Romantic Weekend Escapes Near Los Angeles

When you want to go away for a romantic weekend together, the last thing you want is to have a long distance to travel. That said, there are still many places you can go that are not only romantic, but close to Los Angeles. This article highlights Pine Mountain Club, Ventura, and Rosarito.

Pine Mountain Club

Pine Mountain Club is located in the mountains north of Los Angeles. Just a short drive up the 5 freeway, you exit in Gorman and drive 17 miles into the mountains, where you will find the friendliest, most beautiful little village.

Pine Mountain Club is generally covered in snow during the winter, which is great for building a snowman or going sledding, but since there is no skiing anywhere nearby, it maintains the peace that other California mountain areas do not, because it is not ever crowded. During the summer, it is a wonderful place for hiking, golfing, and horseback riding.

You can rent a private cabin in Pine Mountain Club by contacting one of the local rental agencies, Jennings Resort Rentals or Pine Mountain Rentals. Prices are generally around $100 a night for a smaller cabin (1-2 bedrooms). Each cabin is privately owned by homeowners who use the cabins as a vacation home. When they are not using it, they rent it out. Each cabin comes fully furnished. At around $100 a night, this is a much cheaper getaway than most hotel rooms, plus you get the privacy of a full house. Also, there is a kitchen, so you get the option of cooking your own romantic meals. (Don't worry, there are restaurants nearby if cooking is not your thing).

It is called Pine Mountain "Club" because it is a private community in the midst of the Los Padres National Forest. Every owner is a member of the Pine Mountain Club Property Owners Association, which provides a clubhouse with a swimming pool, horses, tennis, golf, and more. When you rent a private cabin, you can purchase a guest pass through the realtor for $1 per person per day that will give you access to all the wonderful amenities of the clubhouse.

Ventura

Ventura is a beautiful beach community just about an hour up the coast on highway 101. Old town Ventura has lots of shopping and dining. It is a lot like Santa Monica, without the crowds and high prices.

Ventura has history, arts, culture, and beauty. There are several hotels right on the beach; some give you a great view of the ocean. There are several beautiful beaches in Ventura, and a beautiful harbor village as well. From the harbor, you can take a boat to the Channel Islands to explore, or you can take a whale watching tour.

Overall, Ventura is a beautiful peaceful town that makes a great romantic getaway.

Rosarito, Mexico

Okay, so maybe it's not exactly the shortest drive, but Rosarito is a beach town that is definitely worth the distance. If your idea of a romantic weekend getaway includes a little bit of culture and a little bit of adventure, then Rosarito is the perfect place for you!

Rosarito is a tiny beach town just about 20 miles south of the Mexico border. From Los Angeles, it is about a three-hour drive. Rosarito provides the beach resort atmosphere that is unique to Mexico without the airfare and high prices of places like Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta. The town has a cute little marketplace for great shopping during the day. At night, you can enjoy some of the coolest (not to mention cheapest) nightlife around. Papas & Beer features a full beach volleyball court inside the bar, while Iggy's has a beach deck and some of the greatest Margaritas in town.

Rosarito Beach Hotel offers a more relaxed atmosphere. They offer resort-style packages including meals. They also have a day spa, so you can include spa packages in your romantic weekend. The main restaurant in the resort overlooks the beach, and has spectacular views at sunset. Plus, the food is pretty yummy too!