Today Mike and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary! 16 years ago we got married in Newport Beach, California and we’ve been having adventures together ever since. We started growing our (not so little) family just a few years after we got married. However, even after we had kids we still have tried to make romantic getaways a priority. It has been harder some years than others to take a trip just the two of us, but even with the tricky logistics it’s always worth it. Today I thought it would be fun share some of our favorite vacations for couples in the western U.S. I hope it will inspire you to travel somewhere with your sweetheart! I am a partner with Get Away Today and some links contain affiliates, all opinions are my own!

great vacations for couples in California

Since we live in California, it’s often easiest to travel somewhere in our own state. We typically can’t be away from the kids for too long, since they’re still so young, so if our destination is just a short drive away it doesn’t cut into our vacation time too much. Although, when it’s just us the journey is part of the trip too.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel is a great to visit with your sweetheart, but especially if you live in California because it’s so easy to get there. It’s also easy to get everywhere in town, from the beautiful beach to a candlelit dinner just by walking. We stopped in Carmel on our honeymoon 16 years ago! A few years ago we were able to take the kids and it was a fun family trip too.

| Read: How to Spend a Weekend in Carmel |

Lake Tahoe

When mentioning vacations for couples in California, you have to talk about Lake Tahoe. Tahoe is a great spot for a weekend getaway all year round. There are many accommodations to choose from and no end to unique restaurants, or hiking trails to work it off afterwards!

| Read: Spending 48 Hours in Tahoe |

Yosemite National Park

Mike and I love visiting Yosemite and have had the opportunity to go alone and with the kids several times. Whether you want a rugged backpacking experience, or a luxury hotel and spa at the end of your sightseeing day, there’s an option for you. We love the popular Yosemite Valley, but other parts of the park, such as Hetch Hetchy, are far less crowded.

| Read: Rush Creek Lodge Near Yosemite |

other romantic vacations for couples in the western U.S.

There are some spots we’ve been able to go that are outside of California that we just love. However, these locations are still easy to get to if you live in California or in the western U.S.

Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas is a great destination for several reasons. It’s the city that never sleeps so you can keep whatever vacation schedule you want and always find dining or entertainment options. There is also a wide variety of options for places to stay depending on your trip budget and priorities.

cruising

With several ports on the west coast there is a wide-range of cruising options without having to travel to Florida. Depending on the time of year you’re traveling you could go to Mexico, Alaska, cruise the coastline, or even go all the way to Hawai’i.

the Hawaiian Islands

Speaking of Hawai’i, we can’t mention romantic vacations for couples without talking about Hawai’i! Mike and I were able to for our very first anniversary trip and it was such a memorable trip! If your travel dates are flexible you can find a good deal on flights and accommodations during “lower” tourist seasons. There’s also a variety of Islands to choose from, each with their own vibe.

alternatives for vacations for couples

Sometimes it just isn’t feasible to get away as a couple. Trust me, we have seven kids–I get it! If you don’t have a strong support system it can be tricky to work out childcare. So what do you do if you want to plan a trip but you really have no one you can ask to watch your kids? Here are some ideas:

• Do you have close friends that also have kids? You could talk to them about doing an exchange just for one night. Each of you plan a night away that’s close to home and take each other’s kids so you both get a night away!
• Travel with your kids to wherever your family lives and go on a weekend getaway there. That way, your kids get to visit with grandparents or cousins and you get a romantic trip with your spouse!
• Book a family vacation and splurge for adjoining rooms or a larger suite. Mike and I have done this a few times and it’s nice to be able to have some alone time while we’re on a fun family vacation together!

| Read: Why Overnight Date Nights are Important to Our Marriage |

Do you and your spouse ever travel together? Do you stay close to home or travel the world?