The Ultimate Girls Weekend: Carmel-By-The-Sea Edition
This trip was gifted by Visit Carmel-By-The-Sea. All selections and opinions are my own.
If you’ve followed me for a little while, you know how I feel about girls trips. They are good for your mind, body, and soul! A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of attending a press trip to the lovely village of Carmel-By-The-Sea. The town has a quaint, European feel that makes you want to unplug, relax, and wander its cobblestone streets and secret passageways.
Hofsas House
A boutique, family owned inn, Hofsas House offers a relaxing retreat with a beautiful view of the Pacific Coast.
Upon our arrival to the inn, we were greeted by Carrie, who gave us an amazing overview of the lovely town of Carmel-By-The-Sea.
What struck me most about Hofsas House was their kindness and hospitality. From the delicious breakfast served in the lobby each morning to the passion each staff member has for the richness and history of this coastal town, this property is perfect if you are looking to stay in a home away from home.
DeTierra Tasting Room
After checking in to our rooms and freshening up for the evening, we headed to a few blocks away to the DeTierra Vineyards tasting room on 5th and Mission. The warmth and energy at DeTierra is absolutely electric and this was a great way to kick off our trip!
Owner Alix Boasch served up some great wine selections (the sparkling rose was my fave!) in this cool, laid back tasting room that draws both locals and visitors alike. Perfect way to start our trip in Carmel-By-The-Sea. The environment here is warm, friendly and inviting. Great place to hang out with friends.
Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Stunning views. Lovely service. Delicious food. What’s there not to love about the Hyatt Carmel Highlands?
Situated atop a cliff overlooking the coast of Big Sur, their California Market at Pacific’s Edge restaurant is the ideal location for a lovely brunch.
After giving us a tour of the grounds, Emily showed us to our table where we enjoyed a healthy selection of their menu items.
Their brioche French toast was incredible, and our waiter recommended their lavender lemon drops which did not disappoint! I could definitely see myself coming back here with my husband for a romantic evening out.
Lugano’s Swiss Bistro
There’s nothing quite like Lugano’s Swiss Bistro. Nestled on the lower level of the Barnyard Shopping and Dining Complex, Lugano’s has served up it’s famous cheese fondue to locals and celebrities alike. From Oprah Winfrey to Jim Carey, their traditional Swiss cuisine is a crowd favorite.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Julio who served us the most delicious cheese fondue to start. Made with a combination of appenzeller, gruyere and emmenthaler cheeses, their Swiss Original Cheese Fondue is rich, creamy and so incredibly delicious. A selection of apples, bread and vegetables were served on the side for dipping, but truth be told? I could have eaten a bowl of this stuff on it’s own. So good!
For dessert, we opted for the Swiss Chocolate Fondue, served with fruit and lady fingers for dipping. The chocolate was perfect and not overly sweet which made for the perfect treat after this delicious meal.
Tarpy’s Roadhouse
If you are looking for a restaurant that offers beautiful ambiance AND delicious food, then look no further. With an elegant twist on comfort food, Tarpy’s Roadhouse in Monterey took my tastebuds to the next level and is only a short drive away from Carmel-By-The-Sea. Believe me when I tell you it is well worth it!
We started our meal with appetizers and let me tell you, they were to DIE for!
The “Steak and Eggs” are devilied eggs topped with slivers of steak, truffle aioli and fried capers. Never knew just how much I needed fried capers in my life until this!
For dinner, I sampled the shrimp and grits. THIS DISH. The shrimp were seasoned so well and the grits were creamy and flavorful.
Twisted Roots Winery
I have never felt so at home in a tasting room as I did at Twisted Roots Winery. Owners, Josh and Julie Ruiz, have such an incredible story that they shared with us during our private tasting experience. Josh, who is originally a farmer by trade decided to join his wife’s family business by selling wine out of his trunk from storefront to storefront. With every glass, you can feel their dedication to bringing delicious, sustainable wine to Carmel Valley.
This husband and wife duo have cultivated a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere that can be hard to come by when tasting wine. In fact, Josh noted that he specifically wanted this tasting room to have a fun, accessible vibe where you can enjoy hanging out with family and friends. The wine at Twisted Roots is made with love, no doubt about it. This is a great place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon catching up with your partner or close girlfriends.
Carmel Beach
The sunset at Carmel Beach is something every visitor should experience at least once. I enjoyed taking the long walk down Ocean Avenue and visiting the various boutiques and shops along the way. Such a unique experience to walk with what seemed like everyone in the town, down to the ocean for this beautiful sight.
I cherish each and every moment where I can connect with, laugh with and support other women. This girls trip was absolutely amazing. Carmel-By-The-Sea is such an eclectic destination and would also be the perfect destination for a wedding (Hyatt Highlands Carmel has the perfect spot for your upcoming nuptials), a lowkey romantic honeymoon or even a fun seaside family trip.
Carmel-By-The-Sea is such a magical place, with a rich history that you can literally feel as you walk the cobble stone streets. Have you been to Carmel-By-The-Sea? I’d love to hear what some of your favorite places to visit are in the lovely town. If you haven’t made the trip there yet, you will not be disappointed when you do. Enjoy!
Thank you to Visit Carmel-By-The-Sea, The Hofsas House, Tarpy’s Roadhouse, Hyatt Carmel Highlands, DeTierra Tasting Room, Lugano Swiss Bistro, and Twisted Roots Winery for hosting and gifting me with an incredible weekend getaway.