[We decided we wanted to go somewhere nice, with good food and good hotels, plenty to do, but close at hand so we can easily return there in the future....[/QUOTE]
I love the idea of somewhere you could easily return to! With the OP's signature, made me think of NAPA/Sonoma, a drive along the PCH, Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay club level. To me, much better than sitting on a beach.