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Here's what others have had to say about Rancho Valencia, an Auberge Resort.
"One word sums it up for RV.....AWESOME!!! Accomodtions are superb and the tennis facility is outstanding. In fact, the playing environment is so beautiful that it can be distracting. John DeLille and his staff are the secret ingredients that make RV a must-go destination for tennis players looking for a first-class resort experience. Leave some time for the spa, you won't regret it."—T.M., Adv. Int., May 2009
"Rancho Valencia is a gem. The resort has picturesque spanish style villas,a beautiful and relaxing spa and outstanding resturant.My wife and I had a romantic and peaceful getaway weekend.
The Tennis Director set us up with players at our skill level for some fun mixed doubles. We both also participated in instructional clinics which provided some good tips to improve our stroke production. Our only regret was that we had to leave Rancho Valencia after being pampered for three days."—D.M., Adv. Int., April 2009
""—D.B., Int., April 2009
"The staff is incredible. The accomodations great. We go back every year and wish we could stay longer."—S.B., Adv. Int., April 2009
"Our annual retreat to Rancho Valencia is always fabulous. The fun-filled tennis clinic with Steve really improves my game! Good weather and first class amenities add to a wonderful stay. I highly recommend Rancho Valencia."—M.M., Low Int., April 2009
"I absolutely LOVED my experience at Rancho Valencia. I never expected to have such an amazing time, and for a reasonable rate - particularly in this economy. I came to Rancho Valencia as a beginner - make that an "extreme beginner," and left with more confidence and skills than I imagined being able to gain in only 4 days on the courts. The 3-hour morning sessions were phenomenal, and John (Tennis Director Extraordinaire) made every effort to match me with a pro with whom I would be well suited given my instruction needs and goals. Mason taught me a tremendous amount, watched my progress closely and was able to spot subtle things I was doing wrong and which could be improved. After 2 hours on the court, players were treated to a beautiful fruit "snack," which was actually a generous spread of fresh melons, pineapples, grapes, etc., along with freshly squeezed orange juice.
I was waiting for someone from Conde Nast Travel to come out and take our picture - it was just so beautiful and refreshing. Pros other than Mason were more than happy to provide me with tips, as well, and even though I was a beginner, I never felt at more ease... Not only did a learn a ton during these clinics, but I also had a great time. The Rancho Tennis Team somehow integrates learning and enjoyment very well...
In the afternoons, I was able to work with the ball machine with very few limitations. When the balls seemed to be feeding improperly, John purchased a whole new slew of balls for me and refilled the machine so it would work without a hitch. Pros came by to watch and shout out tips or adjustments, even though my using the ball machine was totally free.
In addition to the tennis program, the rooms were spectacular and the staff could not have been more helpful. My primary objective in going all the way from New York City to Rancho Santa Fe was for the tennis, but I found that the resort offered so much more than that alone. Even before signing out, I asked about when rates were lower so I could come back twice in one year, and continue to improve my game and have an amazing time using the other resort facilities.
Weaknesses are hard - if even possible - to identify. I can't say, in all honesty, that I can claim any part of my experience as having a weakness. It's not the cheapest place, but it was a great deal for what you get."—K.R., Beg., April 2009
"Lovely, peaceful natural setting near the Pacific, wonderful food and great tennis staff."—J.T., Int., April 2009
"Great tennis pro, John Delille, who bends over backwards to make sure every player has a great time & appropriate instruction. The rooms are terrific, each has a private patio. The grounds are lovely. Location near the Del Mar beaches is very good."—L.F., Adv. Int., April 2009
"Rancho Valencia is EXCELLENT. My Husband ,myself and 2 boys age 10 and 11 have now returned from our 4th visit. We go specifically for the tennis program.LOve IT!!!!"—J.R., Adv. Int., April 2009
""—A.C., Int., April 2009
"I had my first tennis vacation at this resort last October with some new teammates who had experienced Rancho on a number of occasions over the years. My sister tennis players couldn't express enough how wonderful the pros are
(JOHN et. al) and how beautiful the resort accomodations are. Well, after experiencing this myself, I can see why my tennis sisters return year after year. I had such a fun tennis adventure and plan on returning annually with
my new team."—K.M., Int., April 2009
"Beautiful resort with first class pros! We had amazing instruction that dramatically improved our game. The pros are professional, fun and challenging. This has become an annual trip for our tennis team that we all look forward to."—J.D., Adv. Int., April 2009
Rate Rancho Valencia, an Auberge Resort
RCA Labels Group chairman Joe Galante and his wife Phran first vacationed at California's Rancho Valencia in 1996 and were so taken by it they've been back several times since, each time enrolling in the three-hour morning tennis clinic.
"We've been to camps in Florida and on Hilton Head Island," Galante told me during a break in the drills. "This one is more relaxed. A really aggressive approach is fine if you're a 5.0 trying to improve, but there's enough aggression in our lives without having it spill over onto the tennis court."
"The staff hasn't changed during the year we've been coming," he continued. "What's impressive is they remember what we worked on the last time and pick up from there."
The relaxed pace of the drills on Galante's court, which held four intermediates, did not carry over onto the next, where former Princeton player Rob Glanville was trying to recover his form after years of living in Russia and playing at most an hour a week. Since there was no one else in the clinic near his level, he worked one-on-one. The pace and aggressiveness of his drills contrasted dramatically with Galante's.
"At a resort like this, we feel we have to provide that kind of service," explained Nancy Hunter, the former tennis director who is now runs several divisions of the the hotel. "We run the clinic even if only one person signs up and we use an additional pro when we have someone who's much stronger or weaker than the others."
Set amid the horse farms, citrus groves, and multi-million-dollar houses in the hills 24 miles north of San Diego, Rancho Valencia hugs the eucalyptus-capped slope of a secluded valley not far from Rancho Santa Fe. The access road loops around the 17 courts—built in three clusters connected by walkways—before ending in front of a Spanish Colonial-style clubhouse inspired by old Rancho Santa Fe estates.
For a tiny resort it has remarkable breadth of dimensions, not only the tennis but a spacious outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a 10,000-square-foot spa, a croquet court, and putting green. The nearest golf course is immediately adjacent, though guests have privileges at half a dozen in the area. And all of the rooms are just short walk from the resort's award-winning restaurant.
"We love everything about it: the rooms, the restaurant, the staff," says Galante. "Each time we come back we feel like family."
Pro Shop: 858-759-6224
When Rancho Valencia first opened, 
it was part of the now defunct John Gardiner family of tennis camps. Although it has dropped the all-day camp format, it still seeks to satisfy avid players with a three-hour clinic, which finishes by noon. Guests who want more—or something else—can then take advantage of its conscientious game-matching services, private lessons, and weekly men's and women's round robins.
Tennis Staff. The day-to-day tennis operations fall to John Delille, the tennis and recreation director, who has been there for more than two decades and is the glue that holds the operation together. Responsibility for instruction falls to head pro Eduardo Sanchez. He has been there since the resort opened and spearheaded the evolution from the Gardiner camp program to the resort's own instructional clinics. They're assisted by another handful of full and part-time staff, who together ensure that guests and members get as much tennis as they crave.
Game-Matching: Staff recruits other guests or draws on its local membership to find appropriate opponents.
Instructional Clinics: 3 hours/day. Notable for the small size of the groups—never more than four players per instructor and often less—and a philosophy of tailoring the instruction and drills to the particular needs of each session's players. Combines work on technical aspects of all the strokes with doubles and singles play.
Social Tennis. Every week there is a men's round-robin doubles event and a ladies tenniscize—fast-paced drills—followed by social doubles. There is also a Saturday morning men's 5.0 workout and a Sunday morning 3.0 ladies workout. Once a month the club stages a mixed doubles round robin. Any of these afford the opportunity to meet other tennis-playing guests and local tennis members.
Courts & Fees. There are 17 hard courts (none with lights) arranged in three clusters variously called Palm, Citrus, and Sycamore for the trees planted around them. One of these courts has been dedicated to a self-feeding ball machine. Court time is free.
Spa & Fitness Center.
At 10,000 square feet, the Spa at Rancho Valencia is very large relative to the number of rooms. Decor runs to hand-crafted European tiles and Italian fountains, 
while the treatments focus on using such local ingredients as avocado, grape seed, and natural healing agents from the ocean. Outdoors, there are three therapeutic pools (hot, warm and cold), a Watsu therapy/massage pool, a lap pool, and private sun gardens. The fitness center has moved here as well, offering such wellness workouts as yoga, Pilates (private Reformer Sessions and group mat classes), and spinning, as well as a suite of cardio machines each with personal televisions and attached DVD players.
Croquet. Regulation croquet lawn adjacent to the main clubhouse. Use of the lawns and equipment is complimentary.
Golf. Although it lacks a golf course of its own, the resort has a putting green and has playing privileges at several nearby courses. It also offers a golf package.
And ... Outdoor heated lap pool with adjacent Jacuzzi, complimentary mountain bikes, maps of walking/jogging trails in nearby hills.
Although you may not at first expect Rancho Valencia to lure families, it does accommodate guests with kids by offering summer and holiday tennis camps for juniors and, in fact, devotes one pro year-round specifically to tennis for juniors. Among the offerings is a two-hour clinic specifically for your family. does not discourage children, it is essentially an adult retreat. It has little organized activity for kids apart from a junior tennis academy (ages 7 to 20) that exists to serve the children of members but also accepts the children of guests.
Short of booking a luxury condominium at some of the better tennis resorts, nothing comes close to the elegance, comfort, or spaciousness of Rancho Valencia's accommodations. Lodging at the resort consist of 20 cottages—each containing two lavish suites—and a 3-suite Hacienda. All of these casitas perch in a garden of flowers and trees on a grassy knoll above the clubhouse.
The basic suites—if "basic" is the right word for these lavish spaces—have three floor plans. The smaller Del Mar suites are technically junior suites since there is no wall separating the bedroom from the living area. However, at 850 square feet, 
these suites hardly deserve the diminutive "junior." The 1,200-square-foot Rancho Santa Fe suites, by contrast, do have a completely separate bedroom and more space than most one-bedroom condos. The newest Grove Suites are, like Del Mar, technically junior suites, but provide a very ample 1,000 square feet of living space. All three types have a sitting room with a fireplace, a private patio with views of the surrounding hills, and a mammoth tiled bath with separate tub and shower, terrycloth robes, and towels the size of sheets. The Grove Suites add a high-definition plasma screen TV, outdoor Jacuzzi, steam shower, a home entertainment center with CD and DVD players, VCR, a tuner.
Their exquisite decor includes vaulted wood ceilings above terra-cotta floors accented with Berber rugs. Signed lithographs and original watercolors decorate the walls. Scattered throughout are plants, fresh flowers and beeswax candles. Among the amenities are wet bars, coffeemakers, safes, and two remote-control televisions. And to cap it off, every morning the Rancho Valencia staff leaves fresh-squeezed orange juice, a newspaper, and a rosebud on a shelf just outside the front door.
Even people who are not guests of Rancho Valencia drive the winding road to the resort to indulge in the sumptuous California-Mediterranean cuisine. Although the menu changes seasonally with available ingredients the choices could include organic Loch Duart salmon, Valencia veal picatta with asparagus spears, a tasting of vegetarian dishes, and mesquite grilled petite New Zealand lamb, all capped off with a Meyer lemon tart or an artisan cheese plate. No one has to leave the property to dine extremely well.
If you like the sound of Rancho Valencia, you may also want to consider, in this order:
Rates at Rancho Valencia are the same year-round and vary according to the size and location of the suite chosen and whether you're booking midweek or weekend and whether its a holiday. There is also a Hacienda, which contains three suites, a full kitchen, and a private pool.
Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2009
Suites, $375-$1,075. Hacienda: $2,375-$5,000
Tennis clinic (3 hours)
$95/person/day
Seasons: Year-round. The climate here, 7 miles from the ocean, borders on ideal. Average high temperatures in January hover in the mid 60s and even in August it is possible to sleep comfortably without having to turn on the air conditioning, especially since the rooms have ceiling fans.
Travel Instructions. The resort is 24 miles from San Diego International Airport. To reach it from San Diego or La Jolla by car take I-5 north to Del Mar Heights Road east. Continue to El Camino Real and turn left. Turn right at San Dieguito Road. Turn right on Rancho Diegueno Road, then left (immediately) at Rancho Valencia Road and then left at Rancho Valencia Drive.
General Tourist Information. There are two sources of information: for the immediate area, visit the San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 360 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025-2600. Phone: 800-848-3336; for the county as a whole, visit the San Diego County Convention & Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 2215 India St., San Diego, CA 92101. Phone: 619-236-1212.