Best United States Romantic Destinations – Six Places To Stir Up Romance

The top United States romantic vacation destinations and getaways are places where you will find scenic canyons, mountains, and ocean side lodging where you can revitalize your love life. These are destinations in a tranquil setting where you can roam the sights at your own pace doing some sightseeing, cycling, or taking a hot air balloon ride. Enjoy intimate romantic experiences where you can unwind and relax at a spa with a couples massage followed by an intimate, romantic dinner.

California

The Wine Country – This region of Napa and Sonoma Valley just north of San Francisco offers romantic couples a perfect combination A pitch-perfect mix of wineries, charming hotels and spas, and tranquil scenic beauty. Your romantic getaway can be enjoyed by a leisure car trip though the valley, or better yet by cycling through vast vineyards. Add a sunrise hot air balloon ride and you have the perfect romantic getaway. Where Napa Valley is smaller, it’s also more commercial than the laid back Sonoma, whose vineyards cover far more acreage. Check in at Auberge du Soleil Spa situated on a picture-perfect 33-acre hillside olive grove, with made-for-couples rooms with a large stone fireplace and a private hot tub. Take in the sweeping views of the valley below, or take advantage of the relaxing 7,000-square-foot spa. Or check in at the intimate Poetry Inn and Spa perched on a hillside in the Stags Leap wine district offering staggering views on the Napa Valley. Guests can enjoy a massage in the open air, sip a cabernet on a private terrace, or simply lounging by the pool. The amenities include large rooms with private balconies, marble bathrooms with dual vanities, a large soaking tub, both an indoor and an outdoor shower with rain shower headset, and wood-burning fireplaces.

Big Sur – Two and half hours south of from San Francisco, you can get-away on a romantic journey with breathtaking views of rocky ocean cliffs hugged by pine and cypress trees. For the more active, you can enjoy the scenery by trekking to the McWay waterfalls by taking a short quarter mile long hike, 80 feet above sea level down the Overlook Trail in Julia Pfeiffer State Park. Check in at the Post Ranch Inn and Spa hugging the rugged cliffs of Big Sur. The accommodations are luxurious with a romantic setting that offers a choice of either an ocean or mountain-view, wood-burning fireplaces, indoor or outdoor spa tubs, and private decks. Couples messages are also available. Its located close to nature and the charming villages of Monterey and Carmel.

Santa Barbara – Often referred to as the “American Riviera” it boasts a perfect climate with plenty of sun, surf, fine dining, great wineries and a rich dose of Spanish heritage history. Downtown Santa Barbara is perfect for lazy strolls with a loved one. Pamper yourself and someone special in Santa Barbara. Give yourselves over to the care of luxurious spas, take a day trip though California’s “other” wine country, taste the pleasures of world-class dining by candlelight or treat yourself to unique shopping experiences. Check in at the Simpson House Inn. This Southern California romantic getaway is an elegant 1874 Eastlake home, with period Victorian antiques. Secluded within an acre of tall hedges, stone walls, lawn and gardens, a five minute walk from downtown Santa Barbara, you can pamper yourself with one of their many in-room European spa services. For the more active, the inn provides bicycles to cruise around historic, beautiful Santa Barbara, or you can take a mountain hikes. For the less active, take a leisurely beach walk or just relax with a book in the garden.
Charleston, South Carolina is an historic a romantic destination at the waterfront of Charleston’s Historic District, you will experience a profound sense of time and place. You’ll glimpse the sails in Charleston Harbor and the Ashley River, and you might even detect the fragrant salt air of the Atlantic Ocean. Charleston is all about history. Cobblestone streets and walkways wind past architectural treasures and under moss-draped oaks. The cemeteries are particularly lovely and tell quite a tale on their own. Take a guided walking tour, the one that departs from Charleston Place hotel is led by a 40-year resident and history buff who is writing a book about the city’s cemeteries. Or take a horse-drawn carriage ride, you’ll hear more tales but you can just snuggle in the back and enjoy the views. Check in at Two Meeting Street Inn, An acclaimed, charming white Victorian mansion overlooking prestigious South Battery at White Point Gardens .Enjoy the sea breezes while gazing upon century-old live oaks and the Charleston Harbor beyond. The Inn’s sweeping vista is perfect for an intimate conversation, a courtyard breakfast or sumptuous afternoon tea. Summertime is the ideal time to enjoy peach iced tea or lemonade and spend the day relaxing on the porch, watching the water. They offer a hot southern breakfast in their dining room, on the piazza or garden, or delivered to your suite.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Located on Mount Desert Island, is a picturesque village along the rocky coast of Maine with charming shop, restaurants, and marinas with fishing and pleasure boats. For hiking and biking enthusiasts, the nearby Acadia National Park with its granite peaks, one of which is the tallest mountain on the East Coast and the first spot in the United States to see the sun rise. From Bar Harbor, there are many whale watching boast and a high-speed ferries to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada. Although summer is the most popular time to visit, many people flock to the area in autumn to enjoy the brilliant colors of fall foliage and get a jump on Christmas gift purchasing. Check in at The Harbor side Hotel, Spa & Marina. This is a luxury resort facility nestled in downtown Bar Harbor, and just moments away from Acadia National Park. The Harbor side offers breathtaking views of Frenchman’s Bay and ocean beyond is a perfect destination for a romantic getaways. Guests can enjoy the Dining & Spa amenities of the adjacent Bar Harbor Club

Sedona, Arizona

The majestic red rock formations of Northern Arizona’s Boynton Canyon are an impressive backdrop to any romantic getaway. Sedona also is known for its spiritual vortex, and its healing opportunities, and to experience sage clearings to release negativity or share spiritual ceremonies in the crystal grotto. For active romantics, the beautiful red landscape can be taken in by jeep tours, horseback riding, hot-air balloon rides, and hiking. Check in at the Enchantment Resort set amongst the impressive red rock configurations of Boynton Canyon in Sedona, where solitude and colorful sun sets can be viewed amongst the area’s famous red rocks. Romantics will experience the luxurious couples Ayurvedic treatments at the Mii amo Spa including massage therapy, spiritual healing treatments, and psychic massages. Or stay at The L’Auberge de Sedona, in Oak Creek Canyon, in the heart of Red Rock country, on the banks of Oak Creek. Enjoy a romantic brook side dinner for two, and a spa treatment to embrace your senses, relax tense muscles and give you a new outlook on your day. They offer services to create a unique sense of intimacy and offer very personalized attention. You can experience your treatment in your cottage or enjoy the Spa Cabana creek side.

Morro Bay: Charm along the Central CA Coast

If you like seagulls, you’re going to love California’s Morro Bay. These creatures make a point of welcoming visitors to one of hte most charming coastal communities in the state.

Apparently the word’s out amongst the seagull population: Visit Morro Bay and you’ll not only be well fed by curious and somewhat startled tourists, but you can also retire to the local bird sanctuary. In fact, it’s a crime to harm a bird once they make it to the sanctuary, so a seagull’s golden years are not likely to be cut short by any pesky kids with bb guns.

Morro Bay is the quintessential seaside village, steeped in charm with unsurpassed views of the sometimes angry Pacific Ocean. People travel to Morro Bay, on California’s Central Coast, to breathe that fresh salt air, drink in the gorgeous ocean views and listen to the above-mentioned birds. This is one of those places where you find a great local hotel and just spend a lot of time on walks and visiting the local seafood restaurants.

Driving into town you can’t help but notice the big rock monolith that defines the town — named not so coincidentally Morro Rock. That rock actually was named in 1542 by a Portuguese sailor, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. He called it El Moro because it resembled a Moor – people from North Africa who wore turbans. It certainly was a rock that needed naming – it rises high above the coastline and juts out into the ocean where everyone on sea or land can see it.

Today tourists are drawn to the rock and its nearby trails and beaches that give you an up-close look at some of the most powerful waves you’ll ever see. It’s common to see seals and other sea life in the inlet on the southeast side of the rock while a series of waves are mesmerizing as they crash upon the broad beach on the northern side of the rock. It is near the rock that you’ll encounter a squadron of seagulls trained to swoop in and grab whatever you have that resembles food. Many visitors try to take refuge in their cars but the birds are so intense sometimes that you feel like you barely got the car door shut before the seagulls followed you inside.

It’s all part of Morro Bay State Park, which features a lagoon and natural bay habitat. You can sail, fish, hike or bird-watch at the park and the park museum offers exhibits on the area’s natural features and culture. Exhibits focus on Native American life, geology, and oceanography.

Within an easy walk of the rock are the restaurants and shops of Morro Bay, stretched along a picturesque boat harbor that allows you to combine your shopping with a truly spectacular nature walk. If fishing boats anchored in a scenic bay are your idea of a really good backdrop for hiking, this walk is for you.

Fishing, in fact, is a big part of Morro Bay’s past and present. While the area once had quite a vibrant abalone industry, today the boats are more likely to be carrying halibut, sole, rockfish and albacore. Oysters also are farmed in the area.

We stayed at the Embarcardero Inn, a comfortable hotel just across the street from the water and a perfect headquarters for our brief stay. The hotel is built up a few floors with parking underneath the building giving the front rooms great views of the bay and Morro Rock. Our spacious room came with a fireplace and flat-screen television as well as table and chairs and a balcony where we could sit and enjoy the view and watch our fellow travelers exploring the nearby shops. There were all sorts of nautical paintings and decorations in the room so there was no chance we would forget where we were.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Morro Bay is in San Luis Obispo County and is about half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles. There are several beach towns in the vicinity and the area is one of California’s most popular beach areas.

WHAT: Morro Bay is a picturesque beach community that is heavy on charm. Its connection with the fishing industry makes it feel almost like a New England fishing village and it’s especially good for visitors who like long coastal walks and bird-watching.

WHEN: Anytime of the year, although it can be chilly in the winter months. The climate is temperate so that even in summer it doesn’t get too hot.

WHY: Morro Bay’s small-town charm is easily reached from San Francisco or Los Angeles, so it’s a convenient destination for a weekend or vacation. The ocean vistas are spectacular and the ambience makes you feel like you are far from the Big City.

HOW: For information on the Embarcadero Inn, phone 888-223-5777.

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Museums in Sacramento

Sacramento is a culturally rich city and has a glorious past. Apart from being a hot favorite among the local people, the city attracts the rich and famous from neighboring countries as well. Sacramento promises its affluent visitors a vacation of a lifetime, on account of its musical heritage, exquisite events and fine dining experience. However, Sacramento is better known for its variety of museums that appeal to the aesthetic tastes of the wealthy visitors.

The California State Railroad Museum is one of the most famous museums in Sacramento, well known for its exhibits and display of restored trains and other artifacts. They demonstrate the fascinating rail history that captures the interest of the young and old alike. Through its fun filled activities offered year round, visitors get the opportunity to explore and rediscover the magic of the railway. This museum is extremely popular with the younger generation, due to its thrilling train rides, frequently changing exhibits and special events.

The special events include seasonal events like the Train Time for Santa held during the Thanksgiving weekend and the occasional Rail Fairs. The exhibits in the museum cover a broad range of topics. In spite of having been to the best places in the world, the elite crowd cannot deny the distinctiveness of the train rides offered at this particular museum. The train ride is six-mile long and promises forty minutes of fun and excitement.

Discovery Museum’s Gold Rush History Center takes its visitors back in time, to the early 1800s, to relive the Gold rush era. Old exhibits illustrate the details of the lifestyles of the typical miners at that time. After the renovation of the Gold Gallery, the museum now boasts of an extensive exhibit The Lure of Gold, depicting the history and science of gold. Another major attraction of the museum is a hard rock simulated mineshaft that allows visitors to discover the history, technology and other features involved in gold mining.

State Indian Museum is situated in downtown Sacramento, on the grounds of the Sutters Fort. The museum showcases some of the finest artifacts and exhibits, which depict the culture of the early inhabitants of California. Before the arrival of the first Europeans, California was occupied by a large number of Native Americans, divided into more than 150 tribal groups.

Typically, the museum displays artifacts that include beadwork, clothes and basketry that amply highlight the Native American traditions. The affluent crowds are specially impressed by the display on Ishi, the last Yahi Indian who managed to conceal his identity from the western people. He was finally discovered in the northern parts of California in the year 1911. Another lure to the State Indian Museum is the series of events it hosts all year round.

The Old Sacramento State Historic Park includes the commercial structures that existed in the early Gold Rush period. Structures include the 1849 Eagle Theatre, the 1855 Big Four Building and the 1853 B.F. Hastings Building.

Other museums that are of special interest to the affluent class include Discovery Museum’s Science & Space Center, Crocker Art Museum, Governors Mansion State Historic Park, Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum and Towe Auto Museum. All museums and historical landmarks in Sacramento are a manifestation of its golden history and offer an insight into its rich cultural heritage.