As a mother of two muddling through a pandemic, I often have regular daydreams about vacation. It would be free of so many things. I would not cook, I would not clean a floor, and I would not put away toys. There would be no Zoom school and no bedtime routines. My own four walls would be replaced by a sanctuary of someone else’s design.
Clients in a similar pandemic state of mind are sure to find relief at Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel, Calif. Our own visit to the Central Coast property in California seemed to take place just in time – right after I’d washed my millionth dish. We drove as a family of four up Highway 101 from Los Angeles to experience the ranch and found so many all-play-and-no-work options that we vowed to return before we had left.
Book a one-, two-, three-, or four-bedroom suite for families.
Credit: 2021 Carmel Valley Ranch
Accommodations
Carmel Valley Ranch does understated luxury very well. By keeping indoor decor refined yet unfussy — and spreading accommodations out across acres of beautiful scenery — the ranch ensures that guests will enjoy their rooms but also revel in the bounty of the place.
Accommodations at the all-suite ranch are separated by vineyards, golf course links and tree-lined walking paths, with the lodge acting as the central hub for the property. Our own suite was connected to the lodge by a meandering shaded trail and a footbridge — our party spotted a deer enroute to the lodge one morning and a wild turkey the next. If our sights were set on a place farther than the lodge, we could drive there or call for a ranch shuttle. But when our toddler could handle the distance, we walked to better enjoy the scenery.
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Our one-bedroom suite worked well for our family, but groups who need more space can opt for a two-, three- or four-bedroom suite. All come with a fireplace and a deck, the latter with a valley or vineyard view. For an added sense of retreat, book a suite with an outdoor tub on the deck.
The writer’s daughter loved the wooden swings found throughout the property.
Credit: 2021 Chelsee LoweKid-Friendly Areas to Play
Much of Carmel Valley Ranch literature describes the property as a playground, and a few hours into our stay we understood why. I love a good map, so my eldest daughter and I looked over the property map right away and discussed what we most wanted to see and do. Time at the family center, called River Ranch, was first up.
The River Ranch activity complex, my 8-year-old daughter Olivia decided, is essentially a dream backyard. And she’s right— it has all the things you need for various stages of childhood. Olivia swam in the family pool, relaxed in both kid-friendly hot tubs and tried bocce ball with her dad. Lottie, our toddler, liked the splash pad and mini jungle gym, and made friends with a little girl accompanied by a rubber duckie collection.
Although those were our preferred corners, other options surrounded us. A group of teens played Spikeball on the lawn between the pool and the firepits. Others picnicked on lounge chairs, enjoying snacks sold at the River Ranch Cafe. A basketball court, tennis courts and Flex Pool (for those 16 and up) were right there, too.
And while we opted to stick together as a family for our stay, kids ready to break free of their grown-ups might sign up for camps of varying time frames at the Activity Cottage. Activity-specific classes are also available for different age groups via advance reservations — think archery, horse meet-and-greets, tennis lessons and a bee-keeping experience at the property’s very own apiary.
Exploring Carmel Valley Ranch’s organic garden
Credit: 2021 Chelsee LoweWhen we weren’t at River Ranch, you could find us wandering the walkways that curl about the property. Olivia delighted in the wooden swings dangling from massive oak trees. We spent an hour identifying flowers and vegetables in the garden, and kept Lottie from picking too many. One morning, we tasked the kids with a legitimate hike on Horseshoe Trail. We got lost on our way to the trailhead, first walking through the pinot vineyard then not knowing which way to go next. Once we found our path and made our way along it and to the property’s climbing trees, we felt spent. A ranch worker nearby offered to call in a shuttle rescue. We headed downhill just enough to catch it, then were whisked away right to our suite — a luxury the parents truly appreciated.
On-Site Dining
I love a good coffee shop, and Carmel Valley Ranch has their version of one with The Market and Creamery. Only, it is quite a bit more than a coffee shop. There are grab-and-go meals as well, plus wine, honey and lavender-infused products made with ranch-grown ingredients. And there’s demonstrations and tastings held there throughout the day, from cupcake decorating and ice-cream churning for little ones, to oyster hour and sea-salt tastings for the more mature crowd.
While the Clubhouse Grill at the golf clubhouse is also a dining option, we couldn’t seem to pull ourselves away from Valley Kitchen Restaurant, which sits at one side of the lodge and extends onto an outdoor terrace with vineyard views. We had fantastic meals here at every time of day, with many components cultivated on these grounds, including produce from the organic garden and cheese made with milk from the ranch’s goats. We had morning oats sweetened with Carmel Valley Ranch honey, asparagus soup garnished with garden edibles and whole-roasted garlic from the neighboring town of Gilroy.
We did venture off the property for a meal or two, simply to see the local landscape a bit more. Guests can drive 15 minutes to eat in the adorable Carmel-by-the-Sea— don’t miss local favorite Village Corner Bistro. We also enjoyed a family dinner at Carmel Valley’s much-loved Cafe Rustica, right down the road from the ranch.
Relaxation, for some of us, is a sense of slowing down. That’s what we got to do at Carmel Valley Ranch. Despite the number of possibilities, there was little sense of rush, and little need to rush. We lingered around the table at Valley Kitchen Restaurant. We got lost then found our way in the hills. We felt the air whirl past us on wooden swings.
It was exactly what we needed, right when we needed it.
COVID-19 Protocols
As of press time, face coverings are required in indoor public spaces.
The Details
Carmel Valley Ranch
