California Family get-away ideas?
September 17, 2007 3:12 PM Subscribe
Quick family get away from San Francisco with a pool and weather warm enough to enjoy it?
The planets have aligned and both my husband and I are able to take some time off next week. This is the first time we're looking to get away as a family - we have a one year old daughter. I usually tend to like boutique-y hotels but they seem to not be all that crazy about children. I'm not that picky at this last stage - warm weather within driving distance of SF that would be good for a lay around/float in the pool and not do much more vacation.
I'm thinking Napa/Sonoma are probably our best bets - but any specific hotel recommendations within driving distance would be great. We don't want to break the bank - but we're also not looking to cheap out. This is the first vacation we've taken in years - so a bit of a splurge is ok. Also considering San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara - but they seem a bit far. I'd even consider somewhere close like the southern peninsula as long as the weather and pool conditions could be met.
Ideally we'd find a hotel room that was a cottage or suite so we could put the little one down at her bed time and not be forced to also turn off all the lights and also go to bed at 8pm.
Ideas?
The planets have aligned and both my husband and I are able to take some time off next week. This is the first time we're looking to get away as a family - we have a one year old daughter. I usually tend to like boutique-y hotels but they seem to not be all that crazy about children. I'm not that picky at this last stage - warm weather within driving distance of SF that would be good for a lay around/float in the pool and not do much more vacation.
I'm thinking Napa/Sonoma are probably our best bets - but any specific hotel recommendations within driving distance would be great. We don't want to break the bank - but we're also not looking to cheap out. This is the first vacation we've taken in years - so a bit of a splurge is ok. Also considering San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara - but they seem a bit far. I'd even consider somewhere close like the southern peninsula as long as the weather and pool conditions could be met.
Ideally we'd find a hotel room that was a cottage or suite so we could put the little one down at her bed time and not be forced to also turn off all the lights and also go to bed at 8pm.
Ideas?
We took our kids (ages 6 and 3) and vacationed for a week in the San Luis Obispo area this summer and loved it. The drive was a bit long, but the weather was great. There are beaches, wineries, good eats, and a total lack of pretension.
We stayed at the Quality Inn Suites in "downtown" SLO, and it was wonderful: $160-ish a night for a 1 room suite (king size bed in separate room, queen size sofa bed in front room), refrigerator, microwave, etc. Very nice breakfast (choice of eggs, bacon/sausage, waffles, lots of other breakfast foods) included, and a nice pool, spa, and wading pool for the kids. They also have a happy hour for guests that includes free wine and snacks.
SLO is far from exotic, but it is very friendly, good local eateries, fun things to do as a family, and a very relaxed vibe. Would definitely visit again.
posted by mosk at 3:29 PM on September 17, 2007
We stayed at the Quality Inn Suites in "downtown" SLO, and it was wonderful: $160-ish a night for a 1 room suite (king size bed in separate room, queen size sofa bed in front room), refrigerator, microwave, etc. Very nice breakfast (choice of eggs, bacon/sausage, waffles, lots of other breakfast foods) included, and a nice pool, spa, and wading pool for the kids. They also have a happy hour for guests that includes free wine and snacks.
SLO is far from exotic, but it is very friendly, good local eateries, fun things to do as a family, and a very relaxed vibe. Would definitely visit again.
posted by mosk at 3:29 PM on September 17, 2007
I think you'd do quite well for yourselves in the wine country. According to the Weather Channel, Sonoma will be warmer than San Diego or Santa Barbara next week.
I think we're just about to grape harvest season as well, so its probably quite pretty.
Napa is a lot better for hotels than Sonoma though.
posted by heh3d at 4:13 PM on September 17, 2007
I think we're just about to grape harvest season as well, so its probably quite pretty.
Napa is a lot better for hotels than Sonoma though.
posted by heh3d at 4:13 PM on September 17, 2007
Calistoga is nice too, and has lots of hotels with spas/mud baths/hot mineral baths. The town also has a bunch of good restaurants.
posted by mudpuppie at 4:32 PM on September 17, 2007
posted by mudpuppie at 4:32 PM on September 17, 2007
Response by poster: We love Healdsburg - unfortunately neither the place we stayed before - nor the B&B you linked to accommodate children. There just aren't a lot of hotels there.
I'd love to stay at Meadowood - I'm afraid that crosses the line, though, from splurge to bank breaking. Their jr. suites, after taxes, are about 1000/night.
Taking the Quality Inn recommendations under advisement. If not for this trip - it's a great place to know about.
Has anyone stayed at The Lodge at Sonoma? It's not cheap - but a lot cheaper than a lot of the other Sonoma resorts.
Thanks everyone for the recs so far...
posted by Wolfie at 9:18 PM on September 17, 2007
I'd love to stay at Meadowood - I'm afraid that crosses the line, though, from splurge to bank breaking. Their jr. suites, after taxes, are about 1000/night.
Taking the Quality Inn recommendations under advisement. If not for this trip - it's a great place to know about.
Has anyone stayed at The Lodge at Sonoma? It's not cheap - but a lot cheaper than a lot of the other Sonoma resorts.
Thanks everyone for the recs so far...
posted by Wolfie at 9:18 PM on September 17, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rtha at 3:17 PM on September 17, 2007