Adult Getaways

Archived Q&A and Reviews


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A getaway for only one night

Oct 2008

I'm trying to plan a getaway for my husband and I and I'm having trouble finding a place for just one night. I am looking for some place close (1 hour drive). So far every place I found has a 2 night min. stay. Does anyone know of a place that does not have this restriction. I would rather stay in a cottage/house than a hotel. need to get away


Try the Olema Druids Hall. This was a fraternal organization (the Druids) whose building was converted into B/inn. It has a cottage and a small number of rooms. We stayed in the Grand Suite a couple of years ago and it was, well, grand. It's also a minute away from the Olema Inn, which has a wonderful restaurant. http://www.olemadruidshall.com/his.html
Allen


Have you looked at Costanoa near Pescadero? www.costanoa.com Nicole


A long time ago, my husband and I stayed at the Pelican Inn for only one night. Not sure what their policy is now, but you should check it out. It is an old fashioned, English-style inn right at Muir Beach. The restaurant/pub is good too, so you can just hang out at the beach and the inn and not spend your time driving around.

Also, we have done one-nighters on weekends at some of the bigger hotels in San Francisco . Most recently, it was the W. We have also stayed at the St. Regis. Both of these are nice because they are near good restaurants and the museum. We did one night at the St. Francis on Union Square before, too.

Wow. Sounds like we have a lot of one-night stands, but that isn't the case. This is over a 20 year period.


I know you didn't want a hotel, but this place is a real find. My husband and I just had a 24 hour getaway for our 10th anniversary. It's the Beach House in Half Moon Bay , about an hour from here (you can go through SF, or over the San Mateo Bridge and across to the ocean). It's right on the beach, with lovely, clean, warm outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, and spa treatments available. Really nice rooms, with 2 TVs, microwave, fridge, fireplace, down comforters, and stereo system where you can hook up your iPod. Daily afternoon wine & cheese reception, a real treat upon arrival, away from our 3 kids! Right next door is Sam's Chowder House, a comfortable, family friendly, but also potentially romantic beachfront restaurant, with very good food. Be sure to sip wine in the adirondack chairs out by the fire pits at sunset... Have fun! heidi


We've stayed in a B in Marshall (across Tomales Bay from Pt. Reyes) for a single night and had a great time. The place was a little funky but comfortable and private, and the breakfast was really excellent. Sorry I can't remember the name of it, but Marshall is pretty small. It's probably a little more than an hour drive, but once you get beyond the freeway part, it's beautiful country highways.


Pelican Inn , Muir Beach. Private, romantic, and a short drive north of the GGBridge. http://www.pelicaninn.com/ Alex


I know just the place! Laurel Ridge cottage in Inverness (www.laurelridgecottages.com or email irwinsegal [at] yahoo.com or call 415 663 9584). Inverness, which is next to Point Reyes, is just over an hour's drive from San Francisco (but feels quiet and remote). There's great hiking and dining nearby. The cottage is up in the hills and has a private outdoor hot tub. It's quiet and spacious and has the most cozy, comfortable flannel sheets I've ever encountered. They will take one-night bookings on weekdays. Hoping to stay at Laurel Ridge again soon


Long weekend trip for 50th birthday

Nov 2006

My husband will be 50 this summer and I would like to take him somewhere to celebrate. His family will probably be with us as well. We both love outdoors and would enjoy a bit of luxury for this occasion. I have never been to Montana or Wyoming and have always wanted to go. I have done a quick search online to look for cabins or resorts but either I didn't get a good sense or they were too expensive (like $3000/weekend!). Any ideas about nice places to go to spend a weekend with family? I would also appreciate any weekend trip ideas in CA as well. Thank you Elif


You mentioned you like the out-of-doors... Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone Park and Jackson Hole would give you many choices. There is the Jackson Hole Lodge (Mike the moose usually drops by early AM for his drink of H2O from the bird bath), Jenny Lake is tranquil for hiking or kayaking, Yellowstone Park is magnificent and Old Faithful Lodge is walking distance to the famous geyser, buffolo are back on the plains in great #'s in the park, and Jackson Hole is a fun Western town to enjoy. Whatever you do Congrats to your hubby on pluging over the hill =)) Love US National Parks


Locals and visitors always seem to enjoy a weekend in Napa or Monterey/Carmel. 1/ In Napa, there's walks, wineries, art, great food, shopping and the DiRosa Art Preserve. 2/ In Monterey, there is breathtaking nature at it's best, great food, small town atmosphere, all kinds of outdoor activities (swimming, biking, hiking, gliding), not to mention an event nearly every weekend from Laguna Seca to jazz festivals. ALWAYS something Have fun! Signed, Envious!


In Montana, Glacier National Park is well worth the trip, although just a ''long weekend'' might not be enough. When we went (parents and two school-age kids, six years ago), we stayed at one of the lodges there (East?). It was fine for a family, and convenient, but not so ''romantic'', if that's what you want. So, I can't make specific lodging suggestions, but the park itself is spectacular. As for a weekend here in California - try Occidental R.K.


Place for one-night getaway in SF

March 2006

I am planning an overnight trip with my partner, the first time both of us will be away from our toddlers. I want it to be very close, SF or possibly Marin, a nice hotel in a fun location, possibly with restaurants and/or movies that we can walk to. My partner doesn't like B's too much -- I think they feel too much like being at Grandma's house, and not enough privacy -- so a hotel might be better. I don't know SF neighborhoods well enough to know where to stay. I checked the postings but there were only a couple of recs. Any suggestions much appreciated!
Looking forward to a night away!

Recommended:

  • The Argonaut Hotel, Fisherman's Wharf

    For a getaway in SF, it depends in part how much you enjoy being in the midst of urban hustle and bustle. There are any number of hotels (from just nice to super fancy) around Union Square, from which you could explore shops, museums (around Yerba Buena Gardens), restaurants and bars. There are movie theaters at the Embarcadero or Metreon, or you could even go see live theater at ACT or a few other venues. Another option is to stay in one of the hotels in Japantown, from which you can explore not only J-Town but the upscale Fillmore neighborhood to the north, also home to many nice restaurants and fancy boutiques. (Note: Fillmore to the south gets a little more gritty.) Japantown also houses the AMC Kabuki movie theater, and I believe there may be another theater nearby, as well as a few jazz clubs. You can also check out the baths at the Kabuki Springs & Spa.
    Auntie M


    Week-long bike trip dor 10th anniversary?

    August 2005

    My husband and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary next May and we want it to be something special. Grandma has offered to watch the kids for a week, so wahoo! We were thinking of going on a Backroads biking/backpack trip, or a chartered sailing cruise (that's more my idea than his...) Has anyone used Backroads before? We were considering an independent backpacking trip but we find we can only go for about 4 days before we start jonesing for a shower and a soft bed. We really want to take advantage of Grandma's generosity and go for the whole week. Having Backroads staff cook our meals for us sounds very appealing as well. Backroads is very pricey -- is it worth it? Thanks for any tips! laurel


    In addition to Backroads, consider another company called Bicycle Adventures. We took a week long bike/hike trip through the Canadian Rockies and enjoyed it. Also, REI offers trips, though I think they contract out to companies like Backroads & Bicycle Adventures to actually lead the trip.

    I researched a whole bunch of different companies before we took our trip. The prices really varied depending upon the style of the trip. The cheapest were the ones where you camped each night and everone pitched in to cook, clean and set up camp. The most expensive was Backroads, where you stay in nicer places and all your food is included. Bicycle Adventures was just a smidge cheaper than Backroads. There were a few priced in the middle where your lodging wasn't quite as nice (can't remember the companies).

    There was one company that was seriously hardcore in that you were riding 100 miles a day for a week. Our trip averaged about 40 miles/day. Pick a trip that matches the miles you want to ride.

    Surprisingly, there was not a whole lot of free time each day (and I'm not saying that was a bad thing, more of an observation). Basically a day was like this: have breakfast, get packed and take your stuff to the van, ride some, have lunch, ride some more, arrive at the hotel, have about an hour to clean up and relax, and get dinner. Then you have some time. Some people went out exploring or sitting in the jacuzzi if the hotel had one. We were pretty tired at the end of the day, so we ended up going to bed early. What was nice about the trip being a bit more expensive was that we didn't have to deal with setting up camp or cooking at the end of the day when we were beat and just wanted to relax.

    Long answer to a short question. Hope it helps.


    10th Anniversary romantic getaway

    May 2005

    My husband and I are going to celebrate our 10th anniversary on December 30. We would hope to have a 2 night getaway Dec 29 and 30. We want to go somewhere very romantic and special. We prefer privacy (cabin over hotel) but don't want to be so isolated that there is nothing else to do but be romantic. We love Indian Springs in Calistoga but want something a bit nicer. We do ski and would consider a snowy retreat, but prefer not to have snow. We are willing to fly but not far as we only have 2 nights. As this a very special occasion, we want to splurge. Lisa

    Recommended:

  • Auberge Du Soleil, Rutherford 2
  • Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles
  • Big Sur: Post Ranch Inn or Ventana resort 2
  • Brewery Gulch Inn, Mendocino
  • Milliken Creek Inn, Calistoga
  • Rosemary Cottages, Point Reyes
  • Russian River
  • San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara
  • Sunset Inn B, Cayucos

     


    Wedding night romantic getaway in the Bay Area

    March 2005

    Hello, I have a friend getting married this summer. As a surprise, a group of us want to treat her and her husband to a romantic first wedding night at a hotel or bed and breakfast in the East Bay or S.F. I've read the past postings but most deal with other accommodation needs. We're looking for a romantic place appropriate for a wedding night! Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
    Friend of the Bride

    Recommended:

  • Claremont Hotel, Berkeley
  • The Clift Hotel, San Francisco
  • Cottage Inn and Spa, Sonoma
  • Manka's in Inverness
  • Majestic Hotel, San Francisco
  • Redwood House, Oakland
  • Rose Garden Inn, Berkeley
  • San Remo Hotel, San Francisco
  • Sherman House, San Francisco
  • The Inn Above Tide, Sausalito
  • Whale Watch Inn, Bodega

    More advice

    One of the best wedding presents we received was a gift certificate from an organization called something like North American Association of Bed and Breakfasts and it was good at many, many B's so we got to chose where we wanted to go. If you are interested and can't find the association, email me and I'll ask my friend who organized the gift. roxanne


    I don't know of any romantic overnight places but here's an alternative. I hired 2 massage therapists to come to our honeymoon suite the morning after. It was pricey (~$200 which included travel and tip) but it was worth every penny! It was a great way to recover from wedding planning and wedding reception partying! If you do this, make sure it's later in the morning (around 11:00am) so they have time to sleep in and do what honeymooners do! susan

    One-night getaways

    November 2005

    My husband and I are going to go away by ourselves for the first time since our daughter was born for our anniversary. We don't want to be gone two nights from our daughter, so we're trying to find a place where we can stay just for Saturday night. Can anyone recommend an inn/hotel that allows one night stays on a weekend close to the Bay Area? We thought of the Hostel at Pigeon Point, but want something with a little more ''ambiance''. We're more of the artsy/outdoorsy type, so someplace situated near hiking spots is ideal. Golf courses and the like are out (not my husband's cup of tea). This would be within the month, so during the beginning of off-season. Any recommendations would be most appreciated.


    Try the Golden Hinde Inn on Tomales Bay (great location, standard motel) or the Beach House in Half Moon Bay (great location and really nice rooms). Both places take one night stays over a weekend.
    October 2003

    My partner and I want to get away for one night (without our son) somewhere on the Marin/Sonoma Coast. Any recommendations?
    Needs a Break

    Recommended

  • Inverness B (2)
  • The Inn at Occidental
  • Point Reyes Inns 2
  • The Inn Above Tide, Sausalito

    Other advice:

    Have you checked www.vrbo.com??? This is the ''vacation rentals by owner'' website and it has a wide selection of available properties listed by area. You can generally see several photos of each place you are considering as well as prices, amenities, etc. Hilary


  • March 2003

    Baby number 3 is due in July, and I'm looking for a solo weekend away while I still can. Does anyone have any great recommendations? I'm looking for a place to stay that's drivable from Berkeley (3 hours max.), where I can enjoy nature and quiet, sleep in a comfortable bed, hike in gorgeous scenery, play my guitar, write in my journal, have a nice meal, and maybe get a massage. Since I'm pregnant, hot-tubs and wine-tasting are irrelevant, and since it'll just be me, romantic B are also superfluous. I'm not interested in shopping. I don't want to stay at a big corporate hotel. I'm looking for someplace like Wilbur Hot Springs, only not centered around hot springs, if that makes any sense, and with a nice restaurant nearby. Oh yeah, and I'd like some sun! (Maybe a pool or a beach?) I'm sure I'm asking too much. But if you have any ideas, I'd love to hear. Judith

    Recommended:

  • Asilomar
  • Cambria
  • Costa Noa
  • Green Gulch Zen Center
  • Rio Villa, Russions River
  • Sea Ranch
  • White Sulphur Springs

 


Romantic Getaway for Couples

March 2003

 

My husband and I are looking for a close-by (60-90 minutes away max) romantic getaway weekend, either hotel or B I've read the website recs but I am looking for more ideas. Any good recommendations and what did you like about it, as well as its location. Thanks!


Recommendations received:


Favorite hideways for parents-needing-a-break

August 2001

Any recommendations on favorite hideaways (places to stay) in Monterey, Napa, or Calistoga? This is for parents-needing-a-break, i.e., w/o kids. Vern

Recommendations received: