Advice needed: Honeymoon in California?

elros · #1 03-12-2009, 08:01 AM

Hello all,

Me and the fiancee are trying to figure out where to go for a honeymoon. And we thought perhaps somewhere in California, USA.
So I'd like to seek the advice of those of you who live there, have been there, etc.

We'll go in the first half of July this summer.
What we're looking for is a nice hotel, somewhere safe, with nice varied nature including a decent beach where it's nice to go for a swim.
It need not be in the middle of some city, we prefer a bit more quiet-like enviroment.
And, she'd like to see San Francisco.

What do you think - any advice?

MakiSupaStar · #2 03-12-2009, 09:41 AM

Monterey. Find a nice bed n breakfast around there. You'll dig it. Look it up.

elros · #3 03-12-2009, 09:53 AM

Cool, thanks for the tip! We'll look into it.

Another Q:
What's the weather like at that time of year, typically?
Temperature, wind, humidity?

thanks again

MakiSupaStar · #4 03-12-2009, 10:03 AM

It can be really nice and sunny in 70's. It can be kind of damp and foggy and only in the high 50's low 60's. It kind of fluctuates depending on the marine layer.

**baba** · #5 03-12-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Monterey. Find a nice bed n breakfast around there. You'll dig it. Look it up.

Good suggestion. Also look at the neighboring small town of Carmel. Aptos and Soquel are nice little towns (basically Santa Cruz) that are pinned between mountains covered in Redwoods and the ocean. The good thing about these 4 locations is you can drive your wife to San Francisco for a couple days as well.

Boostedrex · #6 03-12-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Monterey. Find a nice bed n breakfast around there. You'll dig it. Look it up.

I was going to suggest that very place. Great city, very beautiful, and tons of amazing sites to be seen within driving distance. The only problem is the water temp isn't all that great for swimming unless you bring a wet suit.

IMHO, from Monterey to Napa Valley is where you'll find the most beautiful parts of California. But SoCal (think San Diego) is the only choice for swimming in an ocean where you won't freeze.

www.candlelightinn.com
www.timbercoveinn.com

Those are the two bed and breakfast locations that my wife and I frequent. Congrats on your upcoming wedding by the way.

Zach

**baba** · #7 03-12-2009, 10:50 AM

If you do stay in Monterey or Carmel, be sure to take a day trip south to Big Sur. It is amazing coastline and a very special place.

wateroftyne · #8 03-12-2009, 11:30 AM

My wife & I stayed in Malibu for our honeymoon.

Beautiful. And foggy.

MakiSupaStar · #9 03-12-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wateroftyne

My wife & I stayed in Malibu for our honeymoon.

Beautiful. And foggy.

Malibu could be nice, but too close to LA. Monterey is cool because it's close to San Fran.

ahkiatt · #10 03-12-2009, 11:46 AM

If your wife is Asian, or sexy, or both, don't go to Huntington Beach.

Maki lives there.

MakiSupaStar · #11 03-12-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahkiatt

If your wife is Asian, or sexy, or both, don't go to Huntington Beach.

Maki lives there.

This is good advice, but Man Laws provide our OP protection from me even looking funny at his wife. With that all said, HB is not nearly as scenic as Monterrey. There is a nice Hyatt here though.

EDIT: That time of year the water is usually warm for swimming though, but the crowds are crazy. Just watch an episode of Ocean Force to get an idea of the crowds.

DigMe · #12 03-12-2009, 11:52 AM

My wife and I honeymooned in Carmel-By-the-Sea (aka "Carmel"). It's just south of Monterrey and it's a really charming little town with a bunch of houses that look like Hobbit huts or something. We went up to Moneterrey once or twice to see the aquarium, hit up some wineries, go to Cannery Row, etc... Carmel is a nice romantic little town though.

We stayed at The Sandpiper Inn. It's a block from the beach. We stayed in room 18 which is their separate cottage room. If you're looking for luxurious this isn't really your place...it's very nice but more charming than luxurious. Good breakfasts every morning if I recall correctly.

You could look at other places in Carmel but I think its a great town to honeymoon in no matter where you stay. You might consider splitting your time and going up north to Santa Cruz for a night or two as well. It's a fun, funky little town with an old-style boardwalk amusement park right on the beach and a really cool and fun downtown area. I spent a summer there in college.

bc

Phalex · #13 03-12-2009, 12:24 PM

Stay in Tahoe. It's the most scenic place I've ever been. They have casinos on the Nevada side, and a whole lot of stuff to see. The drive to SF is maybe 6 hours, but it's doable if you stay at a hotel in either SF or Sacramento. Sacramento is a nice town to visit too. Don't forget to check out the redwoods in N California.

MakiSupaStar · #14 03-12-2009, 12:59 PM

Yeah Tahoe is beautiful. You would definitely have a good time there.

EASonBass · #15 03-12-2009, 02:39 PM

Napa Sonoma area. Not near a beach but beautiful nature and about an hour north of San Francisco.

Another option is the Laguna Beach area. Water is warmer then northern CA. And, depending on your budget there some amazing resorts; Montage, Ritz, Saint Regis . . .
An hour flight to San Francisco.

fo shizzle · #16 03-12-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

It can be really nice and sunny in 70's. It can be kind of damp and foggy and only in the high 50's low 60's. It kind of fluctuates depending on the marine layer.

I know it shows my lack of maturity, but..........

Marine layer made me giggle.

ThunderLizard · #17 03-12-2009, 03:39 PM

Lompoc!!

elros · #18 03-14-2009, 07:27 AM

Thanks a lot for the tips so far!

We've got a lot of interesting stuff to look into, it'll probably take a while.
We're also considering Italy....