Hi there!

My husband and I are visiting some relatives in San Francisco the second week of January and want to sneak away for a night or two to celebrate my birthday. We were thinking of driving south, and wouldn't mind up to two or two and a half hours in the car.

We would like something unique, romantic and not too expensive (maybe around 150.00 per night). We'd prefer to avoid chains and crowded tourist areas. Lovely views would be great!

I know CA is expensive...does the perfect place exist for us?

Thanks!

Carmel
Victorian B&B in Pacific Grove

Stu Dudley

Is it simply called "Victorian Bed and Breakfast?" I cannot find it - do they have a website?

Hi,

may I jump into this thread?

We are looking for exactly the same type of accomodation, however closer to San Francisco (maybe Half Moon Bay), and for April. Any recommendations? Thank you.

Nope - that was just a 'generic" description

Try:

Gosby House Inn
Green Gables Inn
Seven Gables Inn
Tickle Pink (in Carmel - voted as "most Romantic")

All in the Karen Brown Guide www.karenbrown.com

Stu Dudley

Check the Karen Brown site for Half Moon Bay:

Cypress Inn
Beach House Hotel
Old Tyme Inn (no ocean views)

Stu Dudley

Tickle Pink Inn is wonderful and in a beautiful location, we have stayed twice here and several times next door at the Highland's Inn, we just returned from a two night stay at the Highaland's under the Timeshare invitation for $99/night. TPI offers many nice amenities and the rooms have beautiful oceanviews. Our room did not have a balcony and was around $180/night on a Fri. night in May. Have fun! ***kim***

We stayed at Seven Gables Inn in Pacific Grove. We loved it! The view from the rooms is to die for as it is so close to the water. I have pictures posted

http://picasaweb.google.com/DebitNM/PacificGroveCA2008

and there is a lot of comments here on this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35116973

Another good thread for places to stay in area:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35103905

As far as Half Moon Bay - we stayed at Mill Rose Inn. It was not on water, but was a block away from the main street. The places is a bit "frou-frou" but it was really nice. They served desserts at night, had free wine and beer in room, and an excellent breakfast. There is also a private hot tub in a little atrium that you can book for an hour. It has little farie lights and it really romantic.

Restaurants in HMB: We ate Centrella and it was excellent. Very nice ambience as well.

See this thread:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35104229


Hope this helps,
Deb

Darnnit!!! :-"

you ok, kal??

Deb

Kal fell off his chair laughing

must be gettin' slow in my old age!

R5

Agree that Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel area might be what you are looking for, and the places recommended so far are good.(I especially like being on Oceanview Blvd. in Pacific Grove).
Another option:
The InterContinental Clement Hotel on Cannery Row in Monterey - Just returned from a lovely stay there. Got a great rate ($117) Dec. mid-week, on the water, next to the Monterey Aquarium. Clean, lovely, modern, luxurious enough, water views, young friendly and eager staff, room service, bar, restaurant, elegant:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/interco...nterey-clement

Mid week in early January???? E-mail them & ask what they'll offer you - bet they will give you a great deal.

Kal - calm down !!!! time to go to bed.....

Stu Dudley

I was doing the tick, tick, tick in my head. Then...there it was, the alarm went off and I wanted to throw the clock across the room.

The Monterey Peninsula would be perfect for your getaway. I would avoid HMB because January can be pretty darn rainy and it's not that fun driving Hwy 1, in that windy area, in heavy rain. It can be pretty scary.

I live in Carmel and we have many inns that would fit the bill. Just put Carmel in the search area of Fodors or Google. Come back for fine tuning. Happy Birthday! What day, by the way?

TTess - I've never thought of HMB as having significantly rainier weather than Carmel in January. Also, the best way to get to HMB from San Francisco is by Hwy 92 - not Hwy 1. Hwy 1 from SF is not that scenic, except at Devil's Slide (which I agree should be avoided if it's nasty weather). Hwy 1 south of HMB to Santa Cruz is extrtemly safe to drive on in inclement weather.

However, for 2 nights, I think it's a "no brainer" for Carmel/Monterey/PG - there is much more to do & see around there, than in HMB.

Stu Dudley

Here is the thread hijacker again.

The reason why we think about Half Moon Bay is that we will be staying in Monterey for five days and we want to spend the last two nights at a different place and preferably close to SFO airport. I just flew with Google Earth over the coast and found Half Moon Bay. But maybe there is another spot.

Our budget is not too tight, but the Ritz-Carlton is a little bit out of reach indeed.

The Beach House, as recommended, looks good indeed, also Cypress Inn. Thank you for the tips.

Sorry, Bobbie, that I hijacked your thread - but our question was almost the same as yours.

Both HMB and Union Sq in SF are less than 30 mins from SFO. Consider staying in The City.

As much as I like HMB, 2 nights in the area might be a little too long unless you like to spend a lot of time strolling on the beach, and discovering coves & tidepools. Drives into the coastal redwood areas might be a diversion, along with Ano Nuevo State Reserve. There are several "clothing optional" beaches close to HMB.

Stu Dudley

There are several "clothing optional" beaches close to HMB.

Stu, the trip is the second week of January

bobbie, I would also recommend a couple of nights in SF.