Romantic 3 night stay in March
 

Hi All - I'm looking for some advise re: a 3 night Romantic Getaway/mini Honeymoon in March 2017. We are getting married in March, so we want to do a little something after the wedding, since our Africa honeymoon is not until mid May. I'm torn between the Nor Cal Wine Country - ie: Sonoma/Napa - St Helena/Calistoga, Etc...and the Carmel/Monterey/Big Sir area.

I've identified a couple of lodging choices, though, I'm not stuck on them (Bernardus in Carmel or Kenwood Inn/ Sonoma), If anyone has other suggestions, I'm all ears. In fact, I'm open to other locations in California or the west, as well. We live in AZ so we just want to be someplace in the Western US since we only have 4 days/3 nights to works with and we want to have minimal travel time.
Ideally, I'm looking to keep lodging around $500/night (but we are willing to spend more if we find the perfect place). I know March will be cool - especially by the water so we'll definately want a fireplace in our room.

Does anyone have any advise? I've been to both areas, but have not been to either resort, so although I have an idea of things to do in each area, I'm not sure which resort would be considered most romantic, relaxing and a best bet for what we seek.

While I say we want to relax, I'd like to mention that we aren't the kind to just lay around either. We will certainly want to have options of things to do whether that's wine tasting, spa treatments, sight seeing in the area, bike riding (if weather permits), water related activities like boat rides (again, weather permitting), hiking, etc...We'd at least like to know there are things to do, if we so desire, but of course, we may be lazy and just enjoy the resort, if there's enough to do.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions. If anyone has any advise or input to provide, we'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks so much.

In March either area would be fine -- I'd maybe lean (just) towards Carmel/Big Sur.

I'd also consider Yosemite - it would be gorgeous in March. A chance of snow but March is really the tail end of the winter season. There wouldn't be any crowds and your budget would cover the Ahwahnee/<strike>Majestic

We love Napa/Sonoma in March; spring flowers and green everywhere and it is still pretty quiet, especially during the week. Which means uncrowded tasting rooms. But for ocean views, Carmel/Monterey is also a good choice.

For pure romance, check out the Auberge du Soleil, near St. Helena.

Good advice given and so many choices. I would also lean towards the Carmel area. Bernardus is up in the Carmel Valley among small, boutique wineries. The Ahwahnee in Yosemite would be wonderful too.

Although you did not indicate the S F area, this is one place I have always wanted to stay in Sausalito:

https://www.innabovetide.com

Tickle Pink Inn in Carmel Highlands has some ocean view rooms with fireplace just within your budget. Beautiful viewes, we stayed at the Highlands Inn next door but now that it is a Grand Hyatt is likely above your budget. Never hurts to ask though, we bargained and got 50% off our room in mid May.
Just watch the weather, we are overdue for a rainy winter.

The Ahwahnee is now renamed the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, alas. Trade name dispute between the former concessionare and the new one has caused many ripples.

Hi Janisj - yes, I had thought about Yosmemite and will definately look into Ahwahnee/Majestic Yosemite Hotel (thanks for the updated name, Underhill).

Underhill - yes, I'd love to stay at Auberge du Soleil, but when i checked, I seem to recall that rooms were about $1k a night which is more than I want to spend since our Africa honeymoon trip is already costing more than $20k. If I could find a deal for $500 or $600/night at Auberge du Soleil,, I'd definitely be interested in that.

Michelle - yes, the Inn Above the Tides is wonderful but my sis and her family live in the area so we get over there often. Looking for something different, and quite honestly, away from the family so as not to feel obligated to have dinner or whatnot one night, you know?

Jamie99 - thanks for the tip on Tickle Pink - i did come across that in my search and wasn't sure if it was a good choice or not. Thanks for the feedback. I'll check it out.

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback/advise so far - much appreciated.