My Baby Joined Me For My Lush Stay At Terranea Resort Ahead Of the Honda Battle of the Bands
I started Black History Month by attending my first-ever Honda Battle of the Bands in Los Angeles, California, and my stay at the luxurious Terranea Resort made the experience even more unforgettable.
A car service picked me up from my home and brought me to the resort, nestled on a stunning peninsula in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. As we approached, I was captivated by the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean—blue waters and rolling hills creating the perfect backdrop for the luxurious retreat.
The roundabout driveway led to an impressive entrance framed by columned pillars and elegant, oversized doors. At check-in, I received two keys and had already arranged for someone to deliver my bags to the room. The timing was perfect, as I had my 7-month-old with me for the first night since my husband was working late.
The resort thoughtfully provided a pack-n-play in my room for my daughter to sleep in along with a requested microwave to use the sterilization bags I have for cleaning my breast pump parts. While my baby girl happily rolled around on the plush bed, I took a moment to enjoy the room’s amenities and soak in the breathtaking views of the California coastline and sparkling ocean.
A friend who was also staying at the resort asked to meet at the lobby bar for drinks, and I decided to go down for a glass of wine and a quick bite before our group dinner. The bar service was splendid and the tuna tartare I ordered was made to perfection.
I’m lucky to have a very chill and bubbly baby who doesn’t mind strangers and crowds as long as she’s well fed and not too tired. The hour I spent at the bar flew by and soon I was back in my room getting me and my baby ready for dinner.
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Dinner was served at the Catalina Kitchen, where we savored a spread of Margherita pizza, salad, mac and cheese, and personalized entrées. I opted for the butternut squash-stuffed ravioli, which featured perfectly cooked pasta and expertly seasoned squash—a delightful choice.
My husband arrived around 4 a.m. and stayed to rest before heading home with our daughter later that afternoon. Before sending him up, the hotel called to confirm his arrival, which reassured me of their commitment to guest safety.
That morning, I ordered breakfast for my husband, and he ended up staying until 4 p.m., enjoying the meal and catching up on sleep while our daughter relaxed comfortably in his arms on the plush bed.
Each day, members of my travel group raved about the resort’s exceptional customer service. Highlights included a text-message concierge, deep soaking tubs with bath salts for unwinding after a long day, 24-hour in-room dining, a well-equipped gym, and a luxurious spa, among other thoughtful amenities.
One detail that stood out was the thoughtful care room service took in organizing my personal belongings. If I left a charger on the dresser, I’d return to find it neatly wrapped in a silicone slip case. My oral and skincare products were perfectly arranged on a white towel in the bathroom. It’s the small touches that make a difference, and the Terranea Resort staff clearly understands that.
We had jam-packed days courtesy of Honda where on Friday, we got to test drive the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2024 Honda Prologue, MotoCompacto, and tour the American Honda Collection Hall at the Honda headquarters in Redondo Beach. On Saturday, I enjoyed my first Battle of the Bands experience and enjoyed media suits and even field access to watch six Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands deliver unforgettable performances and battle it out for bragging rights.
The showcase was hosted by Nick Cannon who we met during a press conference along with Grammy-nominated rapper GloRilla who closed out the event. The celebration of HBCU culture represented Honda’s nearly two-decade commitment to supporting historically Black colleges and universities.
The 2025 event marked the first-ever Honda Battle of the Bands in Los Angeles and the 19th year of this iconic celebration. As a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., I had always dreamed of experiencing a Battle of the Bands. However, not having attended an HBCU, I never had the opportunity—until Honda’s immersive introduction made that dream a reality.
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The event’s theme, “Driving the Legacy of HBCUs,” celebrated the rich heritage of historically Black colleges and universities and their vital role in advancing education and opportunities within the Black community.
The 2025 HBOB showcase featured performances by:
Alabama A&M University, Marching Maroon & White Band
Alabama State University, Mighty Marching Hornets
Hampton University, The Marching Force
North Carolina A&T State University, The Blue and Gold Marching Machine
Southern University, Human Jukebox
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South
Building on more than 35 years of support for HBCUs, Honda awarded a $50,000 grant to each participating school to strengthen its music education and career development programs. Additionally, Honda reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to HBCU music education by contributing a $500,000 grant to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund ahead of HBOB 2025. This grant will fund scholarships that support the academic aspirations of HBCU student-musicians nationwide.
Honda also partnered with the Black College Expo™ powered by the National College Resources Foundation to host a college and career fair at SoFi Stadium ahead of the HBOB Invitational Showcase. More than 200 colleges and universities, including HBCUs, provided attendees with on-the-spot interviews, acceptances, and scholarships totaling over $10 million.
A special shoutout to the amazing restaurants we visited, including lunch at Sea Level inside the Shade Hotel in Redondo Beach. I had a delicious and satisfying poke bowl, paired with two glasses of their Flowers Chardonnay. Dinner at Chart House was a treat, with fried calamari and lobster tail that hit the spot and paired well with the views of the ocean. On our last night, I enjoyed a flavorful halibut at Gabi James, followed by a mouthwatering banana bread pudding for dessert, topped off with the best espresso martinis I’ve ever had.
From my luxurious stay at Terranea Resort to test-driving the new Honda Civic Hybrid and enjoying VIP access to the first-ever Honda Battle of the Bands in LA, my inaugural Battle of the Bands experience was truly unforgettable—all thanks to Honda.
Jeroslyn JoVonn
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