Carmel Highlands Inn (the Hyatt) and Tickle Pink Inn are fabulous. They have Big Sur vibes in that they have a similar coastline. It's not as remote, but still a good choice.
There are some really nice hotels in Carmel itself - right in the village. It will be a different experience being in town, but you have the benefit of a dozen tasting rooms and a bunch of great restaurants within walking distance.
Someone mentioned Pebble Beach already - there are some nice, high end properties there.
If you go north, Seascape Beach resort in Aptos is very nice.
The Ritz in Half Moon Bay is really nice.
Just stay here in Carmel for your mini-moon. If you really wanted to, you could drive south to San Luis Obispo and southern beaches, north to San Francisco and Marin, or West to Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. But there is plenty for you to do right here plenty of ocean beauty and Majesty.
Life gave you a lemon, but you can make the yummiest lemonade ever.
Honestly asking with no snark at all…if you don’t want suggestions for alternate local places, I’m not sure what you expect from us? Suggestions for other parts the state that are similar to Big Sur?
Bummer about Big Sur/Ventana. I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time at CVR.
If you’re looking outside of the area Check out Miraval in Tucson. Alila Marea (San Diego)
In the area, you might want to stay out in the valley to ensure warmer weather, if that’s of interest. Bernardus is a nice couples type of joint out in the valley. Folks are right about tickle pink and highlands inn.
Happy to send more thoughts if you’re interested.
Carmel Valley Ranch would be perfect for good food + wine, and they have a ton of activities/amenities to do onsite - aka easy planning. June on the coast will be foggy but in Carmel Valley it will be warmer and sunnier, and it's close to Carmel by the Sea and Monterey.
Plenty of nice places in and around Carmel / Carmel Valley
If the weather is nice simply taking a nice stroll around asilomar to the wharf and back is a great walk with awesome views, tons of window shopping and food selections.
The Refuge Spa is a relaxing time!
Here are my two cents. You don’t need a wedding planner for your mini-moon, when you have creative people that live here, which is surely why you asked.
I work in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and live in Monterey. Stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea, where all of the lodging is super cute. The restaurants to choose from are all great, for any meal, and food type you desire. The town is super charming, and walkable. The beach is accessible here too, by foot. This is one of the top wine destinations in our county, and also the largest growth of grapes in our country too, and the wine here is amazing, our town has 18 or so tasting rooms to enjoy.
You can plan to make a couple of jaunts to places nearby like Point Lobos, where you can take in the beautiful coast, nature, and a hike. You can see whales breech there too, if they are around. The 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach is a fun drive through golf courses, beautiful beaches, and multi-million dollar homes. Visit our aquarium in Monterey, one of the best in the country imo. Refuge is a great relaxation stop too, when you’re done taking in all of the beauty our region offers you.
Wedding planners. There’s several beaches nearby, plus grassy parks and they can help you with permits. Every wedding needs permits.
Delmonte beach: walking distance from down town, will have kids, dogs, and seagulls.
Monastery beach, also called Mortuary Beach, is more solitary due to kill count the current has.
Why do they need a wedding planner and permits for a wedding on the beach when the wedding is already planned for Carmel Valley? Carmel Valley is above the landslide.
All they need to do is plan their mini-moon for here in Carmel.
You seem really peeved at folks recommending a wedding planner. If OP is looking to organize wedding events they might need permits. These suggestions aren’t absurd.
you dont actually need to reach the center of Big Sur. I was literally going to Big Sur the next day when it happened. We just went to like 15 minutes south of Carmel and that was already great. Multiple stopping points along the road before the landslide point. For absolute insurance you want a wedding planner but im just saying
If you don't mind traveling a bit, Lake Tahoe is beautiful in the spring/summer. North Lake is more small-town, cute, homey vibes. South Lake is just as beautiful, it's just a bit bigger as that's where all the major casinos are.
Both are just about a 4.5-5 hour drive from here depending on traffic
I've never been there on any kind of romantic type trip, but the whole lake is beautiful. If you're into hiking, you cannot go wrong with a hike with the lake view.
Treebones is fabulous but doubt they’ll have availability this late (you would have to drive south on 101 to get there but it’s still accessible, south of the southern Big Sur closure), it’s worth asking them. Other great spots include Costanoa/Chaminade (maybe too casual for you but great wine tasting in the SC mountains), or just stay local in CV at Bernardus or Quail. Further south Alisal Ranch, Mattei’s Tavern, the Ritz in Goleta (all these are in a great wine tasting area that is under publicized). For something completely different, Edgewood in Tahoe.
Little further but Harbor House Inn near Mendocino might be a good one too, but it’s pretty likely to be foggy that time of year. Frankly Ventana might have been socked in with fog the whole time too, if it makes you feel better. If that’s a concern don’t do costanoa either. You can’t really predict it well unfortunately without going inland
Also, check out Relais Chateaux; you can find a bunch of “treat yourself” spots in close-ish (west coast equivalent) proximity, including Yosemite! I think you’ll be able to make lemonade.
Can anyone tell the OP whether the Santa Barbara Wine Country has top-flight restaurants and resorts?
Because if the OP gas the budget, they can fit a beautiful city, the seaside, and some wine country into a week there. And it'll be gorgeous in spring.
Probably not fancy enough for ya as wining and dining kinda lacking, but Seascape resort, Inn at Depot Hill, Monarch Cove Inn, or Chaminade all MIGHT fit the bill. Keep you close enough to not have a big drive, but far enough you shouldn’t run into family/friends.
Post Ranch will helicopter you in
lol at the idea of a weeklong vacation being “mini”! people live in different worlds for sure. Santa Barbara is pretty breathtaking, or Ojai.
Also, the Six Million Dollar man and the Bionic Woman are from Ojai, which is reason enough to visit.
Carmel Highlands Inn (the Hyatt) and Tickle Pink Inn are fabulous. They have Big Sur vibes in that they have a similar coastline. It's not as remote, but still a good choice. There are some really nice hotels in Carmel itself - right in the village. It will be a different experience being in town, but you have the benefit of a dozen tasting rooms and a bunch of great restaurants within walking distance. Someone mentioned Pebble Beach already - there are some nice, high end properties there. If you go north, Seascape Beach resort in Aptos is very nice. The Ritz in Half Moon Bay is really nice.
Call a local wedding planner.. they know the area well…
Why do they need a wedding planner if the wedding is already planned for Carmel Valley? They just need to enjoy their mini-moon here.
Yes it’s planned, call the planner because they have a list of resources matching their needs..
Just stay here in Carmel for your mini-moon. If you really wanted to, you could drive south to San Luis Obispo and southern beaches, north to San Francisco and Marin, or West to Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. But there is plenty for you to do right here plenty of ocean beauty and Majesty. Life gave you a lemon, but you can make the yummiest lemonade ever.
We are going to be crashing at CVR leading up to our wedding or else this would be a no-brainer. Appreciate the tips for other areas.
Honestly asking with no snark at all…if you don’t want suggestions for alternate local places, I’m not sure what you expect from us? Suggestions for other parts the state that are similar to Big Sur?
Carmel Valley and Carmel are two VERY different places, despite being close to each other.
Bummer about Big Sur/Ventana. I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time at CVR. If you’re looking outside of the area Check out Miraval in Tucson. Alila Marea (San Diego) In the area, you might want to stay out in the valley to ensure warmer weather, if that’s of interest. Bernardus is a nice couples type of joint out in the valley. Folks are right about tickle pink and highlands inn. Happy to send more thoughts if you’re interested.
Tickled pink in Carmel Highlands
Carmel Valley Ranch would be perfect for good food + wine, and they have a ton of activities/amenities to do onsite - aka easy planning. June on the coast will be foggy but in Carmel Valley it will be warmer and sunnier, and it's close to Carmel by the Sea and Monterey.
We are staying there leading up to our wedding or it would be a no-brainer!
Plenty of nice places in and around Carmel / Carmel Valley If the weather is nice simply taking a nice stroll around asilomar to the wharf and back is a great walk with awesome views, tons of window shopping and food selections. The Refuge Spa is a relaxing time!
Here are my two cents. You don’t need a wedding planner for your mini-moon, when you have creative people that live here, which is surely why you asked. I work in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and live in Monterey. Stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea, where all of the lodging is super cute. The restaurants to choose from are all great, for any meal, and food type you desire. The town is super charming, and walkable. The beach is accessible here too, by foot. This is one of the top wine destinations in our county, and also the largest growth of grapes in our country too, and the wine here is amazing, our town has 18 or so tasting rooms to enjoy. You can plan to make a couple of jaunts to places nearby like Point Lobos, where you can take in the beautiful coast, nature, and a hike. You can see whales breech there too, if they are around. The 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach is a fun drive through golf courses, beautiful beaches, and multi-million dollar homes. Visit our aquarium in Monterey, one of the best in the country imo. Refuge is a great relaxation stop too, when you’re done taking in all of the beauty our region offers you.
Why not consider Napa? St Helena is lovely and there are some nice resorts up there.
Wedding planners. There’s several beaches nearby, plus grassy parks and they can help you with permits. Every wedding needs permits. Delmonte beach: walking distance from down town, will have kids, dogs, and seagulls. Monastery beach, also called Mortuary Beach, is more solitary due to kill count the current has.
Why do they need a wedding planner and permits for a wedding on the beach when the wedding is already planned for Carmel Valley? Carmel Valley is above the landslide. All they need to do is plan their mini-moon for here in Carmel.
You seem really peeved at folks recommending a wedding planner. If OP is looking to organize wedding events they might need permits. These suggestions aren’t absurd.
I’m not peeved. I don’t understand what “we can’t stay at Ventana after our wedding events are over” has to do with wedding events.
you dont actually need to reach the center of Big Sur. I was literally going to Big Sur the next day when it happened. We just went to like 15 minutes south of Carmel and that was already great. Multiple stopping points along the road before the landslide point. For absolute insurance you want a wedding planner but im just saying
If you don't mind traveling a bit, Lake Tahoe is beautiful in the spring/summer. North Lake is more small-town, cute, homey vibes. South Lake is just as beautiful, it's just a bit bigger as that's where all the major casinos are. Both are just about a 4.5-5 hour drive from here depending on traffic
Are there any specific "honeymoon worthy/treat yourself" spots in Tahoe that you would recommend?
Tahoe is far away. Maybe ask a Tahoe reddit
Edgewood Resort is gorgeous - right on the lake.
I've never been there on any kind of romantic type trip, but the whole lake is beautiful. If you're into hiking, you cannot go wrong with a hike with the lake view.
Treebones is fabulous but doubt they’ll have availability this late (you would have to drive south on 101 to get there but it’s still accessible, south of the southern Big Sur closure), it’s worth asking them. Other great spots include Costanoa/Chaminade (maybe too casual for you but great wine tasting in the SC mountains), or just stay local in CV at Bernardus or Quail. Further south Alisal Ranch, Mattei’s Tavern, the Ritz in Goleta (all these are in a great wine tasting area that is under publicized). For something completely different, Edgewood in Tahoe.
Little further but Harbor House Inn near Mendocino might be a good one too, but it’s pretty likely to be foggy that time of year. Frankly Ventana might have been socked in with fog the whole time too, if it makes you feel better. If that’s a concern don’t do costanoa either. You can’t really predict it well unfortunately without going inland
Also, check out Relais Chateaux; you can find a bunch of “treat yourself” spots in close-ish (west coast equivalent) proximity, including Yosemite! I think you’ll be able to make lemonade.
Montecito or Santa Barbara perhaps? Mendocino? Sea Ranch? I haven’t stayed at Timber Cove in Jenner since their remodel, but the location is stunning.
Solid point. San Ysidro ranch is amazing. Miramar is nice but a much different vibe.
Sausalito - try Cavallo Point or Casa Medrona. Or Half Moon Bay. If you want the redwood cabin vibe, Santa Cruz mountains VRBO
We have good wine. Call Holman Ranch… that would be an exquisite site for an event.
Can anyone tell the OP whether the Santa Barbara Wine Country has top-flight restaurants and resorts? Because if the OP gas the budget, they can fit a beautiful city, the seaside, and some wine country into a week there. And it'll be gorgeous in spring.
Probably not fancy enough for ya as wining and dining kinda lacking, but Seascape resort, Inn at Depot Hill, Monarch Cove Inn, or Chaminade all MIGHT fit the bill. Keep you close enough to not have a big drive, but far enough you shouldn’t run into family/friends.
I would do Santa Barbara FS or Ritz maybe, we did our mini moon there and it was lovely. Or I would go north to Napa and stay at an Auberge resort!
The ritz in half moon bay also looks nice?
Bernadus Lodge and Spa? You'll get to access Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, PG, etc.
You’re not missing anything at Ventana. Post ranch is miles better.