Travel: Carmel Valley and Bernadus Lodge

Have any of our Silicon Valley readers ever wanted to get away for a stress free weekend, not travel too far and just RELAX? Well for those of you who have entertained that thought, we can enthusiastically suggest Carmel Valley as an ideal destination. For the last 25 years we’ve enjoyed more weekend getaways to the Monterey Peninsula and San Francisco than any other locations. And we’ve often thought if we were to ever move from Silicon Valley, our first choice for a future residence would be Carmel Valley. We love visiting San Francisco, Carmel, Monterey, Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove but Carmel Valley has less fog and tends to be warmer. It’s also less crowded and when combined with the pleasant weather, the rural residential settings and Santa Lucia mountain vistas, it’s more appealing to us as a future home.

A few years ago we did an unannounced site inspection of a few Monterey area hotels that included the newly opened Bernardus Lodge, for a national guidebook company. We were totally enthralled by the vineyard setting, stunning design, wonderful amenities and the overall ambience of this boutique style luxury resort. We predicted big things for Bernardus as a world class property. And our prognostications were correct! The Lodge, which opened in 1999, and its signature restaurant, Marinus, have received critical acclaim from many reputable national and international hospitality industry sources.

And after our recent two night stay we wholeheartedly concur with those accolades. All of their tastefully decorated and spacious 57 suites feature limestone fireplaces- an immediate invitation to a relaxing stay. Complimentary wine, soft drinks and a selection of fresh fruits await every guest’s arrival at their room. Marinus, featuring California-natural cuisine, is a remarkable culinary experience you should long remember. We would definitely place it on our “top three list” of favorite special occasion dining options in Northern California.

Feeling romantic? When making a reservation, be sure to ask for one of the tables near the dramatic fireplace. For you oenophiles, their Wine Spectator Grand Award wine list and a visit to their wine cellar will knock your sox off. For a more casual dinner or lunch be sure to try their Wickets Bistro, a local favorite.

If pampering is on your agenda, the stunning Spa at Bernardus will be especially inviting. For those of you into exercise, Bernardus is one of the few resorts in California offering complimentary bocce ball and croquet, both on beautifully manicured grass, as well as two hard court tennis courts.

Room rates vary according to season and are definitely on the high side but the quality received warrants the cost. The Monterey Peninsula has numerous upscale lodging options and some are more expensive than Bernardus. But for that special weekend getaway to the area, we honestly can’t make a better recommendation than Bernardus Lodge, a worthy member of the prestigious “Leading Hotels of the World’. For complete information on special packages, current rates, amenities, dining information, etc. go to: www.bernardus.com

Carmel Valley is also home to numerous highly regarded wineries and tasting rooms. And it is so much more relaxed and less congested than most of the other wine regions in California. Be sure to visit the nearby Bernardus Winery tasting room, home to an award winning selection of fine wines. And yes, it’s owned by the same entrepreneurial gentleman, Ben Pon, who owns the Lodge and the same bernardus.com website will provide all the information you might need. The Parsonage Vineyards tasting room, across the street from the Bernardus tasting venue, is another recommended visit. Their Quilt Art Gallery is as intriguing as their quality limited production wines. www.parsonagewine.com Two other popular winery tasting rooms in Carmel Valley include Talbott and Chateau Julien. For complete information on other lodging, dining, winery choices, etc. in Carmel Valley go to: www.carmelvalleycalifornia.com or for additional info on all the Monterey Peninsula go to: www.montereyinfo.org

For those of you who like to venture out for some vittles, don’t miss a dinner at the funky Will’s Fargo Dining House and Saloon, a regional institution for nearly 50 years. This practically legendary status steak and seafood house is located in the heart of Carmel Valley Village. For you lovers of outdoor activities, there are a multitude of wonderful hiking and equestrian trails throughout the valley and especially great ones in Garland Ranch Park. Safe journeys, everyone!!

(Editor’s note: D.K and A.E are a married couple residing in Silicon Valley and have been freelance travel journalists for around 25 years. They are currently working on trips and research to bring our readers columns on San Diego, Coronado, Palm Springs, Ireland and Phoenix)