We are spoiled rotten, those of us who live in southern California. While our Eastern brethren shiver in below zero temps - we can, in an hour or two, drive to the desert for golf, to California's central coast to go wine tasting at a fancy, upscale bed & breakfast or maybe even just kick back and relax at the charming coastal village of La Jolla.

Before the holidays we went on a trip to the desert - to the Palm Springs suburb of La Quinta to be exact - and checked in to the venerable and historic, Spanish adobe styled La Quinta Resort and Club, which opened in the 1920s. La Quinta is a fantastic place for family getaways with its PGA West golf course, swimming pools and a handful of eateries ranging from Le Bernardin, the classy and upscale French restaurant to their Adobe Grill, one of the best Mexican bistros anywhere serving regional Mexican dishes (try their scrumptious Mole - one of the best I have ever encountered) and for dessert their banana bread pudding. You can stay in a casita at La Quinta where you can curl up before a fireplace on a chilly desert night and read a Zane Grey book. Next day play tennis or tour the property and see where film director Frank Capra (he created the hit Christmas movie with Jimmy Stewart, "It's a Wonderful Life") lived. You can also get a LaQuinta "celestial shower" in their spa or go over to their gift shop/café for a double latte, or maybe visit their Ralph Lauren Polo shop for a pair of tennis socks.

There are few California coast villages left anymore that match the charm and appeal of La Jolla with its range of restaurants from Indian to contemporary Italian to nouveau American, not to mention its smart shops (Talbots for the ladies too) and art galleries. I heartily recommend one of the city's greatest places to stay - the European styled Grande Colonial Hotel, which sits on a hill in the village above La Jolla Cove. The Grand Colonial has a terrific American bistro eatery called Nine-Ten, which prides itself on offering fresh market fare of fish, local veggies, etc. - and a wine list that is very fairly priced for hotel dining. Try the Flat Iron Steak, a juicier and tender cut of beef that you will search far and wide to match at under $20. The staff is professional, friendly and go out of their way to make your dining experience a memorable one. Check out the ceramic vegetables that decorate the Nine-Ten walls and crannies. If your budget allows, check into one of the hotel's roomy top floor suites that face the ocean with their comfy king beds and 1920s tiled bathrooms boasting pedestal sinks.

Villa Toscana

A few days after the December 'quake hit Paso Robles we went up to that central coast town after having planned the trip for weeks. Paso Robles is a place just getting discovered by curious, sophisticated travelers with its handful of marvelous restaurants (we wanted to eat at a local French favorite, St Laurent, but it was closed due to 'quake damage) and wineries with tasting rooms such as the Martin & Weyrich winery there, which has opened one of the most luxurious bed & breakfasts you will ever find anywhere in California.

The Villa Toscana a new Tuscan-styled inn with its luxurious handful of suites overlooking the Martin & Weyrich vineyards is an experience in travel not to be missed. You can sit out on your private terrace at night, sipping one of their wines - perhaps their 1999 Cabernet Etrusco or their 2001 Pinot Griego, considered tops among California's Cal-Italia varieties. It is so quiet there you can almost hear the grapes growing in the lush vineyards. The Villa Toscana has a quiet, rural setting, yet only ten minutes from the center of Paso Robles. Each suite has a Jacuzzi and the bathrooms are done in Italian marble. A fireplace and satellite TV tops it all off very nicely. Each suite, equipped with a mini-kitchenette, is supplied with an array of Italian snacks foods such as cheese sticks from Tuscany and hot chocolate from Milan. The snacks are included in your room rate. Get a suite with a king bed, complete with Italian bedding.

Villa Toscana

The Villa Toscana's classy logo bathrobes are plush and you may not want to give them up when you get ready to check out. In fact, I bought one - and it was worth every penny of the $125. A gourmet breakfast is included in the room price.

Our breakfast was prepared and served by the affable and friendly Richard, the chef from Connecticut (he and I found we had grown up in two different towns in Connecticut only 18 miles apart), who can make you a Frittata or maybe French toast made from brioche with Vermont maple syrup. His fresh squeezed OJ and French Roast coffee made the first meal of the day just perfect. Indulge yourself - go the Villa Toscana for a truly distinctive and luxurious travel experience.

About the Author
Charlie Barrett is an LA-based travel writer and radio reporter for Cable Radio Network heard each Tuesday morning from 8-8:30am on 100 radio stations coast to coast.

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