Los Angeles Bed and Breakfasts Provide Great Weekend Escapes
You want to get away, but exorbitant gas prices and all those new airline restrictions might be discouraging you from that faraway destination. So instead of heading to Europe or the Caribbean, try a bed and breakfast instead. Here are several choices for Los Angelenos who long for some rest, relaxation and fun.
Stay in Town, But Feel Worlds Away
The Channel Road Inn, located just blocks from the beach in Santa Monica, is a perfect spot for locals who need a break but don’t want to travel far. Within walking distance of this Los Angeles bed and breakfast are shops, restaurants and the famous Santa Monica boardwalk. Borrow the inn’s bicycles for a tour of the area, or head to the beach and enjoy the surf and salty air.
Dana Point Harbor Offers a Quick Getaway
Sidney Woodruff, the man behind the development of Hollywood, also set out a master plan to develop the seaside town of Dana Point. He planned a luxurious Spanish-style community with streets named after and lit by lanterns. Well, much of his dreams ended with the Great Depression, but Dana Point still has its lantern streets and plenty of charm. At the end of the Street of the Blue Lantern, you’ll find the aptly named Blue Lantern Inn. The bed and breakfast boasts vistas of the Dana Point Harbor and the Southern California coastline. All of the romantic rooms include a fireplace and whirlpool tub, and some offer ocean and harbor views. Guests can walk to several restaurants, and the harbor is just down the hill, offering whale watching trips, sport fishing, shops, restaurants and plenty of sea breezes. Laguna Beach is just a few minutes away, and the inn is midway between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Journey Back in Time at Historic Claremont Village
For a taste of California as it used to be, plan a trip to Claremont Village, a charming historic area located in eastern Los Angeles County. Casa 425, a unique modern boutique hotel, is located right in the heart of Claremont Village. Spacious guest rooms open out to the hotel’s courtyard, and each has an oversize soaking tub. The hotel has a lounge where you can enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine. Guests can walk to shops, restaurants and art galleries. There is a weekly farmer’s and artisan’s market to peruse. Each month local galleries also hold an art walk.
Memorable Moments on the Monterey Peninsula
If you are in need of a road trip, leave the city behind and head up the coast to the Monterey Peninsula. The drive itself is a treat, boasting some of California’s best ocean views. The surrounding villages offer scenic drives, art galleries, shopping, restaurants, and famous attractions such as The Monterey Bay Aquarium and historic Cannery Row. The charming seaside village of Pacific Grove offers some of the state’s best bed and breakfasts, as well.
Pacific Grove offers two great bed and breakfast options, both located in restored historic Victorian homes. The Gosby House, located a few blocks from the ocean, is a sunny yellow Italianate structure with 22 romantic guest rooms, several with fireplaces and two with a whirlpool tub. At the Green Gables Inn, you’ll find some of California’s best views, as well as sumptuous food and romantic accommodations all in a beautifully maintained Queen Anne Victorian. Each of the guest rooms features its own unique English Country dcor, and several have a fireplace or boast a wonderful sea view. The Carriage House Suite includes a fireplace and jetted spa tub. At both inns, guests are pampered with a full breakfast and wine and treats in the afternoons.