Southern California resorts and spas?
I am trying to plan a honeymoon and considering southern California. I want a resort style hotel that is at lowest possible within walking distance to the shore. I would like within to be a spa. Within an hour or so drive from LA and Disneyland for possible excursions. I would like it to be predominantly for adults, not families. We are trying to not walk completely expensive either, so something nice, but on the lower completion of the expenses (we can go all-inclusive to St. Lucia for $3000, so i.e. our price basis).
Answers:
Amanda has some excellent suggestions. I would also append Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort, right by the beach within Santa Barbara.
I'm not sure about the pricing, but try the St. Regis surrounded by Dana Point, Ca. (Orange County.) Not only is it in walking distance to the most gorgeous white sand beach, they will even shuttle you down surrounded by golf carts. There is also the Montage contained by Laguna Beach, and the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, which over looks the gorgeous white sand seaside and you can hear the waves from some of the guest rooms. Also consider renting a sand house, and going to a day spa, or have services come to you.
Don't even mess with LA. Go a bit south of nearby and you will enjoy it more. Irvine, Newport Beach nouns. LA reeks beside suckieness
Ritz-Carlton-Laguna Niguel
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...
Montage-Laguna Beach
http://www.montagelagunabeach.com/index.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...
St. Regis Resort-Dana Point
http://www.stregismb.com/
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...
I concur with the Dana Point suggestions but want to donate another option in that, the Blue Lantern Inn, which is very nice, have spa facilities on campus, and is exceptionally close to the harbor. I stayed there once for a convention and loved it. It might be a short time bit less expensive than the other choices...here's a knit: http://www.bluelanterninn.com/specials.h...
The Montage in Laguna coast is probably the way to dance for you. The St. Regis is excellent as well but not on the shoreline.
The challenge beside SoCal is going to be cost.
Beach property here is very terribly expensive (1/10 acre lots - without home - run for $4m plus). This translates into hotels and resorts that are very, especially nice (and almost all enjoy spas), but generally markedly expensive.
Here are some nice places to explore which are on the beach and inwardly an hour of D'land:
Top tier:
Montage (Laguna Beach) - right on its own semi-private beach.
Ritz Carlton (Dana Point) - above/on the coast
St. Regis (Dana Point) - not on beach, but especially nice.
Next tier:
Marriott Resorts at Newport Bluffs (across PCH from a beautiful sand - Crystal Cove)
Hyatt Huntington Beach (across PCH from a classic California beach)
Hilton Waterfront Beach (next door to the Hyatt, above)
Surf and Sand (Laguna Beach - on the beach)
Lower cost ones I don't know personally, but may be worth research:
Balboa Inn, right on the shoreline in Newport (Balboa Peninsula). From the outside, this looks relatively charming. No spa onsite, but there are more daytime spas in Newport Beach than you could stop by in a year. It have a great location - near frequent activities. Don't know roughly the couples/family mix - maybe Trip Advisor have more data on it? (www.tripadvisor.com)
You may also want to consider San Diego which is relatively lovely, many things to do and may hold some resorts which are lower in cost, although these may be more relatives oriented. Try looking at places around Mission Bay.
Finally, hold on to in mind that adjectives these places are in a much more upscale-but-not-inclusive environment than St. Lucia - it's a totally different concerned of trip. You may want to first decide what loving of trip you prefer. This is definitely NOT past its sell-by date the beaten pathway.
St. Regis at Monarch Beach is a gorgeous resort, with really nice spa services that can relax both of you after a stressful wedding.
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