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

Nelson's at Terranea Resort

4.5 (544)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Make a reservation

A photo of Nelson's at Terranea Resort restaurant

Nelson's at Terranea Resort

4.5
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 37 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
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

Concierge
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Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 544 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
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Beach Cities

    Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Nelson's at Terranea Resort offers "great views" and a "stunning location" with oceanfront dining. Guests praise the "beautiful outdoor setting," "delicious food," and "wonderful service." The swordfish tacos and lobster roll are standout dishes. Some mention service delays, but the overall experience remains "lovely" and "relaxing."
544 Reviews
  1. Linda

    Los Angeles29 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Be aware of the extra fee charged for a party over 6. (Over $65!) This is not the tip. Overall service & food was good. The key lime pie was excellent! Forgot to mention our birthday celebration & lost out on a sweet. We selected this place because we had small kids.

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  2. Kristy

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The service at Nelson’s is exceptional. The entire staff at Terranea is wonderful. The service makes everything better. The hosts, servers, and all are so kind and attentive.

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  3. Bridget

    Jacksonville3 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The ambience and our amazing waitress were top notch. But we were there at 6:15pm on a Monday and was only a few people there, so not packed, and every dish we wanted they were out of. Apparently they don’t restock until Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Which is a BIG miss because you should have enough of your popular dishes like the mussels or the Lobster sandwich if you continue to run out by Mondays. Was the only reason we went there for those dishes. Management needs to fix this problem. After leaving we heard it happens often here.

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  4. Peter

    Portland5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 2, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great spot, food and service…and I can bring my dog!

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  5. Gary

    Los Angeles32 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 30, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great lunchtime experience. Service was efficient and the food was delicious. The outside dining was very nice with excellent weather and plenty of umbrellas to stay in the shade. A consistently excellent dining experience.

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  6. Suzanne

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nelson's never disappoints--great food and ambiance, and most of all the staff are lovely and super helpful and gracious.

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  7. Sarandon Gold

    Los Angeles3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We’ve been to Nelson’s many times before but this time I wanted to shout out the excellent customer service we received from Chris. I’m vegan and we ordered the one vegan dessert but found out they just ran out. He informed us and drove up the hill to retrieve another, found out it was frozen and he packaged it to go with forks, extra cookies and syrup. He went above and beyond and I wanted to post an extra thank you to him for his efforts!

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  8. John

    San Diego7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 23, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What an awesome place! Great location. Best fish n chips ever and friendly service. Loved it!!

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  9. Belinda

    Los Angeles12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 22, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My favorite place to go and to be at peace. The day was beautiful the sun was shining, the water was tranquil and seeing dolphins in the water was added, plus.

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  10. Abby

    Los Angeles2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 21, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely loved it. Beautiful outdoor setting with stunning ocean views right on the cliffs. The heaters made it comfortable, and the whole experience felt really relaxing and special. The food was delicious. I highly recommend the swordfish tacos. Great service and just an overall lovely experience.

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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

FAQs

Yes, Nelson’s is a very popular choice for date night thanks to its unbeatable cliff‑top ocean views and sunset seating. Expect a relaxed, romantic vibe on the outdoor terrace with heaters and fire pits when needed. Food and service opinions vary, but many guests recommend coming for drinks, sunset and the atmosphere; pick an early reservation for a sunset table and ask to be seated on the west patio for the best views.

Portions are generally satisfying but can vary by dish. Guests frequently praise generous entrees like seafood Cobb, fish & chips and some sandwiches, while a few items (notably the lobster roll on some visits) have been called smaller than expected. Most entrees come with a side (fries or salad), so plan to order appetizers or a shared starter if you want extra variety.

Yes, guests report family‑friendly seating and accessibility support. Nelson’s has picnic tables and outdoor patio seating that families use, a kids’ menu, and the resort runs a golf‑cart shuttle from the main lobby which helps guests who find the walk difficult. If mobility is a concern, call ahead to request shuttle service or seating nearer the entrance.

The atmosphere is casual Southern California coastal, relaxed, picture‑perfect ocean views, and lively at times. Guests love the dramatic cliffside setting, crashing waves, and sunset vibes; service and food reviews vary, so expect a friendly, casual resort vibe that’s ideal for drinks, sunsets and family outings rather than formal fine dining.

Casual dress is the recommended code. Guests typically dine in relaxed, resort‑casual attire suitable for outdoor cliff‑side seating and sunset views. Comfortable layers are a good idea, evenings can be chilly on the patio and guests frequently bring jackets or accept blankets/heaters from staff.

Yes, you can and should call ahead or note requests on your reservation. Guests report asking for sunset seating, anniversary notes, shuttle help, heaters or blankets and high chairs; staff have provided blankets, heaters and special attention. However, some guests also report requests weren’t always honored, so confirm by phone if the request is important to you.

Yes, many families dine here and the restaurant offers a kids’ menu. Guests frequently bring children for birthdays and family lunches, use picnic tables, and enjoy casual shared plates. If you have very young children, consider an earlier seating to avoid busy sunset crowds and request family‑friendly seating when you reserve.

Busiest: weekend afternoons/evenings and sunset service, guests report crowded patios, longer waits and occasional staffing delays. Quietest: mid‑week (weekday lunches or mid‑afternoons) tend to be calmer with faster service. If you prefer a peaceful meal, aim for weekday lunch or an early mid‑afternoon visit.

Weekdays (Monday–Thursday) are often the best choice for a quieter experience, guests specifically mention mid‑week visits being less crowded. If you want the sunset spectacle, plan for a Friday or Saturday evening but be prepared for a busier service and reserve early.

Yes, guests have dined at Nelson’s on holidays (reviews mention Thanksgiving and Christmas visits), so the restaurant operates on many public holidays. Hours and menu availability can differ on holidays, so call ahead and make a reservation if you plan a holiday visit.

Outdoor patio seating is dog‑friendly, guests report bringing dogs to the patio. For service animals, most public dining spaces must follow accessibility laws, but the restaurant doesn’t publish a formal policy in the provided info. If you need to bring a service animal or have questions about emotional support animals, call Nelson’s ahead to confirm arrangements.

Yes, Nelson’s is best known for its outdoor cliff‑side patio with ocean views, picnic tables, heaters and fire pits. Many guests prefer outdoor seating for sunsets, whale and dolphin watching, and the overall coastal atmosphere.

How FAQ content is generated

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

Make a reservation

A photo of Nelson's at Terranea Resort restaurant

Nelson's at Terranea Resort

4.5
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 37 times today
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