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From the surf and sand of the Southern coast to the quiet beauty of wine country, California offers some of the nation’s best attractions. But when you plan that California trip, don’t forget to stay at one of the state’s best bed and breakfasts. Here are some of the top picks.

For travelers to Southern California, the Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point is an ideal location from which to enjoy the myriad activities in the area. Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Dana Point Harbor and coastline, the inn offers individually decorated guest rooms, each with a fireplace and whirlpool tub. Several rooms offer incredible ocean views. The inn is within minutes of Laguna Beach and several excellent restaurants are within walking distance. The Channel Road Inn, located in the oceanside community of Santa Monica, is an excellent spot to enjoy all of Los Angeles. Each of the 15 guest rooms is beautifully decorated and many have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Full breakfast, afternoon tea and wine and appetizers are all part of the fun. The inn is just minutes from downtown Los Angeles.

The state’s incredible central coast boasts some of the nation’s best scenery, and some of the bed and breakfasts in California. Located on the Monterey Peninsula, the Gosby House Inn in Pacific Grove is a historic gem. The century-old restored Victorian has two dozen guest rooms, many with fireplaces, and all decorated in period style. The Green Gables Inn, also in Pacific Grove, is definitely one of the iconic bed and breakfasts of California. Located practically at the edge of Monterey Bay, the restored Queen Anne Victorian offers the best of dcor, food and especially views. Both inns are close to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as the attractions of Monterey, Carmel and Pebble Beach.

With its view of Cowell’s Beach, Victorian architecture and stunning dcor, The West Cliff Inn is the ideal Santa Cruz bed and breakfast. Each of the guest rooms is beautifully decorated and has a king bed and fireplace. The inn is close to the boardwalk, beaches and the university, a perfect location from which to enjoy it all. Travelers heading to the San Francisco area can enjoy all the city’s activities, but still get away from it all at the Seal Cove Inn. Located just outside the idyllic village of Half Moon Bay, the inn offers spacious guest rooms with king beds and fireplaces. Walk to the beach and you might see seals at play or even a whale or two.

Wine country offers not only some of the world’s finest vintages; it also boasts some of the best bed and breakfasts in California. These three Napa Valley inns offer close access wineries, shops and restaurants, as well as the Napa Wine Train and scenic balloon rides. A stay at Maison Fleurie in Yountville is like a trip to the French countryside. A half-acre with gardens pleases the eye, as does the romantic French Country dcor in the inn’s guest rooms. For a touch of Provence, Lavender is another great choice, also located in Yountville. This inn is slightly more contemporary, but with plenty of romantic ambiance. The rooms are spread among four different buildings and all include a fireplace and king-size bed. The Blackbird Inn is right in the center of it all, located in Napa’s downtown historic district. The impressive Craftsman-style bed and breakfast features beautiful rich woodwork throughout, as well as spacious guest rooms, many with a fireplace or private deck. Each of these three Napa-area inns offers full breakfast and afternoon refreshments. There are even home-baked cookies available throughout the day.

The Sonoma area boasts great California bed and breakfasts, as well as plenty of wine-country attractions. In historic Healdsburg, the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza features individually decorated guest rooms in a restored 1901 lodging. Some of the original features include antique clawfoot tubs. Guests are treated to full breakfasts and afternoon tea and are within walking distance or a short drive of shops, galleries and wineries. The Inn at Sonoma, located in the heart of its namesake town, features spacious guest rooms with fireplaces, and several have private balconies. Borrow one of the inn’s bikes and explore the area, or relax and enjoy one of the summer concerts that take place just outside the inn.

Last 5 posts by Jane Leisteiner

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Tags: Hotels