestroom with access to all resort amenities. Guests receive on $60 breakfast credit at The Loft or In-Room Dining and complimentary half-day Paintbox admission for little ones ($70 value). Capture your family memories with a complimentary 45 minute photo session with a photographer from Pacific Dream Photography. $100 print credit included, no sitting fee required and no obligation to purchase. 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach (866)271-6953. https://www.montagehotels.com/lagunabeach/easter-2017/.

Bunnies and Whales at Terranea

Spend the Easter weekend overlooking the Pacific Ocean to see whales spouting close to shore. Bring your friends and family to one of the Easter Brunch options in the Palos Verdes Ballroom, mar’sel and catalina kitchen. There is also a special menu at bashi, and a waffle station at sea beans. Use promo code EASTER17 when booking a two-night stay or longer over the weekend, and receive four tickets to the ballroom brunch and Easter Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt. Use promo code EASTER17 when booking.  Call (877)591-0436 visit Terranea.com .

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa

Family Easter Fun at the coastal resort includes three Easter egg hunts, a brunch with a live jazz trio, roaming balloon artists and the screening of the movie “Zootopia.” The festivities begin at 10 a.m. to  2 p.m., on the resort’s sprawling green Lighthouse Lawn with more than 10 specialty dining stations with unlimited champange, coffee, tea and soda. Listen to the sounds of a live jazz band, while selectiong gourmet dining options that include Carrot-Ginger Soup with Lemon Crème Fraiche and Carrot Top Gremolata; Local Halibut Ceviche with Crispy Tostadas, and Crab Cakes Hot off the Griddle. Elegant entrees are Herb & Pepper Encrusted Carved Baron of Beef; Honey and Tangerine Glazed Easter Ham with Cherry Onion Marmalade and Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon with Saffron and an Herb Aioli. An endless sweets display will overflow with a chocolate fountain surrounded by treats for dipping, a gelato bar, burnt sugar caramel flan and assorted whole cakes, pastries and cake pops. With unlimited champagne, coffee, tea and sodas for adults $87; for seniors 65+ $76; for kids 6-12 $28 and kids under five are free. 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach – (714)845-4659.

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa

Easter Family Fun includes personalized Egg Treasure Hunts on 4/15. Follow the trail of Hoppe the Easter Bunny as he leaves clues leading you around resort. Treasure Hunters will be rewarded with candy-filled eggs & a special treat in the end. The cost is $75 per family with a 20% service charge. The Easter Bunny is making Bunny Basket deliveries on 4/15 and 4/16. Hoppe will bounce around property delivering Easter morning baskets. at $70 per basket with a 20% service charge.

 

On Easter Sunday there is an Egg Hunt on the Orchard Lawn. The Hoppe Bunny will lead each group to their hunting location from the smallest hunters, ages 0-4, to 5-8 year olds, to the expert hunters, 9-12 year olds. Afterwards there is a Grand Easter Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Sit and hear the  soothing sounds of a live harpist, while the entire family takes trips to the grand buffet featuring traditional stations. There is a fresh juices and pastries station, omelets, salads and waffles. At the carving station enjoy maple glazed ham, roasted prime rib and leg of lamb, along with a raw bar filled with oysters on the half shell, crab claws and chilled shrimp. This brunch is $75 per person and includes bottomless sparkling wine, coffee, tea, juice and soda. It’s only $29 for children 12 and under. Children under 5 are complimentary.  905 Country Club Rd, Ojai (805)640-2085. Here’s a review of the – Ojai Valley Inn