orangetravelcat

My husband will be 65 in February. That's a big one. I'd like to plan a short (3 or 4 day) trip to celebrate the occasion. We live in the Phoenix area, and I'm thinking we could fly to SFO and would then be willing to drive an hour or two or three to get to a beautiful destination where we could just relax, eat good food, and maybe enjoy some winter storms. Any suggestions?

Otis_B_Driftwood

Sounds like the Mendocino Coast would be a good choice or the Sonoma Coast if you don't want to go that far.

Or, if price is no object, Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur.

orangetravelcat

Unfortunately, price is an object. We've been to Mendocino and loved it but I don't know if we want to drive that far. Re the Sonoma Coast, any suggestions?

LoveItaly

Hello orangetravelcat! Here is a website for Sonoma County to get you started. With the time you have Sonoma County wouldn't be that far away from SFO where you are arriving and departing. You no doubt will have winter storms in February but since that is what you are looking for (quite a change from Phoenix) storms along the coastline are fantastic.

http://www.sonoma.com/regions/sonoma_coast/

Life is fun. My late husband's birthday was in February also and he always wanted to go to where it was sunny to get away from the N CA winter weather so we would go to Hawaii or the last many years to Mexico.

iamq

Look into renting a cottage or home at The Sea Ranch. It is just south of Gualala. It is a unique and different development. I have watched many a winter storm hit the coast from the comfort of a cozy oceanfront home with a fire roaring in the fireplace. Lots of rugged coastline, good walking trails and good eats nearby.

Here is a link to some historical info about it:
http://www.searanchescape.com/history.html

Here are some rental agents. I have used them all and would recommend them.

http://www.searanchescape.com
www.ramsheadrealty.com
www.oceanviewprop.com
http://www.searanchgetaway.com

patandhank

What about Carmel? Well within your driving times - beautiful scenery. Tickle Pink Inn there has a great reputation. So does the Hyatt Highlands

JayZee

My wife's & my birthdays are in February and we like the coast. So many great places such as the Heritage House, Bodega Bay Lodge, The Ritz at Half Moon Bay, Inn at Depot Hill, the Inn at Spanish Bay and finally the Post Ranch Inn.

All great places!!!

kimamom

We recently stayed at La Playa in Carmel and loved it, this was our second stay at this property and we had a King Patio room that opened out to the beautiful gardens. I loved the pool here and the restaurant is very good, also. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Christopher's, lunch at Demetra's Cafe, appetizers at Roy's on 17 Mile Drive and dinner at "the C" at the Clement in Monterey. Have fun! ***kim***

orangetravelcat

Thanks for all your responses. We're going to Carmel in August so wouldn't want to go again in Feb. Several years ago we went to Sea Ranch and loved it; we didn't rent a house though. We stayed at the lodge. I will check out the house rentals. That is certainly an option. Bodega Bay is another option. I'll check out the sonoma coast website for other ideas.

orangetravelcat

Has anyone stayed at Whale Watch Inn or Breakers Inn in Gualala? How about the Timber Cove Inn, or the Jenner Inn? Will go to tripadvisor.com now to see the reviews, but if anyone here has personal experience, would like to hear it.

iamq

I stayed at the Jenner Inn a gazillion years ago in probably the smallest room I've ever stayed in. It was quaint, but small! Nice area, but I prefer it further up the coast.

iamq

I forgot, if you're considering the Gualala area, check out the Sea Ranch Lodge. It is in the southern portion of the Sea Ranch. Semi rustic, but the location can't be beat.

orangetravelcat

I've also been looking at some websites for coastal Oregon, and that seems like a great option for winter storm watching.

orangetravelcat

Obviously we would fly to Portland if we decided on OR.

Otis_B_Driftwood

I don't know how much you like winter storms but the further north you go, the better the chance of being in one. Of course, if you get a really good one, you may not make it in to Portland (or out). This past winter, there was a two week period (around Christmas, I believe) when virtually all air traffic was halted in Portland. That could happen in February too.

If it was me, I'd prefer a warmer destination. You have some nice tropical beaches just a few hours south of you by air. I'd rather celebrate my b'day drinking margaritas rather than Irich coffees.

orangetravelcat

Right now I am just in the thinking about it stage. I am also thinking of going to Costa Rica. I know my husband would love to see wildlife and birds. I'm investigating that possibility, too.

bodi

Half Moon Bay, Landis Shores is right on the beach with the sound of the surf in your room. The Beach House is also right on the water, but the breakwater which is calm & quiet, so not the surf sounds, more wild life and the fog horn. In Princeton Harbor, Oceano Hotel$$$ is fabulous as is Pillar Point Inn for a bit less$$. The views here are of the boats and harbor, and another step closer to the fog horn. Great area to walk and eat. Feb can be the Maverick's surf contest if the biggest waves in the world develop, in 24 hour notice the surfers fly in for an awesome event, but when it happens is up to mother nature. Harbor House, newly named Mavericks Inn is also right on the water. Further south from Landis is the Ritz$$$$$ a spectacular property on the ocean cliff.

orangetravelcat

Costa Rica is out of the running since my husband just had an episode of chest pain and was hospitalized overnight. It wasn't a heart attack, as we feared, but made me think that someplace like CR, which would involve going to places that might not have top notch medical care, wouldn't be wise.

Bodi, I'm going to look at the websites of the places you've mentioned. Thanks.

musicfan

Sorry to hear about his health scare!

If you're still considering the Whale Watch Inn:

We lived in No Cal for 5+ years (almost 18 years ago now) and I was assisting a co-worker here in Kansas City with a trip to Northern California this past March. I suggested Mendocino and the Whale Watch Inn...they stayed there and positively LOVED it...even brought me a box of candy to thank me for the recommendation. Hope this helps and enjoy your planning!

Otis_B_Driftwood

Too bad about your husband's condition. Maybe someday he will be up to a trip down there. It is very beautiful. You can get a lot of information on the Mexico/Central American board. I used it a lot before our trip down there.

We really enjoyed the town of Montezuma. It is a great place to get away and enjoy the ocean. It was featured on the Travel Channel last night in the Bridget's Sexiest Beaches show.

In my opinion, Half Moon Bay is a great place for locals to go if they don't want to drive too far but I wouldn't fly in from Arizona to go there. The Monterey or Sonoma/Mendocino Coasts have a lot more to offer.