EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF CARMEL VALLEY AT BERNARDUS LODGE AND SPA
Carmel Valley, California was made for wine country weddings and getaways. As a favorite destination for celebrities, socialites, and cultural icons, Carmel Valley has been frequented by everyone from John Steinbeck, to Steve Jobs, to Salvadore Dali. With its rustic scenery, sprawling estates, award-winning restaurants, and scenic location between the Santa Lucia Mountains, it’s the perfect place for wedding celebrations, romantic getaways, and girls’ weekends alike. To experience the best of Carmel Valley, couples and travelers will want to check in to Bernardus Lodge & Spa. From award-winning dining to romantic soaking tubs for two, this luxury resort has everything visitors need to enjoy California wine country in style.
Carmel Valley Wine
The weather in Carmel Valley is very mild throughout the year, ranging from 42 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit on average, with cold nights occasionally dropping to 34 and hotter days reaching 75. Fall is the best time to visit Carmel Valley, and locals often refer to the months of September through November as the “secret season.” This is the most popular time for Carmel Valley weddings, as guests can enjoy days filled with sunshine followed by cool nights around the firepit. The temperate climate also lends itself to creating California’s world-famous Carmel Valley wine.
Bernardus Lodge offers some of the best wines and libations in Carmel Valley. As a 28-acre estate, Bernardus has its own vineyards and makes its own wine, so guests can sample the best of Carmel Valley wines right at the heart of its production. Additionally, Bernardus has large vegetable and herb gardens, fruit trees, and produces its own honey. After guests have had their fair share of wine tastings, they can switch things up with any of the property’s beautiful “garden-to-glass” cocktails, expertly crafted by their mixologists.
Top Carmel Valley Restaurants – Lucia Restaurant & Bar
The crown jewel of the Bernardus Lodge & Spa is Lucia Restaurant & Bar, which is a top Carmel Valley restaurant. Here, visitors can experience farm-to-table dining at its finest. The seasonal, award-winning menu showcases fresh produce grown on the property, along with elevated yet comforting dishes that reflect the California wine country region. It’s the perfect spot for couples to host welcome or reception dinners, as well as a post-wedding farewell brunch.
Some of their all-star dishes include house made rosemary focaccia, a Dungeness crab cake, artichoke and fontina cheese ravioli, and the 8oz Bernardus burger. To end the night on a high note, there are sweet treats like the Bernardus beehive honey cake, baked dark chocolate mousse, or a Basque burnt cheesecake with pina colada foam, vanilla-pineapple compote, and toasted coconut.
Private dining is also available for those who’d like to host more intimate gatherings, engagements, or date nights.
The Spa at Bernardus Lodge
As if the picturesque wine country setting, endless wine pours, and sumptuous food weren’t enough, guests may also enjoy the Spa at Bernardus Lodge. The spa is an absolute wellness sanctuary, dedicated to “effortless relaxation.” Wedding guests will love indulging in some pre-wedding spa treatments, while couples may want to stay for a couple days after the wedding and unwind with some luxurious spa journeys.
Along with traditional spa treatments like massages and facials, the Spa at Bernardus Lodge also takes a multi-angle approach to wellness by offering various workshops and activities. This includes complimentary yoga sessions on select days, Full Moon and New Moon rituals, Chef-guided garden tours, starlight warming pool rentals, an annual lavender harvest and celebration in July, hikes to Garland Ranch Regional Park, and open courts for tennis, bocce, and croquet.
Weddings at Bernardus Lodge
Weddings at Bernardus Lodge & Spa offer their own brand of luxury and romance. The Wedding Garden is the most popular location for gorgeous wine country wedding ceremonies, and guests love playing lawn games during cocktail hour. Couples may want to have their reception outside as well for a wedding under the stars; but should they need to take the celebration indoors, the Meritage Ballroom is also available with stunning views of the mountains.
Bernardus Lodge is where couples and their loved ones can gather together for a destination wedding, minus any of the stress from a typical wedding weekend. The Bernardus team is well-versed in hosting weddings of all sizes and aesthetics, so the only thing a couple has to do is relax and enjoy the ride. With luxury accommodations, delectable farm-to-table food, fine wines, and pampering spa services, Bernardus truly represents the best of Carmel Valley.
Visit bernarduslodge.com for more information.