Lots of people in the San Francisco Bay Area love to visit Hawaii, Southern California, and Oregon.
But we live in one of the most desirable regions of the world. If you want to take a vacation right here in Northern California – with only a few hours’ drive at most – there are tons of options available.
Over the last few years, I’ve personally visited and reviewed many staycation hotels and destinations in Northern California. Here are five of my favorites.
1: Hotel Valencia on Santana Row
This one is a true staycation – you don’t even need to leave the Bay Area in order to visit!
Hotel Valencia is located directly on Santana Row in San Jose, California. Although you can walk out your door and visit restaurants like Left Bank and Dumpling Time, as well as world-class shopping, Hotel Valencia manages to feel secluded.
How? It embraces the Spanish tradition of having a large interior courtyard in the middle of the building. You can be outdoors but totally secluded – and even have breakfast there!
There’s also a rooftop pool above the courtyard that has beautiful views of Silicon Valley and the mountains beyond.
I visited Hotel Valencia for an overnight with my son, but if you got some champagne and maybe chocolate-covered strawberries, you could make this a couples’ spot as well.
2: Hyatt Regency Embarcadero
The legendary architect John Portman built some of the most dramatic, polarizing structures in the world.
Ziggurats of concrete and steel, they’re known for their incredibly dramatic interiors.
The Hyatt Regency Embarcadero is one of his most iconic creations. Despite being in pricey San Francisco, it has the largest hotel lobby in the world. There’s even a giant sculpture inside that’s so large the hotel had to be literally built around it. It can never leave!
Portman’s creations are huge, so there are tons of rooms available and prices are usually very reasonable. The best thing about the hotel is its location. You step out the door and you’re at the Embarcadero, right across the street from the Ferry Building.
There’s also a cable car line that picks up right in front. If you want to be a tourist in your own city or meet an out-of-town guest and stay for a few nights together in SF, this is a great spot to do it.
Here are far more photos and more of my thoughts.
3: Great Wolf Lodge, Northern California
Looking for a spot that’s 100% about the kids and grandkids? Willing to choose something that’s maybe not as adult-oriented but is guaranteed to give them a good time?
Great Wolf Lodge in Northern California absolutely fits the ticket. I stayed there with my wife and our three boys. We described it as being like Vegas for children.
Everything is indoors, and like a Vegas casino, Great Wolf Lodge is massive. There’s a bowling alley, ropes course, mini golf course, arcade, and more – all under one roof.
The jewel here, though, is the 95,000-square-foot indoor waterpark. There are over 10 giant waterslides in this gigantic interior space, and it’s kept heated to a balmy 83° or more year-round.
The food is kid-oriented, and the rooms have a fun bunk-bed feel. You almost certainly wouldn’t go here without kids – unless you were a huge waterslide fan – but for family vacations, it’s a great destination.
4. Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa
The Flamingo Resort has a storied history, dating back to the middle of the 20th century. It was constructed in a then-brand-new mid-century modern style.
Famous celebrities could often be seen lounging by its interior pool or dancing in an on-site club.
By the start of this century, the Flamingo Hotel was showing its age. It has since been completely renovated and updated, while maintaining its original architecture.
The rooms still feel on the old side, but it’s a kind of fun, camping-type place to stay with kids.
But for adults, there are redeeming factors, like an excellent on-site restaurant with terrific cocktails. The surrounding attractions are one of the big benefits here, with spots like the Charles M. Schulz Museum and wine country nearby.
Here’s a video and photos from my visit.
5. Sanctuary Beach Resort in Monterey
This is definitely the classiest of the stays I’m including here, and it was one of my favorites.
At Sanctuary, you’re literally staying on the beach. The hotel is in a protected marine sanctuary, and a big golf cart drives you to your room across paths on the sand.
This isn’t glamping, though. The hotel itself is very upscale and has beautiful rooms. Salt Wood is a great onsite dining option, too.
The coolest part though is a nightly firepit tradition on the beach. It’s a very special place.
