I'll keep it simple: Lynn and family are great hosts; the Secret Cottage is a wonderful getaway, close enough to LA to get most points in under 45 minutes, far away enough to relax. The kitchen is perfect for those who like to cook, the bed is super comfy, and, when you get lonely, two friendly dogs will stick their noses up to the window to say hello and cheer you up.

One note of caution: if you have a compact car--we drive a Civic--go very slowly on the bumpy dirt road leading up to the Cottage. On our first drive up, I bottomed out a couple of times. But once I got a feel for how slow to drive, it wasn't a problem.