I'd love your opinions! My husband and I want a close weekend getaway to celebrate our anniversary in early November. We live in the San Fernando Valley, and don't want to drive more than 2 hours to our destination. We're open to suggestions, except for the desert.

Where have you been (towns, hotels, restaurants...) that you have loved? Thanks

Can you get to Catalina Island in two hours? You feel like you're a million miles away from the city.

Hi Jocelyn. Sure, Catalina is within our range. I really enjoy the condos at Hamilton Cove. Do you have a favorite place on Catalina you recommend?

Laguna Beach, maybe? We stayed at the Casa Laguna, it was very romantic.

Thanks, viamar. I'll check it out.

Mornin' Irego,

I've only been to Catalina once, and it was several years ago, but it remains a vivid, wonderful memory. We stayed at a sweet little hotel (Metropole?). I wish we'd gone out there again before we moved away from the area.

We generally stay at the Metropole and like it and the convenience to Crescent Street. Another option on Catalina would be the Inn at Mount Ada, now that's really romantic.

Another idea would be the Surf n Sand Hotel in Laguna -- great stretch of ocean right outside your window, charming area.

my favorite getaway so far in Southern Ca. was for an anniversary night at the Beverly Hills Hotel a couple of years ago. Really loved the room, the atmosphere, the bar, the service...just everything. It was luxurious and fun at the same time, which is an accomplishment for a 5 star hotel...some of them can be a little intimidating...

HI--altho it may be a tad over 2 hours depending on the traffic, La Jolla is lovely and if you stay in town, has the advantage of actually being a pedestrian-friendly place--a rarity if you are from the LA area!!

We love Los Olivos near Solvang in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Weather in early November would be great.

"Downtown" Los Olivos is one main street about four blocks long with about four cross streets. A couple of art galleries, a couple of wine tasting rooms, a few interesting shops and a few pretty good restaurants. There are wineries with tasting rooms and tours in the area.

The Los Olivos Grand Hotel (now owned by Fess Parker I think) is very nice. Some rooms have fireplaces. The hotel restaurant is good. Nearby Mattei's Tavern is in an old stagecoach depot and is probably the best food in town. There's another good restaurant on a side street near the Grand Hotel, but the name escapes me. It looks like the restaurant in the movie "Sideways" where the four characters have dinner. In fact, it might actually be the restaurant in the movie.

Forget Catalina. I didn't like it as much. It's a weak attempt at being Hawaii. You should go to San Diego and stay at the Paradise Cove Resort. You have your own little bungalow with a porch. It's great. There is a spa and tons of pools to sit back and relax. Very romantic place.

I do like La Jolla and the views it affords along the coastline at day and at night with all the lights.
Although I haven't stayed there yet, the Grande Colonial is high on my list for stays to come. It has a very nice restaurant (Nine-Ten) and is right next door to George's at the Cove, where I especially love the (silghtly more casual) rooftop terrace for dinner.
The Hotel Del in Coronado would be an alternative.

If you'd rather head North, the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara's suburb of Montecito is a great property IMO. Although some of the more modern Four Seasons properties might excel this one in comfort and amenities, this one oozes hostory and is quite classy. They have some private villas if you really want to splurge, but the normal rooms are great too. You could do a daytrip to the aforementioned Los Olivos and the adjacent wineries from there. Just great (BTW the restaurant other than Mattei's tavern Jean is talking about might be Los Olivos Café. Sideways indeed took place there in parts. Mattei's Tavern is pretty good indeed, too). Should you go there, do not miss a tasting at the tasting room of Arthur Earl in Los Olivos right across the street from Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn on the main street). Wonderful wines, especially their Syrah and Zins.

How about La Quinta Resort in Palm Springs. I love that place and the casitas are sexy!

In 10 days I'm going to check out how romantic Palm Springs can get

The Palm Springs area is great, but the OP said "except for the desert".

You have gotten great suggestions for coastal getaways. How about the mountains? Lake Arrowhead Resort (www.lakearrowheadresort.com) is very pretty in November.

Wine tasting in Temecula should also be within your driving range.

Check out www.luxurylink.com. They frequently have packages for the Temecula Creek Inn, as well as for beautiful resorts in all of the other locations recommended.

Alisal Guest Ranch up by Solvang? It's pricey but they have November thru March specials that include horseback riding and perhaps golf on their little course.

Gigib, does the guest ranch have riding activities for kids too?

We love SantaBarbara.Paul

Ojai! Ojai Valley Inn has a fab spa and couples massages, etc.