Coastal getaways: Honolulu
Ride the bunny waves at Waikiki
Maybe you think you’re not a Waikiki person. Maybe you think you prefer something a bit more secluded and exclusive. But consider this: With its warm water, dependably gentle waves, and novice-nurturing surf schools, Waikiki Beach remains the most forgiving place in the world to learn to surf or steer an outrigger canoe.
The Sheraton Waikiki stands midway along the 2-mile-long beach, and while its high-rise architecture shouts 1970s, a $187 million renovation has given it 21st-century polish. And those Waikiki waves are timelessly perfect. From $325; 800/325-3535. — Peter Fish
Coastal getaways: La Jolla, CA
Coastal getaways: San Francisco
Choose the city’s wavy side
San Francisco’s hotels cluster downtown. But there’s something to be said for a stay on the city’s saltier, breezier, and less-known Pacific Ocean edge. Out here, a room at the Ocean Park Motel gets you in with the wetsuit-wearing, wave-riding crowd at Ocean Beach, famously foggy in summer but warm and sunny come September.
The 1930s modern motel has a pretty courtyard and several rooms with kitchens—all at a reasonable price, for San Francisco. And it takes dogs--lucky, because Ocean Beach is dog heaven. From $115; 415/566-7020. –P.F.
Coastal getaways: Laguna Beach, CA
Some serious surfer cachet
You don’t have to be a surfer dude to enjoy the splashy surf suites at the Hotel La Casa del Camino. They’re done up with wall-size underwater-photo murals, surfboards on the walls, pillows made of boardshorts material, and, in some cases, views of the crashing waves from the window.
Pop up to the rooftop bar (the only one in town) for drinks and insanely gorgeous sunsets. From $229; 949/497-2446. –M.G.
Coastal getaways: Venice, CA
Coastal getaways: Santa Monica
Art deco beauty near the beach
The recently renovated Hotel Shangri-La, across the street from the sands, oozes old-school details. Even the building has curves! Grab an era-appropriate drink from the poolside bar or from the rooftop bar, which looks out to the Pacific Ocean.
But truth is, the view from the in-room soaking tub is just as blue, blue, blue—these are some of the best tubs in California. (Fair warning: Weekend parties by the pool last past some people’s bedtime.) From $295; 877/999-1301. –Miranda Jones
Coastal getaways: Cambria, CA
Coastal getaways: Acapulco, Mexico
Dreamy hideaway
Sleek new architectural stunner Hotel Encanto is becoming known for its sexy nighttime lounge scene. But, really, it’s at its best when sunlight streaks across chalk white walls.
Lounge poolside beneath a sail-like awning to take in the view from the hotel’s covetable blufftop perch, well above the city’s more chaotic quarters. From $375 U.S. –Maribeth Mellin
Coastal getaways: Kauai
The Islands’ best view
You might suspect the St. Regis Princeville Resort of stocking its corner of Hanalei Bay with sea turtles, rays, and Technicolor coral—the snorkeling is that good. But with big mountain-to-bay views from the private beach, you’ll hardly miss out if you don’t snorkel. Even better: Since its jillion-dollar redo last fall, it now has the contemporary Hawaiian look it deserves.
Best thing about the rooms? It’s a toss-up between the shower with a view of the green Na Pali Coast and the butler service—they’ll unpack your bags, and get you into chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s on-site Kaua‘i Grill ($$$$). From $460 (sometimes less—search the resort’s website); 808/826-9644. –Katie Tamony
Coastal getaways: Little River, CA
A retro-chic hideout
The Andiron’s 1950s cabins are something out of the ordinary along the sleepy, rural stretch south of Mendocino. They don’t look it from the road, but peek inside and you’ll see that the inn’s new owners have redecorated each of the 11 redwood-paneled rooms with quirky rummage-sale finds. (Our favorite: No. 5, done up in “library chic” and nicknamed Read.)
Half the rooms have kitchenettes and wood-burning stoves; all have decks looking down the grassy hill to a fringe of cypress trees and the ocean beyond. From $89; 800/955-6478. –Christine Ryan
Coastal getaways: Vancouver Island, B.C.
Cabins on the cliff
Victoria may be only an hour away, but the 25 cabins at Point-No-Point Resort might as well be at the end of the Earth—a rugged, woodsy, ocean cliff stretch of it at that. Cedar-cute and woodstove-cozy, many of the one- and two-room cabins were built in the ’50s but ace the test of time.
All have picture windows framing the Pacific, wooden decks with bright red Adirondacks, and pebbly paths that lead to the intimate, window-walled Tearoom restaurant ($$$)—and the private beach below. From $168 U.S.; 2-night minimum–Rachel Levin
Coastal getaways: Sayulita, Mexico
Coastal getaways: San Juan Island, WA
Back to the wild
A quick, calming country drive from the bustle of San Juan Island’s ferry landing, Lakedale Resort sits on 82 forested acres with 3 freshwater lakes.
It’s always had campsites, cabins, a lodge, plus more recent canvas cabins and canvas cottages, and now it’s added a cluster of 7 luxury yurts decked out with a wet bar and refrigerator, king-sized pillow-top bed with flannel duvet cover and a large wrap-around deck with your own private hot tub. Yurts from $325; 800/617-2267. –R.L.
Coastal getaways: Big Island, Hawaii
Your tropical estate
Think of it as the anti-resort. Not that Puakea Ranch’s four private bungalows at the Big Island’s northern tip are short on luxury: You’ll nap in four-poster beds dressed with Italian linens, cool off in your own dipping pool, and enjoy views of the Pacific from your tree-shaded front porch.
But the low-key property, once a sugar mill and a cattle ranch, is also refreshingly rustic. Collect eggs for an omelet from the chicken coop, and ride one of the ranch’s horses for a view of the famed Kohala Coast—a short drive away when you’re ready to hit the beach (we like Kauna‘oa, pictured). From $200, plus $100 cleaning fee per stay; 2-night minimum; 808/315-0805. –E.J.
Coastal getaways: 5 more great hotels by the sea
Laguna Beach, CA: Pacific Edge Hotel
Pacific City, OR: Cottages at Cape Kiwanda
Gold Beach, OR: Tu Tu' Tun
Westport, CA: Westport Hotel
Ilwaco, WA: China Beach Retreat