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Breath taking sunsets - Nelson's at Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Nelson's at Terranea Resort

4.5 (410)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 49 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for brunch
  • Great for scenic views
  • Charming
A guest favorite for casual dining, Nelson’s is perched directly above the ocean coves made famous by the 1950s television series Sea Hunt – from which this modern surf shack takes its name. The cliff-top eatery pays homage to Sea Hunt’s main character, Mike Nelson, as well as actor Lloyd Bridges’ lifetime efforts to protect the environment and the ocean. Guests enjoy coastal cuisine and a warm, friendly bar atmosphere surrounded by outdoor fire pits and unrivalled sunset views. This Southern California restaurant offers one of the most scenic locations in Palos Verdes to enjoy a meal or drink in a relaxed setting.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Gastro Pub, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–8:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sat 9:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 9:00 am–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Juan Nunez
  • Neighborhood
    Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates
  • Cross street
    Palos Verdes Drive South
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 410 people are saying

Nelson's at Terranea Resort reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.2Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Beach Cities

    Great for brunch

  • Beach Cities

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Nelson's at Terranea Resort boasts "spectacular views" of the Pacific Ocean, creating a picturesque dining atmosphere. Guests highlight the "great cocktails" and "fabulous service," making it a perfect spot for a relaxing meal. While some food items received mixed reviews, the ambiance and ocean backdrop are "unbeatable."
410 Reviews
  1. Colby

    Orlando / Central Florida East1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    CANT GO WRONG WOTH A NELSONS BURGER!!! Great drinks and scenery as well I love taking the family here. Don’t forget to validate your parking for valet!

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  2. Isaac VIP

    Los Angeles25 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful evening by the ocean, fire pit and yummy food

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  3. Jonna VIP

    Los Angeles3 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on June 1, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    A group of us go for the view and property, but our outside table was positioned in front of a bunch of heaters stored in black bags. We also think the food tastes worse each time. The tortilla chips tasted dried and stale. The lobster roll is getting smaller and nothing to recommend. They really need to up the ante on the food and put the heaters elsewhere!

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  4. Florestine

    Los Angeles10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Lovely time. Took the kids this visit. The kids menu was delicious. The best hamburger and fish and chips!

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  5. Jan VIP

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It is quite the stunning backdrop for a beautiful lunch!!!!! Family in town and they LOVED it!!! Thanks!!!

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  6. Nicole

    Hawaii4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Came here for a lunch with my girlfriends. We were seated promptly at a nice table with a gorgeous ocean view. The service was friendly and prompt, and we enjoyed some nice food and a leisurely afternoon. Extra points for having Schramsburg!

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  7. J VIP

    Orange County3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great View, Okay food This place has one of the best ocean views around, absolutely beautiful, especially at sunset. The vibe is super chill and perfect for a relaxed meal or drinks with friends. The food was good, but nothing that stood out. You are mostly here for the atmosphere and that part totally delivers. Would definitely come back for the view and the vibe alone!

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  8. Oya

    Philadelphia County5 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on May 1, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Food was not good. Service is terrible. It’s not worth it

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  9. Kimberly VIP

    Philadelphia County11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing sunset view, very casual, a little noisy inside.

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  10. John

    Los Angeles11 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 28, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Nelson’s at Terranea Resort offers an unbeatable view of the Pacific Ocean, with waves crashing against the cliffs and a serene, coastal atmosphere that makes for a picturesque lunch setting. The open-air patio and ocean breeze created the perfect ambiance for a relaxing afternoon, and we took some stunning photos to remember the moment. Unfortunately, the food didn’t quite match the scenery. The chips and dip were easily the best thing we had—crispy, fresh, and paired with a flavorful dip that we kept reaching for. Everything else, however, was underwhelming. The burgers lacked seasoning and tasted uninspired, while the fries were overly salty and unremarkable. For the price, we expected something much better than standard hotel restaurant fare. Our server was friendly and did their best to accommodate us, but the overall experience left us feeling like we had paid for the view more than the meal. Nelson’s is worth a visit for the stunning location, but if you’re looking for a meal that’s as impressive as the scenery, you might want to dine elsewhere.

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FAQs

Nelson's at Terranea Resort offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (866) 690-6821.

Nelson's at Terranea Resort is rated 4.5 stars by 410 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Los Angeles
  4. Beach Cities
  5. Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 49 times today
Google Map for Nelson's at Terranea Resort

100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Palos Verdes Drive South
  • Neighborhood
    Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–8:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sat 9:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 9:00 am–8:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Gastro Pub, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Juan Nunez
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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