How to Enjoy a Weekend in Carmel Valley, California

Carmel Valley offers a world of pastoral pleasures.

Carmel Valley is a sun-drenched oasis just inland from Carmel and Monterey, but a world away in nearly every respect. Visitors here will discover sensational golfing, excellent wining and dining, and some of the best lodgings in Central California.

Instructions

1. Those able to splurge a bit on their lodgings will have an easy choice-the Bernardus Lodge, showing off European luxury and peerless hospitality in a handsome setting. Budget lodging is a bit lacking in the area, but the Blue Sky Lodge is hip and affordable option if you're watching the wallet (or purse), and dog owners will want to check out the friendly Carmel Valley Lodge.

2. On a nice day, it's hard to picture a more pastoral oasis than Garland Ranch Regional Park, with wooded canyons, open plains and inviting trails of varying lengths. The park is almost 10 miles inland from Highway 1, and is often sunny even when the coast is draped with fog.

3. While the community is really an artery of countryside activity that runs along Carmel Valley Road, try to make at least a short stop at little Carmel Valley Village, which serves as the downtown for most intents and purposes. Hungry travelers will love the spicy fare at Taqueria Del Valle and a handful of tasteful tasting rooms-Joullian's is especially nice-and makes for a pleasant afternoon "wine walk."

4. If your "grape expectations" are grander than a few tasting rooms, take the time to visit and tour one of the valley's venerable vineyards, which have dotted the landscape here since the 1800s. One excellent choice is Chateau Julien, right on Carmel Valley Road about five miles inland from Highway 1, with 16 attractive acres and daily tastings-with tours available via advance notice.

5. Golfers will drool at the sight of the Pete Dye-designed course at the Carmel Valley Ranch, and the links at Quail Lodge Resort are also impressive. Perfectly pleasant public holes can be found at the Rancho Canada Golf Club's two courses.

6. Another awesome outdoor offering awaits at Holman Ranch, where horseback riding adventures range from gentle 30-minute rides for kids to two-hour excursions through winding trails along dramatic mountain ridges. The old Hacienda-style ranch also boasts a respectable vineyard, and its 400-acre estate is home to plenty of weddings and other events.

7. Amongst the several celebrated dining options in Carmel Valley, don't miss the amazing Citronelle restaurant at Carmel Valley Ranch, serving some of the best modern French fare in the entire state. An equally tempting option is at the Bernardus Lodge, where Marinus offers premier Californian cuisine complemented by about 1,800 selections of wine.

8. For something a bit different, stop by Paul Wilson Sculpture Studio on Robinson Canyon Road. The working studio/gallery shows off a wealth of Wilson's metal, stone and wood creations, and you can sometimes catch the seasoned artist at work as well.

Tips & Warnings

• In warm weather, take a side trip to some of the pretty beaches in Carmel-by-the-Sea, only minutes away.

• Plan ahead when visiting in high season!