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Best Romantic Getaways On A Budget Near Los Angeles

avalon bay catalina california header 610 thinkstock
(credit: Thinkstock.com)

Being close to many areas, Angelenos are lucky in that they can take advantage of low-cost getaways not too far from town yet far enough away from the fray to get away. The following are five places to stay if you're looking for an inexpensive romantic outpost that is convenient to Los Angeles and well worth experiencing.

hotel atwater
(credit: Kate G./Yelp)

Hotel Atwater
125 Sumner Ave.
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-1789
www.visitcatalina.com

Just a short boat ride or flight away, Catalina Island is one of the best romantic destinations near Los Angeles. To get there, you can depend on the speedy yet reasonably priced Catalina Express to cross the sea from Long Beach. Once you reach Avalon, you can choose to walk the tiny town, bike it or hire a golf cart. Surely, after you check into the intimate, 71-room Hotel Atwater, located half a block from beautiful and scenic Avalon Bay and Green Pleasure Pier, you'll want to stay put for at least a good portion of your romantic getaway. Take in the 1920s decor, including fetching French doors and your own relaxing lanai -- all for about $100 a night, give or take. Fit for any budget, the hotel sits just steps from the beach and is a newly remodeled comfortable hotel. With 91 rooms, you'll have your choice of a wide range of room types too.

autocamp - Airstream 4
(credit: Autocamp)

Autocamp
2717 De La Vina Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(888) 405-7553
www.autocamp.com

Many couples dream of owning a nifty Airstream to drive up the coast while being privy to some of the most evocative vistas ever witnessed. While the cost of such a moving hotel may be prohibitive to some, the chance to try one out is not. Located in Santa Barbara, Autocamp offers five vintage airstreams, each with its own personality, and perfect for a romantic weekend. Number 5, the Airstream Sovereign born in 1964 is a mid-century modern dream which has everything you would want to share with your honey, up to and including your own personal hot tub. Enjoy!

oaks at ojai YELP
(credit: Alice S./Yelp)

The Oaks at Ojai
122 East Ojai Ave.
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-5573
www.oaksspa.com

For a chance to chill while not having to worry about how much of a bill you're racking up, choose The Oaks at Ojai, a tantalizing all-inclusive destination resort and spa that will have you relaxing in very short order. This fitness retreat is great for couples who like to hike together, swim together and practice their yoga moves together. No matter what activities you and your sweetheart pick, you'll be happy to have made this getaway from the city to the lovely town of Ojai where everything seems to say, "Take your time and enjoy."

Related: Best Affordable L.A. Hotels for Visiting Guests

Madonna Inn Silver Bar
(credit: madonna inn)

Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 543-3000
www.madonnainn.com

Choosing iconic Madonna Inn, located about three hours north of Tinseltown in San Luis Obispo, is something you must experience at least once in your life. The extravagant outpost, which lies about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, offers awesome accommodations at great prices that will have you sleeping in a themed pad. The hotel will surely have you oohing and ahhing the moment you set foot in these digs. One room, called the Starlight, is just ripe for romance, set in a secluded tower section of the sprawling property, awash in blue and providing an outdoor terrace that's so private nobody will be able to hear you laying sweet but noisy kisses on your loved one.

Glorietta Bay Inn
(credit: Glorietta Bay Inn)

Glorietta Bay Inn
1630 Glorietta Blvd.
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 435-3101
www.gloriettabayin.com

Value doesn't overshadow romance at this rarified mansion sitting pretty in Coronado, the crown of Southern California deep south. Just a block from the beach in the middle of the village, the white-washed exterior speaks of more gentile times, as it should since this boutique hotel is more than a century home. With that in mind, choose to resume in one of 11 rooms in the main house where carefully curated antiques and extremely high ceilings give satisfying hints of yesteryear. The Sunset Room is about as romantic as it gets without having to spend a month's salary to be able to claim this kind of satisfaction. Happy Valentine's Day!

Related: Best Romantic Winter Getaways for Couples

Los Angeles freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist. Check out her articles on Examiner.com

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