>
Sometimes you don’t need a flight to feel far away. Driving through Southern California, the terrain shifted from vineyard hills to breezy boardwalks, golden beaches to mountain-backed retreats. Each stop along the way gave me and my husband a different kind of quiet—refined, restorative, or just plain fun. I kept thinking, “Romance isn’t always roses and candlelight—it’s having space to breathe and be together.”
What I Loved Most: The range. One night we were tucked away in a treehouse-like lodge with books and redwood views, and another we were barefoot watching the sun drop behind the Pacific. Romance came in different textures—spa robes, wine glasses, beach sand, even a shared waffle at a roadside café.
Best Romantic Getaways in Southern California
Cal-a-Vie Health Spa in the California Hills
“I feel like I’ve left the country,” I whispered as we drove through lavender fields and honey-colored hills toward a chapel that looked like it belonged in the south of France. Tucked into a quiet corner of Vista, Cal-a-Vie was full of fragrant herbs, still mornings, and views that slowed everything down inside me.
What I Loved Most: Early morning walks along the vineyards, when the light turned the hills gold and the air smelled faintly of sage and rosemary. I barely heard my own footsteps on the path.
My highlights? After a hydrating facial and a yoga class in a candlelit barn, I ate lunch at the spa’s dining room. Everything was prepared with care—my grilled salmon arrived on a bed of ancient grains, with lemon and dill that hit my nose before I even picked up my fork. The fish was tender, and the herbs reminded me of walking the hillside garden just hours earlier.
Plan your Cal-a-Vie escape:
- Drive Time from San Diego: ~50 minutes north
- Vibe: European countryside meets California wellness
- Highlights: Daily spa treatments, guided hikes, yoga and meditation, personalized meals, 400-acre vineyard, antique-filled French chapel
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and early fall for mild weather and blooming gardens
- Cost: All-inclusive three-night packages typically start at around $5,000 per person
- Hours: Open year-round; advance reservations required
Hotel Santa Barbara: Classic Romance in the Heart of Downtown - 1 hour 50 minutes from LA
I opened the window and leaned out over State Street. The breeze carried the scent of eucalyptus and salt, and below, people strolled past palm trees and red-tiled rooftops. “This is the kind of place where time slows just enough,” I thought, watching the soft glow of evening settle over Santa Barbara.
What I Loved Most: Walking hand-in-hand down quiet side streets, then returning to our room with its arched windows and old-world charm—it felt like staying in a love letter to California’s past.
My highlights? We grabbed breakfast at D’Angelo Bakery just around the corner. The smell of warm bread and strong coffee hit me as soon as we stepped inside. I ordered the ricotta pancakes with lemon curd—fluffy, citrusy, and just sweet enough—and lingered over every bite while the street outside came to life.
Plan your Hotel Santa Barbara stay:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~1 hour 45 minutes northwest
- Vibe: Classic, walkable, Spanish-style charm
- Highlights: Central location on State Street, vintage architecture, bike rentals, nearby wine tasting rooms and beaches
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for mild weather and fewer crowds
- Cost: Rooms from around $250–$400/night depending on season
- Hours: Open year-round
The Inn at Churon Winery
I stood on the balcony of our room, watching rows of vines stretch toward the horizon, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The scent of grapes, sun-warmed earth, and distant lavender wrapped around me. “It feels like waking up in a French countryside dream,” I thought, my hands cupped around a warm mug as fog lifted from the valley below.
What I Loved Most: That slow, golden hour before sunset, when the light glowed against the inn’s turreted roof and we wandered quietly among the vines with nowhere else to be.
My highlights? Breakfast in the vineyard-view dining room was simple and perfect—fluffy eggs, roasted rosemary potatoes, and a biscuit still warm from the oven. The butter melted instantly, and everything tasted richer, sharper, surrounded by the scent of morning dew and grape must.
Plan your Churon Winery getaway:
- Drive Time from San Diego: ~1 hour north
- Vibe: Old-world vineyard romance
- Highlights: In-room fireplaces and spa tubs, complimentary wine hour, vineyard trails, wine tasting on-site, private patios
- Best Time to Visit: Late summer through early fall for grape harvest season and golden light
- Cost: Rooms typically range from $250–$400/night
- Hours: Inn open year-round; winery hours may vary
Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort: Coastal Ease in Oceanside
“I could hear the waves even before I reached the gate.” Stepping into the resort felt like arriving at a vacation you didn’t quite expect—but needed. The scent of sea air drifted in as I crossed the back gate and made my way across a park, the Pacific shimmering just steps ahead.
My RV site sat beneath a palm and beside tidy concrete pads. The air smelled faintly of salt mixed with fresh mulch and morning dew. I lounged by the heated pool later, the smooth breeze carrying whispers of ocean and laughter. At dusk, I wandered to Buccaneer Beach—sand replaced by smooth stones here, but the sunset light warmed them into a glow that smelled of sun-soaked salt.
What I Loved Most: Being a short, level walk from the water—every sunrise and sunset felt immediate and alive.
My highlights? Sitting at Buccaneer Café just outside the park, sipping a coffee while shells clacked underfoot and gulls called—a quiet moment tinted with coastal simplicity.
Plan your Oceanside RV stay:
- Drive Time from San Diego: ~40 minutes north
- Vibe: Beach-adjacent, well-kept, family-friendly
- Highlights: Back-gate walk to Buccaneer Beach & Park, heated pool & spa, recreation room with games, pet-friendly dog run
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round milder weather—spring through fall busiest
- Cost: ~$100–150/night for full hookup site; premium and tight sites possible
- Site Details: 90 full-hookup concrete pads, many pull-through; tight spacing
Relax Naturally at The Ambrose Hotel
The Ambrose Hotel felt like a serene sanctuary tucked into the heart of Santa Monica—earth-toned interiors, leafy courtyards, and that sense of having found something quietly perfect. I remember curling up in a robe with a book and green tea, thinking, "This is the retreat I didn’t know I needed."
What I Loved Most: The calming blend of wellness-forward amenities and boutique charm—like a yoga studio in hotel form.
My highlight? A breakfast of avocado toast with microgreens and honey lavender latte on the shaded patio.
Plan your trip:
- Vibe: Wellness, boutique calm, sustainable
- Highlights: Organic breakfast, Tesla shuttle, eco-conscious touches, fitness center
- Best For: Wellness weekends, quiet couples, creative escapes
- Address: The Ambrose Hotel, 1255 20th St, Santa Monica, CA
Nick’s Cove: Coastal Seclusion with Vintage Soul
“This feels like a secret I get to keep,” I thought as we stepped into our waterfront cottage, the scent of woodsmoke and salt air drifting in from the bay. Nick’s Cove, nestled on the edge of Tomales Bay, offered us the kind of quiet you don’t realize you need until you're in it—just the creak of a dock, the call of a gull, and water lapping at the pilings below.
What I Loved Most: Sitting by the fireplace wrapped in a knit throw, windows cracked open to let in the sea air, watching fog roll across the water like a curtain drawing slowly closed on the day.
My highlights? Breakfast arrived in a wicker basket—still-warm buttermilk biscuits, berry preserves, and a flaky spinach frittata. The butter melted the moment I spread it, and the tangy jam reminded me of summer even in the cool coastal morning. We ate at the table overlooking the dock, mugs of hot coffee warming our hands.
Plan your Nick’s Cove retreat:
- Drive Time from San Francisco: ~1 hour 30 minutes north
- Vibe: Rustic luxury with a nautical heart
- Highlights: Waterfront cottages with wood-burning stoves, in-room breakfast, pier with boathouse lounge, on-site restaurant featuring local oysters
- Best Time to Visit: Fall for fewer crowds and misty mornings
- Cost: Cottage rates range from $400–$750/night depending on location and season
- Hours: Open year-round
Inn Paradiso: Artful Stillness in the Paso Hills - 3 hours 30 minutes from LA
I ran my hand along the reclaimed wood railing, smooth and warm from the sun. The trees around us were tall and quiet, like sentinels. Inside, the inn was all hand-forged iron and midcentury bookshelves, but nothing felt staged—it felt lived in. “I could write a novel here,” I thought as I sank into the vintage leather chair facing the hills.
What I Loved Most: Waking to birdsong and morning sun spilling through floor-to-ceiling windows. There was no rush. Just us, wrapped in a quilt, listening to the slow hum of the day beginning.
My highlights? We drove into town for breakfast at Spearhead Coffee, where I ordered a cheddar and herb scone and a savory quiche with caramelized onion. The pastry was buttery and sharp, the quiche still warm and fragrant. We took our time walking back through Paso, the scent of rosemary in the air.
Plan your Inn Paradiso escape:
- Drive Time from San Luis Obispo: ~40 minutes north
- Vibe: Artistic, secluded, soulful
- Highlights: Eclectic architecture, curated library, private terraces, orchard grounds, short drive to Paso’s top wineries
- Best Time to Visit: March through May or September through November for temperate weather and vineyard colors
- Cost: Suites typically range from $300–$450/night
- Hours: Open year-round
For wellness: Sycamore Mineral Springs Spa and Resort, San Luis Obispo - 3 hours from LA
Steam rose from the hillside tub as I stepped in, the scent of damp earth and eucalyptus in the air. We were tucked into a private nook beneath twisted sycamores, and the only sound was water trickling over stone. “This is what it means to let go,” I thought as the mineral warmth wrapped around my legs and the canyon quieted my mind.
What I Loved Most: The serenity of our hillside hot tub at dusk. The sun dipped below the trees, and soft light filtered through branches while we soaked in silence, wrapped in steam and stillness.
My highlights? After a morning hike along the Bob Jones Trail, we stopped at the on-site Gardens of Avila restaurant. I ordered the wild mushroom omelet with goat cheese and herbs—it arrived hot, the earthy aroma of truffle oil drifting up before the first bite. Paired with crispy potatoes and a side of jam-slathered toast, it was comfort in every sense.
Plan your Sycamore Mineral Springs retreat:
- Drive Time from San Luis Obispo: ~15 minutes south
- Vibe: Natural, restorative, tucked away
- Highlights: Private hillside hot tubs, in-room mineral springs, yoga dome, spa services, on-site restaurant, trail access
- Best Time to Visit: Winter and spring for cooler air and steamy soaks
- Cost: Rooms from around $250–$400/night; hot tub rentals also available for non-guests
- Hours: Open year-round
For an adults-only escape: Del Marcos Hotel, Palm Springs
“This place doesn’t try too hard—it just is,” I thought, brushing my hand along the smooth breeze block wall. The air in Palm Springs was warm even in the morning, and the Del Marcos felt like something time forgot: colorful, laid-back, and bathed in desert sun. We parked the car and didn’t need it again all weekend.
What I Loved Most: Floating in the pool beneath towering palms, the San Jacinto Mountains rising in the background, and the quiet hum of a record playing from a nearby room.
My highlights? Breakfast from Cheeky’s down the street—we brought it back to our private patio. I had the custard-style scrambled eggs with smoked bacon and their famous cinnamon roll. It was soft and warm, the scent of cinnamon strong enough to fill the courtyard. Paired with strong coffee, it was the kind of slow morning that stays with you.
Plan your Del Marcos Hotel escape:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2 hours east
- Vibe: Retro, playful, adults-only
- Highlights: Midcentury-modern design, mountain views, heated saltwater pool, cruiser bikes, walkable downtown location
- Best Time to Visit: October through April for cooler desert temps
- Cost: Rooms from around $200–$350/night depending on season
- Hours: Open year-round; 21+ only
Hotel Angeleno: City Views and Sunset Silhouettes
Hotel Angeleno surprised me—in the best way. With its unique cylindrical shape and panoramic views of the Getty and Westside skyline, it felt like a hidden-in-plain-sight romantic escape. We watched dusk settle in from the balcony, headlights tracing slow lines down the 405. I remember thinking, “Even LA traffic looks beautiful from here.”
What I Loved Most: The way the room lit up in the morning with floor-to-ceiling windows and that first cup of coffee in bed, still wrapped in hotel robes.
My highlights? Dinner at WEST Restaurant & Lounge, perched at the top of the hotel. I had the filet mignon with rosemary potatoes, and we split the molten chocolate cake while watching the lights flicker across the city. It was quiet, cozy, and somehow cinematic.
Plan your vacation:
- Drive Time from LAX: ~25 minutes
- Vibe: Modern, laid-back, unexpectedly romantic
- Highlights: Sunset views, rooftop dining, close to the Getty
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or winter for clear skies and fewer crowds
- Cost: Affordable luxury
- Hours: Hotel open 24/7; restaurant dinner service nightly
- Address: 170 N Church Ln, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Conclusion: Where Romance Takes Its Time
From lavender-scented mornings in Vista to midcentury poolside naps in Palm Springs, each of these places gave us space to slow down and just be together. There wasn’t one definition of romance—it came in different shapes: a quiet soak under sycamores, pancakes shared with a view of the bay, the feeling of waking up to sun through canyon windows and not needing to rush.
What stayed with me wasn’t just the luxury or the location, but the pauses. The in-between moments—holding hands as fog rolled in at Nick’s Cove, a walk for coffee in Santa Barbara, the hush of the desert after dark. Those were the gifts I didn’t know I was packing for the trip, but they’re the ones I brought home.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Cal-a-Vie Health Spa in the California Hills
- • Hotel Santa Barbara: Classic Romance in the Heart of Downtown - 1 hour 50 minutes from LA
- • The Inn at Churon Winery
- • Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort: Coastal Ease in Oceanside
- • Relax Naturally at The Ambrose Hotel
- • Nick’s Cove: Coastal Seclusion with Vintage Soul
- • Inn Paradiso: Artful Stillness in the Paso Hills - 3 hours 30 minutes from LA
- • For wellness: Sycamore Mineral Springs Spa and Resort, San Luis Obispo - 3 hours from LA
- • For an adults-only escape: Del Marcos Hotel, Palm Springs
- • Hotel Angeleno: City Views and Sunset Silhouettes