Best Romantic Honeymoon Hotels in Northern California for Newlyeds in 2023
The Gables Wine Country Inn is our top pick for honeymooners, with its historic touches and an included breakfast.
There’s something magical about Northern California—the stunning ocean views, myriad wineries and vineyards, access to laid-back beach towns and bustling cities, and proximity to a forested coastline.
This bucket-list honeymoon destination delivers a range of experiences, as well. Choose a secluded stay in wine country, or opt for a progressive adventure on a road trip up the coast. Before you begin your “happily ever after,” check out our list of the most romantic honeymoon hotels in Northern California.
The Most Romantic Honeymoon Hotels in Northern California of 2023 ::
Best Overall : The Gables Wine Country Inn
The Gables Wine Country Inn
Set on three and a half acres in Sonoma County, this Gothic Victorian bed and breakfast offers honeymooners a standalone cottage with a two-person hot tub.
The Overview :
Have you been dreaming of a romantic honeymoon set among Mother Nature’s most awe-inspiring trees? Your search ends at The Gables Wine Country Inn. Built in 1877, the property boasts Gothic Victorian architecture, a redwood barn (circa 1850), an old milk house, and an original homestead.
Most newlyweds choose to book The Cottage, a standalone honeymoon suite with a queen bed in a loft, a sitting area with a couch, a wood-burning fireplace, a kitchenette, and a hot tub built for two. All guests are welcomed with a glass of wine (honeymooners receive a bottle of champagne), and are tempted every afternoon with fresh-baked cookies.
Enjoy a three-course breakfast each morning on the back deck (weather permitting), complete with fruit and vegetables grown on-site, and other ingredients (like duck eggs) sourced locally.
The Inn brings nature right to your doorstep, with a lavender garden and outdoor firepit situated under the iconic redwood trees. Located in the heart of Sonoma County, you’ll enjoy easy access to vineyards, tasting rooms, and outdoor adventures.
Best Boutique : Brewery Gulch Inn
This intimate property is set on a rugged cliff and boasts boutique offerings, like farm-to-table cuisine and Japanese forest bathing.
The Overview :
If you’re planning a road trip along California’s Highway 1, be sure to spend at least one night at the Brewery Gulch Inn. Standing atop a bluff overlooking Smuggler’s Cove, this rustic-chic lodge was constructed using eco-salvaged redwood from the Big River.
With just 10 rooms and one two-room suite, the inn is a cozy and intimate home base for exploring Mendocino County. Curl up in a leather chair and challenge your spouse to a game of Scrabble, while sipping local wine personally selected by the innkeeper. For an unforgettable mind-body experience, book a guided forest bathing session (and add a couple’s massage).
Evening wine hour with bento-style hors d’oeuvres (think—sesame-seared ahi, shrimp and beef dumplings, and carrot soufflé) is the perfect complement to a day filled with scenic trails and sandy beaches. Savor a dinner of culinary delights prepared by an acclaimed chef, before retiring to your room where feather-top mattresses, gas fireplaces, and decks with mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean promise an atmosphere of romance.
Best Budget : McCloud River Bed and Breakfast
McCloud River Bed and Breakfast
This historic bed and breakfast sits on five acres of woodlands and offers plenty of perks for its modest price tag.
The Overview :
Fairytale honeymoons do come true, especially in a historic Victorian building at the foot of ice-topped Mt. Shasta. Built in 1903, what’s now known as the McCloud River Bed and Breakfast was once the town’s hub of commerce, housing the McCloud River Lumber Company, a bank, and the local telephone switchboard.
Today, each of the five renovated guest rooms holds a piece of that history. The Switchboard Room offers a view of Mt. Shasta and antique furnishings, plus a sitting room with a daybed. And the Waterfalls Room has a two-person whirlpool tub and a cherry wood four-poster bed.
Join other guests in the parlor each morning for a gourmet breakfast prepared by the innkeeper, who is also a baker. The innkeepers are also happy to act as your honeymoon concierges, booking local activities, day trips, and dinner reservations, to ensure you enjoy all the area has to offer.
The inn boasts a selection of fine wines for purchase, which they can deliver straight to your room for a romantic evening spent stargazing on the deck. On Tuesday nights, when most of the restaurants in town are closed, the inn offers a complimentary in-house dinner.
Best Luxury : Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort
Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort
The all-inclusive, adults-only Ventana Big Sur (an Alila Resort) blends the surrounding outdoor elements with indoor luxury, complete with an on-site spa and luxury glamping services.
The Overview :
Picture your honeymoon in a rustic, adults-only setting nestled between the Pacific Ocean and dense forest, where every meal is included. You and your spouse may never leave your Vista Hot Tub Suite once you snuggle up to the wood-burning fireplace or enjoy a soak in the outdoor tub.
But for a truly unexpected honeymoon retreat, book one of the two glamping sites situated under the redwood canopy. You certainly won’t be roughing in a safari-style tent, complete with custom-designed mattresses and premium linens. Each site also includes a stocked fire pit, a s’mores kit, a picnic table, and a pair of Adirondack chairs.
Plenty of activities—like yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, and daily hikes—keep honeymooners busy. And, you’ll stay fueled with the resort’s to-go snacks and complimentary reusable water bottles.
Plus, Ventana Big Sur boasts two pools, Japanese hot baths, falconry classes, and self-guided garden tours to round out your stay. Meals are included and can be enjoyed in your room, at the pool, or at The Sur House.
Best City Views : Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero
Location, location, location. And did we mention the views? At the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero, they’re unbeatable!
The Overview :
If you plan to spend your honeymoon entirely in your hotel room, book a room with a view at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero. But not just any view will do. Choose a room that allows you to gaze out at the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay, and the city below.
Nothing beats the two presidential suites (1,200-square-foot mini-apartments)— one that faces the city, and the other that faces the bay. Both have spectacular terraces, a deep soaking tub and spacious shower, a separate powder room, and living and dining areas. Room service is available 24/7.
Allow the hotel’s concierge team to craft you a curated honeymoon of activities, including San Francisco Through the Lens, a private photo class with award-winning photographer Adam Jacobs. Or do your own exploring with a short walk to Union Square, the Ferry Building, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Best Vineyard Views : Kenwood Inn & Spa
At the Kenwood Inn and Spa, it’s hard to tell if you’re on a private vineyard in Tuscany—surrounded by fields of grape vines, orchards, and ancient oaks—or at a hotel in Sonoma Valley.
The Overview :
Sonoma Valley’s Kenwood Inn & Spa brings the Mediterranean vibe to Northern California, with its classic Italian villa set in a remarkable landscape. Tuscan-inspired buildings are tucked in among three courtyards and connected by vine-covered pathways that lead to lush gardens.
The guest rooms here are also Italian-influenced, complete with high ceilings, king featherbeds, Italian furnishings and linens, and a gas fireplace. No two rooms are alike, and many have private balconies or terraces.
Each morning, you will dine on a full breakfast that’s delivered straight to your room featuring a signature entrée served alongside scones and other baked goods. Then, in the afternoon, relax with a glass of complimentary local wine and an artisan cheese tasting accompanied by freshly baked cookies. In between, head to the spa for a vinotherapy bath in a tub for two overlooking the vineyards.
On Saturday evenings, the Inn serves a pre-fixe, multi-course dinner with wine pairings in the main courtyard. (Tip: This always sells out, so reserve your table when you book your room).
Best Access to Nature : The Ahwahnee
Located within Yosemite National Park, this elegant property is known as the crown jewel of all national park lodges.
Hotel Overview ::
Giant sequoias, sheer cliffs, serene waterfalls, and stunning rock formations are just some of the reasons to honeymoon in Yosemite National Park. But you don’t need to spend your first days as newlyweds roughing it. Instead, book a room at The Ahwahnee.
Located inside the park, near the base of Half Dome, this property’s architecture complements its natural backdrop, with a granite façade, log-beamed ceilings, handmade stained-glass windows, and massive stone hearths.
The JFK Presidential Suite (President John F. Kennedy stayed there in 1962) is the hotel’s most elaborate and romantic room. The parlor has a fireplace, chairs, and a sleeper sofa, plus there’s a bedroom with a king-size bed and a full modern bath.
Make your way to the Ahwahnee Dining Room for floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views, and menu items like homemade macaroni and cheese and locally sourced seafood.
Best Wellness : Cavallo Point-The Lodge at the Golden Gate
Cavallo Point gives you an up-close and personal view of the Golden Gate Bridge, with a focus on wellness-inspired treatments and activities.
The Overview :
Some properties have lived many lives, and Cavallo Point Lodge happens to be one of them. Set on a former military base of the Golden Gate Bridge, this LEED-certified Sausalito retreat redefines what it means to be a sustainable stay.
You and your spouse can choose from two room categories: historical (once served as officer’s quarters), and contemporary (with the best views of the bridge). Both types boast flat-panel TVs, organic cotton linens, robes and slippers, espresso coffee and tea machines, and Dyson hair dryers.
Cavallo Point offers a comprehensive wellness program focused on the Six Pillars of Healthy Living: active living, healthy eating, restorative sleep, stress reduction, connection, and passion, purpose, and gratitude. As such, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the many experiences throughout their stay.
Rise and shine with a morning yoga class. Book a guided hike or Restorative Sleep Experience. Enroll in a cooking lesson. Reap the balancing benefits of a Himalayan salt stone massage. Or simply, take a dip in the pine-shaded pool.
Four-legged friends are welcome here, too. A pup-approved swag bag stocked with organic treats made by local businesses will greet your dog upon check-in.
Best Northern California Wine Country Wedding Venues for Live Wedding Band Music
The Gables Wine Country Inn is our top pick for the best honeymoon hotels in Northern California primarily due to its historic touches and access to nature. Unlike some other properties on our list, this inn boasts a private cottage and hot tub that offers complete privacy for romance. The included breakfast, a welcome glass of wine, and fresh-baked cookies assure the ultimate in pampering, and you’ll never bore with the plethora of outdoor activities offered.
Guide to Choosing a Romantic Honeymoon Hotel in Northern California
Location
Before settling on a Northern California honeymoon destination, make sure you’re visiting a place that suits both you and your spouse. City stays offer the excitement of being near the hustle and bustle, whereas rural stays lend a unique experience with nature. Northern California is known for its rugged coastline and iconic redwood trees, so if you’re up for a road trip, stops at many points the way will give you the full experience.
Local Excursions :
Don’t book a night in the boonies if you are interested in getting out and seeing the sights. Honeymoon hotels in wine country offer tasting trips to wineries and breweries. City hotels in San Francisco lend easy access to the city’s tourist attractions and historical sights, if that’s your jam. And coastal stays will put you near the beach, allowing for daily beach-going, whale-watching, or fishing excursions.
Nightly Rates :
Consider your budget and desires before booking your lodging. Will you be spending most of your time in the room or at the hotel? If so, splurge for five-star luxury at an all-inclusive resort that offers loads of on-site amenities. However, if you’d rather spend your money on experiences, then a bed and breakfast in an ideal location for exploring may be more your speed.
Northern California Wedding Packages:
Some Northern California hotels offer packages, so make sure to visit the websites to see what’s included. Wine country hotels bundle a couple nights’ stay with a wine tour or tasting. Rural hotels offer fly-fishing packages for avid fishermen. And hotels focused on wellness include spa services, yoga, or a healthy meal in their packages.
From the redwoods to the coast, and the Golden Gate Bridge to the San Francisco skyline, Northern California hotels are surrounded by jaw-dropping vistas. Whatever view you prefer, make sure to book a room with a private balcony (preferably one that is west-facing for romantic sunsets). Some properties have on-site dining with a view, while others are perched high above the Pacific Ocean, so no matter where you go on the property, you’ll experience an amazing vista.
We evaluated dozens of properties before narrowing down our list of the most romantic honeymoon hotels in Northern California. We considered factors like the hotel’s reputation, quality of service, and crowd-pleasing amenities (i.e. access to hiking and nature, ocean views, and heated pools). We also took into account the hotels’ dining venues and unique offerings (like wine selection, wellness activities, and concierge services). In addition to customer reviews, we also considered each of the hotel’s sanitation and cleanliness measures.
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