10 Hours in Carmel Valley, CA

Among the rolling hills and picturesque grapevines of Carmel Valley you'll find a plethora of opportunities to relax, rejuvenate and unwind. Just a quick 15 minute drive down Carmel Valley Road from Highway One sits tucked-away wine tasting rooms, award-winning restaurants, championship golf courses and scenic hikes for every skill level which require a least a full day of play. Here a just a few ways to spend a full day in this enriching outdoor playground.

9:30 am

Kick off your day and play in the dirt at Earthbound Farms. Just five miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea this hard-working farm stand is where one of the largest organic produce producers got its start. The 2.5 acre farm stand is now home to various gardens, an organic grocery store and an all-organic kitchen and deli. After traipsing through the herb garden, labyrinth and berry patch, fill up with a fresh smoothie, hearty quiche and a bran muffin; you’re going to need it!

10:30am

You’ll quickly burn up that breakfast with an invigorating hike at Garland Ranch where there’s a trail for every skill level. For a jaunt on the leisure side take the Buckeye Natural Trail winding through shaded oak savannahs and beautiful vistas.

Adventure junkies love Snively’s Ridge Trail with steep inclines leading to the top. This challenging thigh burner is well worth the expansive views of Carmel Valley’s floor lined with vineyards and the lush Ventana Wilderness.

1:00pm

By now you have built up a solid appetite and earned the right to be pampered. Relax on the outdoor patio at Lucia Restaurant inside the swanky Bernardus Lodge and order up a delicious lunch from Chef Cal Stamenov. Soak in the incredible views of the Santa Lucia mountain range while indulging in a prosciutto di parma brick oven pizza or Bernardus burger with caramelized onions and house made pickles.

2:30pm

Just down the road is the charming Carmel Valley Village where your first stop is the Quail & Olive. Keep your heart in tune with complimentary olive oil tastings at this boutique olive oil vinegar shop. The quaint shop was opened by Cardiologist Dr. Stephen Brabeck to share heart healthy oils essential to preventing heart disease and other chronic illnesses. Lucky for us these olive oils are packed with a bounty of flavors including rosemary, basil, lime, and blood orange.

3:30pm

Now it’s time to truly unWINE’d! Wine tasting in Carmel Valley is unlike any other tasting experience where the winemaker himself might just be the one pouring. There are dozens of tasting rooms to choose from all with their own quirk and character.

Joyce Vineyards’ hip and contemporary digs on the East End Wine Row is perfect for those looking for a casual afternoon of tasty Pinot Noirs. Holman Ranch Vineyards, just a few doors down, produces delicious estate grown wines in a rustic atmosphere.

Cima Collina’s backyard patio spot is perfect for soaking in some Carmel Valley sunshine and sipping on a glass of their buttery Chardonnay.

6:00pm

No visit to Carmel Valley is complete without a stop at Will’s Fargo. Here you will feel like you have been transported to a scene in Bonanza with a bar saloon, warm wooden character and rural landscape images of the area. Not much has changed since opening in 1959 with a prime selection of steaks, seafood, and savory sides. Save room for dessert with tempting creations like a praline sundae, chocolate banana bread pudding and hot fudge sundae.

With so much activity in Carmel Valley it’s likely you won’t want to leave. Luckily there are several hotels, inns and lodges for any budget. Bernardus Lodge and Carmel Valley Ranch are perfect for those looking for a lap of luxury while Quail Lodge & Golf Club is a slam dunk for those looking to hit the golf course or enjoy a kick-back California ranch experience. For more lodging options click here.

The Wild Plum Café & Bistro: Where Sustainability Meets Community

Located in the urban area of downtown Monterey, The Wild Plum Café, Bakery & Bistro has been cooking from scratch and creating a sense of community for over 17 years.

The quaint eatery is reminiscent of a bistro you might find tucked away in Provence, think of your typical neighborhood cafe. The intimate seating area and cozy ambiance creates the perfect setting connecting long time local customers as well as first-time tourists to the area.


The Wild Plum prides itself on their love and passion for food which is truly evident in the freshness of their products. Made from organic and sustainable ingredients, each dish is concocted with an attention to detail and, most of all, flavor!

The Wild Plum is currently open for breakfast and lunch with incredible California cuisine inspired menus to match each meal. Insiders note- there are future plans to include a dinner menu and special grab-and-go counter.

Owner and chef Pamela Burns ensures each dishes quality by shopping at local farmers markets and sourcing from local vendors for everything from fresh vegetables, ripe berries to golden potatoes.

The Greek Goddess flatbread particularly showcases the region’s fresh bounty with oven roasted tomatoes, caramelized red onion, hunks of feta cheese and an out-of-this-world homemade vinaigrette.

Their Porchetta sandwich, made with slow roasted pork belly filled with pork shoulder, is so good that Food Network’s TV star Guy Fieri and even featured it on his popular Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives show.

Save room for dessert! All of their pastries and cookies are baked in-house and are an imperative match with their organic coffees and specialty drinks.

Feeding the masses? The Wild Plum also specializes in catering and buffet meals. Boxed lunches are also available for those setting out for picnic or a day of wine tasting.

5 NEW Places Every Foodie Needs to Try in Monterey

As a mecca for all things food and wine it is no wonder why some of the best restaurateurs and wine makers are flocking to open up shop in Monterey County. New businesses are popping up all throughout the Peninsula and the latest five additions are sure to please the palate.

Boardwalk Sub Shop

470, Alvarado Street, Monterey
The Boardwalk Sub Shop is one of Monterey’s newest additions to the downtown dining scene. The Teplitzky brothers opened this one-of-a-kind east coast sub shop in honor of their strong Atlantic City roots and their killer talents in creating mouth-watering cheesesteaks and authentic Jersey sammies. Best of all, these comfort classics are offered up into the wee hours of the night, perfect for curbing those late night munchies.

Stave Wine Cellar

The Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach
Sticks, Roy’s and Peppoli now have a sister at The Inn at Spanish Bay. Stave Wine Cellar is the first, and only, wine shop and tasting room within the prestigious Pebble Beach gates and a prestigious wine collection to match. The luxurious lounge is much more than just a tasting room with over 30 wines and eight craft beers by the glass, 200 wines for purchase by the bottle, and an assortment of cheese & charcuterie plates. Bottles range from $15-$1,100 and be sure to ask the sommeliers and staff for their recommendations, they are spot on!

Il Tegamino

Ocean between Lincoln & Monte Verde, Carmel-by-the-Sea
It doesn’t get much more authentic than Il Tegamino. Carmel-by-the-Sea’s newest restaurant is the brainchild of the Panzuto brothers straight from Naples, Italy. The family run restaurant specializes in Italian comfort foods, who doesn’t like that, and focuses on flavors straight from their homeland. When you go be sure to try at least one of their many polpette, aka meatball, variations.

Carmel Road Winery

Lincoln between Ocean and Sixth, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel Road Winery has been producing exceptional Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs in Monterey County since 1999 and now there a storefront to sample these savory sips. The tasting room is nestled in the heart of charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, near the Pine Inn, where you can try a variety of their favorites including a special blend made by famed actress Drew Barrymore!

Saturday & Tuesday Dinners at Captain’s Inn

8122 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing
The Captain’s Inn in Moss Landing has just added a new foodie favorite! Every Tuesday and Saturday the charming B&B opens its dining room for a night full of delicious food and savory wines in a fun and community type of atmosphere. Watch as Italian native chef Alessio Casagrande prepares your themed meal in the adjoining open kitchen. Come with an appetite and leave with a handful of new friends and a full belly!

Staycation at the Captain’s Inn in Moss Landing with an Exceptional Dinner to Match

Whether you live in Monterey County or not, the Captain’s Inn in Moss Landing is the place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and simply unwind.

Looking to do just that I headed for the peaceful hideaway just a short 15 minute drive from Monterey on Highway One. The cozy blue B&B is conveniently nestled in the charming fishing village of Moss Landing- known for the Elkhorn Slough, Salinas River State Beach and lots of sea otters.

I immediately started to unplug as soon as I arrived at the 10-room bed and breakfast. The friendly innkeeper quickly checked me in and gave me the run-down on the property and its amenities. The kitchen and dining room are open to hotel guests 24/7 and is fully stocked with coffee, tea and fruit.

After a quick tour of the property I was shown to my upstairs room in the boat house, just behind the main building.

The “High Seas” room was exactly what I was looking for, waterfront views, a luxurious bathtub, roaring fireplace and a cozy bed. The nautical theme and décor fit perfectly with Moss Landing’s abundant water adventures.

Looking for a little adventure myself, I ventured off to explore Moss Landing’s unique offerings. Just down the main road are several antique shops, gift shops and a unique art gallery at the Haute Enchilada.

On the way to the beach I crossed the bridge near the Moss Landing Harbor where several sea otters had culminated which is pretty common in the safe and sound waters of the harbor and the nearby Elkhorn Slough. For a closer view into the slough check out the Elkhorn Slough Safari or a guided kayak tour.

Just across the way is Salinas River State Beach which is one of my favorites. The expansive white sandy beach is a beautiful place to watch the crashing waves, enjoy a stunning sunset or set up shop for a relaxing picnic. For those looking for a real adventure scope out the epic stretch of coastline on horseback!

After a quick stroll on the beach I headed back to my room with a view and watched the sun set from the cozy comforts of my hot tub overlooking the waterfront, talk about relaxing!
New to the Captain’s Inn are their Tuesday and Saturday dinners featuring various foodie themes and local wineries. Tonight I was in luck since it was Spanish night featuring tapas and a seafood paella. Knowing that dinner was just down the stairs was an added bonus, no designated driver needed!
For dinner, the breakfast room was transformed into an intimate dining space complete with candlelight and a selection of local wines to start off the night while meeting new faces around the dinner table.

Italian born chef Alessio Casagrande started the night off with a plethora of Spanish tapas including prawns with garlic, Spanish styled cured ham and a Spanish potato tart.

The tapas alone could have served as an entire meal but the seafood paella was the main attraction. A generous amount of scallops, mussels, prawns and clams were piled on a luscious bed of saffron rice and fresh fire roasted tomatoes. The authentic flavors were spot on with the paella I have been hunting for ever since my time spent in Madrid a few years ago.

At this point I was stuffed but just had to indulge in a piece of the chef’s Spanish apple pie. Luckily, I was just a few steps away from my luxurious bed for an incredible night’s sleep.

Before checking out and going back to reality I enjoyed the B&B’s complimentary breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, fresh fruit and sausage- not a bad way to wrap up an incredible staycation in my own backyard!