Carmel Valley Ranch is one of California’s best-kept secrets, an all-suite resort playground tucked away in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains on the sunny side of the Monterey Peninsula. Named one of the top resorts in Northern California in Cond  Nast Traveler’s prestigious 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards, The Ranch is situated on 500 lush acres adjacent to the 4,400-acre Garland Ranch Regional Park. Guests enjoy easy access to miles of scenic hiking and can explore vineyards, gardens, and other natural wonders bordering the resort’s Pete Dye-designed golf course.

Carmel Valley Ranch is a place to grow young, where people can truly play—throwing caution to the wind, listening to their inner child, seeking pure, absolute fun. The Ranch makes it possible to pursue all kinds of adventure, from activities that thrill to opportunities to chill. Guests can take in artisan demonstrations, experience a revitalizing spa treatment, explore vineyards and gardens, play the area’s only Pete Dye-designed golf course, and much more. The resort’s most recent reimagination introduced a vast array of enhancements, including The Market & Creamery, two interactive culinary spaces; redesigned suites featuring smart-room technology; a new spa reception area and boutique; updates to meeting and event spaces; and a refresh of the golf clubhouse. The Ranch also continues to add experiential programming for all ages and interests, such as equine experiences,

Families, couples, and individuals alike will feel right at home in the all-suite accommodations at Carmel Valley Ranch. Comfortable and refined, they provide space to kick back after a long day of play—and plenty of room to keep the playfulness going. The resort features 177 spacious suites with valley-inspired interiors and furnishings that bring the outdoors in, open floor plans, fireplaces, and more. Averaging around 800 square feet, each suite includes a private deck, separate living room, complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen television, smart-room technology, and bath amenities made with fresh-pressed lavender harvested on property.

Suites range from studios to four-bedroom configurations, with many offering outdoor soaking tubs, kitchens, and other features perfect for entertaining. All provide stunning valley and vineyard views.

Dining:

Located at the heart of the resort, Valley Kitchen is the social hub of Carmel Valley Ranch. Designed by Rodrigo Vargas Design, SB Architects and The Paul Davis Partnership, the restaurant opened in 2015; it features an expansive 1,500-square-foot outdoor terrace with stunning views of the valley and vineyard below, as well as hanging lanterns that twinkle from ancient oaks at night. The restaurant’s main dining room features wooden tables with nail-head detailing and tweed settees, while a centerpiece bar pairs a reclaimed-wood wall with rustic shelves that display honey jars as a nod to the resort’s own beehives. A cozy lounge off the bar features comfortable chairs, sofas, and pool views.

Valley Kitchen’s menu reflects a hand-crafted, homegrown approach to food. Utilizing ingredients from the resort’s gardens, salt house, goats, and chickens, along with The Market & Creamery, every dining experience encompasses the produce, products, and people of Carmel Valley. It’s uncomplicated, unfussy, and delicious—perfectly embodying the values and light-hearted spirit of The Ranch.

Spa:

Nestled in the treetops, inspired by fragrant gardens and the four seasons, is the full-service Spa Aiyana (the Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation term for “eternal blossom”). A spacious 10,500 square feet, this natural escape features immersive treatments for individuals and couples such as massage and body work, sleep therapy, and more—many utilizing ingredients harvested in the resort’s gardens and beehives. For more intensive revitalization, our team of licensed estheticians provides clinical-grade skincare such as the HydraFacial™, exclusive to The Ranch. Spa Aiyana offers three VIP spa treatment suites with fireplaces, which can be connected for private events; eight deluxe spa treatment rooms; and a manicure and pedicure salon overlooking our living roof succulent garden. The spa’s wellness program encourages guests to interact with nature through hiking, meditative walks, and yoga on the spectacular hilltop yoga platform. A Spa Experience Coordinator is available daily to consult on treatments and activities. Spa Aiyana also features an Experience Bar, where guests can sample organically sourced luxury skincare products; the Boutique offers lifestyle and resort apparel as well as swimwear.

Activities:

As a resort dedicated to play in all its various forms, Carmel Valley Ranch offers guests a wealth of opportunities to expand their horizons or simply enjoy longtime favorites. Outdoor activities abound among the resort’s 500 acres of gardens, trails, and other natural wonders, with highlights such as equine experiences, disc golf, off-road excursions, and much more. Indoor pursuits include artisan-led culinary demonstrations and classes, spa-inspired workshops, and other interactive adventures. For the sports-minded, golf, tennis, pickleball, and bocce are available, along with a broad selection of complimentary fitness offerings. Many activities are geared specifically toward children and/or families as well—The Ranch is truly a setting with something for everyone.

Golf:

Carmel Valley Ranch features the only Pete Dye-designed bentgrass golf course in Northern California, a par-70 layout that offers something for all players: tactical shots, dramatic elevation changes, and incredible scenery. It’s a rollicking good time, ranked among the top resort courses in the country by Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” readers’ survey. The clubhouse offers spectacular views of the course, along with interiors that incorporate the colors, textures, and vibe of the valley. Featuring sweeping vistas, an expansive bar, and a large outdoor patio with fire pits, it provides a contemporary ambiance and stylish social atmosphere for both golfers and non-golfers.

Tennis:

The Ranch has seven courts for tennis and four for pickleball at River Ranch, with programming led by Peter Burwash International professionals. Programs include daily instructional clinics or drills, private lessons for all ages/levels, and dedicated tennis education and camps for kids throughout the year. Players can be matched based on their level of play for a diverse playing experience; customized tennis and pickleball packages catering to each player’s specific needs are also available.