Cameron & Suraj
Things To Do
Relax at Refuge
Refuge offers the ultimate relaxation experience. The Refuge experience includes 6 hot & warm pools, 4 Nordic cool/cold plunge pools, America's largest co-ed cedar sauna and eucalyptus steam room. This is all set in 2 acres of serene indoor solarium's & outdoor relaxation areas with Fire Pits overlooking the Santa Lucia Preserve. Refuge is the first purpose built facility featuring the Hydro Thermal Cycle in the US.
Carmel Valley Wine Tasting
Carmel Valley has several wineries if you wanted to adventure away from the beach you could start at Folktale Winery, then hop back in the car for a 5 minute dirve to head to the heart of the wine tasting. With +17 close vineyards and tasting rooms, I would recommend exploring the Boekenoogen Vineyards, Georis Winery, Cowgirl Winery, Joullian Vinyards, and Joyce Vineyards.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
In his famous novel Cannery Row, John Steinbeck wrote of this historic waterfront district on Monterey Bay. Anchoring the area is the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium featuring sea otters, penguins, sharks and other marine life, exhibits and educational programs. Spend a day and experience the allure of this unique destination. Insider tip: Often times, you can see sea otters right off the pier!
Checkout Repurposed Sardine Factories on Cannery Row
Steinbeck described the street as "a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream." Prior to 1973 Cannery Row was a waterfront street chock full of sardine factories. Today those sardine factories have been repurposed into a tourist focused area with museums, shops, tasting rooms, and restaurants. The entire length of Cannery Row runs parallel to the coastline of the Monterey Bay, which means you’re never more than a few minutes from the water.
Explore Pebble Beach Coastline by Horseback
With more than 27 miles of marked equestrian trails that run deep in the beautiful Del Monte Forest. The guided horseback tours last around an hour and will take you through a forest area, sand dunes, golf courses and the beach along 17 mile drive.
Take a Scenic Turn Down 17 Mile Dr
Follow 17-Mile Drive’s red-dotted line to arrive at an enchanting world full of dramatic coastal cliffs, snow-white beaches, mystical forests and iconic golf courses. Discover one of the most scenic drives in the world as you meet the inspiring Lone Cypress, ponder the giant trees at Crocker Grove, digest the untouched beauty at Fanshell Beach, behold the power of the Restless Sea at Point Joe, stroll the boardwalk above the beach at Spanish Bay, and much, much more.
Explore Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Long considered the “crown jewel” of the California State Park system, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a magnet for nature lovers. From its breathtaking beauty to its fascinating wildlife, Point Lobos is a must see experience.
Big Sur Will Take Your Breath Away
A 45-minute drive down the coast from Carmel, Big Sur is a great way to spend the afternoon. It's as magnificent as you've heard, with majestic hiking trails at Andrew Molera State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (McWay Falls). Afterwards, linger at breathtaking hillside restaurants with panoramic ocean views, such as Nepenthe, Big Sur River Inn, Post Ranch Inn or Ventana.
Play on World-Renowned Golf Courses
I personally do not golf but with an instantly recognizable layout that has hosted five U.S. Opens, four of Golf Magazine's Best Public Courses You Can Play in California, and a coastal landscape that will leave you well short of appropriate adjectives, the greater Monterey Peninsula area is will turn anyone into a golfer. You could checkout Spyglass Hill, The Links at Spanish Bay, Pacific Grove Municipal, Bayonet Black Horse, Quail Lodge, Carmel Valley Ranch, and Cypress Point just to name a few.
Mission Ranch Restaurant
The Restaurant at the historic Mission Ranch offers a varied and pleasing menu, moderately priced, featuring Classic American Cuisine. The view is gorgeous: sheep grazing in the meadow, Santa Lucia Mountains in the near distance and Point Lobos with the Pacific Ocean's crashing waves. And, you may spot Clint Eastwood at the piano bar!
Dametra Cafe
This is where Suraj and I went for lunch before he proposed on Garrapata Beach. Cozy yet high-energy choice for Mediterranean specialties, pizza & pasta in a rustic space. Dametra is the current hot boite of downtown Carmel, and if you are there for dinner, you may have the pleasure of experiencing a spontaneous jam session on traditional Middle Eastern instruments.
Shop Til You Drop In Downtown Carmel
Give yourself plenty of time to explore the ~18 blocks of downtown Carmel's outdoor malls, charming boutiques, art galleries, wine tasting rooms, coffee roasters, cottage if sweets, and world-class restaurants.
Grab Breakfast at Carmel Belle
Cameron's favorite breakfast stop, no trip to Carmel is complete without a grabbing a bite to eat at Carmel Belle. This is a counter-serve cafe dispensing gourmet, locally-sourced meals & drinks amid country-chic surrounds.