Romantic Getaways in California

California boasts of a diverse landscape, ranging from verdant hills in the north to spectacular desert in the south, from Sierra Nevada in the east to shimmering beaches in the west, bordering the Pacific. Its cultural offerings are equally varied and the state has something to indulge every taste and preference. So if you are planning a romantic getaway, you are sure to be spoilt for choice when traveling through the Golden State.

San Francisco

For urban couples looking for some shopping or eager to ‘do’ the cultural circuit, few places offer better option than San Francisco. Here a sun-drenched afternoon is a great time to walk hand-in-hand through vast shopping malls or browse through eclectic stores, boutiques and interesting neighborhoods. The California Academy for Arts and Sciences is one of the most visited locations, and Friday nights are especially a favorite with couples since the Academy hosts a spectacular experience filled with live music, great DJs, alcohol and cooking demonstrations full of great food and useful learning resources. Be sure to take your sweetheart to the 2 and 1/2 acres of live plants and flowers blanketing the roof and watch the sunset over Golden Gate Park.

Attractions like the Pier 39 and Alcatraz Island remain perennial favorites for the general run of tourists but this doesn’t mean that you should skip them on your romantic vacation. If you and your partner would like to try out your surfing skills, then the place to head for would be the Ocean Beach. Once you are done, you can walk hand-in-hand through the epic ruins of the Sutro Baths, at the end of Ocean Beach. Then hike along the hillsides of cypress and wildflowers, views of old shipwrecks pm trail called Land’s End on the northwest corner of San Francisco. On the other hand if you are looking for a less crowded beach which you can afford you some personal time with your beloved, then check out the quieter China beach tucked below the wealthy Seacliff neighborhood. For the nature lover in both of you, set aside an evening to explore the Golden Gate Park, watching birds along the Rodeo Beach located in the Marin Headlands, or view the sun going down on the Golden Gate Bridge and setting the whole sky ablaze in a fiery display of red, orange and pink.

Catalina Island

California's only coastal island retreat is a short trip away from Los Angeles and part of the same county, but it is refreshingly different from its mainland counterpart. Most of its land is preserved as a nature conservancy, surrounding the small town of Avalon. With a cute, walkable downtown, beautiful ocean views, cozy bed and breakfasts and the amazing Inn on Mt Ada, it definitely figures as a top pick for a romantic getaway in California. If you have got just a day, you can hang around the downtown but otherwise, you can take an inland tour, check out the Botanical Gardens, go scuba-diving and snorkeling for a great underwater experience or simply walk along the waterfront, from Casino Point to Lover's Point, hand-in-hand with your partner as you admire the lovely views.

Napa Valley

When here, don’t forget to set aside a couple of days for the winery tours of the Napa or the Sonoma valleys where you can not only spend a lovely day rambling through vineyards but also sign stop at a local winery, taste their varietals as well as pick up some great reds and whites. The "valley" in Napa Valley is narrow and pretty, barely 5 miles wide and running for about 30 miles between the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountains, its two main thoroughfares lined with vineyards and winery tasting rooms. Apart wine-tasting, you can even plan a picnic among the vineyards. If the weather is nice, bring a blanket, stop at Oakville Grocery, or Soda Canyon Store for sandwiches or fresh baked bread, fine meats and local cheeses. Then head to Peju, William Hill, Rutherford Hill, or Pine Ridge  for a meal amidst the vines.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles nightlife is one of the trendiest in the country and if you find yourself with your partner in this city, be sure to make the most of your nights. The X Bar located in the Hyatt for instance is a great place to bump into not only the super-rich but also the super-famous from the entertainment industry. However if you are looking for something funkier, the literally underground Edison and Cole in downtown city as well as the Tiki-Ti at Sunset Bld are some of the top watering-holes in Los Angeles and have found a place in the best 25 bars in America by the men’s magazine GQ. Among other lounges popular with the jet-setting crowd are the Elevate Lounge at Wilshire Bld as well as Viper, best known as the brainchild of Hollywood sensation, Johnny Depp. As far as dance clubs go, AD with its multi-level dance floors including one for the VIPs, the Airliner, Cohiba and the Kids Cotton Club are some destinations where you are as likely to be rubbing shoulders with Leo DiCaprio as with financiers and millionaire geeks. While many of the dance clubs in LA are built around the Hollywood theme, there are those that relish punk, hard rock and Goth as well and where you may love reliving your wild days with your partner.

Coronado Beach, San Diego

This beach won the top spot in 2012 list America’s Best Beaches polled by Dr. Leatherman, the Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, who is popularly known as ‘Dr. Beach’. Coronado City Beach is located on the Pacific Ocean side of Coronado Island and lies adjacent to Ocean Blvd. Apart from its sheer natural loveliness, this beach has something for everyone – on one hand, Coronado City Beach is a perfect family beach with a wide expanse of sand and mostly calm surf that is safe for youngsters to splash around in while on the other, couples like this beach for long romantic walks followed by drinks at the Hotel Del Coronado. Again adventure enthusiasts can swim, body board, play beach volleyball, go about tide pool exploration, kite flying or even watch for migrating whales January through March.

Carmel

For those lovers looking for a fairy-tale romantic getaway, the quaint town of Carmen may be just the place to go. Carmel-by-the-Sea is among the most charming small towns in California, remaining so even under the pressure of tourism. This destination is ideal for couples on a laidback holiday. At Carmen, you can Walk hand-in-hand through town or along the beach. Sip an evening cocktail at the Highlands Inn while watching the sun set over the Pacific or cuddle with a nightcap beside the outdoor fireplaces at The Forge in the Forest. At the end of Ocean Avenue, you'll find a nice stretch of white sand that's fun for a walk, sunbathing or people watching. Point Lobos is a popular nature preserve and should figure on your romantic itinerary if you wish to enjoy crashing waves, still coves, abundant wildlife and flowers in the spring. Apart from its scenic beauty, the other main attraction here is shopping, and Carmel streets are lined with art galleries, boutiques and shops of all descriptions. in recent years, Carmel seems to be picking up a reputation as a food and wine destination too; with more than half a dozen winery tasting rooms downtown, you can raise a toast to your love as you near your stay at this most romantic of Californian getaways.