Carmel, California – the most perfectly quaint coastal town full of incredible restaurants, unique boutiques, charming downtown streets, tasting rooms, wineries and relaxing hotels. Carmel is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway with friends, with a significant other or even by yourself.
You guys know that when I travel my top focus is finding the best food and wine (it’s a tough job, I know). After a couple days of on-site research, here’s your guide for the best weekend getaway in Carmel.
The Best Wineries to Go to in Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea is where many of the wineries have tasting rooms at, as this is where they see most of their tourist traffic, but did you know there are also wineries, restaurants and resorts on the outskirts of town, in the hills, known as Carmel Valley? Oh, and also important to know, Monterey County is land of all things Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – these are the power grapes of this grape growing region.
Caraccioli
Start your wine tasting day here, as they’ve got some of the best bubbles in Carmel. Winemaker, Michel Salgues, was previously the head winemaker at Roederer Estate, so I’d say he knows a thing or two about how to make great bubbles. The tasting room is small but lively, so pull up a chair and be ready to make friends!
Albatross Ridge
About a three minute walk down the block is Albatross Ridge – this came as a recommendation from one of my friends and I’m so glad I checked it out. They’re making super small production wines in a Burgundian style. Definitely worth a stop to add some small lot, cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to your collection – plus the tasting experience is enjoyable and educational. P.S. they’re also dog friendly, as most wineries in the area are!
Boekenoogen
Go here for the wine, as the tasting room, or seated tasting experiences aren’t much of a focus. It’s a no bs, squeeze your way in and belly up to the bar type of tasting. But definitely worth a stop to grab some killer Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir at an affordable price. And I love that they are a truly family operated business, spanning multiple generations.
And since I could only taste so many places in one day, here’s some other tasting rooms and wineries that came highly recommended by locals:
Where to Stay in Carmel
Carmel Valley Ranch
Carmel Valley Ranch is the place to stay when in Carmel. Wow, what a dream! Carmel Valley Ranch is definitely a luxury resort, but is well worth it with the level of hospitality you receive during your stay. With a property spanning over 500 acres, you could spend the entire weekend just at the resort. They have daily cheese and wine tastings, gorgeous pools, every outside activity you could imagine and multiple restaurants and bars on-site. One of their on-site restaurants, Valley Kitchen, was even named best restaurant in Carmel Valley in 2018. If you’re visiting Carmel, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a stay at Carmel Valley Ranch.
Where to Eat in Carmel
Stationaery
I’m so glad I found this cute little breakfast spot. It’s trendy and hip, yet also a favorite spot with the locals – that’s always a good sign in my book! The coffee was some of the best I’ve ever had to be honest, and the breakfast was creative, delicious and good sized portions. Highly suggest the chilaquiles!
The Cheese Shop
Feeling like a little mid-day snack? All that wine tasting can make you hungry. Head on over to The Cheese Shop and prepare to enter cheese paradise. Taste as many of the cheeses as you’d like (no seriously, as many as you want!) before you settle on which block you want to take with you.
La Bicyclette Restaurant
Then for lunch pop on over to La Bicyclette – a highly recommended restaurant by everyone I talked to during my Carmel journey. Grab a wood fire pizza or oysters for a quick lunch in between your tastings.
Casanova Carmel
And finally, finish the day with Casanova. Interestingly enough, this restaurant is also owned by the family who owns La Bicyclette. They just know their food! Casanova is one of the oldest restaurants in Carmel and is known to have some of the best French and Italian food in the area. Very small and intimate, it feels like you are dining in someone’s home in Europe. Also, they’ve got one heck of a wine list and are said to have more than 2,200 bottles of wine in their hand dug cellar under the restaurant. I’ve been lucky enough to see it, and yes, it’s pretty magical!
The next time you are looking for a weekend getaway, I hope you will consider Carmel and my food and wine recommendations above. Carmel is truly a beautiful destination and is a great choice when looking for a town that offers the best of food, wine, beautiful scenery and hospitality. I can’t wait to go back!
