Monday, August 31, 2026

  1. A modernist resort on a coastal bluff between San Diego and Orange County, Alila Marea sits just high enough above the Pacific that even the pool feels like a vantage point. Rooms run toward calm minimalism with floor-to-ceiling windows, and not every one faces the water directly, though the tradeoff is rarely painful. The spa, a poolside bar, and VAGA Restaurant round out the property for guests who'd rather not leave.

    Two honors, in evidence:

    The record strongest first

    One number, weighted & current 87

    How we score

Nearby in the record closest first

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Eat Score

The score comes from the awards it's won, weighted by who gave them: a Michelin star outweighs a listicle. When you sort by what's nearby, distance changes the order, never the score.

    How we score →

    Drink Score

    The score comes from the awards it's won, weighted by who gave them: a Michelin star outweighs a listicle. When you sort by what's nearby, distance changes the order, never the score.

      How we score →

      Stay Score

      The score comes from the awards it's won, weighted by who gave them: a Michelin star outweighs a listicle. When you sort by what's nearby, distance changes the order, never the score.

        How we score →

        Do Score

        The score comes from the awards it's won, weighted by who gave them: a Michelin star outweighs a listicle. When you sort by what's nearby, distance changes the order, never the score.

          How we score →

          Best Place Score

          The Best Place Score rates the area around a point, not any one place. It runs on the scored places nearby: more good stuff within reach, higher score. If it looks low, we probably haven't found enough critics out here yet.