From Big Sur to Sonoma, Northern California has no shortage of romantic destinations. Here are eight hotels perfect for a romantic getaway in the Bay Area.
Hotel Les Mars – Healdsburg
Room at Hotel Les Mars
Located on the downtown square, within easy walking distance to several tasting rooms, this wine country hotel offers 16 rooms decorated in French chateau style with King-size four-poster beds and European antiques. There’s a small pool onsite and evening wine and cheese service daily.
Most romantic perk: The daily breakfast is delivered to your room so you can indulge in breakfast in bed if you so choose.
Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay – Half Moon Bay
The Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay
The 300-room Ritz is the grand dame of Half Moon Bay. The hotel offers a pool, spa, hair salon, golf course, two restaurants, a wine bar, bike rentals and an oceanside terrace where bagpipers perform a serenade to sunset each evening. From the moment you arrive – and are offered a complimentary glass of wine – you’ll find every whim attended to by the Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service.
Most romantic perk: The sprawling terrace not only offers beautiful views of the sunset over the ocean, but come nightfall you can cozy up with your beloved next to a roaring fire (s’mores optional).
Wine Country Inn – St. Helena
The pool at the Wine Country Inn
Located just north of St. Helena in the Napa Valley, the Wine Country Inn offers complimentary breakfast, afternoon wine and appetizers, and a complimentary evening Restaurant Shuttle and passes good for complimentary tastings at many area wineries. Rooms are themed and many have private Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, wet bars, soaking tubs, fireplaces, and patios or balconies. There’s an onsite pool and spa – spa treatments are also available in guest rooms. The hotel offers several romantic packages and specializes in intimate elopements.
Most romantic perk: The Wine Country Inn is surrounded by vineyards and there are several secluded areas where you can relax with a vineyard views. Added bonus: If there’s a higher grade room available when you check in, you can choose to upgrade at no additional cost.
Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, balconies or patios, and lush landscaping lend the Lodge at Sonoma its romantic and intimate feel. Located just off the main square in downtown Sonoma, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle should you wish to head off-property – but with an evening wine hour, onsite restaurant, pool, spa and bar, you might not see any reason to do so.
Most romantic perk: The hotel often offers special packages, such as February’s “Discover Your Senses” Package, which includes a “Big Love” wine and cheese pairing and an evening chocolate fondue service.
Kenwood Inn and Spa – Kenwood
Kenwood Inn and Spa
Ten miles north of downtown Sonoma in the tiny town of Kenwood, the Kenwood Inn and Spa offers 29 rooms spread throughout three Mediterranean-style courtyards. Rooms feature large featherbeds, balconies, fireplaces, and jetted tubs. A lack of TVs keeps your focus on your partner and an onsite spa, restaurant, pool and hot tub, and nightly wine tastings and complimentary port ensure you’ll never want to leave.
Most romantic perk: Start your morning off with one of the best breakfasts in Sonoma. Service includes a buffet of pastries and fruit, made-to-order entrees, and unlimited champagne.
Ventana Inn and Spa – Big Sur
Ventana Inn and Spa
Set among the redwoods along the dramatic coastline of Big Sur, the Ventana Inn and Spa sits on 240 acres inside a national forest. There are two pools with Japanese baths, a small fitness room, and hammocks and firepits spread around the property, which also has extensive walking trails running throughout. Rooms have four-poster King beds, patios or balconies with hammocks (some also have hot tubs), marble bathrooms with soaking tubs, and beautiful views of the redwoods and the Pacific. There’s a whole host of complimentary perks as well: complimentary breakfast, daily nature walks, transport around the property (and to the hotel’s restaurant) via golf cart, offsite car service within four miles, and an evening wine and cheese hour.
Most romantic perk: As if soaking in the Japanese baths under the stars wasn’t romantic enough, one of the two baths (and one of the two pools) is clothing optional.
Hotel Yountville – Yountville
King Room at the Hotel Yountville, California
A short walk from the restaurants and tastings rooms of Yountville, the Hotel Yountville manages to be conveniently located yet feel totally removed and very private. The hotel’s 80 rooms feature large private jacuzzi tubs, cathedral ceilings, and four-poster King beds. There’s a pool, spa, breakfast restaurant, and pool bar, and the hotel offers free cruiser bikes and free and discounted deals to a dozen area wineries.
Most romantic perk: The hotel’s super-sexy lantern-lit pool area (complete with cabana beds) is open late.
Cavallo Point Lodge – Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, the Cavallo Point Lodge feels much farther away from the city’s bustle. The former Fort Baker military base (established in 1897), it was decommissioned after WW II and eventually renovated into a hotel. Many of the rooms retain their historic feel with touches like tin ceilings, while others have a more modern design and feature gas fireplaces and radiant heat floors.
Most romantic perk: The Healing Arts Center and Spa. This heated outdoor meditation area has two whirlpools two eucalyptus steam rooms and is the perfect place to relax.
We hope you enjoyed our rundown on some of the most romantic hotels in northern California? What would you add to the list from your own couple’s getaway?
