Looking for Romance in Southern California
 

DESPERATELY need to reconnect with my husband. Looking for a romantic weekend getaway, from the San Fernando Valley. Would like to drive no more than 2 hours, but willing to go in any direction! Not really looking to break the bank, but will do so if necessary! Open to ALL ideas. Thanks!

How about Palm Springs or environs?

When we need to "reconnect" I find it works well with a combination of romantic dinners with wine or champagne but in a quieter environment than our home life.

To that end we have enjoyed great S. Cal getaways in Los Olivos, Catalina Island and believe it or not the "Sideways Tour".

BTW, I'm from the Bay Area so I know technically Los Olivos is considered Central California but to me everything below Big Sur is Southern Califonia . Hope this helps.

DH and I just returned from Casa Malibu. We had an oceanfront king, and it was fabulous. It's my new favorite place.

Hotel Bel Air?

Try Rancho Valencia just north of San Diego

http://www.ranchovalencia.com/

O.k., now bear with me. I appreciate the recommendations, but we're not there yet. Looked at Sycamore Springs. Perfect for me; "too healthy" for my DH, who also, dislikes the desert. Spent too much time in Malibu at law school, where we met. Hotel Bel Air is a bit more formal than I'm in the mood for and Rancho Valencia has 1 room available for a mere $5,000 per night!!!

Parrothead, have been to and enjoyed both Los Olivos and Catalina, and will consider both again. Can you tell me where you stay when you do the Sideways tour? Thanks!

I second Malibu Beach but I would recommend the Malibu Beach Inn. Its been recently renovated.
http://www.malibubeachinn.com/

Bissel (sp?) House in Pasadena on Orange Grove Blvd is a beautiful B & B and very quiet. Nice restaurants in Pasadena and South Pas. Good walks.

Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear and Idlywild all have lovely B&Bs and Lake Arrowhead also has the hilton if you like the mountains. I can personally vouch for the
Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point - great view and you can do as much or little as you like. http://www.bluelanterninn.com/
If you like old architecture and handing out, the Mission Inn in Riverside is one of my all time favorite places - eclectic place, great restaurants, fabulous spa, and nothing much to do - leaving plenty of time to focus on each other.http://www.missioninn.com/
Best wishes with the reconnect!!

Oooops that should be hanging out.

fairygemgirl, thanks for both of those recommendations. I looked at them, LOVED them both, but both are booked for our weekend. Next time, though.

I think we've settled on a Hamilton Cove villa on Catalina. We've always enjoyed it there; not much to do but relax...and that view! So mediterranean!

Thanks to all for the help.

I see you've made a choice but in answer to your question about where to stay on the Sideways tour---the options aren't much. Most places only have motel type options so last time I picked the town of Solvang so we'd at least have a chance for getting a drink after dinner.

I'd check out the Chumash Casino near Santa Ynez next time but I haven't actually seen the rooms other than on the internet.

Enjoy Catalina.

For your future wine tasting tour, I'd recommend Bacara which is in Goleta... north of Santa Barbara... or possibly one of the bed and breakfasts in Santa Ynez, Ballard or Los Olivos.

What did you do when you first dated? Hiking? Romantic dinners?

L84SKY, reading your post brought a smile to my face! It's good to remember the old days! We first dated nearly 24 years ago! I was blinded by love!

Let's see...when we first dated, we had lots of romantic dinners, walks on the beach, long drives, made out in the parking lot way on top of the hill at Pepperdine, went to see plays, talked on the phone till 4am, and in our free time studied for law school!

He's lived in SoCal all his life; me, since 1984, so we have been to many local getaways. It's fun to look back and see how your trips change over the years!

Thanks for the smile!

Just returned from our weekend in Los Olivos. We love the Ballard Inn in Ballard. Not too big not too small. We stayed in the Mountain room. It was great. The breakfast is good. Six of us had dinner there and no one was impressed. try these for dinners.

http://www.matteistavern.com/
Brothers' Restaurant at Mattei's Tavern

http://www.trattoriagrappolo.com/
Trattoria Grappolo - Tuscan Cuisine in Santa Barbara County

http://www.ballardinn.com/
The Ballard Inn

We did a private wine tour with Stagecoach wine tours. It was very enjoyable.
Keep this for your next getaway.

I know you have already chosen a place, but several years ago we saw the most fantastic spot (to us)..they were small cottages that were built on a pier out into the ocean somewhere just north of San Diego. I don't remember the name, but I was dying to stay there. It was peaceful and romantic and so very different.....
Maybe someone from the San Diego area can supply the name.

kleroux,

Could you possibly mean the Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach?? Goodness they have been there since I was a young girl, seriously like for 50 years. I am surprised no one mentioned San Diego. There is La Jolla, and that is a lovely town, very romantic. Maybe next time you will consider San Diego.