Seven chill California pools where you can escape the loud and the crowd
DJ parties, pop-up bars, glam cabanas are now fixtures in many hip hotel pools, but will someone please turn down the noise? Here are seven old-school splash spots at California inns in desert, woodland or mountain settings where you can chill.
1. El Morocco Inn & Spa
Morocco Inn & Spa
(El Morocco Inn & Spa)
Spring-fed mineral waters are the hallmark of the hot tub at this Desert Hot Springs inn. The hot tub and the pool, illuminated by lanterns in the evening, are open 24/7. You can soak under the stars and enjoy a few "Morocco-tinis" too. The inn has just 12 rooms and comes with daily poolside breakfast. Summer rates start at $119 a night.
Info: El Morocco Inn & Spa
2. Las Fuentes Inn and Gardens
Las Fuentes Inn and Gardens
(Las Fuentes Inn and Gardens)
Talk about private. This Palm Springs inn has just one 800-square-foot suite. That means you'll have plenty of solo time in the 60-foot saltwater lap and swim pool. Its desert setting lends itself to stargazing too. Price ranges from $125 to $295.
Info: Las Fuentes Inn and Gardens
3. Stanford Inn
Stanford Inn
(Stanford Inn)
The setting for this pool is a 10-acre farm in Mendocino where greenhouses provide organic produce for the inn's vegan restaurant. The pool is enclosed in a heated solarium, which also has a hot tub and sauna -- and lots of greenery of its own. Prices at the 41-room inn run from $195 to $330 a night.
Info: Stanford Inn
4. Casa Cody
Casa Cody
(Casa Cody)
This B&B was opened in the late 1920s by a cousin of Buffalo Bill's. It has two pools: one surrounded by palm trees and a lap pool framed with bougainvillea. The inn is set against the San Jacinto Mountains and has 29 hacienda-style rooms. Room prices run from $89 to $389.
Info: Casa Cody
5. Candlelight Inn
Candlelight Inn
(Candlelight Inn)
The English Tudor-style bed-and-breakfast inn in Napa was built in 1929. The pool area features lounge chairs and umbrellas amid a garden, shade trees and an arbor covered with wisteria. The inn has just 10 rooms priced from $169 to $399.
Info: Candlelight Inn
6. Benbow Historic Inn
Benbow Historic Inn
(Benbow Historic Inn)
There's a lot going on at this country inn, golf course and KOA RV park near Garberville. For the cool-down factor, there's a pool, jacuzzi and a separate splash area for kids. The inn that opened in 1926 is set in the redwoods on the Eel River. It has 55 rooms from $129 to $499 a night.
Info: Benbow Historic Inn
7. Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa
Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa
(Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa)
Those who love Santa Ynez Valley's wine country will recognize this inn in tiny Los Olivos. The rimless heated pool is a refuge at the inn named for actor Fess Parker, who played Davy Crockett on TV. Members of his family continue to operate wineries in the area too. Daily breakfast and wine tastings come with your stay in one of 19 rooms priced from $345 to $935.
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