You want to get away, but exorbitant gas prices and all those new airline restrictions might be discouraging you from that faraway destination. So instead of heading to Europe or the Caribbean, try a bed and breakfast instead. Here are several choices for Los Angelenos who long for some rest, relaxation and fun.

Stay in Town, But Feel Worlds Away

You don't actually have to leave Los Angeles to enjoy a weekend excursion. Santa Monica offers plenty to do and see, as well as romantic accommodations at the Channel Road Inn. The bed and breakfast is just blocks from the beach and boardwalk and offers 15 rooms, each of which has been decorated individually. Several rooms include fireplaces and jetted tubs; some have canopy beds or partial ocean views. The innkeepers pamper guests with a full breakfast and wine and hors d'oeuvres in the afternoons, as well as home-baked cookies. Guests can walk to many shops and restaurants, or drive to the museums and other Los Angles-area attractions.

Seaside Harbor Town Offers Something for Everyone

Sidney Woodruff, the man behind the development of Hollywood, also set out a master plan to develop the seaside town of Dana Point. He planned a luxurious Spanish-style community with streets named after and lit by lanterns. Well, much of his dreams ended with the Great Depression, but Dana Point still has its lantern streets and plenty of charm. At the end of the Street of the Blue Lantern, you'll find the aptly named Blue Lantern Inn. The bed and breakfast boasts vistas of the Dana Point Harbor and the Southern California coastline. All of the romantic rooms include a fireplace and whirlpool tub, and some offer ocean and harbor views. Guests can walk to several restaurants, and the harbor is just down the hill, offering whale watching trips, sport fishing, shops, restaurants and plenty of sea breezes. Laguna Beach is just a few minutes away, and the inn is midway between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Enjoy Historic Small Town California in Claremont

Claremont Village has great historic California charm, just a few miles from the city in eastern Los Angeles County. You'll find a weekly farmer's market, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants, as well as a historic walking tour that begins at the picturesque train depot. Enjoy it all from Hotel Casa 425, a luxury boutique hotel with spacious, modern guest rooms. The hotel offers a fire-lit lounge, perfect for cocktails and appetizers. There is a fitness room and an outdoor living room with fountains and fire pits, where films often are shown.

Enjoy Moonlight in Monterey

If you are in need of a road trip, leave the city behind and head up the coast to the Monterey Peninsula. The drive itself is a treat, boasting some of California's best ocean views. The surrounding villages offer scenic drives, art galleries, shopping, restaurants, and famous attractions such as The Monterey Bay Aquarium and historic Cannery Row. The charming seaside village of Pacific Grove offers some of the state's best bed and breakfasts, as well.

The Gosby House, located in the seaside village of Pacific Grove, is a charming, yellow restored Victorian with 22 guest rooms, each with its own personal flair. Tasteful, English Country dcor, beds topped with fluffy comforters and a teddy bear and amenities such as a fireplace or perhaps a window seat create plenty of romantic ambiance. The Carriage Rooms include a fireplace, spa tub and a balcony. Also in Pacific Grove is Green Gables Inn. This wondrous California bed and breakfast features 11 guest rooms in a restored Queen Anne Victorian, and each is special. The spacious Carriage House offers both a fireplace and spa tub. The unique Gable Room has a ladder which leads to a cozy attic room. The Balcony Room offers a stunning ocean view. Guests at both bed and breakfasts are treated to a full breakfast and afternoon wine and hors d'oeuvres.