With the price of gas going sky high and airlines charging extra baggage fees, getting away from it all can be an expensive proposition. L.A. residents don’t have to go far to enjoy a weekend in paradise. Los Angeles bed and breakfasts offer convenient locations, as well as romance and plenty of adventure.

Stay in Town, But Feel Worlds Away

You don’t actually have to leave Los Angeles to enjoy a weekend excursion. Santa Monica offers plenty to do and see, as well as romantic accommodations at the Channel Road Inn. The bed and breakfast is just blocks from the beach and boardwalk and offers 15 rooms, each of which has been decorated individually. Several rooms include fireplaces and jetted tubs; some have canopy beds or partial ocean views. The innkeepers pamper guests with a full breakfast and wine and hors d’oeuvres in the afternoons, as well as home-baked cookies. Guests can walk to many shops and restaurants, or drive to the museums and other Los Angles-area attractions.

Enjoy Surf, Sand, Sea Views in Dana Point

An hour’s drive from Los Angeles will take you to the town of Dana Point and the Blue Lantern Inn. This bed and breakfast is situated on a bluff overlooking the Dana Point Harbor. Rooms feature romantic dcor, fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Add to that a delicious breakfast and afternoon wine and treats, and you are sure to feel pampered. Specialty spa treatments also are available. Guests can walk to several ocean view restaurants, or take a short drive north to the galleries and eclectic shops of Laguna Beach. The Dana Point Harbor offers a variety of shopping and restaurants, as well as whale watching tours, kayaking and sport fishing.

Enjoy Historic Small Town California in Claremont

A weekend trip to Claremont Village, a short drive from the city in eastern Los Angeles County, is like taking a step back in time. The village offers many activities, from the historic walking tour that begins at the charming train depot to the weekly outdoor market where farmers and artisans showcase their wares. Hotel Casa 425 is a luxurious getaway spot, a boutique hotel with modern flair. The spacious guest rooms look out on to the courtyard. An outdoor living room features fire pits and fountains. The hotel’s lounge is great place to relax and enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine. The hotel is within walking distance to shops, galleries and restaurants.

Pacific Grove Provides Perfect Scenery, Romantic B&Bs

Although Pacific Grove and the attractions of the Monterey Peninsula are a little farther down the road, they still offer a quick, less expensive and far more romantic alternative to a plane flight, rental car and a cookie-cutter hotel. Besides, the area is full of great attractions, spectacular scenery and wonderful bed and breakfasts. Picture a sunrise walk along the seashore, followed by a gourmet breakfast. Then enjoy a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or browse through shops in Carmel, or enjoy a round of golf at posh Pebble Beach.

The Green Gables Inn is just across the street from the rugged seashore of the Monterey Peninsula. The historic Queen Anne Victorian offers a unique assortment of guest rooms, from the romantic Carriage House Suite with whirlpool tub and fireplace to the cozy Balcony Room, which features a stunning ocean view. The Gosby House Inn, another historic California bed and breakfast, is just blocks from the ocean and offers lush, romantic accommodations, many with fireplaces. The Carriage House rooms include a fireplace, spa tub and a balcony. Guests at both of these Pacific Grove bed and breakfasts are treated to a full breakfast each morning, and in the afternoons, wine and hors d’oeuvres are served.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 11:33 pm and is filed under Vacations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.