With the price of gas going sky high and airlines charging extra baggage fees, getting away from it all can be an expensive proposition. L.A. residents don’t have to go far to enjoy a weekend in paradise. Los Angeles bed and breakfasts offer convenient locations, as well as romance and plenty of adventure.

Escape to the Beach for a Romantic Retreat

The Channel Road Inn, located just blocks from the beach in Santa Monica, is a perfect spot for locals who need a break but don’t want to travel far. Within walking distance of this Los Angeles bed and breakfast are shops, restaurants and the famous Santa Monica boardwalk. Borrow the inn’s bicycles for a tour of the area, or head to the beach and enjoy the surf and salty air.

Dana Point Harbor Offers a Quick Getaway

Sidney Woodruff, the man behind the development of Hollywood, also set out a master plan to develop the seaside town of Dana Point. He planned a luxurious Spanish-style community with streets named after and lit by lanterns. Well, much of his dreams ended with the Great Depression, but Dana Point still has its lantern streets and plenty of charm. At the end of the Street of the Blue Lantern, you’ll find the aptly named Blue Lantern Inn. The bed and breakfast boasts vistas of the Dana Point Harbor and the Southern California coastline. All of the romantic rooms include a fireplace and whirlpool tub, and some offer ocean and harbor views. Guests can walk to several restaurants, and the harbor is just down the hill, offering whale watching trips, sport fishing, shops, restaurants and plenty of sea breezes. Laguna Beach is just a few minutes away, and the inn is midway between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Journey Back in Time at Historic Claremont Village

For a taste of California as it used to be, plan a trip to Claremont Village, a charming historic area located in eastern Los Angeles County. Casa 425, a unique modern boutique hotel, is located right in the heart of Claremont Village. Spacious guest rooms open out to the hotel’s courtyard, and each has an oversize soaking tub. The hotel has a lounge where you can enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine. Guests can walk to shops, restaurants and art galleries. There is a weekly farmer’s and artisan’s market to peruse. Each month local galleries also hold an art walk.

Memorable Moments on the Monterey Peninsula

Although Pacific Grove and the attractions of the Monterey Peninsula are a little farther down the road, they still offer a quick, less expensive and far more romantic alternative to a plane flight, rental car and a cookie-cutter hotel. Besides, the area is full of great attractions, spectacular scenery and wonderful bed and breakfasts. Picture a sunrise walk along the seashore, followed by a gourmet breakfast. Then enjoy a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or browse through shops in Carmel, or enjoy a round of golf at posh Pebble Beach.

Pacific Grove offers two great bed and breakfast options, both located in restored historic Victorian homes. The Gosby House, located a few blocks from the ocean, is a sunny yellow Italianate structure with 22 romantic guest rooms, several with fireplaces and two with a whirlpool tub. At the Green Gables Inn, you’ll find some of California’s best views, as well as sumptuous food and romantic accommodations all in a beautifully maintained Queen Anne Victorian. Each of the guest rooms features its own unique English Country dcor, and several have a fireplace or boast a wonderful sea view. The Carriage House Suite includes a fireplace and jetted spa tub. At both inns, guests are pampered with a full breakfast and wine and treats in the afternoons.