Weekend Getaways from San Francisco

Vacationers enjoy a combination of amazing ocean views, art galleries, hiking and whale watching on The Mendocino Coast, less than three hours' drive from the city. The town of Mendocino offers a selection of sandy beaches, gardens and romantic sunsets. The Brewery Gulch Inn is a great place to stay for couples, offering luxury guest rooms, scenic ocean views and a great base for exploring the Mendocino Coast.

In Fort Bragg, you will find scenic beaches, redwood forests and charming boutiques. If you are looking for last minute getaways from San Francisco, Elk Cove Inn & Spa offers stunning ocean views from its 16 suites, cottages and rooms.

Monterey is home to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, wineries, and scenic oceanview trails perfect for whale-watching. If you are looking for ideas within a two hour's drive from San Francisco, Monterey is a great choice. Old Monterey Inn is located right in the heart of Monterey, offering 10 rooms and suites with terry-lined silky bathrobes, aromatic candles, and either King or Queen featherbeds.

The Garden Cottage has an in-room whirlpool and a sitting room with a fireplace. Have breakfast in bed, in the garden or in the dining area. The breakfast menu varies daily. Homemade cookies are available in the afternoon, and wine and appetizers are served in the evening.

The Monterey Bay Inn is located on historic Cannery Row, near the Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf and downtown. Activities include wine tasting tours, kayaking , shopping, fishing, golf and whale watching. The inn has 47 guest rooms and suites with scenic views and luxury amenities.

There is a selection of fine restaurants nearby. Fly to the Monterey Peninsula Airport, serviced by daily flights from San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles. San Francisco International Airport is 120 miles north of Monterey. Couples will love L'Auberge Carmel, a Relais & Châteaux property in Carmel, which offers elegant guest rooms and great food.

Go on a day trip to Sausalito, just a ferry ride across the bay, where you will find spectacular views, unique boutiques and a selection of activities, such as kayaking, sailing and hiking. If you want to stay overnight, check into the Inn Above Tide which offers stylish accommodations right on the water. Ask for a view of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, Angel Island or the city skyline. Although Sausalito is perfect for Bay Area day trips, staying overnight can help you relax and unwind in a beautiful setting.

Yountville is a quiet country spot where you can rest your body and mind surrounded by natural sights and sounds of geese, pheasants and coyotes in the hills. You will be surrounded by home to world-class wineries, so wine tasting is a must on this romantic getaway in Northern California. Bardessono is an eco-friendly romantic getaway where you will find organic linens, organic food and luxury suites with massage tables.

Just south of Yountville lies Senza Hotel, a quiet retreat on two acres of oaks, redwoods and fragrant gardens. The inn offers a selection of 26 rooms and suites, in-room spa treatments, complimentary wine country breakfast and evening wine and cheese reception.

The picturesque Napa Valley is home to world-famous wineries, hotels and restaurants. Stay at the stylish Auberge du Soleil (Video) which offers amazing views and luxury accommodations. Get your bearings from the air by going on a morning hot air balloon ride. Most tour operators offer a Champagne breakfast after the flight which lasts about an hour.

If you want to be close to the shops, restaurants and attractions of Downtown Napa, check into the Blackbird Inn which offers 8 plush rooms, many with a fireplace, jetted spa tub and a private deck.

Complimentary amenities include buffet breakfast, afternoon wine, tea, cookies, toiletry items and a knowledgeable concierge concierge to help you plan your trip.

Milliken Creek Inn offers stylish rooms with fireplaces and outdoor patios. A visit to the inn spa is a must at this scenic inn. The spa offers services that range from relaxing massages to rejuvenating facials.

Napa River Inn is another good option in Downtown Napa. The inn is located in the Historic Napa Mill, a National Registered Landmark built in 1884.

Guests get a personalized California breakfast delivered to their room each morning and the inn welcomes small size pets.

Napa River Inn provides a complimentary town car available for complimentary transportation within the city of Napa. The inn concierge is expert at assisting vacationers with their Wine Country tours and exploration.

Chateau du Sureau is a romantic hotel built in a converted home spanning 9,000 square feet, complete with wrought iron gates, fountains, and walking paths. The Chateau features ten rooms total, five on each floor, as well as the Villa Sureau, which is 2,000 square feet with 14-foot ceilings and a private butler. The suites feature period furniture, tapestries, 19th century art, and antiques to add to the aesthetic appeal.

Guests have access to the Grand Salon with a fireplace spanning from the floor to the ceiling, the Breakfast Room, and the Music Room with frescoes. There is also a life-size chess set, bocce court, and swimming pool. The Spa du Sureau offers massages, European Kurs, signature Elderberry Footbath, and other spa services. The on-site restaurant, Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant showcases Chef de Cuisine Jonathon Perkin’s culinary talents in the atmosphere of a European country estate with a terrace for outdoor dining.

48688 Victoria Lane, Oakhurst , CA 93644, Phone: 559-683-6860

A getaway in Lake Tahoe means fresh cool mountain air, great views and a selection of hotels that range from luxury to inexpensive. Head to the Taylor Creek Visitor Center on the south shore of Lake Tahoe for a map of the most scenic trails in the area. The Stream Profile Chamber, just a quarter mile down the Rainbow Trail, gives you a 180 degree view of life above and below the water through a curved diorama.

If you are vacationing with kids, book a room at the Basecamp Hotel which has playful, affordable rooms. Both the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe and Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe offer outdoor firepits for s'mores. Everline Resort & Spa offers stunning mountain views from its restaurant. Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe is another affordable option in Lake Tahoe.

Just an hour from San Francisco, Sonoma combines country relaxation with great food, many outdoor events (especially in the summer) and excellent spas. MacArthur Place is a luxury hotel with a spa and beautiful gardens in Sonoma. The hotel's gardens feature 100 species of trees, some of which were planted more than a century ago. Stroll through the orchard which has 12 different kinds of fruit trees, and view original sculptures and fountains that decorate the gardens. No trip to Sonoma would be complete without a wine tasting and tour of at least one of the local wineries.

There are many wineries just a short drive away and some offer shuttle rides to and from the Plaza. The hotel is four blocks from Sonoma's historic plaza, home to fine restaurants and shops. The Garden Spa is the perfect complement to the gardens that surround it. For guests who are on a romantic weekend getaway or anyone who wants to indulge in a relaxing massage, the Garden Spa offers rejuvenating body treatments.

After a visit to the spa, couples can relax in the outdoor whirlpool tub and lounge by the pool.

All of the 64 guest rooms, suites and cottages are individually designed. Saddles, an authentic steakhouse, is the main restaurant, located in a century-old barn on the estate. In season, the restaurant serves deserts from fruit grown in the hotel's gardens. Complimentary continental breakfast is served for guests every morning. There is a complimentary nightly wine and cheese reception in the library. The hotel is 45 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge and approximately one and a half hours from the San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento airports.

29 East MacArthur Street, Sonoma, CA 95476, Phone: 707-938-2929

Located on Healdsburg's historic Town Plaza, Hotel Healdsburg is home to a full service spa, pool, country gardens, and Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen. Sign up for one of the spa packages and get pampered from head to toe during your stay. The Couples Suite has a private garden and a soaking tub for two.

The historic Healdsburg Inn, built in 1901, is another great option. Downtown shops, summer concerts, galleries and restaurants are literally at your doorstep. This wine country getaway has 12 stylish accommodations close to tasting rooms, shops, restaurants, summer concerts and antique fairs. You'll love romantic gas fireplaces, king beds and bathrooms with spa bathtubs and separate showers.

112 Matheson St., Healdsburg, CA 95448, Phone: 800-431-8663

Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens to create a nature lover’s paradise, the Little River Inn is a romantic hotel on the tranquil west shore of the Pacific Ocean where the coast’s history and natural beauty meet. Perched on the ocean’s edge, the Little River Inn has graciously greeted guests for five generations. The establishment boasts beautiful Victorian architecture, charming guest rooms, and breathtaking views.

Rooms feature elegant décor, romantic fireplaces, steam showers, luxurious whirlpool tubs, and private furnished decks. Dining is a delight at the Little River Inn, where award-winning Executive Chef Marc Dym presents a creative menu of classic American-regional cuisine with a twist. Indulge in a range of spa treatments and massages at the exclusive day spa, play a round of golf or a game of tennis, or go hiking in the pristine natural woods around the property.

7751 CA-1, Little River, CA 95456, Phone: 707-937-5942