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The 6 Most Romantic Summer Getaways in California

By U.S. News & World Report

With the 50th anniversary of San Francisco‘s infamous Summer of Love in full swing, it’s the perfect year to celebrate love in California. If Volkswagen buses and tie-dyed styles aren’t your thing, the Golden State offers plenty of other places and points of interest for couples to enjoy, from rocky shores to redwood forests to misty beaches to iconic landmarks. Read on to discover top romantic retreats across California this summer.

[See: 10 Romantic Getaways to Cross off Your Bucket List.]

San Francisco

There’s no shortage of activity for couples in San Francisco. Elevate your visit with a stay in the Financial District at the ultra-romantic Palace Hotel, which was built in 1909 and is laden with history and intricate details such as a grand atrium, Austrian crystal chandeliers and classic decor. Steal a corner booth at historic John’s Grill, a favorite of former mayor Willie Brown and enjoy a view of San Francisco Bay and its famous sea lions at the Fog Harbor Fish House, which offers fresh local seafood. Cap off your day with a Champagne toast as you sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge on a dinner cruise with Hornblower Cruises.

The Go San Francisco Card and CityPASS San Francisco provide savings and easy, fast-tracked access into many attractions, such as museums and adventure cruises, as well as help with transportation, including Big Bus Tours, where you can hop-on and hop-off across the city, as well as a cable car, streetcar and bus passes. Don’t miss the view from atop Coit Tower, where you can admire 360-degree city views, or the chance to ride a cable car and walking or biking across the Golden Gate. Take the ferry from the city’s Ferry Building Marketplace to Oakland, California, for a stroll around Jack London Square and a memorable meal at Bocanova with sweeping bay views.

Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey, California

Just two hours south of San Francisco is the sleepy ocean village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. With quaint bed-and-breakfasts and charming midcentury motels like Hotel Carmel, where you can snuggle in a room with a fireplace, you’ll enjoy catching up on R & R and exploring the area’s many shops, checking out high-end eateries and admiring spectacular sea views.

The historic La Playa Carmel, which has hosted visitors for more than 100 years, is another cozy spot to curl up among the flower-filled courtyards, enjoy a hearty breakfast overlooking the misty ocean and sip wine by the lobby fire. Guests of the hotel can rent bikes to explore the village and the picturesque Scenic Drive, which runs along the coast. Carve out time to visit Tor House, the seaside home of Robinson Jeffers, an American poet famous in the early 1900s. Set on a rocky point, Jeffers also built a stone tower by hand from local granite rocks, which offers striking ocean views.

Nearby Monterey, which is home of Cannery Row, is also a lovely spot to spend a night or two at the InterContinental The Clement Monterey, the first waterfront hotel built in the last 20 years in Monterey, and the last property that was constructed due to new restrictions.

Napa Valley, California

Head north of San Francisco about 50 miles to California wine country for rolling hills filled with vineyards and top-tier wineries. For a striking overview of the countryside, fly high with Napa Valley Balloons. On a clear day, you can see as far as downtown San Francisco. After landing, head to brunch at the nearby luxury retreat Auberge du Soleil, where you can nosh on omelettes and waffles on the outdoor terrace, while enjoying gorgeous vineyard views. Afterward, see the valley by bike, tasting wines along the way, with Getaway Adventures on a day tour with a gourmet picnic lunch provided.

[See: The 10 Best California Beaches.]

While it’s hard to find a winery in California devoid of a romantic atmosphere, top choices for couples craving with quality wines include the family-owned Chimney Rock and Rutherford Hill, where you can tour a wine cave, picnic in the gardens and enjoy Cape Dutch-style architecture, and Chateau Montelena Winery, which was built in 1888 and offers pristine grounds that include a Japanese garden with pavilions and even swans. For dinner, try Johnny’s in Calistoga inside the historic Mount View Hotel where Hollywood’s elite once vacationed or The Restaurant at CIA Copia in Napa Valley. When you’re ready to call it a day, the Andaz Napa in downtown Napa makes a contemporary and funky place to lay your head complete with a sizable en suite tub.

La Jolla, California

North of the hustle and bustle of San Diego is the charming town of La Jolla, which is edged with the iconic rocky cliffs. Full of quaint shops and eateries, La Jolla is chock-full with places to stroll hand in hand, including down into a sea cave accessible from inside a local store. For some outdoor activity, enjoy kayaking at La Jolla Cove with reputable outfitter Everyday California; you can navigate in and out of the area’s famous sea caves and keep an eye out for small leopard sharks and lots of sea lions. For a beautiful coastal hike, visit Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, which is also host to a newly-renovated golf course. As for accommodations, the Mediterranean-style La Valencia Hotel is an elegant resting place with impressive ocean views.

Catalina Island, California

For a remote romantic getaway, set your sights on Catalina Island, which is accessible by the Catalina Ferry or helicopter. The Holiday Inn Resort Catalina Island, set between the beach and mountains, is the only full-service hotel on the island. Couples can rent golf carts or take advantage of the resort’s free shuttle to explore the scenic island. Couples will also discover trails for hiking; land, boat and helicopter tours; kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, as well as a zip line eco-tour of Descanso Beach. In the evenings, enjoy the 1929 art deco Catalina Casino, which boasts a movie theater and art museum, the Avalon Grille for oceanfront dining and the Harbor Reef Saloon and Patio Bar for an evening brew.

Santa Barbara, California

Step into the timeless romance of Spanish architecture and abundant red tiles in this Southern California gem. Meander through town, and admire the endless plazas that wind hidden behind the main streets before climbing to the top of the County Courthouse for excellent views. The lovely Simpson House Inn bed-and-breakfast is just steps from downtown tucked away with picture-perfect grounds and gardens. Take advantage of their full in-room breakfast to up the romance factor.

As the sun goes down, take a sunset walk along Santa Barbara Harbor with the Santa Ynez Mountains as a backdrop followed by dinner along the harbor at Chuck’s Oceanfront Grill. Are you and your better half wine aficionados? Sample vintages along the Urban Wine Trail in downtown’s “Funk Zone” at wineries like Cottonwood Canyon or visit Santa Barbara’s wine country, including the towns of Solvang, Santa Maria Valley and Los Olivos, to explore vineyards and enjoy tastings. If you’re feeling adventurous, hike to Knapp’s Castle, the ruins of a 70-year-old estate overlooking Santa Ynez River Canyon.

[See: 7 Off-the-Beaten-Path Romantic Vacations Under $1,000.]

For a hip, modern stay, book a room at the Kimpton Goodland in nearby Goleta, California, with record players in every room, a record concierge and a retro surfing vibe. If you would rather retreat to a classic and historic grand hotel, choose F our Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, which has played to host to Hollywood starlets.

More from U.S. News

6 Simple Ways to Save on a Last-Minute Romantic Weekend Getaway

America’s 8 Most Romantic Hotels

9 Secluded Beaches to Visit This Summer

The 6 Most Romantic Summer Getaways in California originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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