Activities
The activities suggested below are a fantastic way to spend some time in the area. If you want more ideas, specifically on hiking, biking, kayaking, or camping please contact us, email or phone. As noted above, you are encouraged to visit and hang out at the ranch and join in the numerous festivities.
Wine Tour
We’re still nailing down the details but it’s looking like we’re going to start in Carmel Valley around 2pm and end at Dara’s grandmothers around 5pm. We will send an update on this soon.
Big Sur is an incredibly beautiful area and loaded with must-see sights and fun activities. We hope that you consider coming for an extended weekend, or even better - a whole week! Here's 10 activities that warrant a longer trip down to our wedding:
1. Spend a full day poking along the coast and exploring the beaches. The coastline between Carmel and Big Sur is world-famous for its mouth-watering vistas. Here's a few you really must see (these are marked on our wedding Google Map): Garrapata Beach, Pheiffer Beach, Molera Beach, Partington Cove, Jade Cove, Julia Pheiffer Burns (picture above), Carmel River Beach (wave pic below).
2. Spend an afternoon at Point Lobos State Reserve hiking along the coastal trails and mossy forests. Robert Luis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island looking at Point Lobos.
3. Take the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and be mesmerized by 50 foot tall giant kelp, sea otters, and one of the largest deep-water exhibits in the country! http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
4. Spend a day hiking in one of the numerous State Parks or National Forests - we'll have some suggestions and maps for you on site.
5. Enjoy a scenic drive around the Monterey Peninsula - and discover why Dara and Mark's families both fell in love with this area almost a century ago. This is a great add-on activity after you finish at the aquarium. Drive from Cannery Row and Old Monterey around the point past Asilomar Beach (amazing surfing, see picture below), Pacific Grove, visit the 17-mile drive (if you don't mind paying the $10 fee), Carmel, drive from Carmel Beach along the coast to Carmel River Beach, and take a stroll along the munching surf (picture above right).
6. Take a drive out to sleepy Carmel Valley for some hiking in Garland Park National Reserve, and end the afternoon with some wine-tasting in the Valley. We'll have a map and recommended stops on site. Garland Park: http://www.mprpd.org/parks/garland.htm Wine Touring: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/monterey-wineries.html
7. Rent sea kayaks at Elk Horn Slough (Monterey Bay) and explore a beautiful wetland rich with migratory birds. Bird geeks will go crazy here! http://montereybaykayaks.com/info/moss_landing.php8. And speaking of birds, after all these activities, you'll be ready for a lazy day at the Newell ranch next to the rustic pool with your favorite book, a cool drink, and a pair of binoculars to watch the California Condors as they soar above the ridge behind the ranch.
9. Catch and release blue-belly lizards all day. If you get antsy, take a stroll down into the redwood canyon along the creek (which feeds the ranch its water) or hike up to the ridge-top for views like this:
10. Enjoy a sunset cocktail at Nepenthe Restaurant on their back porch. While you're there, check out their fabulous crafty gift shop. http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/
11. ONLY FOR THE TRUE ADVENTURER: Treat your soul with a late-night soak at the Esalen Hot springs (pools are open to the public from 2:00am to 6:00am!) http://www.esalen.org/
Okay - we could go on - but you get the point! Don't just come for the weekend - come for the whole week! And hey, consider camping with us to make the longer trip affordable.
