California Bed and Breakfasts
June 5th, 2008
Want a great getaway at a fraction of the cost? Consider staying at a bed and breakfast! Jane Leisteiner of
From the surf and sand of the Southern coast to the quiet beauty of wine country, California offers some of the nation’s best attractions. But when you plan that California trip, don’t forget to stay at one of the state’s best bed and breakfasts. Here are some of the top picks.
You could spend a month in Southern California and not fit in all the area has to offer. Guests at the Channel Road Inn are just minutes from all the fun of Los Angeles. Guests can take a short drive to museums or shopping on Rodeo Drive or just stroll around Santa Monica, which has plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and its world-famous boardwalk. The inn is a romantic, intimate delight with just 15 guest rooms, many with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Guests are treated to a full breakfast and afternoon tea. In the evenings, wine and hors d’oeuvres are served. Further down the coast, you’ll discover Dana Point and the stunning Blue Lantern Inn. Set on a bluff overlooking the harbor, many of the guest rooms offer a stunning view, and all have a fireplace and whirlpool tub. Laguna Beach is just a couple miles away, and the inn is short drive from all of Orange County’s famous attractions.
Pacific Grove, a stunning seaside town along California’s Central Coast offers two of the state’s great bed and breakfasts. The Green Gables Inn has to be in the top 10 most scenic bed and breakfasts in the world. The restored Victorian is just a few feet from Monterey Bay, and several of the inn’s beautiful guest rooms boast an ocean view. The Gosby House Inn, also located in a restored Victorian, offers two dozen guest rooms, each with a fireplace. Guests can walk to the shore, as well as restaurant and shops. Both bed and breakfasts are just a short drive from all of the attractions of Monterey Bay.
Santa Cruz, with its famous boardwalk, beautiful coast and university, draws thousands of visitors each year. The West Cliff Inn is a perfect spot from which to enjoy all the area has to offer. The Victorian gem overlooks Cowell’s Beach and offers guest rooms and suites with king-size beds and fireplaces. Many also have a jetted tub in the spacious bathroom. Drive up the coast to Half Moon Bay, and you’ll find the Seal Cove Inn. Just 24 miles from San Francisco, this relaxing retreat is set among trees and gardens, offering guest rooms with king beds and fireplaces, as well as full breakfasts and afternoon tea. Whale watching and horseback rides along the beach are just two of the nearby activities available to guests at this idyllic California bed and breakfast.
Wine country offers not only some of the world’s finest vintages; it also boasts some of the best bed and breakfasts in California. These three Napa Valley inns offer close access wineries, shops and restaurants, as well as the Napa Wine Train and scenic balloon rides. A stay at Maison Fleurie in Yountville is like a trip to the French countryside. A half-acre with gardens pleases the eye, as does the romantic French Country dcor in the inn’s guest rooms. For a touch of Provence, Lavender is another great choice, also located in Yountville. This inn is slightly more contemporary, but with plenty of romantic ambiance. The rooms are spread among four different buildings and all include a fireplace and king-size bed. The Blackbird Inn is right in the center of it all, located in Napa’s downtown historic district. The impressive Craftsman-style bed and breakfast features beautiful rich woodwork throughout, as well as spacious guest rooms, many with a fireplace or private deck. Each of these three Napa-area inns offers full breakfast and afternoon refreshments. There are even home-baked cookies available throughout the day.
The Sonoma area offers plenty of wineries, as well as many excellent bed and breakfasts. The Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza, built at the turn of the last century, offers well-appointed rooms with special touches such as antique clawfoot tubs, bay windows or perhaps a balcony. After a delicious breakfast, guests can step out the door and stroll to shops and galleries of the village of Healdsburg. The Inn at Sonoma is another bed and breakfast with a great location. Guests are just a short walk from the weekly farmers market, cooking classes and shops. The guest quarters include a fireplace and several also have a private balcony. There is a rooftop hot tub, as well.
For more information on California Bed and Breakfast’s Check out these links:
California Bed and Breakfasts on iLoveInns.com, CA Bed & Breakfast Inns
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