If you are coming out west for a few days, I'd highly recommend visiting Catalina Island. Please see the website for all the information you'd need on how to get there & where to stay if you do.

This is where we got engaged. Catalina is about 2 hours from where we live. You can catch the ferry at Long Beach or Dana Point. Allow about 1.5 hrs to drive and about 45 minutes for the boat ride to the island. Located just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island-with its Mediterranean charm and myriad of exciting activities-provides a quick and easy getaway. Travel time to Avalon, the Island's only city, can be done in as little as 15 minutes by air, or one hour by boat. Travel time to the village of Two Harbors is about 90 minutes by boat from San Pedro.