With it being Valentine’s Day this week and all, love is in the air, and a weekend getaway is a perfect way to spend some quality time with your special someone. Weekend trips are great any time of year, getting away for a couple of days can help you relax and connect with your partner. Whether you are exploring somewhere new or relaxing at the spa, quality time with your person is important. And they say, couples who travel together, are super cool.
Here are a few of my favorite destinations around California for a romantic weekend getaway.
Big Sur
Big Sur might be one of the most beautiful places in California. The dramatic coastline along Highway 1 is iconic and worthy of a few photo stops. If you are going for a “treat yo self” kind of weekend The Ventana Inn is the place, relax with a day at the spa and enjoy a gourmet dinner at the restaurant.
If you are looking for a more rustic experience check out the Big Sur Campground and Cabins. Be sure to cruise down the coast to see McWay Falls and take a walk around Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
San Francisco
San Francisco is great for a weekend getaway with your favorite, with tons of bars, restaurants, and things to do there’s no way you could get bored. To keep it mellow, stroll through Golden Gate Park and take in the panoramic views of the city from the De Young Tower (the tower is free, but the museum is cool too if you want to check that out for $15), and finish off the day with drinks and dinner and a view of the Pacific Ocean at Beach Chalet.
Or to go all out San Francisco style, start off with brunch at Brenda’s Meat & Three then head to Alamo Square wait out the food coma and take in the city views for the afternoon. For dinner head down to Hayes Valley to Rich Table for some classic California cuisine, and end the night with a cocktail and an epic view at The View downtown.
READ MORE:
The Ultimate San Francisco Weekend
Packing for a Winter Weekend in San Francisco
Yosemite
Take in the epic views of Yosemite Valley with your love, it’s one of the most majestic places in the state. If you are the outdoorsy type, connect with nature and camp in the summer or fall. You can go for hikes around the valley during the day and get cozy roasting marshmallows at night.
Winter in the park can be just as beautiful, stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel and stroll through snow-covered trails and take in the awesome snow-capped mountains or go ice skating at the rink at Curry Village.
READ MORE:
4 Badass Yosemite Hikes
Planning Your Yosemite Camping Trip
Sonoma
What is more romantic than wine and beautiful countryside? Not much. Northern California’s wine country is simply the best. Sonoma County has over 400 wineries so there are plenty to choose from. Some of my favorite wineries are Scribe, Domaine Carneros, Buena Vista, Cline, and MacRostie.
Make sure to grab some lunch in Sonoma Plaza to keep your belly full, the Sonoma Cheese Factory has a great deli and sandwiches, and be sure to try the Girl and the Fig for dinner, you won’t be disappointed.
READ MORE:
Packing for Wine Country
Malibu Wine Safari
Wine Tasting in Santorini
San Diego
Margaritas on the beach sound perfectly romantic to me, and San Diego is the perfect place to bask in the sun with your hunny (ew really? Did I just use that word?). Keep things chill by grabbing a couple of burritos and cruising down to any one of San Diego’s beautiful beaches for the day.
Then for happy hour hit up either Wonderland in Ocean Beach or PB Shore Club in Pacific Beach for cocktails and a good view of the sunset. If you are feeling fancy try Cucina Urbana for dinner, it’s modern Italian cuisine and wines are perfect for a date night.
READ MORE:
Planning Your Post-Pandemic Trip
Packing for San Diego
A Weekend Getaway in San Diego
A San Diego City Guide
Like this post? Pin it!
Beautiful photos!! I live just north of Big Sur, it’s so gorgeous down there. I would love to make it down to San Diego. Thanks for all the tips! #FarawayFiles
Thanks! Thats awesome you are so close to Big Sur, I love that area, it’s so beautiful!
Beautiful post! This makes me want to move to California. What the hell am I doing living in Ireland? Honestly when I look at the pics I do ask myself that… Big Sur looks amazing and now I have that song in my head…
Fab blog.
Thanks so much! California is definitely diversely beautiful, but Ireland is gorgeous too!
I so love California. So much diversity in one state and I love that you have shown how different experiences can be romantic. The only place I haven’t been is San Diego so I think I would like to go there next but my heart beats for Sonoma. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Oh I love Sonoma, all the beautiful country side and wine! San Diego is definitely awesome for it’s beaches and great weather though!
I’ve honestly been dying to get back to California recently, and this post makes me want to go even more! Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll get to take my special someone along as well 🙂
So glad I could spur your California wanderlust! It’s an awesome state with so much diversity and things to do!
There are so many great places to visit in California! Even though I’ve been to all of these places, your lovely photos make me want to revisit all of them! The beaches in San Diego are pretty awesome! #farawayfiles
Thats awesome you’ve visited all 5 places, which one is your favorite??
Fantastic suggestions love the variety from snow to wine to sea. Thanks for the pin and for sharing with #farawayfiles
Glad you like the post! I definitely love variety, and CA is so diverse that it’s easy to find a place for whatever kind of trip you are feeling
Great choices, Natalie. I’ve spent time in San Francisco and done the coastal route down to LA but would love to visit Yosemite and Big Sur. Your photos are fuelling my wanderlust! Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
I love that coastal drive from SF to LA, highway 1 is so pretty!
Oh I’m in heaven looking at these wonderful photos. I’ve never been to California but I’m imagining myself having wine and cocktails in every corner of the state! Thanks for an inspiring blog post.
#farawayfiles
Wine and cocktails in all corners of the state sounds pretty awesome and I’m all for it! So glad you like the post and photos!
Try something different! Escape the common vacation routine, and consider a romantic or family adventure at Morning Song’s Farmstay Getaways. Unplug from it all and gather eggs, get acquainted with the friendliest goats ever, or coax an alpaca to accept a tasty treat. Learn cheese making or soak in your exclusive hot tub under the stars. Rates from $130 include a local wine, breakfast items, a full kitchen, fruit and salad items from our organic fields and groves. Nearby wineries, nature reserve, hiking, hot air ballooning, galleries, antiquing, golf courses and more. Both single and family unit available. See http://www.morningsongfarm.com for photos and reservation calendar.
Pingback: Packing for a Winter Weekend in San Francisco - Nattie on the Road
Pingback: I'm Back / My Favorite Summer Time Things To Do In Tahoe - Nattie on the Road
Pingback: Solo Travel For Beginners - Nattie on the Road
Pingback: Art in the California Desert - Nattie on the Road
Pingback: Solo Travel: A California Road Trip - Nattie on the Road
Pingback: Literally Dirty Thirty - A Yosemite Camping Trip - Nattie on the Road
Pingback: A Weekend in Moab - Nattie on the Road