Guest Author - Terri L Griffin

Whether you're treating your boyfriend or girlfriend to a special Valentine or rekindling the romance with your spouse, California has an inn or hotel to suit your budget and tastes. Travel with boisterous young boys doesn't make for very romantic vacations so my experiences at some of these go back a few years. There are hundreds of romantic inns and hotels in California. These are just a few that I have stayed at over the years.

This is a lovely bed and breakfast in Olema, California. It sits on a hill just off Sir Francis Drake Blvd and has a commanding view of the surrounding area. Each of the five guest rooms has its own bathroom with tub and shower, a fireplace and wonderfully comfortable queen or king size bed.

My husband and I spent our wedding night in the Meadow room, so named for it's view of the meadow surrounding the inn. Because we checked in late, we didn't get a chance to enjoy the common areas of the inn, including the private outdoor hot tub. We did, however, take full advantage of the hearty, hot breakfast served in the dining room the next morning.

Roundstone Farm is the perfect starting place for adventures in the Pt. Reyes National Seashore, including many hikes, Pt. Reyes Light, beaches and more. It's also a cozy place to curl up with a good book or enjoy some couple time.

You might recognize the Hill House Inn from the tv show Murder, She Wrote that was filmed there from 1984 to 1996. When I was there the wall opposite the front desk was filled with photos of famous people who had appeared in the show or stayed at the inn.

The rooms at the Hill House Inn are huge and filled with elegant and comfortable furniture. Each of the 44 rooms has a private bath and a patio or balcony. Some also have fireplaces. Enjoy dining at the Hill House Restaurant or Rick's Lounge while you're there.

This is a great place to stay if you want to explore the Mendocino coast, or if you want to hide out in a lovely room with your spouse for a few days.

This is a fun hotel located right on the beach in Monterey, California. Over half of the guest rooms have ocean views. The rooms are spacious and include all the usual hotel amenities, from ironing boards and hair dryers to coffee makers and a tv. Refrigerators and microwaves are also available. There's a swimming pool and a hot tub.

Off the lobby is a cozy, oceanview lounge area, with an espresso bar at one end and a large fireplace at the other. There's also a restaurant and a concierge is available to help you if you plan to leave the hotel and explore the Monterey Peninsula.

The Beach Resort Monterey is the perfect place to stay if strolling hand in hand on the beach and watching a beautiful sunset is your idea of a romantic getaway.

Disneyland isn't just for kids and any of the hotels in the Disneyland Resort would be great for a romantic weekend for two. But what if you can't get away from the kids for the weekend? At the Disneyland Resort you can bring them with you and still find the time for romance. Thanks to the staff supervised child care and children's activities, you can enjoy a romantic dinner or an evening in the parks while your kids have their own Disney style fun.

We enjoyed a night in a spacious Paradise Pier room with a view of the pool, hot tub and waterslide. Mickey-shaped marshmallow treats awaited us in the room when we returned from the pool. We also loved the extra bonuses that come with staying in the Disney Resort, like an entrance into California Adventure just for hotel guests.

Between Disneyland, California Adventure and the many resort restaurants, you're sure to find the romantic dinner spot that's right for you. Disney really knows how to make magic, with our without the kids.