Your Guide To Romantic Getaways In Southern California

From the sand-swept deserts of Joshua Treet to the sun-soaked cities of San Diego, the character of Southern California bubbles with dramatic romance. The atmosphere, warmth and electric culture of the city makes a road trip, resort stay or couples weekend at the Miyako Hybrid Hotel not only romantic but unforgettable. 

There’s a lot to see and do in California’s south, from beautiful beaches and sparkling blue oceans primed as a paradise for couples to the magnificent, starry skies of the region’s national parks. There’s a lot that will spark connections and make memories for years to come. So when you’re booking a romantic hotel package or a once in a lifetime trip to Southern California, what are the prime areas you should be focussing on for your to-do list?

Santa Barbara

Over this stretch of 110 miles, the coastline of Santa Barbara is rugged, expansive and sweeping – plenty of romantic picnicking spots then! The city itself is a haven for marina and boating culture and has enough museums, venues and restaurants to match its stunning array of sunset spots. Besides, what couple staying at Los Angeles romantic hotels just under 2 hours away could resist a visit to somewhere named “Butterfly Beach”?

Laguna Beach

Just an hour away from LA, Laguna Beach is an Orange County romantic retreat teeming with craggy coastlines and windswept parks. As a coastal city, Laguna Beaches seafood is world-famous, including Chilean sea bass and seared, inky squid all served up at some of the best beach-side restaurants in California. 

Santa Monica Beach

From a sunset spied from atop the Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel to the 3 miles of bustling coast, Santa Monica is a beach bum couples dream, complete with world-class West Coast oyster dining. Santa Monica doesn’t just promise sunbathing and promenade amusements, head inland and you and your significant other can find peace in the 6-acres of rolling hills and botanic specimens that make up Tongva Park, whilst Point Mugu State Park offers awe-inspiring views from atop the peaks of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Miyako Hybrid Hotel

LA’s Torrance district newcomer, the Miyako Hybrid offers a flexible range of rooms for couples as well as a unique mix of Japanese and American culture. This fusion hotel is the perfect romantic hideaway within the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles with escapism options including hot stone spa treatments and its own in-house Japanese restaurant Ise-Shima.

Channel Islands National Park

Located off the coast of Santa Barbara, the Channel Islands National Park is among the most popular day or weekend trip destinations for locals and tourists in the area. The five islands are a nature lovers dream, offering walking trails and diverse animals and plants, the latter of which span over 2000 different species.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park incorporates two ecologically distinct deserts – the Mojave and Colorado – within one protected reserve, which doesn’t mean you should try visiting both in one day! This 3200 square kilometre park is amongst the most beautiful deserts in the world, boasting a stunning landscape of canyons, lakes and awe-inspiring bird species. With hundreds of hiking trails available and plenty of opportunities to hike beneath the stars, there’s nothing like a romantic star gaze up at the incredibly visible Milky Way cluster.