Carmel Valley Ranch is wonderfully positioned to both explore the local area, from quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey Bay, Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach. Be sure to visit Monterey’s National Marine Sanctuary with its kelp forests and marine life from seals and sea lions to dolphins and whales, and for a mesmerising experience, visit the #1 US Aquarium. Take a stroll along Ocean Beach in quaint Carmel and step back in time with its traditional cafés and boutiques. Drive, cycle or walk the 17-mile drive on the stunning Pebble Beach peninsula stopping at Bird Rock for the harbour seals and the Lone Cypress, perched precariously for 250 years on the ostensible piece of rock. Besides the coastal scenery, star attractions include the world-famous golf courses of Pebble Beach – Scott Dunn can arrange for guests to play.
Carmel Valley Ranch also offers a huge amount to do within its own 500 acre grounds. Head off on hiking trails past wild deer and turkeys before returning to learn about beekeeping. Play a round of golf on the Pete Dye designed course or play on one of the many tennis courts. At night, sit around the fire and learn to make s’mores. For the little ones, there is the River Ranch Camp and activities galore as well as daily child-care.
Carmel Valley Ranch’s 181 suites are tastefully furnished in an earthy, natural style. With private decks overlooking the forest or valley, you have the space to sit back after a day exploring. Add to this a 42-inch flat screen, iPod docking station, WiFi and fireplace you have all the gadgets and creature comforts to make for a truly relaxing stay.
Carmel Valley Ranch is home to the Lodge restaurant and the River Ranch café, as well as offering light refreshments in the Golf Clubhouse. They focus on using the very freshest produce sourced from the Monterey Coast and they even have hands-on cooking demonstrations for the budding Gordon Ramsays of this world.
There are three sun drenched salt-water swimming pools to splash around in (one for families and two for 16+ yrs), and for some quiet time a superb spa along with fitness centres. The family pool is located a little further away from the suites and the spa so that noise and fun is unrestricted. There is a sustainable four-acre pinot noir vineyard, year-round organic garden, and a world-class bee apiary where guests can visit the hives in protective suits. For the active, scenic hiking, biking, and running trails, wind through nearly 500 lush acres of resort grounds.
