After a two-and-a-half hour drive from Marin--the last part along a scenic and windy stretch of Highway 1 that rises above the rugged Sonoma Coast--we arrived at Sea Ranch Lodge just as the sun was setting. 

Tucked away in Pasadena's swanky Oak Knoll neighborhood where wide, manicured streets are lined with mansions and Craftsman homes, the Langham Huntington Hotel rises from the end of a long driveway like a pink palace.

Even though San Francisco is a quick drive or ferry ride from where I live, I love spending the occasional night in the city. Over the years, I've stayed at dozens of San Francisco hotels, from cozy boutiques to mega-room skyscrapers. A favorite that I return to again and again is the Harbor Court Hotel, located on the waterfront across from the Ferry Building. 

Last spring, I helped my daughter fulfill one of her dreams: spending the night in an Airstream trailer. I’m not much of a camper. But we didn’t even have to hit the road for this adventure—at least not for long. After a 30-minute drive, we arrived at our destination, the Metro Hotel, a dollop of funky French charm located in a residential neighborhood of Petaluma.