Some people hear “bed and breakfast” and think of an ornate historic house; others have been disappointed to discover that their bed and breakfast was nothing more than a run-of-the-mill house in the suburbs that was like staying with relatives.
The truth is that bed and breakfast inns vary greatly from house to house and inn to inn, and it makes sense to do a little research on the property you will be visiting. We all have our preferences and it is not difficult to find a bed and breakfast that suits your particular tastes. In our case, we have always preferred the bed and breakfast that is more inn than house, more private than communal. And these are some of the bed and breakfast stays that we have enjoyed the most:
Casa Tropicana Inn
If you want to marry a beautiful Southern California beach with your bed and breakfast experience, the Casa Tropicana Inn in San Clemente is the place to go. Situated in front of a beautiful beach and the San Clemente pier, Casa Tropicana really couldn’t be in a better location if your getaway’s main purpose is relaxation.
San Clemente, known as the beach community where former President Richard Nixon had his Western White House, is a waterfront city of red-tile-roofed Spanish-style homes built with breathtaking views of the Pacific on land that almost looks like was created to provide homeowners with the best panoramic views of the Southern California coastline. Streets with Spanish names wind their way down to the boardwalk, where one of the loveliest areas is the small enclave of shops, restaurants, and vacation properties next to the San Clemente pier.
It is there that Casa Tropicana Inn is located, a five-story inn that is ideal for couples and fits perfectly with the Mediterranean motif of this picturesque beachfront area. Each of the eight rooms is designed with many special attributes including romantic touches like fireplaces, oversized hot tubs, the highest quality linens and bed treatments, and cozy robes, as well as more practical amenities like refrigerators, flat-screen televisions. flat screen, DVD players and high speed internet. Beyond that, the rooms have individual amenities like ocean views and a four-poster bed in the room that we enjoy called Casita Arena.
It was especially nice to have a terrace on the second floor, steps from our room, where we could enjoy a cocktail or read a good book with a wonderful view of the beach in the background.
While the overall service was excellent, Casa Tropicana is not the place to go to have your innkeeper cook you a gourmet breakfast. In fact, the inn’s breakfast is continental-style with pastries, yogurt, orange juice, and various snacks available to you at any time in the room. Even wine and champagne were available to us at any time and unlike most mini-bars these had no additional charge.
But gourmet food is not far behind: On the first floor of the inn, you’ll find the White Horses Restaurant and Bar, which boasts numerous gastronomic awards, including being named the best gourmet restaurant in Orange County. Based on our dinner, we completely agree with the judges.
The time we spent in this beautiful beachfront setting was a feast for the senses: incredible views, small markets, sidewalk cafes, long walks along the beach, and exclusive shops just a few minutes in downtown San Clemente. Friends who joined us on this getaway also said that Casa Tropicana was the ideal getaway for couples.
For more information on the Casa Tropicana Inn, call 800-492-1245 or visit http://www.casatropicana.com.
MacCallum House
When you first visit Mendocino, this Northern California seascape just zooms in and touches your spirit. Perched on a cliff overlooking the vast Pacific, Mendocino isn’t a big city – it’s exactly what you might imagine a New England fishing village would be. The town has a mix of Cape Code houses and historic buildings, making it almost feel like a themed town. Windswept trees, grassy hills, and rugged cliffs are steps from the Village through several miles of coastal trails that are perfect for hiking and photography. Below are remote beaches and the rugged, rocky shoreline.
In the Village you will find a variety of eclectic shops: unusual records, unique musical instruments, old toys, you name it, mixed with historic houses, inns and excellent restaurants. One such home is the popular MacCallum House bed and breakfast inn, which has a strong connection to Mendocino history. The house was built in 1882 by Alexander MacCallum, a relative of one of the first settlers in the city. Eventually the house was turned into a bed and breakfast inn.
Our stay at MacCallum House was quiet and relaxing, giving us a great opportunity to walk around the block to visit local merchants or hike up to the headlands where the trails offer stunning views of the coastline and the city itself. We stayed in the “Upper Barn Suite”, a second floor unit in a building across the lawn from the main house. This is the largest room on the MacCallum property and enjoys ocean views. The unit features a private deck as well as a stone fireplace, wet bar, refrigerator and a large living room, in addition to the bed, bathroom and kitchen areas. The furniture is generally old or almost old.
Of course, dining at MacCallum House is a big part of the pleasure and thankfully we chose to dine there in addition to the breakfast that normally comes with your room. Both meals lived up to expectations. Breakfast can include a butternut squash omelette or red potatoes with cremini mushrooms or, the main dish we tried, Lupe’s Breakfast Burrito, a delicious combination of apple and turkey sausage, scrambled eggs, white cheddar cheese, onions, bell peppers and gravy in a fresh tortilla. Most of the dinner menu items feature fresh, regional entrees.
You’ll want to get away from those ample portions and there’s no shortage of places in and near Mendocino to exercise. In addition to the trails mentioned above, there are many areas where you can hike along rivers and streams and even enjoy the Redwood forests.
For more information on MacCallum House, call 800-609-0492 or visit http://www.maccallumhouse.com.
Whispering Pines Lodge
Those who grew up on western TV shows like Bonanza will feel like they’ve stepped on the Ponderosa when they take the hour-long drive northeast from Bakersfield to the city of Kernville. There’s good reason: dozens of TV westerns and movies have been shot nearby.
We stayed for a couple of days in Kernville at a bed and breakfast that we would love to return to. “While most of the accommodations in the city appear to be fairly typical motel units, we stayed at one of the three bed and breakfasts in the city. town, the Whispering Pines Lodge. The Whispering Pines is a series of timber-framed buildings, each with several self-contained units. Our room was well-appointed for accommodation that felt like it was in the wilderness, with modern cedar furnishings. and oak, a king size bed, double vanities in the bathroom, hardwood floors, framed paintings and flowers strategically placed throughout the oversized room. table and chairs and of course a panoramic view of the Kern River smoothie.
The constant sound of the river reminded us of a riverfront cabin we once had and this only reinforced the feeling that we had really escaped the city. Downtown Kernville was maybe only a quarter mile away, but we felt like we were locked in our own remote mountain cabin. It was great for relaxing, or just reading a good book, and we also loved walking the local trails.
After a good night’s sleep, we discovered one more reason why Whispering Pines fills up quickly on weekends for the full breakfast served, buffet style, every day of the week. Bed and breakfasts seem to run the gamut, from those offering a bagel and some coffee to those who pride themselves on both the quality and quantity of food they present. The Whispering Pines falls into the latter category with its bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, quiche, fruit, muffins, juices, and coffee, all served tasty and fresh in an atmosphere that encourages you to come back and fill your plate. again.
For more information on Whispering Pines Lodge, call 877-376-3733 or visit http://www.kernvalley.com/whisperingpines.