California bed and breakfast inns range from quaint Queen Anne Victorians to mountain lodges to sprawling Southern California haciendas. California, one of the pioneers in B&B accommodations offers a wealth of fun, historic, and luxurious places to stay -- something for every taste and budget.
B&Bs Throughout California
From the former lumber capitals of Eureka and Mendocino to the cosmopolitan centers of San Francisco and Los Angeles to the resort areas of La Jolla and Carmel, "The Golden State" has the perfect B&B for you.
Below is a representative sample of some of the state's most interesting bed and breakfast inns:
Bay Area
The early 20th century architecture and compact size of San Francisco lends itself to charming and accessible bed and breakfast inns. Located mostly in residential neighborhoods, the "city on the bay's" B&Bs are rarely far from the BART public transportation system.
- Union Street Inn - San Francisco's Union Street Inn B&B provides elegant accommodations in a beautiful Edwardian home surrounded by a lovely garden. The inn offers six guest rooms, each with private bathrooms. A few rooms have Jacuzzi bathtubs large enough for two people. Additional in-room amenities include televisions, DVD players, sumptuous robes, fresh flowers and welcome baskets stocked with fruit and chocolates. Guests can opt to enjoy breakfast in their room, in the parlor, or in the garden. Cookies and beverages are available throughout the day, and a selection of hors d'oeuvres is served every evening.
- The Parsonage - This San Francisco bed and breakfast is housed in a lovingly restored Victorian home that dates back to 1883. The inn includes five guest rooms, each with its own private bathroom featuring marble showers. Each bed has a locally-made queen-size McRoskey mattress. Free WiFi is provided and two of the guest rooms have fireplaces. Guests can enjoy relaxing in one of two beautifully furnished, roomy parlors or the inn's library. Breakfast is served daily in the inn's elegantly-appointed dining room.
Northern California
The wine country, north of San Francisco, is lined with small, charming California bed and breakfast inns. Many of the inns feature amenities such as wood-burning fireplaces, wet bars, and a welcome bottle of wine waiting in your room.
These inns make an excellent base for exploring the Napa, Sonoma, and Anderson Valleys. One particularly interesting area is Mendocino, about a three-hour drive north of San Francisco along Route 1. This late 19th century lumbering town is filled with restored Victorian houses, interesting art galleries, and an unsurpassed view of the craggy northern California coastline.
- MacCallum House Inn and Restaurant - This spacious Victorian mansion, built in 1882, is located in the heart of downtown Mendocino. The inn features a wrap-around front porch, sweeping ocean views, complimentary Internet access, and afternoon wine tastings. There are a total of 33 guest rooms on the property. Each guest room is unique, but all are furnished with period antiques and have private baths, many with antique claw-foot tubs. A variety of packages are available, including whale-watching tours, wine tours, weddings and elopements. The elegant and upscale on-site restaurant is open to the public and serves breakfast and dinner daily.
- Candlelight Inn - If you're looking for elegant bed and breakfast accommodations in Napa Valley, you're sure to find the Candlelight Inn to be appealing. The inn has ten beautifully decorated guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, television and telephone. Some rooms have a private deck or balcony, Jacuzzi bathtub large enough for two people, or fireplace. Guests can enjoy a three-course breakfast, served daily in the inn's roomy dining room.
Monterey Peninsula
California's Monterey Peninsula is home to the art mecca of Carmel, the world-famous Pebble Beach golf course and adjoining 17-mile drive, and the former haunts of mid-20th century writer John Steinbeck. It's an area of contrasts, where the ghosts of Cannery Row compete with the estates of Hollywood stars on leave from LA. Visitors will delight in the casually elegant eateries, the picturesque ocean views, and the plethora of boutiques and art galleries.
- The Cobblestone Inn - This 24-room English country bed and breakfast inn is located in the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and the beach. Each bed features a pillow-top mattress and guest room amenities include gas fireplaces, television sets, DVD players, and a mini-fridge stocked with complimentary sodas. Jacuzzi tubs are provided in some rooms. Guests can enjoy breakfast each morning in the dining room. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day and wine, cheese and sherry are served nightly.
- Jabberwock Inn - The Jabberwock Inn in Monterey is a Craftsman-style B&B with seven guest suites, each with a private bath. Some rooms have Jacuzzi tubs large enough for two people. The inn is situated on a half-acre of beautifully tended gardens in a spot that provides breathtaking direct views of Monterey Bay. Guests will enjoy daily breakfasts prepared by a professional chef, home-baked cookies throughout the day and evening wine and hors d'oeuvres. Free wireless Internet and no-cost concierge service are also provided.
Los Angeles Metro
Los Angeles is a popular business and tourist destination. Home to many movie studios, television production companies and superstars, the Los Angeles metropolitan area is well-known as a glamorous destination where red carpets and bright lights are the order of the day. Tourists flock to the area to enjoy California sunshine, often hoping to catch glimpses of their favorite stars while visiting fun tourist destinations and enjoying great shopping and dining options.
While there are plenty of big city hotels to choose among, there are also a number of charming, relaxing inns that provide a bit of downtime from the excitement and glamour of the L.A. lifestyle.
- Hollywood Pensione - The Hollywood Pensione is a surprisingly tranquil oasis amid the bright lights of the big city. The boutique inn has three guest rooms, each designed with the needs of discriminating travelers who want to enjoy quiet relaxation even when visiting one of the most bustling and hectic Southern California destinations. Each of the three guest rooms is designed in a modern eco-friendly manner, featuring latex mattresses, bamboo linens, and private spa-like bathroom facilities. The inn is within walking distance of popular attractions including the Hollywood sign and the Walk of Fame.
- Inn at Playa del Ray - Located just five minutes away from the Los Angeles Airport (LAX), the Inn at Playa del Ray is a lovely and luxurious retreat for those who want to enjoy relaxing seaside bed and breakfast just outside of the bright lights of the big city. The inn has 21 guest rooms, each of which is outfitted like a waterfront cottage and features a private bathroom. Breakfast is served daily in a charming dining room that opens to the water, and guests can enjoy complimentary tea, lemonade and cookies each afternoon as well as wine and hors d'oeuvres each evening. Bicycles are available for guests who want to explore the local scenery on two wheels.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, just 85 miles north of Los Angeles is a favorite of Hollywood stars wanting to get away from the LA rat race. Oprah Winfrey has a home there; so do Kevin Costner, Jeff Bridges, and Rob Lowe. Best-selling mystery author, Sue Miller (another resident) bases her murder mysteries there.
Visitors can experience this quintessential Southern California idyll, dubbed "America's Riviera," at one of the numerous bed and breakfasts located in the city. Unlike their northern counterparts, these inns combine Victorian architecture with the stucco and terra cotta Spanish-influenced ranch-style design. Attractions in and around Santa Barbara include myriad art galleries and museums, several 18th century Spanish missions and beautiful beaches.
- Old Yacht Club Inn - If you're looking for the closest bed and breakfast to the beach in Santa Barbara, the Old Yacht Club Inn is the perfect spot for you. The inn has 14 guest rooms located in three separate houses. The oldest of the three houses was built in 1912 and at one time served as the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. Each guest room has a private bath, some with whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. Some of the rooms also have private entrances and decks.
- Cheshire Cat Inn - Located in a lovely Victorian home and decorated with an Alice in Wonderland theme, Santa Barbara's Cheshire Cat Inn is the perfect combination of romance and whimsy in the heart of the city's downtown district. The inn has 18 room options for guests, including 12 guest rooms, two suites and four cottages. Each room has a private bathroom, some featuring Jacuzzi tubs. Additional room amenities include flat screen television sets, DVD players and no-cost WiFi. Breakfast is served each morning and wine and hors d'oeuvres are served nightly. Cookies are provided as a before-bed snack.
Orange County
Orange County is home to a number of popular destinations, including Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. The mild climate alone would be enough to make this southern California location appeal to tourists, but there is more to "the O.C." than mild temperatures. The county is home to Disneyland and some of the most beautiful ocean coastline and beachfront communities to be found anywhere in the world, as well as world-class shopping and dining choices that will appeal to even the most discriminating of travelers.
- The Carriage House - This Laguna Beach bed and breakfast inn offers six suites, two of which are one-bedroom accommodations while the others have two bedrooms. Each suite has a private bathroom and sitting room area and four of the suites have private kitchens. Televisions with cable are provided in each room. The Carriage House, which is located in a residential neighborhood just a mile from the beach, dates back to the 1920s and is designated as a landmark. Breakfast is served daily and can be enjoyed in the dining room or outdoor courtyard.
- Doryman's Inn - Located in Newport Beach, directly across from the pier, this bed and breakfast has 11 guest rooms decorated with a Victorian flair. Each room has a private bathroom, one with a two-person Jacuzzi tub and the others with sunken marble tubs. Breakfast is served daily. Evening dining options are available as well, as the 21 Oceanfront Restaurant is located just below the hotel, offering both full-service dining and room service. Guests can enjoy sunbathing on the inn's rooftop terrace during the day.
San Diego
San Diego is a vacationer's paradise. The city offers beautiful oceanfront scenery, an amazing climate, and numerous attractions such as whale-watching tours, the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Seaport Village and the USS Midway Museum. There are also numerous dining options, spa facilities and much more.
- Carole's Bed & Breakfast - Located in San Diego's trendy North Park neighborhood, Carole's Bed & Breakfast has six lodging accommodations for guests to choose among. The main house has four rooms, one of which has a private bathroom and deck, while the other three have access to shared bathroom facilities. There is also a studio style room and a larger "casita" room for those looking for apartment-style accommodations. There is a swimming pool on the grounds that guests can use, as well as a sitting room common area where guests can watch television or relax.
West Coast Relaxation
These are just a few of the many bed and breakfast lodging options available throughout California. See the California Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns (CABBI) website to discover additional B&B facilities that you may want to try. No matter which facility you choose, be prepared to enjoy a restful, relaxing atmosphere amid the famous California sunshine.
