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Top 10 Desination Hotels Near San Francisco

Great Places in the San Francisco Area for a Weekend Hideaway

By , About.com Guide

Sometimes you just want to get away, settle in a nice spot and not worry about things for a couple of days. Other times, you find a place that's so nice you don't want to leave.

For stressed-out times or cozy romantic getaways, we've compiled a list of the best places for "nesting." Most have spas and restaurants on premises or nearby, all have beautiful views and comfortable rooms. Some have pools and other amenities. Don't blame us if you don't want to come home at the end of your stay.

The destinations below are in the San Francisco area but we also have some great Southern California Hideaways.

Carneros Inn, Napa

Courtesy of The Carneros Inn
Sit down beside the beautiful swimming pool and contemplate the rolling vineyards and mountains beyond. Get a spa treatment. Have a meal in the on-premises restaurant, or in nearby Boon Fly Cafe or FARM restaurant. Lie back on the chaise on your private patio and count the stars.

Cavallo Point Lodge, Sausalito

Courtesy of Cavallo Point

What could be better than waking up with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge? Besides storing those views as visual memories to sustain you on a stressful day, you can take a hike in the surrounding hills, go bicycle riding or kayak in the bay, or bliss out at the on-premises spa.

Cordevalle Resort, Near San Jose

Courtesy of CordeValle and Rosewood Resorts
CordeValle stands among California's top resorts. Others have similar amenities, nice rooms and good service, but none have the beautiful surroundings of this remote spot just south of San Jose.

Elk Cove Inn, Mendocino

Courtesy of Elk Cove Inn
The Elk Cove Inn has its own small-but-cozy spa and excellent ZEBO restaurant. There's a private path down to the beach, and you can watch the sunset from the cliffside gazebo. Rooms have fireplaces, comfortable beds and some have panoramic ocean views.

Evergreen Lodge, Yosemite

Courtesy of Evergreen Lodge
This place is so nice and relaxing that you'll be glad you went, even if you never make it all the way to Yosemite. Don't get the wrong idea - even though it's located in the woods off the main road, it's also one of the closest place to the park entrance.

Inn at Occidental, Sonoma County

Courtesy of the Inn at Occidental
You might want to take a short drive to nearby Osmosis Spa, but otherwise, you can relax in your room or on the veranda, walk a block to town for dinner and hang out without running around.

Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach

Inn at Spanish BayCourtesy of Pebble Beach Resorts
At the end of the 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach with great views, oceanside hiking trails nearby and a Scottish bagpiper ushering in the end of the day. Ca

Mission Ranch, Carmel

One of my favorite places for Sunday brunch is also a great spot to chill out for a few days. Located just outside of downtown Carmel on property that was once a dairy farm, Mission Ranch is a cozy place. Some of their rooms offer private patios and views of the ocean, and their grounds are beautifully landscaped, yet with a natural feel. I've seen friends get so relaxed here that I thought I might have to borrow a cart just to get them to the car.

Solage Calistoga, Napa Valley

Courtesy of Solage Calistoga

Many properties claim that they're good for everyone, but Solage Calistoga is one of the few that pull it off successfully. During our visit, we saw families with small children, starry-eyed lovers of all ages and a birthday girl who must have had more than 80 candles on her cake - all having a wonderful time.

Ventana Inn, Big Sur

Courtesy of the Ventana Inn
It's been a Big Sur classic since writer Lawrence A. Spector built it in 1975 with his earnings from the film Easy Rider. Simple pleasures are the best at the Ventana Inn: taking a walk in the woods, reading a book beside a real wood fire, cuddling with your sweetie, sipping wine while watching wild turkeys strut on the lawn at dusk. You can enjoy them most if you just stay put - and they have an on-premises spa and restaurant to help you do that.
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