Dining Help - Carmel
 

Hello!

I am putting together our itinerary for our late March (child free!!!) trip to Carmel. We are booked at the Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley. I have ready about many great places to eat but I am not sure about the logistics of going back and forth.

Day 1
Flight gets in around 1 in San Jose
We are thinking we will take a nice drive and drive through Pebble Beach, catch the bagpipes at Sunset while we have a drink. Head to hotel and off to a late dinner. Since we will be dining a bit late I wonder if it is worth the drive over to Pacific Grove or Carmel for dinner or if we should just stay in Carmel Valley. I have not read about many places to eat in the Valley. Budget is not a huge issue but my husband will not want to pack a jacket likely. I am really stuck on this first night!

Any opinions on Mission Ranch? Is that a nice dinner spot?

Day 2
I am thinking we will grab breakfast in Carmel at Katys Place and head to the wineries in Salinas Valley.

Dinner at Passion Fish

Day 3
Men will probably golf in the am, and I would like to go to the spa. Any recommendations? There is one in Quail Lodge although I am sure it is over-priced.

Afternoon shopping in Carmel and dinner at Bahama Billys.

Day 4
Point Lobos - I must admit I am not a big hikng/nature person...is it worth checking out anyway?

Is there a good lunch spot to stop at if we are going to Point Lobos? Casual.

Will also try to swing by a couple Carmel Valley Wineries.

Dinner: White House in PG maybe? any other italian places besides Casanova's that are good?

I really appreciate the feedback!!
Molly

Point Lobos. Don't miss it. You will love it even if you aren't much of a nature person. Great place to have a picnic. Go early because only a certain number of cars are allowed in the park and after that you have to wait for a car to leave before being admitted.

I am sure it won't be any less expensive but the Pebble Beach Spa is fabulous. Nicest I have ever been to.

For a winery, I like Chateau Julien on the road to Carmel Valley. Good choice with Bahama Billy's. I've been there 3 times in the past year which included my daughter's wedding rehearsal dinner last summer. :-) Not familiar with italian places in PG. Although, I like First Awakenings for breakfast/ brunch/ lunch. It's in the American Tin Cannery near the aquarium.

Oh, I forgot to add two places I like to eat in Carmel Valley: Cafe Rustica and Los Laureles Lodge. Casual lunch and dinners.

It really doesn't matter whether you're inland in Carmel Valley or along the ocean in Carmel, you'll need a jacket - best thing is to layer your clothing, so that you can take off sweaters, jackets, etc. as the day gets hotter or put them back on when the day gets cooler. March can get to be downright cold, especially if it's raining.

In Carmel Valley, there's the Rio Grill which is one of my favorite places to eat in that part of Carmel.

Pt Lobos is really gorgeous in the sunlight. Time your visit during a time when the sun is shining and you can see forever out to sea. It's only two miles south of Carmel, so it's not a long trip away from your hotel. Some of the trails are wheelchair friendly, so it's a "big" hike unless you want to take one of the other trails - as far as I can remember, those are pretty easy too, probably no more difficult than moderate trails.

While the guys are golfing, you may want to have lunch at the complex at the Lodge. There are several restaurants that will be open.

Another lunch spot is Nepenthe. It's south of Point Lobos (about 10 miles would be my guessitimation). If you are driving south, it's on the right hand side of the road. Again, go there only if it's a clear day. Fantastic views.

Enjoy!

On Day 1, if it were I, I would not drive back down the valley for dinner. You have had a flight and a drive from San Jose. That would be enough for me.