The “beach season” in California lasts practically the whole year. It might be cold for a month or two, but compared to the rest of the country, California is pretty nice.

So renting a beach house is a year-round proposition in California.

There is one big caveat: buyer beware. Having lived in California for over 40 years, I am quite familiar with the real estate market. I know there are a lot more rentals on the market right now than you might expect. We can only attribute that to the precarious economy nationwide. But when renting a beach house, or any house, it does suggest that the money up front should be placed in a reliable escrow account until the vacation is over.

In California, any licensed real estate agent can establish such an escrow account. If you are renting directly from the owner, insist that an escrow company be involved and contact one directly yourself. The few extra dollars you’ll pay will be well worth the peace of mind.

Take a look at some of my favorite romantic places to rent on the beach.

North of San Francisco Beach House Vacation Rentals

Dazzlingly beautiful. Rugged. It can be very cool with the cool ocean breeze, which is great for snuggling up. There are many beaches, many of them mostly deserted. The national parks provide wildlife in abundance, making it a great area for hiking and camping. Most of the cabins you’d find along the coast would be quite charming.

Santa Cruz – Capitola – Soquel area

This is one of the most idyllic climates in the world. It’s nice and warm, but it doesn’t usually get very hot. Prices here are typically mid-range. There are some budget hotels in downtown Santa Cruz that rent by the week in the winter, but for a romantic getaway, they’re probably not what you’re looking for. Look at the condos for rent or the cabins. This is an older city, so there are some great old Victorians too. Try the town of Capitola or Depot Hill, an area overlooking Capitola.

Beach Houses in Carmel – Monterey

There are two sides to the Monterey Peninsula. The Pacific Grove side has glorious weather. Carmel’s side is notoriously cool. Monterey itself is on the warm side. This is also an ancient city, made famous by the work of Steinbeck. cannery row. Lots of colorful cabins close to the ocean, especially around Pacific Grove. Avoid Seaside and Marina, they are very windy.

San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

Beautiful weather. Many vacation opportunities here. Santa Barbara is truly one of the country’s vacation meccas with miles and miles of beautiful beaches. There are plenty of options for California beach vacation homes here, and the price is probably lower than what you’ll find farther south along the coast.

Laguna Beach House Vacation Rentals

Laguna Beach is a good option for many romantics. It is close to civilization, but it is rustic. And it’s not as expensive as some other areas. Charming country houses and a group of local artists make this a pleasant area.

San Diego Beach House Vacation Rentals

San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Francisco are the big three for beach tourism in California. They all cater to tourists. There is always something to do. And there are always plenty of places to stay. San Diego weather is pretty perfect. There are a number of neighborhoods in San Diego that you might want to consider, such as charming La Jolla and downtown San Diego and Mission Bay. They would all be good options.

Further south is Baja California, which, while nice, is a completely different website.