Hi there,
I might be crazy, but I had my first baby on 6/20 and would really like to get out of Texas heat for a couple of days before I return on work on 9/12. I realize the vacation will revolve around baby, and I will be very considerate about eating meals early and leaving restaurants if she fusses. I just want to go somewhere beautiful and cooler than 110 degrees with good food and wine. In San Diego I thought La Valencia or Grande Colonial might be nice, maybe Malibu Beach Inn, or there is a Rosewood Hotel in Northern CA called CordeValle that looks remote but nice. I would be open to Tahoe as well. Any opinions on baby friendly hotels that could provide crib and still be a luxurious getaway for parents? We've been to San Ysidro Ranch and something like that would be perfect, just would prefer try somewhere new. (up to $500ish per night works). Thanks for your help!

www.hoteldel.com

www.ventanainn.com Big Sur

www.carmelcalifornia.com

my top 3

With that budget, I would get myself to San Diego and stay at the Hotel Del as qwovadis mentioned. It is a gracious historic hotel right on the beach - perfect for relaxing in luxury. You'll feel like you stepped back in time too.

La Jolla... Grand Colonial hotel. http://www.thegrandecolonial.com/

I was just at the Del last weekend. I love that place (architecture, pool, beach, town, vibe), but just be aware, it was a Saturday and it was packed!

The Del is nice because it's right at sea level. A lot of the other coastal hotels require a walk down from the bluffs.

The problem with the Del (and I grew up in Coronado and was married at the del) is that some of the rooms are really small. So, make sure they know you need space with the baby. Otherwise, Coronado is a GREAT idea.

Other options would be the Four Seasons Aviara or The Montage in Laguna Beach.

When our first was just a baby we took him to Maui for a break from the Mid-west cold right before I went back to work. It was a PERFECT trip.

Have fun.

We loved The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. Gorgeous oceanside setting, beautiful grounds, perfect service.

Terranea is running a few specials:

http://www.terranea.com/ppc/ppc-offe...efdom=2010-ppc

Thirty minutes from LAX and very child-friendly.

Some of the ideas above are great, but do keep in mind with a baby, there are some places that do not take childen, so don't forget to ask about that. For example, the Ventana Inn does not permit anyone under the age of 18 (it used to be 14, but they upped the age).

San Diego is a wonderful place, and I agree that the Del (other than small rooms) is a very worthy indeed.

Surf N Sand in Laguna is another nice option.

The Hyatt at Incline Village, north shore of Lake Tahoe.

Oh - and I wanted to say that I don't think you are crazy at all for wanting to take a trip with an infant. I don't have kids myself, but pretty much all of my friends who have travelled with theirs have said that it was easiest when the kids were very small - travelling with an infant was WAY easier than travelling with a toddler. Then it gets easier again once the kids are school-aged because they need less stuff and can carry most of it themselves.

A piece of advice from one of my friends who has taken about 10 cross-country trips with her daughter who is not quite 4 - buy a seat on the plane for the baby rather than bringing her on as a lap child and also bring the carseat on board. It is a bit of a hassle to bring the carseat through security and cart it around the airport, but my friend found that since the kiddo was used to sleeping in her carseat, she was much more content on long flights than when when she had her as a lap child.

Have fun!

Oh - and I wanted to say that I don't think you are crazy at all for wanting to take a trip with an infant. I don't have kids myself, but pretty much all of my friends who have travelled with theirs have said that it was easiest when the kids were very small - travelling with an infant was WAY easier than travelling with a toddler. Then it gets easier again once the kids are school-aged because they need less stuff and can carry most of it themselves.

A piece of advice from one of my friends who has taken about 10 cross-country trips with her daughter who is not quite 4 - buy a seat on the plane for the baby rather than bringing her on as a lap child and also bring the carseat on board. It is a bit of a hassle to bring the carseat through security and cart it around the airport, but my friend found that since the kiddo was used to sleeping in her carseat, she was much more content on long flights than when when she had her as a lap child.

Have fun!

I totally agree with November Moon -- and you are lucky you can do it before it gets too cool.

My friend brought her youngest to L.A. from England when he was just a month old -- amazing how well they acclimate -- especially when you start 'em young.

We flew with our son from L.A. to Vancouver for a quicky before I went back to work -- my recollection he was two months old and it was getting quite chilly. His second trip was at 13 months to France and Italy. We brought the carseat and always bought a seat for him -- I knew from personal experience the potential danger of being flown in someone's lap. Fortunately, the hair on my head has covered the spot that hit the celiling of the plane when I was 3 months old. An unusual occurence but it does happen.

Lake Tahoe is a great idea-- cooler than LA, too. Relaxing and gorgeous.

We liked the Squaw Valley area a lot on one summer visit. We had a one bedroom in a condo/hotel, right at the base area, by the village shops and restaurant. It was a very good value on short notice. II will find the name of it, if you are interested.

It is fun to take the gondola to the top of Squaw Valley ski area. It is pretty simple lodge up there, but nice for the views and its history, and to get a drink. (Don't do the dinner package. It is not a particularly nice restaurant.)

Traveling with a newborn can be very easy and fun. Best wishes.

Thank you all! My planning got sidetracked with a milk allergy diagnosis, but baby is feeling good again, so am leaning towards the del or tahoe hyatt. Will save big sur for adults trip...that place looks amazing!

I would skip La Jolla with a small baby. Coronado is much more laid back and relaxed - there isn't going to be as much traffic in Coronado as there is in La Jolla either. You can bike or walk pretty much everywhere in Coronado. You can easily drive across the bridge (again without much traffic) to the Zoo, Balboa Park or the Downtown area - which is only about a 10 minute drive.

Yes, Coronado is a great stroller or bicycling town. If not the Del, the Glorietta bay Inn or the newly restored 1906 Inn are also in the same are, though a block or two from the beach.

I would not consider Tahoe due to altitude. Your baby (and you) could end up with a 2 day headache. It takes a while to adjust. Plus, you are looking at a 3-4 hour drive from Bay Area (more if on the weekend).
Santa Barbara is a beautiful destination and there are great hotels, great restaurants, shopping and strolling.

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Lake Tahoe (at lake level) is not at high enough altitude for there to be a problem. We took our kids to Tahoe starting when they were babies and it was never ever an issue, nor was it for anyone else I know.