Carmel Valley Ranch

A California Bachelorette Weekend

CATEGORIES

January 25, 2018
Words by Kimber Westphall
Photos courtesy of

West Coast jaunts are ever so popular for bachelorette getaways. From the cosmic glitz of Hollywood to the dauntless adventures along the PCH, California has something for everyone.

Los Angeles

A bride-to-be will shine as the star of her own bachelorette party in the City of Angels. From starlet living to stargazing at the beach, L.A. is sure to serve as the perfect backdrop for a bachelorette weekend.

Hotel Indigo, in Downtown L.A., offers the hotel’s Presidential Suite, as the perfect home base for bachelorette parties. Oftentimes with large groups, a plush and swanky joint is needed to accommodate all the guests. A good excuse to splurge anyway! The Presidential Suite is situated on the 18th floor, which is also the Penthouse level. The hotel will pull out all the stops to help solidify happy bachelorette weekend memories; everything from in-room movie displays on a projector to in-room mani/pedis. They will even bring dinner in-room for all the gals to enjoy. With service like this, you might be tempted to stay inside the cozy suite the entire weekend. But of course you can’t waste any precious time inside. You must experience the magic and wonder of Los Angeles.

West Hollywood (WeHo) is 1.9 square miles tucked between Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. Scenes of WeHo are famous thanks to paparazzi and television shows such as Bravo TV’s Vanderpump Rules. Enjoy a decadent, trendy dinner at one of the celebrity-spotting restaurants like Craig’s, Catch, EP & LP or BOA. If you’re feeling frivolous, you could even spring on a $200 margarita at Gracias Madre. Turn this over-the-top night into a refreshing start the next day by visiting The Shape House, an urban sweat lodge to rid of all toxins from the night before.

Santa Barbara

Jogging up north and to the west from L.A. is Santa Barbara. This is the perfect destination for your group of gals wanting a bit more of an on-the-go party, moving along through enchanting towns of the region. 

DuVine Tours offers a four-day, three-night cycle tour, drifting through quaint Californian towns, horse ranches and vistas of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Don’t worry, you won’t be cycling the entire time. You’ll have a chance to sample complex wines from the Santa Maria Valley in the charming town of Los Olivos. And you’ll also get to explore Solvang, the Danish-inspired town that has a hint of Northern Europe in Southern Cali. You’ll no doubt be working up an appetite with biking, but you will be well-fed with the burgeoning food scene of the hidden Santa Ynez Valley. Accommodations, meals and activities are included in the Duvine Tours package and more details can be found here.

Monterey

For those groups of gals seeking a thrill, Monterey is just the ticket. Carmel Valley Ranch offers suites with up to four bedrooms. So you can accommodate bridal parties, big or small. Some out-of-the-box activities on the property include archery and beekeeping. Talk about some adrenaline-inducing happenings; certainly not your average vacation with this spot.

And to put the pedal to metal, Quail Lodge & Golf Club provides customized off road driving lessons for all skill levels via the Land Rover Experience Driving School. Accompanied by an instructor, you’ll make steep descents, climb piles of logs and navigate tight turns. Your Instagram will be getting a rush of boldness.

And after the adrenaline has surged through the veins, relaxation and libations may be in order. Folktale Winery has yoga plus Wine in the Vines for your bachelorette gang to unwind and relax. You can even unplug (literally- no phones allowed) at The Refuge. Spa services such as massages and aromatherapy are available.

Photos courtesy of (in order of appearance): Matt Walla for Hotel Indigo (1st & 5th), Carmel Valley Ranch (2nd, 6th, 7th & 8th), SeeMonterey.com (3rd & 9th) & DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. (4th).

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