History

Discover the Omni La Costa Resort with its stunning natural setting, state of the art sports facilities and pampering spa.

Known today for “The La Costa Lifestyle,” the Omni La Costa Resort has been a top destination for Hollywood’s elite since the mid-1960s. It all started when television producer Merv Adelson located a beautiful patch of undeveloped land near the Batiquitos Lagoon in 1963. Awe-struck by its inherent beauty, Adelson quickly set about constructing a magnificent resort upon the location. He had previous experience in developing real estate, having constructed countless golf courses, hotels, and office buildings throughout Las Vegas during the decade prior. To make his dream into a reality, Adelson partnered with Irwin Molasky and Allard Roen to finance the project. Together, the men began constructing a grand holiday destination that would become the envy of southern California. They spared no expense, installing some of the finest vacation facilities on-site. Among the most celebrated of those structure was a brilliant spa that cost the men $3 million to complete. The physical inventory was impressive and unrivaled with swimming pools, volleyball courts, saunas, and specialty mineral pools. Led by Dr. R. Phillip Smith, the spa became the first the country to earn an endorsement from the American Medical Association. Adelson and his cohorts also commissioned the creation of a brilliant 72-par golf course. Designed by renowned landscape architect Dick Wilson, it would build a reputation for its year-round playability.

When the La Costa Resort finally opened in 1965, it was truly a sight to behold with its California Mission Revival-style architecture. Its original purpose was to function as a residential resort where, “every member of the family could play and live all year round in great style.” Yet, its secluded nature wound up attracting dozens of celebrities who lived in Los Angeles to the north. Soon enough, world-famous entertainers like Charlton Heston, Bob Hope, and Johnny Carson would become regular guests at the La Costa Resort. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bing Crosby of the renowned “Rat Pack” were among the resort’s most frequent celebrity visitors, who often played friendly matches on its tennis courts. Many of America’s most powerful political figures sojourned to the La Costa Resort, as well, including former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Chief Justice Earl Warren, and U.S. President Richard Nixon. The massive 7,200-yard course also developed a sterling reputation of its own, attracting the likes of such celebrated golf professionals as Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. It soon hosted a variety of special golf tournaments, including the nationally televised Tournament of Champions.

Merv Adelson and his fellow business associates sold the La Costa Resort to a professional golf firm known as “Golf Shinko” in 1987. But that company would file for bankruptcy nearly 15 years later, forcing it to find another owner for the resort. They soon found a buyer in KSL Resorts, who went on to operate the facility from 2001 to 2007. It was during this time that the La Costa Resort received an extensive $140 million renovation. KSL Resorts redesigned the spa at a cost of $12 million, expanding it to include a 28,000-square-foot Spanish Colonial building and 15,000 square feet of fragrant gardens. La Costa’s golf courses were renovated, and a brand-new ballroom was constructed on the grounds, as well. Omni Hotels and Resorts eventually purchased the resort in 2013, renaming it as the “Omni La Costa Resort.” Under Omni’s leadership, the resort went on to receive numerous accolades and awards from such revered travel publications like Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Golfweek. Omni La Costa Resort also joined Historic Hotels of America and its sibling program, Historic Hotels Worldwide, in 2013, as well. Today, the Omni La Costa Resort still maintains its status as one of California’s most prestigious holiday destinations.

a golf course with a building in the background

Hotel Timeline

La Costa founder Merv Adelson discovered the land during a horse ride through the coastal foothills. When he arrived at the peak of a hill, he looked down upon the valley and a crystal-clear vision superimposed itself over the scene before him. Adelson spent the previous decade in Las Vegas as a real estate developer, building golf courses, hotels, and office buildings then joined forces with his partners Irwin Molasky and Allard Roen to bring his vision to life.

As early as June, La Costa’s golf courses were nearing completion. The original 72-par, 7,200-yard course – designed by renowned architect Dick Wilson – covered 215 acres and cost $1.5 million. La Costa’s course led the pack in year-round playability thanks to San Diego’s one-of-a-kind weather. The greatest professional golfers of their day would eventually grace the links, including Sam Snead, Ray Floyd, Arnold Palmer, Bobby Nichols, and Jack Nicklaus.

A place where “every member of the family could play and live all year round in great style,” La Costa was originally conceived as a residential resort with activities and instruction for all ages. The 40 units were available to guests for $22 per night which included green, tennis, stable, and pool fees.

In a few short years, La Costa had become the go-to spot for Hollywood elite. The golf course received international praise and was routinely played by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bob Hope. In the early 1970s, the famed Pancho Segura was the resident pro, and La Costa became the tennis epicenter with Charlton Heston, Johnny Carson, and Desi Arnaz exchanging rallies during their visits. The crown jewel of La Costa, The Spa, was a refuge for some of the world’s most powerful people including Richard Nixon, Jackie Kennedy, and Chief Justice Earl Warren.

Championship caliber golf and tennis tournaments settled into La Costa throughout the 1980s. The resort continued to host the Tournament of Champions while tennis gained momentum with The Davis Cup and the Carl Reiner Celebrity Tennis Tournament. In 1984 an additional nine holes were built, bringing the total to 36 and creating two unique courses–the North and the South, which are now known as Champions and Legends.

The Tournament of Champions was hosted at La Costa since 1969 and ended its final round in 1998. Long considered the Super Bowl of Golf, players had to win a PGA Tour event the preceding year in order to qualify. Champions included some of the greatest players in history like Gary Player, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

The World Golf Championships was played on the original course layout with the opening nine composed of holes 10 through 18 on the Legends Course while the closing nine consisted of holes one through three and 13 through 18 on the Champions Course. The five-day televised event raised more than $500,000 for local charities.

Omni La Costa received an extensive $140 million restoration. The newly designed $12 million spa included a 28,000 square foot Spanish Colonial building and an additional 15,000 square feet of fragrant gardens and courtyards. La Costa’s golf courses were renovated, a brand-new ballroom was added, and new partnerships were forged with Deepak Chopra and The Chopra Center.

Omni Hotels and Resorts purchased the Omni La Costa nearly a decade after undergoing its last round of renovations. The resort then joined Historic Hotels of America, as well as its sibling program, Historic Hotels Worldwide. It subsequently received numerous awards and accolades from top travel publications like Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Spa Finder, and Golfweek. Omni La Costa even expanded upon its various partnership, including the PFC Fitness Camp.

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The Location

The history of Carlsbad, California, can stretch all the way back to a remote Spanish settlement founded during the 1700s. Spanish colonials had specifically established a cattle ranch along a section of a rural highway known at the time as the “Camino Royal.” The first Anglo Americans settled the region in the mid-19th century, who quickly adopted the ranching culture of their Mexican American neighbors. A sailor named John Frazier dug a well in the area around the same time and began offering its contents to passengers on the nearby Santa Fe Railway. Travelers subsequently took to calling the pitstop as “Frazier’s Station.” Other entrepreneurs followed suit and discovered a wealth of freshwater springs throughout the countryside. Research conducted at these bodies of water revealed that they possessed similar qualities to the springs of the Czech resort town of Karlsbad. As such, the hoteliers decided to rename Frazier’s Station as “Carlsbad,” in an attempt to encourage travel to their mineral wells. The site of John Frazier's original well can still be found at Alt Karlsbad, which is located on Carlsbad Boulevard.

Throughout the 1880s and 1890s, efforts by the area’s hospitality specialists to generate tourism became far more sophisticated. The leader of that endeavor was a group of professionals that operated the Carlsbad Land and Mineral Water Company: Gerhard Schutte, Samuel Church Smith, D.D. Wadsworth, and Henry Nelson. They vigorously led a national marketing campaign that saw the number of visitors to the region explode throughout the Gilded Age. The arrival of more economic activity led to the development of more local industries, including large-scale commercial farms. Among the many different types of produce grown on those plantations were avocados, olives, and citrus fruits. Even though real estate prices collapsed at the end of the century, the local hospitality industry remained strong due to Carlsbad’s beautiful weather and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Carlsbad continued to grow as such, becoming large enough to become one of southern California’s leading cities. Carlsbad is now a major player in the modern tech industry and is still known today for its many wonderful vacation retreats.

The Architecture

Omni La Costa Resort displays a unique type of architecture known as California Mission Revival. An offshoot of the larger Spanish Colonial Revival-style, California Mission Revival first emerged in the United States during Gilded Age. The movement specifically enjoyed its greatest popularity from 1890 to 1915, although it continued to be used by architects well into the late 20th century. The California Mission Revival style of architecture—and subsequent Spanish Colonial Revival style—have a historical and cultural predominance in the southwestern United States, as it is a common sight throughout that region of the country. Franciscan monasteries constructed throughout California during the 1700s served as the primary source of inspiration for California Mission Revival-style architecture. In a manner reminiscent to those monasteries, buildings developed with California Mission Revival architecture embraced design principles that focused on necessity and security. As such, California Mission Revival-themed blueprints featured structures centered around an enclosed courtyard with massive adobe walls. The walls themselves had broad, unadorned stucco surfaces that contained limited fenestration, red clay tiling, and low-pitched roofing. Other prominent structural components to California Mission Revival-style buildings included an enfilade of interior spaces, semi-independent bell-gables, and curved “Baroque” gables installed on the primary façade.

Famous Historic Guests

Frank Sinatra, singer and actor part of the famous Rat Pat known for selling 150 million records worldwide.
Dean Martin, actor known for his roles in such films like Rio Bravo, The Wrecking Crew, and the original Ocean’s 11.
Bob Hope, comedian and patron of the United Service Organization (USO).
Charlton Heston, actor known for his roles in such movies like Ben-Hur, El Cid, and Planet of the Apes.
Bing Crosby, world-famous singer and actor known for his roles in Going My Way and The Bells of St. Mary’s.
Lucille Ball, actress best known for her roles as Lucie Ricardo in the hit television show, I Love Lucy.
Johnny Carson, comedian best remembered for hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Desi Arnaz, actor and musician known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the hit television show, I Love Lucy.
Sam Snead, winner of 7 major golf championships that include the PGA of America and Senior PGA Tour.
Ray Floyd, winner of 4 major golf championships that included the PGA Championship and the Masters Tournament.
Arnold Palmer, winner of 7 major golf championships that include the PGA Championship and the Masters Tournament.
Jack Nicklaus, winner of 18 major golf championships—the most of any professional golfer.
Earl Warren, 14th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1953 – 1969)
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, First Lady to former U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1961 – 1963)
Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States (1969 – 1973)

Film, TV and Media Connections

While no major films were ever shot at the Omni La Costa, it has been the host of the La Costa Film Festival since 2013. The event is an annual four-day celebration, in which a wide variety of films are showcased for the first time. Films of all types are welcome at the La Costa Film Festival, whether they be full-feature-length or short. The climax of the film festival is a spectacular gala, where renowned Hollywood actors receive the coveted “Legacy Award” for their contribution to cinematography. Among the previous Legacy Award recipients are Andy Garcia (2013) and Ed Harris (2014).