Fodor's Expert Review Mountain Home Inn

Abutting 40,000 acres of state and national parks, this airy wooden inn sits on the skirt of Mt. Tamalpais, where you can follow hiking trails all the way to Stinson Beach. Sunrise-facing rooms are built for romance, each mixing huge views of pristine wilderness and the sweeping San Francisco Bay with some combination of balcony, fireplace, and whirlpool tub. The full-service restaurant, with on-site wine bar, serves an excellent lunch on the sunny deck or inside by the cozy fire; a prix-fixe dinner is available on select evenings. Even if you're not staying overnight, this is a great spot for a post-hike libation and bite.