- San Francisco is just the tip of the iceberg.san francisco by day image by Matt Rees from Fotolia.com
Northern California is an extensive and diverse area of the country, providing a wide scale of weather, terrain, and cultural variability. Deciding upon a destination for a romantic weekend getaway in this region may depend on what exactly you are looking for. Consider three options: the laid back, coastal, redwood-filled county of Humboldt; the sophisticated yet down-to-earth wine country town of Healdsburg; or the fast-paced but uniquely Californian big city experience of San Francisco. - Humboldt County's redwood trees may be its main attraction.redwood sun image by Dennis Carrigan from Fotolia.com
People tend to forget that California stretches as far north as it does. For a truly northern California experience, consider venturing 300 miles north of the Bay Area to Humboldt County. Worth the trek simply for the beautiful drive up Highway 101, Humboldt's close-knit towns of Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, and Trinidad are unlike anywhere else in the country. Nestled in the redwoods, this liberal community is home to gorgeous ocean views, forest hikes, and affordable prices.
Consider staying at the Lost Whale Bed & Breakfast Inn in Trinidad, where ocean overlooks, immaculate gardens, and wine receptions are available for under $200, as of March 2010.
The ocean-side Moonstone Grill may have the best, and certainly most romantic, meal in the entire county. According to AAA, the restaurant is known for its "fresh seafood and regional delicacies."
A hike in the nearby Redwood Forest is easily accessible. With walks for all skill levels, make a trip to the Arcata Community Forrest. While the scenery is certainly romantic, the best part of such an adventure is that it's free.
Lost Whale Inn
3452 Patrick's Point Dr.
Trinidad, CA 95570
707-677-3425
lostwhaleinn.com
Moonstone Grill
100 Moonstone Beach Rd.
Trinidad, CA 95570
707-677-1616
moonstonegrill.com - Healdsburg is a prime destination for wine tours.vineyard image by Pawe? CYGAN from Fotolia.com
Just 60 miles north of San Francisco lies the quaint, vineyard-funded town of Healdsburg. Just north of the grape-laden Alexander Valley, Healdsburg is a prime destination for wine drinkers turned off by the elitism of neighboring Napa. Always clean and classy, Healdsburg is home to several well-known wines, including Kendall Jackson and Rodney Strong. Although the town is on the pricey side, for those in search of romance, Healdsburg can be tough to beat.
It's hard to go wrong staying at Hotel Healdsburg. Located on the downtown plaza, walking distance to all shops and restaurants, Hotel Healdsburg provides spa services and its own restaurant, Dry Creek Kitchen. Rates start at $275 per night, as of early 2010.
Less than a block from the hotel is the pig-themed Restaurant Charcuterie. This meat-heavy but always delicious, destination offers modest prices and of course, many local wines. "Capital Spice" has praised Restaurant Charcuterie for its white bean soup.
For daytime activities, the obvious choice is a wine tour. With several options to choose from, visit HealdsburgWineTour.com to make a reservation.
Hotel Healdsburg
25 Matheson St.
Healdsburg, CA 95448
800-889-7188
hotelhealdsburg.com
Restaurant Charcuterie
335 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-431-7213
healdsburgmenus.com/html/restinfo.php?restid=31 - San Francisco offers endless romantic options.san francisco image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
For those unfamiliar with the region, San Francisco equals northern California. Though untrue, it is certainly a great place to spend a romantic weekend. There are too many romantic options to count, but consider some of the following for a great weekend:
Hotel Monaco is a multi-award-winning luxury establishment complete with large-scale murals, a restaurant, and spa amenities. If your romantic weekend includes your dog, Monaco is pet-friendly as well. Located just down the street from the Curran Theater, Monaco's rates start at $220 per night, as of March 2010.
For an excellent meal a bit off the tourist path, try E'Angelo Trattoria, just a few blocks away from Fisherman's Wharf. With classic Italian dishes in a home-style atmosphere, CitySearch's editor calls E'Angelo an "unpretentious storefront" where "aromas waft from the kitchen." Coming highly recommended is the cannelloni stuffed with light ground veal.
Considering Hotel Monaco's proximity to the Curran Theater, the natural romantic choice would be to spend an evening enjoying a show. Always featuring Broadway productions that have hit the road, tickets can be purchased for as little as $30, as of early 2010.
Hotel Monaco
501 Geary St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-292-0100
monaco-sf.com
E'Angelo Trattoria
2234 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-567-6164
Curran Theater
445 Geary St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-551-2000
shnsf.com
Humboldt County: Redwoods, Ocean, and Easy Living
Healdsburg: Class in Wine Country Without the Attitude
San Francisco: a Classic Romantic Option
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