Photo: Ocean Park Motel, San Francisco

I live in San Francisco, and I've long admired the Ocean Park Motel, built in 1937. Located a block from Ocean Beach and the Pacific Ocean, the Ocean Park Motel remains wonderfully untouched by the passage of time. It's a clean, friendly place with plenty of historic character.

During a weekend in 2006, my wife treated me to a San Francisco beach weekend. So we piled into the car, drove 10 minutes west, and checked in to the Ocean Park. The weather was perfect, the beach beckoned, and the motel didn't disappoint.

Simplest. Vacation. Ever!