Retire in Paradise

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Bed and breakfast innkeepers know how to create that special ambiance that couples crave. On the West Coast, you’ll find not only great innkeepers, but bed and breakfasts with idyllic locations guaranteed to put the spark back in your relationship. Here are some romantic options.

Seattle has much to offer couples in search of romance. From dinners by candlelight at gourmet restaurants to walks along the shores of the Puget Sound, you are sure to rekindle your passions. Enjoy it all from the Inn at Harbor Steps, one of Seattle’s best bed and breakfast options. Decorated like a fine, boutique hotel, the inn offers romantic and spacious rooms with sitting areas, fireplaces and garden views. The inn is within walking distance to shops, galleries and restaurants and near to all of Seattle’s major attractions.

After a few days’ stay at the Saratoga Inn on Washington’s picturesque Whidbey Island, you’ll probably be sneaking looks at local real estate and ready to pack and move to this scenic spot. The guest rooms are romantic retreats with fireplaces and views of the Saratoga Passage. Pamper your significant other with a full breakfast and gourmet afternoon treats. You can even surprise your special someone with a bottle of sparkling wine or chocolate truffles and a teddy bear. The vast island offers an abundance of nature activities, as well as shops and art galleries.

Cypress trees and gardens dot the landscape at the Seal Cove Inn, a romantic bed and breakfast just a few minutes from the coastal town of Half Moon Bay and only 24 miles from San Francisco. The peaceful, romantic setting includes spacious guest rooms with a private balcony or terrace with views of the ocean. The rooms also include king beds and fireplaces. Treat your special someone with the inn’s Keepsake Package, which includes balloons, chocolate truffles and a teddy bear.

The West Cliff Inn combines the romance of ocean views with the historic ambiance of a restored Victorian manor. The three-story Victorian Italianate bed and breakfast offers guest rooms with king beds and fireplaces. Some rooms include a jetted spa tub. One particularly romantic suite has its own private, outdoor hot tub. After a full breakfast, head out and take a walk along the beach or explore the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Pacific Grove, located along the rugged shores of the Monterey Peninsula, is a picture-perfect town and also home to two of California’s most romantic inns. The Green Gables Inn boasts an awesome ocean view, located just across the street from the water. The historic Victorian has 11 unique, romantic rooms, and several offer a stunning view. Upgrade to the Celebration Package and you’ll enjoy sparkling wine, chocolate truffles and breakfast in bed. At the Gosby House Inn, guest rooms are done in a romantic English Country style, several have sitting areas with a fireplace. The Carriage House includes two rooms, each with a spa tub, fireplace and balcony. Both of these inns are close to popular local attractions, such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

For luxury and romance at a Los Angles bed and breakfast, try the Channel Road Inn in Santa Monica. Each of the 15 guest rooms has been decorated individually. Beds are topped with fine linens and fluffy pillows, and many rooms have a fireplace or jetted spa tub. A few rooms even have a peek view of the nearby ocean. The inn is within walking distance of many local shops and restaurants and the town’s world-famous boardwalk, as well as a short drive from museums and other popular attractions.

Located about an hour’s drive south of Los Angeles, the Blue Lantern Inn is a Southern California bed and breakfast boasting harbor and ocean views. Nestled on a bluff in the town of Dana Point, the inn offers more than a dozen guest rooms, all with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Several rooms offer sea and harbor views. Borrow the innkeepers’ bicycles and take a ride around town. Guests can walk to several ocean view restaurants, walk down the hill to the harbor or take a short drive north to Laguna Beach with its art galleries and eclectic shops.

Tags: Travel & Leisure