California honeymoon...where do I start...

Sashawhitney5

Planning my wedding has been super awesome I've loved every minute of it but the plans for my honeymoon are not developing as smoothly as I would lke. CALIFORNIA is our place of choice the only thing is...where do we stay?? How do I get started??  What we want to do..... stay @ a nice hotel not over the top but romantic and nice, relax on a great beach, have fantastic food, do some shopping, possibly visit a winery or 2, tours, and museums....basically we want to have FUN, be busy, have activities and enjoy each other. Renting a car wouldnt be a proble @ all. Any wonderful California girls out there can lend a helping hand or anyone who has been to California for a Honeymoon able to assit???

Hotel links would be great.

Thank-you in advance

lopezeli

Hey there! I was born and raised in CA, but don't live there anymore. Where are you looking at going (Southern or Northern CA)? They are both very different...obviously socal has the beaches and warmer weather and fabulous shopping and norcal has a lot more to do outdoors. I was raised in Sonoma county, which I think is absolutely BEATUIFUL, and if you llike wine, it's obviously a great place to go. And it's less than an hour drive to san francisco, which is an awesome city! Depends on what your going for on your honeymoon! Let me know what you think!

lopezeli

Hmm...I posted a reply, but it's not showing....unless you are able to see it? Has TK been silly with the postings lately, or is it just me? Let me know if you aren't able to see it and I'll give you some tips again:)

lopezeli

Ok...let's try this again. I was born and raised in CA, but no longer live there . Where are you looking to go (southern or northern)? They are obviously very different. Socal is good for beaches and they obviously have awesome shopping. I was raised in the wine country in sonoma, so I am impartial to norcal . If you like wine, it a great place to go, and it's less than an hour drive away from san francisco, and napa is right next door . Depends on if you want to relax on a beach, I'd go to socal, but if you guys are more of the outdoors type, I would go to norcal. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions...I'm happy to help!

dragontrainer

I have lived in SoCal all my life and currently live there now. I don't really know your budget but there are A LOT of beaches. Pelican Hill Resort is beautiful but kinda pricey. Long Beach, Huntington Beach are probably the best in my opinion because there is so much to do besides the beach.

http://www.pelicanhill.com/

hcampana

I second what lopezeli said. I've not been to wine coutry (i.e. Sanoma/Napa) but many people have recommended it as a beautiful romandic location for a honeymoon.  I have been to San Francisco, and it's amazing.  I wish I lived there.  They have some great shopping too.  Maybe you can do those 2 locations and add a 3rd location on the coast somewhere?

aloisk57

OMG please please PLEASE go to Big Sur/Monterrey!!  It is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!  We stayed at a B&B in Pacific Grove (just south of Monterrey) and it was amazing and affordable!  There is so much to do and a ton of stuff to see.  Check out Carmel as well....GORGEOUS.  We went there in September and that is where my FI proposed.  It is definitely one of the most romantic, amazing spots I have ever been.

Squishy'sGal

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED San Fran! Can't wait to go back. it's got lots of great things to do and you can walk everywhere. I suggest spend a few days there and then rent a car, drive up to Napa and stay at a B&B or something. That way you get some "city" excitement and some "country" relaxation. We had the best lobster tail at Fisherman's Wharf. there was a little diner across the street from our hotel that we ate at every morning. Just don't bother with the Winchester Mystery House, it was booooo-ring.

Bonzo2011

I live in the SF bay area, and am going to Carmel/Pacific Grove for my honeymoon. I can give you lots of advice, but it would help if you narrow it down to a region. North? South? Central coast?

Sue-n-Kevin

I planned a 14 day HM last September driving down the coast of California in a rented convertible. Flew into San Fran, drove down Hwy 1 Pacific Coast Hwy, all the way to Coronado Bay near San Diego, and we flew home from there. I have a spreadsheet I can send you with all the info I maintained with hotels etc. Just PM me and send your email address and I'll send it to you.