International Travel Desk

If you are planning a trip to Southern California, these two inns offer the best combination of the amenities of a hotel and the charm of a bed and breakfast. Situated on a bluff above Dana Point Harbor, the Blue Lantern Inn is new, but looks like a rambling Victorian. Its guest rooms include fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. The inn is within walking distance of several popular restaurants and just a few minutes from the galleries and shops of Laguna Beach. If you are heading to Los Angeles, the Channel Road Inn in Santa Monica is a perfect spot to enjoy the city yet stay by the sea. The guest rooms are beautifully decorated and many have a fireplace or jetted tub. The famous boardwalk is nearby, as well as many restaurants and boutiques. The museums and famous shopping of Los Angeles are just a short drive away.

California's spectacular Central Coast region offers rugged coastlines, towering trees, beautiful gardens and memorable sunsets. Guests at the Green Gables Inn enjoy all this, as well as the historic ambiance of a restored Queen Anne Victorian. Green Gables, located in Pacific Grove, is one of the nation's top inns, with its rich dcor, great food and stunning views. Another great Pacific Grove offering is the Gosby House. The guest rooms at this historic Victorian are decorated in period style and many have fireplaces. Both inns offer full breakfasts, afternoon snacks and homemade cookies, as well as close access to the aquarium and all the attractions of the Monterey Peninsula. These two inns are truly some of the best bed and breakfasts in California.

Santa Cruz, with its famous boardwalk, beautiful coast and university, draws thousands of visitors each year. The West Cliff Inn is a perfect spot from which to enjoy all the area has to offer. The Victorian gem overlooks Cowell's Beach and offers guest rooms and suites with king-size beds and fireplaces. Many also have a jetted tub in the spacious bathroom. Drive up the coast to Half Moon Bay, and you'll find the Seal Cove Inn. Just 24 miles from San Francisco, this relaxing retreat is set among trees and gardens, offering guest rooms with king beds and fireplaces, as well as full breakfasts and afternoon tea. Whale watching and horseback rides along the beach are just two of the nearby activities available to guests at this idyllic California bed and breakfast.

Napa Valley wineries are world famous, and several of the area's bed and breakfasts deserve some fame of their own. In historic downtown Napa, try The Blackbird Inn, a beautifully restored California Craftsman. Many of the guest rooms have a private deck or working fireplace, and guests are treated to full breakfast in the morning and hors d'oeuvres and wine in the afternoon. In nearby Yountville, a charming wine country town, guests can enjoy a little bit of France at Maison Fleurie. This California bed and breakfast features French Country dcor in guest rooms that offer garden views. Another Yountville offering is Lavender, a mix of both the flavor of Provence and contemporary style. Guest rooms are spread out among several buildings, but all include a fireplace and king-size bed. Both Yountville inns include full breakfast and afternoon refreshments, and both are near to dozens of wineries and other Napa attractions.

The Sonoma area, another wine country hotspot, offers several of the best bed and breakfasts in California. Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza was built in 1901 and features all the historic charm you might expect, as well as a superb location in Healdsburg. Guests can pop out the door and are just seconds away from summertime concerts, shops, galleries and restaurants. The Inn at Sonoma is close to many area wineries and a popular cooking school where guests can book a lesson or cooking demonstration. The guest rooms include fireplaces and many have private balconies where you can enjoy morning coffee and the view. Relax in the rooftop hot tub or borrow bikes and ride around town. Full breakfasts are served in the morning, and in the afternoons, come back for wine and snacks.