DH, DD and I will be visiting my parents in the OC in December between Christmas and New Year's. DH's birthday falls during that time. We'd like to get away for one night to celebrate his birthday - on previous trips we've stayed in Catalina, Julian, Santa Barbara, La Jolla and Dana Point - the obvious places to visit from the OC.

Anyone have any other ideas?

Forgot to say that since it is only for one night, we'd like to minimize the driving!

How about Laguna Beach?

Maybe you can check travelzoo to see if any of the specials that are running during that time appeal to you:

www.travelzoo.com/hotels/los-angeles/

Temecula might be nice for wine tasting
Palm Springs/Palm Desert would have warmer weather than the beach areas
The Mission Inn in Riverside is beautifully decorated for the holidays: www.missioninn.com/
Terranea in Palos Verdes has gorgeous views and a great spa: www.terranea.com

If you are looking for luxury and pampering: Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, Montage Laguna, Park Hyatt (formerly Four Seasons) Aviara, La Costa, are all fine properties in Orange County.

I like lvk's idea of Palm Springs. Not that long of a drive and the weather is usually beautiful in December.

As far as Temecula, South Coast Winery is a nice place to stay. I was just in Temecula yesterday picking up some of my wine club selections from a couple of wineries. South Coast has some nice villas and a spa. I enjoy the lunches at Ponte Winery right next door. Usually the weather is pleasant that time of year although it could be rainy. www.southcoastwinery.com

I'd go for Laguna Beach! We were just there this past Sun. The Montage Resort is awesome, what is your budget for lodging? We have also enjoyed great stays at The Hotel Laguna, Laguna Reef Inn, and Casa Laguna Inn. The scenery is gorgeous in Laguna and there are so many great places to dine there. 230 Forest was wonderful for lunch, we had breakfast at The Loft @ the Montage and then went down to the beach and soaked up the glorious sun! ***kim***

I also agree that Laguna Beach would be ideal. I can recommend the Surf & Sand, which is right on the beach, and every room has a view. There's a lot of great little restaurants nearby.

I like the suggestion of heading to the desert, the Palm Springs idea. Nothing against Laguna Beach, but you've already done beachy destinations a bunch of time before.

I would stick with Laguna as well - what is your budget? You can grab some good deals at the Surf and Sand at this time of year - or perhaps the Ritz. I have never seen a good deal at the Montage.

The other place dh and I often enjoyed going was Santa Monica. Try Shutters on the Beach. You can walk up to 3rd street and have dinner there - people watching is awesome... have breakfast at the hotel. Nice.

"Park Hyatt (formerly Four Seasons) Aviara, La Costa, are all fine properties in Orange County."

Small clarification..but huge driving difference..these hotels are in San Diego Co, well south of Orance County.

I also think Laguna Bch would be great...esp during the holidays.

It depends on whether you want to do something different than the beach for your getaway. Laguna Beach is beautiful and would be a short drive from your parents being that they live in OC. But Palm Springs would be something different. As you probably know if you come to So. Cal during December, the weather can be absolutely beautiful or it could be rainy. The beach might be a little chilly and it would be warmer in Palm Springs. Either place would be nice.

My vote would be for the Ritz Carlton in Laguna or La Quinta in Palm Springs. Make certain you get an ocean view at the Ritz and a casita at La Quinta.

The beach would be nice except that it would be kinda cold at that time of the year, even for Southern California. Also when it rains it's both cold and miserable.

Palm Springs is miserable in the summer but lovely in the winter. I'd second Palm Springs for your trip.

Resurrecting my planning since our trip is in three weeks... my parents are within a short drive of Laguna Beach so we always go there to walk around. We've done Palm Springs before as well.

I took a quick look at TravelZoo and saw something for the Temecula Creek Inn - we've never been to Temecula so that might be a good place to go; I need to do some further research. We enjoy walking around, shopping, good food but nothing fancy / pampering.