This 200-room hotel overlooking San Francisco Bay provides a popular “front row seat” for events like Blue Angels, America’s Cup, Super Bowl 50 celebrations, and fireworks displays. Even the curb factor says “party” because Americano Restaurant & Bar spills out onto its own patio. For families or friends traveling together, the oversized Family Studio room is a plus. All rooms have a mini-fridge, blackout blinds, plush robes, in-room safe and coffee maker. Spa? Dog-friendly? Absolutely. *Readers’ Choice Best Group Getaway Hotel in San Francisco. Splurge on the Bathing Ritual on the rooftop of this Embarcadero hotel. It’s not everywhere one finds an outdoor lavender-scented bathtub sprinkled with rose petals. Slip into the water with a glass of sparkling to gaze at the sky while coddled within the confines of a bamboo surround. Step out on the terrace in a plush robe for fresh air, bridge and bay views. Following a soak, what better than a massage?

About a block from the Mission San Rafael Arcángel, AC Hotel San Rafael by Marriott, marks the arrival of the boutique hotel brand to Marin. Floor to ceiling windows in the 140 guest rooms and fitness center offer views over the community, but the excitement is sure to be about Above 5th, the rooftop bar and lounge. Look for a seasonal cocktail program and menu of small bites at night or for brunch around the firepit. The brand’s signature AC Kitchen offers breakfast and the AC Lounge serves tapas alongside wine, craft beer and cocktails on the lobby level.

A hipster den, a mid-century modern gem in the desert — the Ace Hotel & Swim Club has been described in many similar terms since it opened in 2009. Formerly a Westward Ho with a Denny’s attached to it, this 179-room hotel is in a central location with plenty of restaurants and attractions like Joshua Tree, the Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain nearby. But with its onsite spa, restaurant and bar, two big pools — one of which has an old school bus that’s been converted into a DJ booth next to it — this is just as easily a place you never really have to leave.  Dog-friendly with a glamorous Sahara, bohemian-vibe, the rooms feels like being inside an air-conditioned luxury Sibley tent. But no two rooms are exactly alike. Some have a garden patio or a fireplace, others have record players, all have vintage furniture and original artwork created by local artists. A truly unique getaway. acehotel.com

Ideally situated for a quick ride into the city and easy access to Muir Woods and Stinson Beach, Acqua Hotel is perched on a spit of land just south of the town of Mill Valley and alongside Highway 101. Many rooms feature gas fireplaces but all are quiet — they face Pickleweed Inlet with views of migrating birds, kayakers and each day’s sunset over the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and nearby Mount Tamalpais. A complimentary American breakfast is included with every reservation and free mountain bike rentals are a bonus in the county where mountain biking was invented and is revered. Within steps of the hotel are two restaurants: Piatti for farm-to-table Italian and Robata Grill & Sushi.

Called Las Alcobas when it debuted in 2017, this unique property at the northern end of St. Helena’s Main Street includes a renovated 1907 farmhouse with restaurant and a half-dozen rooms plus a modern wing with spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass windows to soak in the vineyard views. Most offer large balconies or decks with sofas and fire pits; some even come with outdoor soaking tubs. Bathrooms provide rain-forest showers and separate tubs.

The Andaz Napa brings chic, modern design to downtown Napa. This Hyatt property features spacious rooms with hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a contemporary vibe. It’s the perfect place for guests who want to be right in the heart of Napa’s bustling dining and wine-tasting scene. With an open-concept lobby that feels more like a stylish lounge than a traditional hotel, Andaz creates a relaxed, upscale atmosphere. Their dog-friendly policy includes pet beds, bowls, and treats, making it a great option for travelers who don’t want to leave their furry friends behind.

Located in the vibrant center of downtown Napa, the Archer Hotel is a five-story luxury boutique hotel that blends urban sophistication with Wine Country charm. Known for its rooftop bar, Sky & Vine, which offers panoramic views of Napa Valley, Archer is a standout destination for both relaxation and nightlife. Rooms are beautifully appointed with elegant furnishings, spa-like bathrooms, and high ceilings, and the hotel’s central location provides easy access to local attractions like Oxbow Public Market and the Napa Riverfront. Pet-friendly rooms are available, ensuring your dog can enjoy a comfortable stay while you take in the stylish surroundings.

The forested complex of lodging and meeting spaces predates World War I, when it served as a YWCA Leadership Camp. It became a state park in 1956 and enjoys 107 acres of state beach, restored dunes and buildings. Those buildings earned architectural renown thanks to the legend of architect Julia Morgan, who designed 13 structures like soaring Merrill Hall that remain today, and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Celebrated in his own right, John Carl Warnecke created seven more structures three decades later.) Between its diverse types of rooms and suites, winding paths, deeply natural setting and expansive halls, it’s a village-like destination on its own, with Carmel, Pacific Grove and Monterey all within a few minutes’ drive. Depending on the season, it’s also a good option for a vetted value hotel.

The grandpère of gracious Napa hospitality began life as an acclaimed California-French restaurant in 1981. Cottages added in 1985 took advantage of its hilltop location in Rutherford — the heart of Wine Country — with dazzling vistas seemingly all the way to San Francisco. Lavish Mediterranean landscaping and olive groves on its 33 acres continue the South of France ambiance found in its recently redesigned 50 rooms and suites. Fountains and courtyards also create a tranquil oasis for the Auberge du Soleil Spa, reserved for guests of the resort, which also offers soaking pools and hammam steam rooms.

It’s kind of like camping, but you’ll sleep really comfortably! AutoCamp Russian River in Guerneville features a fleet of shiny silver Airstreams with a bedroom, kitchenette, and full bathroom. April through October, canvas, platform tents with a queen size bed, electric outlets, lights, and ice chest are also available. (Showers and bathrooms are available in the AutoCamp clubhouse.) All accommodations have their own patio area with fire pit.

For eco-conscious luxury, Bardessono Hotel & Spa in Yountville offers the perfect balance of sustainable design and upscale living. This LEED Platinum-certified hotel features spacious suites with sleek, minimalist interiors, private patios, and outdoor showers. The on-site spa, along with farm-to-table dining at Lucy, enhances the serene, upscale experience. Bardessono welcomes pets with open arms, offering plush beds, water bowls, and a special dog menu for your canine companion. The hotel’s tranquil setting in the heart of Yountville makes it ideal for a relaxing retreat, with dog-friendly wineries and restaurants just a short walk away.

It’s no wonder Hollywood stars, BottleRock Napa Valley performers and other luminaries gravitate to this paragon of eco-luxury. The 62 rooms feature built-in massage tables, gas fireplaces, soaking tubs and private outdoor enclaves, while a rooftop pool and open-air fitness deck provide sweeping valley views. Lucy Restaurant & Bar celebrates “field to fork” California cuisine, sourced in part from the onsite gardens; guests can also dine poolside June through October.

The newer location of this modern, stylish, budget-minded hotel offers 24 rooms a mere five-minute walk to the lake in downtown Tahoe City. The lobby bar serves local micro-brews, wines and snacks, and s’mores are available for purchase to use at the outdoor fire pits. You’ll also find secure places to lock up your skis or snowboard, leaving more space for your four-legged friend in the designated pet-friendly rooms. The hotel welcomes pets without breaking the bank. They charge a one-time pet fee per visit of $40 plus tax and dogs are welcome in select rooms and the hotel’s common areas,