Can anyone give some ideas for romantic weekend location/nice hotel, inn for couple in late 20s? Must be driving distance from San Diego and not incredibly expensive.
thanks!

It would help if we had more information.

What time of year?
What do you consider "not incredibly expensive"? Price range?
What are your interests? (besides romance, of course )
Do you want specific hotel recommendations or general areas?

Here are a few areas to consider:

Laguna Beach
Palm Springs/Desert
Catalina Island
Hermosa Beach
Santa Barbara
Lake Arrowhead

Here are some more details: time of year is open,
price--$200-250/night tops, interests: outdoor activities, maybe golf but not really important, some touring of interesting places to see, either historic or scenic, some shopping would be OK too--place to stroll around at night? thanks--

Time of year matters for your price range and activities. EG: Winter is high season in the deserts and mountains, but low season along the beaches. There are lots of golf resorts in the desert, but some are undergoing maintenance in the winter. There are golf courses and hiking trails in the mountains, but may be covered in snow during some months.

I think Lake Arrowhead is nice in the fall for your chosen activities. The Lake Arrowhead Resort (www.laresort.com) is just completing a major renovation and may be offering special rates. You can golf, hike part of the Pacific Crest Trail, shop and eat in the Village adjacent to the resort, take a boat tour around the lake.

Palm Springs has the aerial tram (www.pstramway.com), the Living Desert Zoo, lots of golf, shopping and restaurants and accomodations in every price range.

Laguna Beach would be nice for strolling and shopping also. Temecula and Ojai also come to mind.

Luxury Link (www.luxurylink.com) sometimes has romance packages at some very nice Southern California resorts.

I hope that some of the other helpful Southern Cal. Fodorites can chime in here with more specific lodging recommendations.

topping for Buck,

Any romantic Southern Californians out there?

La Quinta Resort in La Quinta (palm springs) is a great romantic getaway.

For a nice hotel, there's a brand new Fairmont in Newport Beach that looks lovely with great opening rates. It's in kind of a business district but close to Newport, Disneyland etc.

desert areas sound good. I will check your suggestions out (this is a gift for my son and fiance--). what about coastal areas in Feb/Mar? I think they might like to see seals? Is that too far to go from SD?

San Diego is on the coast. I see a seal when I walk my dog at Fiesta Island.
What is "not incredibly expensive" mean?
Are they in San Diego now and need a get away?
Julian is a pretty little town out in the country; hiking, nature and cozy little inns.

To follow up on L84SKY's comments. if they are in San Diego now, they can go to the Children's Pool in La Jolla if they want to see seals.

I would go for Palm Springs/Palm Desert myself. In addition to the things already mentioned, there is Joshua Tree National Park, and a huge outlet mall a few miles along I-10 in additon to the shops in PS/PD.

ok, ok, I get the seal thing. Yes they live in SD but have had hard year and thinking of giving them getaway for christmas present. think they would use it in Feb/March. thanks for info on desert. what about Catalina? thanks,
jb

Catalina is iffy in Feb/March as that is our rainy/storm season. I wouldn't chance it.

there's also Vegas, which is drivable from San Diego. Lots of choices there for a romantic stay!

Feb/ March? I'd pick Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs or Temecula.

My vote would be the Queen Mary. Even if the weather is bad there is plenty to see and do under cover. Make sure you do the Sunday brunch, but they have a dress code.

What about Borrego Hot Springs?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...alifornia.html