8. Santa Barbara
Romantic Escape
Bona fide beach town, the Santa Ynez wine-producing region next door and loads of spa retreats within driving distance it's no wonder California's Santa Barbara gets our nod in the romance department. Its splendid location, between palm-fringed Pacific beaches and the ever-green Santa Ynez Mountains, quaint Spanish-Mediterranean-style architecture, gourmet fare and posh hotels have attracted West Coast residents for quiet weekends for decades. And no wonder: From wine-tasting in the country's largest wine-producing region and supping on sublime organic foods, to enjoying massages for two and strolling barefoot on the beach at sunset, a visit here is an undeniably heady experience. Tack on an outing in a hot-air balloon
US
California
Santa Barbara
Top 10 Romantic Vacations