You want to get away, but exorbitant gas prices and all those new airline restrictions might be discouraging you from that faraway destination. So instead of heading to Europe or the Caribbean, try a bed and breakfast instead. Here are several choices for Los Angelenos who long for some rest, relaxation and fun.

Escape to the Beach for a Romantic Retreat

You don’t actually have to leave Los Angeles to enjoy a weekend excursion. Santa Monica offers plenty to do and see, as well as romantic accommodations at the Channel Road Inn. The bed and breakfast is just blocks from the beach and boardwalk and offers 15 rooms, each of which has been decorated individually. Several rooms include fireplaces and jetted tubs; some have canopy beds or partial ocean views. The innkeepers pamper guests with a full breakfast and wine and hors d’oeuvres in the afternoons, as well as home-baked cookies. Guests can walk to many shops and restaurants, or drive to the museums and other Los Angles-area attractions.

Enjoy Surf, Sand, Sea Views in Dana Point

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.

Enjoy Historic Small Town California in Claremont

A weekend trip to Claremont Village, a short drive from the city in eastern Los Angeles County, is like taking a step back in time. The village offers many activities, from the historic walking tour that begins at the charming train depot to the weekly outdoor market where farmers and artisans showcase their wares. Hotel Casa 425 is a luxurious getaway spot, a boutique hotel with modern flair. The spacious guest rooms look out on to the courtyard. An outdoor living room features fire pits and fountains. The hotel’s lounge is great place to relax and enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine. The hotel is within walking distance to shops, galleries and restaurants.

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.

The Gosby House, located in the seaside village of Pacific Grove, is a charming, yellow restored Victorian with 22 guest rooms, each with its own personal flair. Tasteful, English Country dcor, beds topped with fluffy comforters and a teddy bear and amenities such as a fireplace or perhaps a window seat create plenty of romantic ambiance. The Carriage Rooms include a fireplace, spa tub and a balcony. Also in Pacific Grove is Green Gables Inn. This wondrous California bed and breakfast features 11 guest rooms in a restored Queen Anne Victorian, and each is special. The spacious Carriage House offers both a fireplace and spa tub. The unique Gable Room has a ladder which leads to a cozy attic room. The Balcony Room offers a stunning ocean view. Guests at both bed and breakfasts are treated to a full breakfast and afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Picture a weekend touring museums, walking along the beach, and browsing through eclectic shops and galleries. Add to that, romantic accommodations and luxurious amenities at a top bed and breakfast. Well, Los Angeles-area residents don’t have to hassle with a plane flight and rental car to enjoy a fantastic getaway; these special California bed and breakfasts offer nearby accommodations surrounded by fantastic attractions.

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.

Seaside Harbor Town Offers Something for Everyone

While nearby Laguna Beach often grabs all the press, the town of Dana Point has much to offer those seeking a great weekend getaway. The Blue Lantern Inn, perched on a bluff overlooking the Dana Point Harbor, is halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles and just a few minutes from the famous galleries, shops and boardwalk of Laguna. The inn offers beautifully decorated guest rooms, each with a fireplace and whirlpool tub. Several rooms offer a view of the harbor and coastline. There are several popular restaurants within walking distance, and guests can spend the day soaking up the rays at famous Doheny Beach or perhaps enjoying a whale watching excursion.

Historic Claremont Village is a Charming Getaway

Claremont Village has great historic California charm, just a few miles from the city in eastern Los Angeles County. You’ll find a weekly farmer’s market, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants, as well as a historic walking tour that begins at the picturesque train depot. Enjoy it all from Hotel Casa 425, a luxury boutique hotel with spacious, modern guest rooms. The hotel offers a fire-lit lounge, perfect for cocktails and appetizers. There is a fitness room and an outdoor living room with fountains and fire pits, where films often are shown.

Enjoy Moonlight in Monterey

If you are in need of a road trip, leave the city behind and head up the coast to the Monterey Peninsula. The drive itself is a treat, boasting some of California’s best ocean views. The surrounding villages offer scenic drives, art galleries, shopping, restaurants, and famous attractions such as The Monterey Bay Aquarium and historic Cannery Row. The charming seaside village of Pacific Grove offers some of the state’s best bed and breakfasts, as well.

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.

Summer is already upon us, and the Fourth of July is just around the corner. Why not skip the backyard barbecue and really jump into the spirit of the holiday. These historic bed and breakfasts provide not only a glimpse into our nation’s past, but also ideal locations from which to enjoy some of the best fireworks shows and Independence Day events in the country. With all the romance of a bed and breakfast, you might even make some fireworks of your own.

Boston, Concord Bed and Breakfasts Serve Up History, Romance

Concord is one of the United States’ most historic towns. Not only was it here that the Revolutionary War began, but it also was home to some of the most celebrated Americans. Authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson lived here, as well Henry David Thoreau. Visitors can tour the Old North Bridge , the site of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which is part of the Minute Man National Historic Park. On the Fourth of July, there is a Picnic in the Park event at Emerson Field, which includes a parade and live music.

The village of Concord offers several historic bed and breakfasts. The Colonel Roger Brown House, built just a year before the War for Independence, is a Colonial-style home with rooms decorated with a mix of antiques and contemporary furnishings. Each of the five suites includes a kitchenette, as well. The Hawthorne Inn dates to 1870, but the land’s previous owners include the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Lousia May Alcott. The guest rooms are filled with a beautiful collection of antiques, including canopy beds in several bedchambers.

What better place to experience the Fourth of July than Boston with its myriad historic attractions and one of the world’s great fireworks shows? Travelers can visit Boston Harbor, site of the Boston Tea Party, or walk along the Freedom Trail and visit historic sites and museums. Each year, the famous Boston Pops hold a Fourth of July Concert, which features a huge fireworks show, as well.

Boston offers several great bed and breakfast choices. The Clarendon Square Inn, which dates back to 1860, is located in a six-story townhouse in Boston ’s South End. Each of the guest rooms is spacious and beautifully decorated. The innkeepers even have a roof-top hot tub for their guests where you can soak, relax and take in the city view. This boutique hotel is within walking distance of many area attractions, and just five minutes to public transportation. From the College Club, another great Boston bed and breakfast, you can walk to the edge of the Charles River to watch the city’s annual fireworks show. The historic inn, which serves as the home of the oldest women’s college club in the United States, has eleven guest rooms, each decorated with period antiques. Amenities include breakfast and afternoon tea.

Celebrate Life, Liberty, Happiness at a Pennsylvania Bed and Breakfast

There is a lot to love in the City of Brotherly Love, especially around the Fourth of July. Philadelphia pulls out all the stops for its family-friendly Party on the Parkway. The event includes an all-day festival, parade and after the sun sets, there is the Liberty Concert and Fireworks event. Add to that a city filled with historic sites, and you can create your own perfect Independence Day getaway. Travelers can tour Independence Hall, where the first Continental Congress met, or snap a picture of the Liberty Bell.

Thomas Bond House, built in 1769, is located in Independence National Historic Park, so its serves as a great home base for exploring all of Philadelphia ’s famous attractions. The bed and breakfast is decorated in period style with four-poster beds and fine reproductions in its guest rooms. Visitors can walk to Independence Hall, as well as museums, shops and restaurants.

Enjoy Bed, Breakfast and History in Washington, D.C.

Of course, Washington, D.C., is an ideal choice for a total Independence Day experience. For history buffs, what could top touring the White House, gazing at Mr. Lincoln, walking along the Reflecting Pool at the National Mall or perhaps spending a few days exploring the Smithsonian? The city’s Fourth of July celebration begins with a parade down Constitution Avenue and ends with a huge fireworks show that lights up the sky above the Washington Monument.

DuPont Circle, resting at the intersection of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire avenues, was once home to some of the wealthiest of the city’s restaurants. The picturesque neighborhood is filled with architectural gems and none so fine as the Swann House. The Richardson-Romanesque-style manor home boasts a second-story balcony and a turret. The interior still includes many of the original features, such as carved marble fireplaces, crown molding and wall panels. Guest rooms are decorated in a romantic style with a selection of antiques, and some rooms include a fireplace. The bed and breakfast is close to all of the city’s popular attractions, shops and restaurants.

Celebrate Independence at a Texas Bed and Breakfast

Popular with tourists, Texas Hill Country boasts several charming towns that will remind you of days gone by. Chappell Hill is such village. Throughout the year, the town hosts a historic home tour, scarecrow festival and bluebonnet festival, but on Independence Day they hold what is known as “the Best Little Small Town Parade in Texas.” Watch as parade floats, antique cars, cowboys and even a marching kazoo band entertain the crowd. Residents of Comfort, Texas, have declared their burg “the Most Patriotic Little Town in Hill Country,” and celebrate with a parade and huge barbecue, as well as a family-friendly carnival.

Kriegal’s Guest Haus is an intimate hideaway in Chappell Hill. The bed and breakfast offers accommodations in an 1868 German-style home or in the private Country Cottage. The white picket fences, flowers and porches with rockers provide a down-home feeling. In Comfort, the Holekamp House Bed and Breakfast is a historic haven. The rooms range from cozy Aunt Dolly’s room to the spacious King’s Room, which includes a private balcony and pedestal bathtub.

Go West for a Memorable Fourth of July

Whether you choose opt for the opulence of Millionaire’s Row in Pasadena or the charm of a Victorian park in San Diego, Southern California bed and breakfasts are perfect for a Fourth of July getaway. Dozens of cities host annual Independence Day events, you’re innkeeper can help find the perfect place for you to enjoy the holiday.

One might be surprised to find grand Victorian architecture in the middle of San Diego, but that’s just what you’ll discover at Heritage Park. The seven-acre area is part of Old Town San Diego, and includes the lavish Victorian Heritage Park Inn. The guest rooms are spread among two restored historic homes. Guest rooms are decorated in period style with antiques. The inn is within walking distance to many shops and restaurants. On Independence Day, head to Mission Bay and watch one of the nation’s best fireworks shows.

As California bed and breakfasts go, Bissell House in South Pasadena is one of the best. It combines history, romance and a great location, nestled in the town’s Orange Grove Mansion District among many other architectural gems. The bed and breakfast’s grounds are shaded by tall trees and decorated by flower gardens. Guest rooms range from the quaint and cozy Victoria ’s Room, which includes a private solarium, to the Garden Room, which boasts antiques and a Jacuzzi tub for two. The inn is close to Old Town Pasadena, museums, shops and historic sites. For more than 80 years, the place to be in for Fourth of July fun is Pasadena is the famous Rose Bowl. The day’s events include a concert and one of Los Angeles ’s best fireworks shows.

From the cool winds of the Puget Sound to the surf and sand of Southern California, West Coast bed and breakfasts offer some of the country’s most romantic vacation spots. Here are some top picks for that romantic getaway.

Beautiful views of the Seattle skyline and the Puget Sound await you at the Inn at Harbor Steps. This boutique hotel-style bed and breakfast is located in Seattle’s arts and business district, just minutes from all of the city’s popular attractions. For those seeking romance, the inn offers lush rooms, each individually decorated and many with a fireplace or garden view. The innkeepers offer several add-on packages to make your stay even more special, such as balloons, chocolates or a bottle of sparkling wine.

With its spectacular water and mountain views and peaceful, remote location, Whidbey Island is an ideal spot for a romantic getaway. Just 80 miles from Seattle, the island offers galleries, shops, restaurants, a historic lighthouse and unique festivals throughout the year. For romantic accommodations, try the Saratoga Inn, where you’ll find beautifully decorated guest rooms with fireplaces and views of the water and Cascade Mountains. A full breakfast and gourmet afternoon treats are among the amenities.

Less than an hour from San Francisco, the Seal Cove Inn is a wonderfully romantic bed and breakfast. The spacious guest rooms all include a fireplace and king-size bed, as well as a terrace or private balcony boasting garden and sea views. Guests can walk down a trail to a bluff overlooking the sea.

The historic West Cliff Inn in Santa Cruz offers nine guest rooms filled with romantic ambiance. All of the rooms include a king-size bed and fireplace. One spacious room has its own outdoor, private hot tub. Guests are pampered with a full breakfast and afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres. For a special celebration, the On The Town Dining package includes a gift certificate to a local restaurant and a wine tasting at the nearby Bargetto Winery. The inn, perched on a bluff above the sea, has a beautiful view of Cowell’s Beach. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is just a few minutes away.

The Green Gables Inn will fulfill all of your romantic expectations. Located in a stunning restored Victorian in Pacific Grove, the bed and breakfast boasts spectacular views and romantic decor. Each of the guest rooms is unique, and several have an ocean view. Guests need only step out the door and walk across the street to reach the beach. Also in Pacific Grove is the Gosby House Inn, another charming Victorian with romantic rooms and plenty of amenities. There are 22 guest rooms appointed in English Country style. Many have a fireplace or window seat. The Carriage House includes rooms with a spa tub, fireplace and balcony. Both of these Pacific Grove inns are close to many popular attractions in the Monterey Peninsula.

For luxury and romance at a Los Angles bed and breakfast, try the Channel Road Inn in Santa Monica. Each of the 15 guest rooms has been decorated individually. Beds are topped with fine linens and fluffy pillows, and many rooms have a fireplace or jetted spa tub. A few rooms even have a peek view of the nearby ocean. The inn is within walking distance of many local shops and restaurants and the town’s world-famous boardwalk, as well as a short drive from museums and other popular attractions.

Located about an hour’s drive south of Los Angeles, the Blue Lantern Inn is a Southern California bed and breakfast boasting harbor and ocean views. Nestled on a bluff in the town of Dana Point, the inn offers more than a dozen guest rooms, all with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Several rooms offer sea and harbor views. Borrow the innkeepers’ bicycles and take a ride around town. Guests can walk to several ocean view restaurants, walk down the hill to the harbor or take a short drive north to Laguna Beach with its art galleries and eclectic shops.

Okay, so you may never get to meet Meryl Streep, Ron Howard, Cybill Shepherd, Larry Csonka, Danny Glover, Meg Ryan, or Captain Kirk (a.k.a. William Shatner) in person. But you can stay at the very same bed and breakfast inns that they stayed at, and have just as good a time as they did!

Maine’s restful Inn at Long Lake is a favorite haunt of actress Meryl Streep and her daughters. Located in Naples, Maine, this 1900s-era Victorian B&B inn features graceful veranda appointed with wicker chairs with beautiful views of Long Lake. Once inside, you’ll find stained glass windows, period antiques, fresh flowers, and a wonderful collection of old clocks. The Inn at Long Lake has 16 rooms, each decorated with Victorian-themed floral wallpaper and antique furniture. Find out for yourself why Meryl Streep is a repeat visitor!

If you are visiting Baltimore, Maryland, take a page from director Ron Howard’s book and stay at the Gramercy Mansion. Built as an elegant Tudor-styled manor, Gramercy Mansion is truly a B&B refuge from the madness of the modern world. Come and enjoy its spacious gardens, nearby organic farm, and 11 elegant bedrooms; ranging from the sunlit Aphrodite’s Retreat to the Tower Room with its four-poster bed and Italian marble bath. Gramercy Mansion is also a fairy-tale setting for weddings and other social gatherings.

To live like Cybill Shepherd, you must stay at the Swann House B&B in Washington DC. Close to the Metro and the Capital’s many attractions, this 1883 Richardson Romanesque brick manor even has its own turret! Worth trying: The Over-the-Top Girls’ Getaway. Your ‘girl group’ can take over this Dupont Circle B&B’s 12 rooms for three days, and enjoy an all-inclusive champagne breakfast, welcome reception, shopping, yoga, makeovers, massages and jazz clubs. Even if you don’t, the Swann House’s 12-foot ceilings, crown moldings, inlaid wood floors, crystal chandeliers, and elaborate fireplace mantels make it an astoundingly different place to stay in Washington, DC. No wonder Cybill slept here!

NFL Hall of Famer Larry Csonka was once a guest at the Bent Creek Lodge, a rustic Asheville, N.C., lodge built to please any mountain man or just about anyone else who enjoys fantastic views, great food and cozy rooms. Guests can relax in a rocking chair on the huge veranda and enjoy Blue Ridge Mountain and garden views or even book a massage for extra relaxation. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, fishing and canoeing along the French Broad River. The Biltmore Estate and Blue Ridge Parkway are among the nearby attractions, and downtown Asheville is just 10 miles away.

‘Lethal Weapons’ are the last things you’ll find at the Apple Country Bed & Breakfast, which may explain why Danny Glover stayed here. Located in Wenatchee, Washington, this 1918-vintage home is country charm personified. Besides Apple Country’s homey 15 rooms, “Breakfast will be one of the highlights of your stay,” says this B&B’s website. “Jerry’s ’soon-to-be-world-famous’ sticky-buns are worth getting up for.” Sounds like an oasis of calm to us. No wonder Mel Gibson is nowhere to be found!

She may have been sleepless in Seattle, but you can bet that Meg Ryan slept just fine in the guest rooms at the Aaron Burr House Inn & Conference Center. William Shatner also is among the other celebrity guests that have enjoyed a stay. The picturesque 1873 Victorian boasts guest rooms decorated with antiques and featuring walls hand painted and stenciled by an area artisan. The inn was built on the foundation of an earlier, 18th century home. Aaron Burr hid in the original home after his duel with Alexander Hamilton. Today’s guests enjoy a less stressful visit, no doubt.