My fiance and I are getting married at the Bowers Museum of Art in Santa Ana. We need to find a hotel for our wedding night and the next night. We will be attending a brunch in Fullerton the morning after the wedding, and flying out of LAX the next day. Would like someplace beautiful, relaxing, possibly by the beach. Don't want to spend a fortune but want something pretty nice. Advice?

First choice: Surf and Sand Resort, Laguna Beach. Peerless. And pricey. But hey, how many times do you get married? (Don't answer that.)

Second choice: Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort, Huntington Beach. Brand-spanking new. In Surf City!

2nd vote for waterfront hilton

also, The Ritz in Dana Point.

The Ritz Carlton, Dana Point ... absolutely.

Perfect for newlyweds.

I love the RC-Dana Point too-- it's a little farther south than the Surf & Sand and a bit isolated (there is quite a bit of stuff to do in Laguna, and Huntington for that matter), but it's a stunning property.

You probably can't go wrong with any of these. When you go to make reservations, let them know it's a honeymoon stay, and they might throw in some little perks (champagne, nicer room with view)-- or not. You never know....

If for some reason you wanted to move up North, closer to LAX, you could always get a hotel on or near the beach in Manhattan Beach. This is a cute beach town with nice hotels and little shops etc. You'd be just about 5 minutes away from LAX for your morning flight.

Anyone stayed or ready to report on the new Hyatt at Huntington Beach? Gorgeous from the road, anyway.

another vote for ritz. laguna beach is beautiful and has a romantic feel to it.

Just a reminder: The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is NOT is Laguna Beach, nor in Laguna Niguel. It's in lovely Dana Point, a few minutes south of Laguna Beach on Pacific Coast Highway. The R-C is beautiful, Dana Point is beautiful, but it's VERY different from Laguna Beach.

I live in the area, and I have stayed at a standard room at the Ritz. It was only o.k...
The rooms at the St. Regis across the street will be more luxurious. And then there's the new Montage...but I just read you don't want to spend a fortune!
The Blue Lantern Inn overlooking Dana Point Harbor has wonderfully decorated rooms with fireplaces, and big whirlpool tubs in the bathrooms, and oceanfront rooms have great views.
Congratulations!

My fiance and I are getting married at the new Hyatt in HB this summer. I haven't stayed there but did see the rooms. They are amazing!!! All ocean views w/your private balcony. The hotel is beautiful. They might be running room specials too since the hotel just opened in Jan.

I vote for the beautiful Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort... haven't seen the Hyatt on Huntington Beach, but it sounds lovely so I would check that out too. While RC is breathtaking no doubt, I think that the two Huntington Beach options would put you in closer proximity to your brunch the following morning, and then LAX the next morning. I would appreciate anyone giving more clarification but I recall RC to be further south. Limiting drive time, especially after a wedding when you want to relax could be key. Congratulations and Happy Wedding/honeymoon.
p.s. If you do decide on the Waterfront, make sure to tell them it is your wedding night, request a ocean view. And then save time to bask in it!

just a question to rjw_lgb_ca:
has the waterfront hilton in hb been recently renovated? i think it has been around for a while, so cannot be completely new. i thought the hyatt regency was the new place in the area, but then again i do not live anywhere close. just would like to know as i am planning a future trip!
thanx
hsv

hsv: You are right. I might have had a brain cramp when typing there. The Hyatt is the brand-new property-- the Hilton has been around for a while, but is still quite nice.

i'll forgive you easily!
your advice usually is really worth something and i often do find my interests and likings reflected.
thanx again for clarification- and i agree that the hilton indeed is quite nice...
hsv

hsv: Well thanks! And hope you have a great time down in ol' Surf City!

The lovemaking would be most satisfying at the Surf & Sand at Laguna Beach.

"Eyebrows were discretely lifted upon seeing Jonesey and his new bride head for seconds at the Fullerton brunch."

FYI, (previous poster) the Waterfront Hilton in Huntington Beach is ov er 10 years old. However, the Hyatt next door to it is brand new. I would also consider the Balboa Bay Club (right on the water in Newport Beach) as it just opened a few weeks ago and they're running a special. http://www.balboabayclub.com Also, check out the Montage in Laguna. http://www.montageresort.com

"Brand new" doesn't ALWAYS mean "best"-- the Surf and Sand is a couple of years old too, but it's still one of the very finest hotels in Orange County. The HB Hyatt is lovely, but the HB Hilton is a good option as well. I would be leery of a hotel in its first month or two-- unless it runs incredible offers (and they usually do).

I don't know if convenience and time make any difference but if you want to be near The Bowers Museum and Fullerton, a nice place is the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland Calif. Adventure. We have stayed there a number of times and it is a beautiful hotel. Also love the Napa Rose Restaurant there.