San Ysidro Ranch

The 500-acre property, fresh from a $150 million investment, gives the impression of stretching on forever (even if a few neighboring mansions creep into the picture), and when you arrive at the long driveway lined with olive trees and lavender, you have the sense of being on the frontier, at the last citrus grove before civilization gives way to the scrubby Santa Ynez Mountains. No wonder this was JFK's honeymoon spot. In addition to the 27 rooms in the main house, most of the 14 vine-covered cottages have decks and hot tubs and the resort sits just an hour south of the Santa Ynez Valley, a perfect daytrip for wine-tasting. For added privacy, ask for the creekside Honeysuckle or Willow cottages. To top off the romantic weekend, eat at the Stonehouse Restaurant, where chef John Trotta serves refined dishes like mascarpone and scallion risotto. Don't miss hiking the San Ysidro Trail to the waterfalls.