Caitlin & Michael
Things To Do
Carmel Valley
Carmel Valley has a lot to offer in the wine category, as it lines up right up against the Santa Lucia Highlands. Pinot Noir's flourish in this area with the coastal breeze and warm inland vines. The Valley is about 25 minutes from downtown Carmel, and there's a small square with various tasting rooms and restaurants. For any car fanatics, there's a Motorcycle Museum that partners with Talbott winery. Here are some of our favorite wineries and restaurants in the Valley: TASTING ROOMS -Testarossa Tasting Room. Open 12-5 pm. -Cowgirl Winery (GREAT cheese, and chickens roam the grounds!). 11:30 am-5 pm. -Joyce Winery. 12-5:30 pm. RESTAURANTS -Corkscrew Cafe. -ROUX.
Folktale Winery & Vineyards
This is Caitlin's favorite winery on earth! Folktale is known for it's beautiful grounds, including a wine garden, gazebo room, and a huge outdoor space with firepits to enjoy your wine! Open 11 am-8 pm.
Hiking
-Point Lobos: A 15 minute drive from downtown Carmel, this is a great and easy hike in the area where you can explore the coastal views and the wildlife. The parking lots can get full and there is a charge, so try to get out there early! -Pfeiffer Big Sur: An hour drive from downtown Carmel, Big Sur is one of the most beautiful hiking spots in California, and it's right in our backyard! There are plenty of hiking trails to explore, but the most challenging would be Pfeiffer. -Andrew Molera State Park: 35 minutes from downtown Carmel. This is a great option for a hike that's a bit closer, as it's halfway to Pfieffer and still has a fair amount of hiking trails that allow you to see the wildlife and ocean views. -Garrapata State Park: 20 minutes from downtown Carmel. Some of Garrapata is closed off after the heavy rains, but there's still a great trail that takes you through the Garrapata mountain and allows you to see the inland area, with the ocean off in the distant. One of our faves!
Carmel Mission Basilica Museum
The Carmel Mission is one of the current most authentically restored Roman Catholic mission churches in California. Beautiful and within walking distance from downtown! Open daily from 9:30 am-5 pm.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a showcase for the habitats and sea life of one of the world's richest marine regions--we're so lucky to have it in our backyard! Tickets are $49.95 for adult admission ($39.95 for seniors!). Open daily from 10 am-5 pm.
Monterey Museum of Art
This beautiful layout and easy access museum features galleries devoted to exhibitions of American and California painting, photography and contemporary art. Admission is $10 per person, and they're open 11 am-5 pm daily (except Wednesday's).