If you are looking for a quaint little oceanside town that looks frozen in time, alongside dramatic cliffs and ocean views, this is the trip for you! Carmel and Big Sur have the perfect mix of great food, breathtaking views, and outdoor activities. Where to Stay: We recommend staying in Carmel Valley at Bernardus or Carmel Valley Ranch if you are optimizing for comfort. Carmel Mission inn is another potential option if you prefer convenience. Recommended Restaurants: La Bicyclette, Dametras, Carmel Belle, Chez Noir, Wagon Wheel, Nepenthe, Big Sur River Inn, and Roy's (for sunset drinks) Recommended Activities: Walk down Ocean Ave and Scenic Drive in Carmel downtown. Head to Point Lobos ( park outside and enter the park for free and take the first trail you hit to the right when you get in the entrance). Drive along Big Sur's coast, and hang at Nepenthe for lunch. Adventure into 17mile drive through Pebble Beach, and stop at Roy's for a sunset drink and bites.
If you are looking for a quiet romantic getaway, where the views are a combination of dramatic ocean cliffs meet ranch, this is your spot! You'll have endless views of ocean and sheep will convince you that you've flown to Ireland for the day. Fun Fact, we will also be heading up this way after the wedding for a mini moon. Where to Stay: Timber Cove, Sea Ranch, Rivers End Inn, and many cute B&Bs up the coast Recommended Restaurants: The Marshall Store, Tony's Seafood, Hog Island Oyster, and Cafe Aquatica Recommended Activities: This is all about stopping for oysters and the vistas along the highway 1 drive up to where you choose to stay. There are many cute towns along the way like Jenner and Point Reyes. Once you get to your hotel, it's all about secluded hiking trails and ocean walks.
If you are looking for rolling hills full of vineyards that feel like you are in Tuscany...with incredible wine, cute downtowns, and top end spa/hotel options, this one is for you! Sonoma is a bit quieter with small vineyard charm, and Napa is the full commercial experience with large estates and hotel options. Where to stay: You cannot go wrong in this area, but some places we have enjoyed are The Lodge at Sonoma, Macarthur Place in Sonoma, or Silverado Resort and Carneros in Napa. Recommended restaurants: The Girl and the Fig, Wit and Wisdom, Bear and Farmstead Recommended vineyards: Stags Leap, Chateau Montelena, and Silver Oak
Where to Stay: Please see our travel section! Restaurant Recommendations: Spruce, Cotogna, Tonys Pizza, Laundromat, Dim Sum in Chinatown, Flour and Water, Rintaro Recommended Activities: Head to the embarcadero ferry building for a snack or coffee and then walk along the water to Pier 39! Grab a coffee at equator in fort mason, then walk along the marina green to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Drive to Andytown Ocean Beach and walk Lands End. Grab Pizza in NorthBeach or Dim Sum in Chinatown.