The Press Room

13 Best Honeymoon Destinations in the U.S.

You don’t have to fly overseas for a once-in-a-lifetime romantic vacation.

The Best Carmel Valley Wineries (and More) to Visit Right Now

The once—well, maybe still—sleepy village at the heart of Carmel Valley is now the epicenter of wine tasting in Monterey County, one of the largest and most important viticultural regions in all of California. About 20 tasting rooms now huddle beneath stately oaks in the middle of town, with numerous eateries and lodging options just steps, or a few minutes’ drive, away.

The Most Beautiful NorCal Hotels for a Holiday Escape

From Napa Valley’s premier wine country to the snowy mountains of Lake Tahoe, several NorCal towns are home to luxury hotels that celebrate the season with glamorous decor, festive food and beverage offerings and the coziest accommodations.

The Most Relaxing Vacation Destinations in the U.S.

From a serene desert oasis to a mountainside wellness haven, it’s all about recharging your personal battery.

Plan a magical getaway in Santa Cruz, Monterey

Whether you head to the northern end or the southern end of Monterey Bay, a change of scenery may be the best gift to give yourself this holiday season.

Travel + Leisure Readers' 15 Favorite Resorts in California of 2025

In our annual “World’s Best Awards” survey for 2025, T+L readers turned to the California escapes that have easy access to wine country and the coast.

Top 10 Resorts in Northern California: Readers’ Choice Awards 2024

Condé Nast Traveler readers rate the top resorts in Northern California.

36 Hours in Carmel, California 

The Best Restaurants In Carmel

Charming bistros, seafood-centric restaurants, and so many dog-friendly spots ahead.

These Wellness Retreats Are Like the Real-Life ‘White Lotus’ (Without the Murder Part)

Welcome in the woo-woo at these outrageously luxe destination spas.

11 awe-inspiring things to do in Carmel Valley that take you beyond the quaint seaside

You may be familiar with Carmel-by-the-Sea, a tiny, old world village near the Pacific Ocean where you can sample chocolates or hunt for Jane Austen novels in cottages plucked straight from a fairy tale. But understated Carmel Valley, which stretches inland to the east where it’s substantially warmer, deserves its own visit. Fair warning: You may find yourself staying a while.

The Sweetest Small Towns in California

You could join the hordes angling for a selfie in front of the Hollywood sign on your next California adventure . . . or you could venture off the beaten path and hit one of the Golden State’s sweet small towns instead. With so many unique destinations to explore, your biggest struggle may be deciding which direction to drive. But any of the charming small towns below (all with populations under 12,000) would be a California dream.

Bernardus Lodge & Spa: Where Luxury is Defined by the Details 

The smallest of niceties sets Bernardus apart from the region's hospitality crowd. 

5 Fantastic Alternatives to NorCal's Most Popular Getaways

The region is so stunningly beautiful that people from around the world come year-round to see its most iconic sights like Yosemite and Tahoe. But all those visitors bring the kind of crowds, long lines, and endless traffic that puts a serious dent in our ability to enjoy them.

Lucky for us, there are still plenty of fantastic NorCal destinations that haven’t yet caught the world’s attention. From Carmel Valley to the Lost Coast, these getaways are excellent alternatives to the norm with just a fraction of the crowds.

Bathroom Bliss

The luxe villas at Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge & Spa feature beautifully designed master baths with freestanding, hammered copper soaking tubs, custom, hand-carved porcelain bathroom sinks, al fresco showers set on hand-made Moroccan mosaic tile, and radiant heat floors. Order up a “Dream Bath” and receive two bath bombs, a scented candle, a seasonal bar of handmade soap, and a sleep eye mask. Add rose petals for an especially romantic vibe.

Carmel Valley Bliss: Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Mention of Carmel likely brings to mind the storybook cottages and sandy beaches of “Carmel-by-the-Sea.” But there’s another Carmel that deserves equal billing. It’s the version that is warmed by a sun that often evades its coastal cousin. It’s the Carmel that features hiking and biking trails, championship golf courses, working ranches, a 4,000-acre regional park, and award-winning Bernardus Lodge & Spa, the region’s most gracious hospitality option.

Celebrate Love At Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge & Spa

In February, when thoughts turn to romance, “A” is for “aphrodisiac” at Bernardus Lodge & Spa, especially in the culinary department. Chef Christian Ojeda, who’s been at the helm of of the kitchen at Lucia Restaurant for just over a year, isn’t exactly new anymore, but having come in after the departure of founding chef Cal Stamenov, he’s now truly finding his form in themed menus such as this one.

This Socially Conscious Booking Platform Helped Me Take a Vacation That Gave Back to the Local Community — Here's How

As my daughters and I headed to Bernardus Lodge and Spa and The Sanctuary Beach Resort, two of three Kind Traveler partner hotels in the area, we saw farmworkers hunched over in harvest, colorful specks in a sea of green. Living in this state for more than 40 years, I've learned enough about California farming to know the workers, though the backbone of the state’s agricultural economy, are historically underpaid for the labor they perform. I felt a tinge of what Blotter felt in Belize. If I had the privilege of visiting this region, was there also a way for me to give back to the community welcoming me?

These West Coast Wellness Retreats Cater To Angelenos

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Bernardus offers romantic accommodations, destination-forward dining and wellness experiences coupled with an inviting charm that beckons guests to embrace the beauty of the central coast.