My Life is a Journey Not a Destination: Lifestyle Blog
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss/Healthy Living
  • Contact me
  • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • About me
    • Colombia
  • Network and other affiliations

Carmel, California: A Weekend Guide

6/30/2017

9 Comments

 
To facilitate this post, we received complementary accommodations and entrance to some attractions. However all opinions expressed are my own.
Carmel, California: A Weekend Guide
I was overdue for a mini vacation. After a few months of having some health issues, it was good to go out of town with friends. We all work and have busy schedules. So we knew we needed a quick trip. We needed a place that was not to expensive and totally worth the drive. It was easy to decide to visit Carmel, California. 
So here it is a good itinerary to follow if you only have a weekend to drive up north to visit Carmel and Monterey area. You can actually do all of it on a weekend, or if you need and want some time to rest, you might want to have a long weekend or take either Friday or Monday off to complete your drive.

Drive north on the 101

If you are any where in Southern California, you want to head towards the 101 North. The drive itself, once you get out of Los Angeles are is a really nice one. After passing Ventura County, you will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the ocean as you drive towards Santa Barbara. Then after Santa Barbara you get amazing mountains views and also some vineyards. 
Drive north on the 101

First stop: Ostrichland

Since all members of the #BloggerTrio are animal lovers, we decided to make a quick stop at Ostrichland. Located in Buellton, California, just a few miles from Solvang, this place is home to Ostriches and Emus. For a small nominal fee you get to go the fields where the animals are. Also for just $1 you can buy a bowl of food to feed them. Pretty cool picture opportunities and also a great way to learn about this exotic birds. 
Once you are ready to leave, you can shop at the store. Ostriches eggs and other pretty cool souvenirs are available.
Ostrichland USA
Ostrichland USA
For more information you can visit Ostrichland

Second stop: Solvang

After feeding the Ostriches and Emus, we were hungry. We all knew that a great place to have lunch (or brunch) is Solvang. The Danish Village has great places to eat. You can find everything. Some European options but they also have fast food and other types of foods. 
Not only the food is amazing at Solvang, but the town has the most unique shops for small gifts, wine tasting, cheese tasting and bakeries. 
Solvang is also a great place to just walk with the family, get some ice cream and ride the horse trolley. 
We got to walk around, take some great pictures and have brunch!
Solvang
Egg Benedectine
Solvang

​Where to stay at Carmel, California

After a few hours of driving, you will arrive at Carmel. Since the town is a tourist destination, I would recommend to have reservations in advance. The last time we visited Carmel, we stayed at a cozy hotel, Hofsas House. 
We love boutique hotels because of their hospitality and their service. One cool thing about Hofsas House, is that the rooms are big, they have a fire place and you can add extras to your room such as massages or cheese and wine.
Hofsas House Hotel
Wine and cheese at Hofsas House Hotel

​What to do while in Carmel, California

Carmel is a tourist town. It is a small city beach located in the Monterey Peninsula. It has great shops, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. It is a place to enjoy with friends, but also great to travel with your kids.

1. Wine Walk

​Wine Tasting Passport that allows to have one flight at ten of the 14 participating tasting rooms. It can be used in one day or spread out over a weekend, several weeks, or even months.
Wine Walk Carmel California

2. Whale Watching at Monterey

Even if you get a little sea sick whale watching is a experience you must do while in Monterey. We went with Discovery Whale Watch. I was very pleased with them. Their boat is small, but that is good, because it means less people on your way and chance of better pictures. Their staff is great. They teach you a lot about the whales (and other sea creatures) behaviors. We say probably 20 Risso dolphins and at least 5 humpback whales.
Discovery Whale Watching Monterey Bay
Discovery Whale Watching Monterey Bay
Photo courtesy Discovery Whale Watching
For more information visit Discovery Whale Watch

3. Dinner at Monterey FIsherman's Wharf 

The Wharf offers many choices. As you walk by the pier, you can see the meals, you can even have samples. If you sign up online, you can get a VIP card that will provide you with some discounts.
Our choice for dinner was Abalonetti Bar & Grill, a very recommended restaurant by locals. If you love calamari, this is the place for you. 
On our menu was
Appetizer: Fried Monterey Calamari
Drinks: Happy hour margaritas and also the mango pina colada
Entrees: Abalonetti's original calamari and Grilled calamari steak
Dessert: Creme brulee

It was one of the best calamari dinners we have ever had. I cannot wait to take my son (who loves seafood) here.
Fried Calamari Abalonetti
Fried Monterey Calamari
Abalonetti Calamari
Abalonetti The Original
Grilled Calamari Steak
Grilled Calamari Steak Photo courtesy @DangerCupcake
creme brulee Abalonetti
Creme Brulee
For more information visit Abalonetti Bar & Grill

4. Picnic at the beach with food from the 5th Avenue Deli in Carmel)

If you have time to visit the beach, you should stop by the 5th Avenue Deli and grab some food and have a picnic by the beach. You can also grab the food to enjoy on the road while you drive back home.
The prices are affordable, they have pre-made food such as salads, and they can also craft sandwiches for you. They offer very convenient to go boxes.
5th avenue deli carmel
5th avenue deli carmel boxed lunch
For more information you can visit 5th Avenue Deli

5. Drive around the 17 mile drive

One of my favorite things to do when I visit Carmel. The views are amazing, great picture opportunities. The map details all the stops and you can even have picnic by the beach at some stops. The 17 mile drive is a must do!
Lone Cypress
Lone Cypress
Point Joe
Point Joe
The drive back home is as cool as the way here. You can even take the HWY 1 and visit Big Sur.
Although the roads have been closed for a complete drive down towards Los Angeles, you can still visit some of the beaches near by. 
Big Sur from Carmel
9 Comments
roch link
7/2/2017 08:52:15 pm

Trying out a wine flight with 14 different types of wine sounds really great. Are those wines from different regions or made of different grape varietals? I'm also interested to check out the ostrich farm, especially when coming with the kids.

Reply
Lori Bosworth link
7/3/2017 06:05:32 am

Wow, looks like you had an amazing weekend. I have yet to do Southern California. I would love to visit that Danish village and Carmel looks like a charming town. Love the fireplace in your room!

Reply
Katherine D'Costa link
7/3/2017 12:22:44 pm

That's such a beautiful part of the country. And I think my kids would lose their minds at that ostrich farm, too cute. It's been years since I've been, so definitely time to revisit.

Reply
Vidya Sudarsan link
7/3/2017 01:50:24 pm

Carmel is just a few hours from where I live. I might have visited all these spots several times yet never get tired of them! I am always looking for an opportunity to take my friends and family who visit us to Carmel. Great write up and your photographs are amazing!

Reply
Chloe link
7/3/2017 07:58:47 pm

Now that Wine Walk sounds right up my alley! I'll have to visit here one day to check these places out!

Reply
Ali Rost
7/3/2017 07:59:00 pm

Sometimes a short little getaway is just what the doctor ordered. Good for you. I couldn't help but smile at the cute /not-so-cute ostrich .. and marvel at the photos of the whales. They're such amazing creatures aren't they? x

Reply
David Elliott link
7/3/2017 09:44:01 pm

I know that this trip is amazing. I have made the trip myself only in reverse one time. Going down the coast all the way from Washington and down the coastline. Although my ex didn't really like it with all the twists and turns. It was incredibly beautiful though. Just amazing views of everything.

Reply
Shelly B link
7/4/2017 07:32:26 am

What an exciting trip you had! How you crammed all of those things in one weekend is beyond me. I would definitely visit the Danish Village and partake in the Whale Watching. I love the scenic views at 17 Mile Drive, so probably would stop there as well. Amazing photos and great review!

Reply
Crystal Lopez link
7/5/2017 08:26:08 am

What an awesome grownup getaway this would be. I have never been to California. I don't think I've ever seen an ostrich farm here in Texas. What a unique trip this would be.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Follow Us

    Follow us Instagram
    @monicazyoung
    Picture
    Picture
    Tripadvisor Influencer

    Categories

    All
    50 Things To Do Before Turning 50
    5k Or Races
    All
    Beauty
    Bento
    Cars
    Challenges
    Christmas
    Colombia
    Crafts
    Culture
    Disney
    Dog
    Dvd
    Education
    En Espanol
    Fall
    Food
    Gift Guides
    Giveaways
    Halloween
    Health
    Hipanicize
    Hollywood Bowl
    Ketogenic Diet
    Kids
    Knott's
    Legoland
    Lego Party
    Lent
    Los Angeles Zoo
    Mamavation
    Movies
    Music
    Muylatinas
    Muy Latinas Network
    Non Profit
    Non-profit
    Organic
    Organization
    Party Ideas
    Places
    Recetas
    Recipes
    Reviews
    Salud
    San Diego Zoo
    SeaWorld
    Six Flags
    Spanish
    Spring
    Summer Activities
    Theme Parks
    The Queen Mary
    Travel
    Tv
    Universal Studios
    Valentine's Day
    Ventura County
    Video Games
    Weight
    Where To Go
    Wordless Wednesday
    Wordless Wednesday

    Archives

    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    December 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    RSS Feed

    Visit monica's profile on Pinterest.
Copyright My life is a journey
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss/Healthy Living
  • Contact me
  • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • About me
    • Colombia
  • Network and other affiliations