About
The Carmel River runs from the Santa Lucia mountains to the Pacific Ocean, creating a spectacular, verdant valley.
Once the home of dairies, ranches, and farms, Carmel Valley is now home to many lifestyles – from rustic, sprawling ranches to dramatic million dollar homes. With lush golf coursesand breathtaking views, visitors and residents alike are always in awe of Carmel Valley’s natural beauty. Locals include fourth generation farmers and ranchers as well as hollywood and political notables.
Visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach can leave the fog behind and, within just a few minutes, enjoy Carmel Valley’s rolling countryside and abundant sunshine. Carmel Valley stretches eastward from the Pacific Ocean on Carmel Valley Road. Here at this crossroad, called “the mouth of the Valley” by locals, are several large shopping areas filled with a wide variety of delightful restaurants, markets, and shops. Whether you’re interested in freshly caught fish from the nearby Monterey Bay waters, French country linens, an unusual book, or precious jewels, Carmel Valley is the place to stroll through lovely garden decked shops.
Continuing east, you pass championship golf courses, including the newly renovated, Quail Lodge Resort, set against a back drop of dramatic California hills. Horses and cows begin to appear along with organic farms and local vegetable stands, yet are sprinkled with antique shops, enjoyable restaurants, world class lodges, and the Chateau Julien Winery. Join the hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and dog lovers at Garland Regional Park about eight miles in.
Only a short 12 miles inland is the quaint Carmel Valley Village. Here many of the winegrowers of the Carmel Valley Appellation have delightful tasting rooms, making an afternoon of wine tasting a breeze. For those more athletically inclined, Holman Ranch offers horseback riding for every level. The Village is also home to a variety of superb restaurants, delightful shops and interesting galleries. There are many choices of lodging in Carmel Valley, from the exquisite Bernardus Lodge to the Hidden Valley Elderhostel, with many choices in between including Carmel Valley Lodge, Los Laureles Lodge, Carmel Valley Country Inns, and Gardiner’s Resort. The Magic Circle or Hidden Valley Theaters may have a play or concert for your evening enjoyment.
Beyond the Village, Carmel Valley Road winds towards the vineyards of Cachagua and the famous Tassajara Hot Springs and Zen Center, passing great cattle ranches and forest wilderness.
The remote beauty of Carmel Valley makes it a perfect venue for a wedding celebration or other special occasion. But whether you choose to visit Carmel Valley for a long, relaxing weekend or decide to make Carmel Valley your home, you will be continually delighted by the natural beauty, myriad of activities, breadth of resources, and welcoming community.
