Romantic Getaways in Orange County
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Orange County, you have plenty of options. From oceanfront resorts in Laguna Beach and Newport Coast to a harbor-view inn in Dana Point, historic beach cottages and bluff-top camping at Crystal Cove, and a quick boat ride to Catalina Island, there’s a romantic mini-vacation for every taste and budget.
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How to Plan a Romantic Getaway
Romance is in the eye of the beholder. Your idea of what’s romantic is as unique as you and your partner are, so when you’re planning your romantic getaway, start with your personal preferences.
Step One: Know Thyself
If you’re a couple that met rock climbing and you love the outdoors, a weekend at a boutique hotel surrounded by curated luxury might be more mood-killing than mood-lifting.
At the same time, if you and your partner consider a couple’s massage at a five-star resort and a tasting dinner at an award-winning restaurant to be the height of romance, then a camping weekend probably isn’t what you’re looking for.
Step Two: Know Your Area
Orange County has options for almost any kind of getaway. Our list covers full-service resorts, a classic inn, and a few simpler, budget-friendly escapes, plus one island hop. Most of the places below are popular, so book early and check each property’s site for current amenities and hours.
Romantic Getaways at a Glance
| Getaway | Where | Style | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Resort at Pelican Hill | Newport Coast | Luxury resort: bungalows and villas | Next Chapter enhancements start Nov. 2, 2026; resort stays open |
| Montage Laguna Beach | Laguna Beach | Luxury beachfront resort | 20,000 sq ft Spa Montage; five dining spots |
| Surf & Sand Laguna Beach | Laguna Beach | Beachfront hotel | Every room has an ocean-view balcony; dogs under 40 lb |
| Blue Lantern Inn | Dana Point | Inn above the harbor | Fireplace and jetted tub in every room; breakfast and wine hour included |
| Crystal Cove State Park | Newport Coast | Camping | Bluff-top campground plus hike-in sites; not beach camping |
| Crystal Cove Beach Cottages | Newport Coast | Historic beach cottages | Book on ReserveCalifornia up to six months ahead |
| Hotel Metropole | Avalon, Catalina Island | Boutique harbor hotel | Rooftop jacuzzi; boat ride from the mainland |
Luxury Resorts and Inns
The Resort at Pelican Hill
22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast, CA 92657
No list of romantic getaways in Orange County would be complete without The Resort at Pelican Hill. This full-service resort in Newport Beach’s Newport Coast covers more than 500 acres, with Palladian-style architecture, private Bungalows, and two-, three- and four-bedroom Villas overlooking the coast.
Heads up: Pelican Hill begins its “Next Chapter” enhancements on November 2, 2026, ahead of its debut as the world’s first St. Regis Estate in fall 2027. The resort says it remains open, with work limited to weekday daytime hours. From November 2026 to May 2027, the stay centers on the Villa Clubhouse, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner next to the Villa Pool and its cabanas. Spa services move to The Spa at the North Villas. The resort’s timeline lists the Coliseum Pool returning in March 2027, Pelican Grill in May 2027, and Andrea reopening as a new signature restaurant in October 2027. See the official timeline for current details.
Amenities:
- Bungalow guest rooms (847 square feet) with a limestone fireplace, marble bathroom and furnished terrace, plus larger Bungalow Suites and Villas.
- The newly restored Ocean North and Ocean South courses, 36 holes overlooking the ocean. See more Orange County golf courses.
- Dining is scaled back during the enhancements: the Villa Clubhouse, the Bungalow Caffè and The Lounge at the Bungalows, plus in-room dining.
- The Forbes Five-Star Spa (operating from The Spa at the North Villas during the enhancements), with complimentary fitness classes for resort guests.
- A complimentary daily shuttle to Fashion Island and Crystal Cove Shopping Center.
- Expect a daily resort fee on top of the room rate.
Location: Newport Coast, within easy reach of the rest of Newport Beach and Crystal Cove.
Standout Feature: The Coliseum Pool is the resort’s signature, but it’s closed for enhancements until March 2027. Until then, the quieter Villa Pool with its private cabanas is the place to unwind.
Montage Laguna Beach
30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Montage Laguna Beach sits above the Pacific in Laguna Beach, with ocean views and everything you need for a vacation or staycation without leaving the property.
Amenities:
- Spa Montage, a 20,000-square-foot spa with eucalyptus steam rooms, dry redwood saunas, ocean-air whirlpools, fireplace lounges and a spa boutique.
- The Mosaic Pool, with Mosaic Bar and Grille serving poolside fare.
- Five places to eat and drink: Studio Mediterranean, The Loft, Mosaic Bar and Grille, the Lobby Lounge and Bouchée, plus 24-hour in-room dining and private dining. Private dining sounds pretty romantic, doesn’t it?
- Rooms, suites and Three Bedroom Villas.
Location: In Laguna Beach, with easy access to town and to local attractions like Disneyland, museums or the art festivals.
Standout Feature: The Lobby Lounge, with ocean views and outdoor seating for cocktails, light bites and seasonal afternoon tea.
Surf & Sand Laguna Beach
1555 S Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Family-owned Surf & Sand Laguna Beach is built right on the beach, and every one of its 165 rooms and suites has an ocean-view balcony. The hotel completed a property-wide renovation in June 2025.
Amenities:
- A beachfront pool and direct beach access. Here’s what to bring to the beach.
- Splashes, the hotel’s signature restaurant for breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch and dinner, plus Splashes Bar, Bella Vista Terrace and Pacific Perk for coffee and quick bites. Splashes is a good pick for seafood with a view.
- Aquaterra Spa, a full-service spa with an ocean-view couples treatment room, plus beach yoga.
Location: Directly on the beach, a short trip from downtown Laguna Beach. The free Laguna Beach Trolley makes exploring town easy.
Standout Feature: Surf & Sand is dog-friendly if you can’t bear to leave your best friend behind. Up to two dogs under 40 pounds are allowed per room for a one-time fee, but they can’t go in the restaurants, spa or pool. Check the hotel’s current pet policy before you book.
Blue Lantern Inn, a Four Sisters Inn
34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629
It’s hard to beat a classic inn for romantic charm. The Blue Lantern Inn sits above Dana Point Harbor, and each of its 29 guest rooms has a fireplace, a sitting area and an oversized bathroom with a jetted spa tub.
Many rooms have a patio or balcony, including the Deluxe and Tower rooms. For the ultimate seaside romance, look at the Tower Balcony and Luxury Tower guest rooms.
Amenities:
- A signature breakfast and an afternoon wine hour are included in your stay.
- Freshly baked cookies, plus bicycles to borrow for exploring the harbor.
- In-room coffee and tea, and a refrigerator with complimentary soft drinks.
- The inn is dog-friendly.
Pro-Tip: Call the inn at 800-950-1236 with questions about rooms or special requests.
Location: Just above the harbor, within an easy stroll of Dana Point’s many charms.
Standout Feature: The included afternoon wine hour, with the harbor view.
Camping, Beach Cottages and Island Getaways
Crystal Cove State Park
Between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove State Park has 3.2 miles of beach and 2,400 acres of backcountry, and it’s one of Orange County’s best beaches.
Crystal Cove has four campgrounds, but none of them is on the sand: State Parks says there is no sandy beach camping in the park. Moro Campground has 58 bluff-top sites with ocean views, restrooms and showers, but sites are close to your neighbors. For more privacy, the three hike-in campgrounds (Deer Canyon, Lower Moro and Upper Moro) are about a three-mile hike inland, mostly uphill. You have to pack in all your water, and dogs aren’t allowed. Reservations are through ReserveCalifornia; see the camping page for details.
Heads up: After storm damage in October 2026, State Parks closed parts of the Historic District beach, the Pelican Point (P2) beach access and the Moro Cove beach area, and the park is open with restrictions. Check the park page for current closures before you go.
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
Inside the park’s Historic District, the restored Crystal Cove Beach Cottages are rentable overnight right on the beach. They’re rustic: cottages have a microwave and refrigerator, but no plates, cups or utensils, so bring your own. Open flames, including candles, aren’t allowed anywhere in the Historic District.
Pro-Tip: Reservations are made through ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 800-444-7275, on a six-month rolling window that opens daily at 8 a.m. Dates go fast, so keep checking for cancellations. The Crystal Cove Conservancy also suggests stopping by the Cottage #35 check-in office at 11 a.m. for same-day cancellations. See reserving a cottage for tips.
Heads up: The October 2026 storm temporarily closed some cottages. State Parks reopened the North Beach Cottages on October 14, 2026, and expected the South Beach Cottages to follow once water-line repairs were done. Cottage 13 was under emergency repairs, so confirm your cottage’s status before you go.
Hotel Metropole
205 Crescent Ave., Avalon, CA 90704
If you want to get away on Catalina Island, Hotel Metropole is a boutique hotel in the heart of Avalon, across the street from the beach. It isn’t in Orange County, but traveling across the water to an island makes the trip feel like a real escape.
Pro-Tip: The Oceanfront Mini Suites are probably the most romantic rooms in the hotel.
Location: Avalon, Catalina Island, right on the harbor.
Amenities:
- Free WiFi.
- A rooftop jacuzzi and sundeck with a view of the harbor.
- Oceanfront Mini Suites with a fireplace, a king-size bed, a bathtub and panoramic views from a private balcony.
- The VIP Wing has full ocean views, king-size beds, fireplaces, jacuzzi bathtubs and walk-in showers.
- Massages and facials at A Touch of Heaven Day Spa.
Standout Feature: The Honeymoon Package bundles two nights in an Oceanfront Mini Suite, round-trip boat tickets on the Catalina Express, dinner for two at a local restaurant and two one-hour spa services. Confirm the current details with the hotel.
Check Before You Go
- Pelican Hill: parts of the resort close in phases through 2027, including the Coliseum Pool until March 2027. See the resort’s timeline.
- Crystal Cove: some beach areas were closed after the October 2026 storm. Check the park page for current conditions.
- Campsites and cottages: both book through ReserveCalifornia up to six months ahead, and popular dates go fast.
- Dogs: pet rules vary by property and change, so confirm before you bring yours.
Romantic Getaways in Orange County FAQ
Is The Resort at Pelican Hill open during its renovation?
Yes. Pelican Hill says the resort stays open while its “Next Chapter” enhancements run from November 2, 2026, ahead of its debut as a St. Regis Estate in fall 2027. Work is limited to weekday daytime hours. Some spaces close in phases, including the Coliseum Pool until March 2027, so check the resort’s timeline before you book.
Which romantic getaways in Orange County are dog-friendly?
Surf & Sand Laguna Beach allows up to two dogs under 40 pounds per room for a one-time fee, though dogs can’t go in the restaurants, spa or pool. The Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point is also dog-friendly. Dogs aren’t allowed at Crystal Cove’s hike-in campgrounds.
Can you camp on the beach at Crystal Cove?
No. California State Parks says there is no sandy beach camping at Crystal Cove. Moro Campground sits on the bluffs above the ocean, and the three hike-in campgrounds are about three miles inland.
How do you book a Crystal Cove Beach Cottage?
Reservations are made through ReserveCalifornia.com or by calling 800-444-7275. Dates open daily on a six-month rolling window, and they go fast, so it pays to check for cancellations too.
Is Catalina Island doable for a romantic weekend?
Yes. Hotel Metropole’s Honeymoon Package, for example, pairs two nights in an Oceanfront Mini Suite with round-trip Catalina Express tickets, dinner for two and two spa services. Package details can change, so confirm them with the hotel.
Ready to Make a Romantic Memory?
Romance isn’t just about chocolate hearts and fresh flower bouquets. It’s about spending time making memories with your loved one. Whether you choose a bluff-top campsite, a rustic beach cottage at Crystal Cove, or a stay at one of the best beach resorts in Orange County, there’s a romantic getaway here for you. Looking further afield? See our romantic getaways in California.
