So I'm trying to get my fiancee to agree to a beginner backpacking trip but am not entirely sure what/where would be a good option. We live in Santa Cruz, CA so our options are pretty open. We're both in decent physical shape, and have most of the gear we'd need to do something like this, she is just a bit worried that my idea of beginner is beyond her abilities. She's pretty small (only 4'10") so she is worried that she may not be able to carry much for very far.

I'm fairly stout so I bought a bigger pack to compensate for the extra gear I'll probably have to carry so I don't think that gear will be an issue, more, I'm just not sure where would be a beginner friendly trip. We would definitely prefer a trip where campfires will be okay (would make both of us more comfortable I think) and where we can keep the actual hiking fairly short for the first go. I would much rather have a disgustingly easy first trip than something that she ends up hating and never wants to do again.

Thanks for any advice/suggestions!