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While most monarchs live for just four to five weeks after reaching adulthood, the generation of monarch butterflies that migrate to Monterey County have a lifespan of up to six months. Scientists cannot explain how each generation finds its way to warmer weather, but one thing is certain—they love the California sunshine!

Although the butterflies can be seen in other spots along the coast, their favorite place to rest their wings is right here in Monterey County at the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary. The sanctuary, created by the City of Pacific Grove to protect and preserve the insects’ natural habitat, is free for visitors to watch and admire these delicate creatures.

Here, the butterflies cling onto branches of towering eucalyptus trees in big, colorful clusters to keep their body temperatures up, and the display is truly beautiful. The best time to see this natural phenomenon is from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm when the sun is shining brightly and a docent is present to answer any questions you may have. If you won’t be in Northern California this October, not to worry—the monarchs hang around until February, when they continue their migration south—so there’s still plenty of time to plan a stay with us at Bernardus Lodge & Spa, just minutes from the butterfly sanctuary.

Step inside our organic garden with Chef Cal Stamenov, the culinary mastermind behind Lucia Restaurant and Bar. From seasonal mushrooms to fresh-picked peaches, each home-grown dish brings the flavor profiles of the earth to life.

The menu changes daily to highlight the stars of each season. Think—alder wood-smoked Sonoma duck breast with foie gras and peach mustard, local artichoke basil ravioli, a garden sandwich made with tender greens, a beet salad with ripe Hass avocado, and pan-seared diver scallops with snow peas and pickled pearl onions.

And, you can taste your way through Chef Cal’s organic garden during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and our signature weekend brunch. See rotating menu samples, including our specialty cocktail and wine list, perfect for pairing, and make a future reservation here.

From fitness classes and daily yoga practices to restorative spa rituals and treatments, it’s easy to tailor your journey. We’ve put together a few of our favorite ways to tap into a higher sense of being. Start with a sunrise stretch, complimentary on weekends, and unlock your senses. Then, head to an al fresco lunch and fuel up for a guided hike in the afternoon. We recommend the Garland Park Loop for a leisurely hike. Take a load off of your feet and indulge in a full body massage using essential oils at our spa and then end the day with a guided meditation in our garden. Ready to say “Om”? See a full lineup of wellness offerings here.

If you’re a fan of hiking, biking, or horseback riding, we strongly recommend a visit to Garland Ranch Regional Park during your stay, where can enjoy over 4000 acres of gorgeous California countryside. Or perhaps you’d prefer to spend your time exploring Carmel Valley Village, where the mom-and-pop cafés, quirky shops, and elegant art galleries exude the quaint charm of small-town Americana accentuated by just the right amount of cosmopolitan sophistication. Plan your visit today, and see firsthand what makes Carmel Valley the little Eden of West Coast wine country.

This month, many of you will be visiting Carmel Valley to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and we hope you’ll let Chef Cal and the rest of us at Bernardus make your Valentine’s weekend the most memorable yet. On Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15, you can savor a decadent four-course Valentine Celebration Dinner featuring Chef Cal’s favorite seasonal ingredients. Each of the first three courses consists of at least three options, among which you’ll find chilled “Morro Bay select” oysters, cured duck salad, lobster bisque, Maine diver scallops, oak-grilled prime beef filet, and more. For dessert, indulge in either the crème brûlée napoleon or the sinfully delicious Meyer lemon pudding cake. On the afternoon of Saturday, February 15, you can also join Director of Food & Beverage and Certified Sommelier Chris McLean at For the Love of Bubbles – Champagne Tasting & Seminar. Chris will take you on an enchanting and informative journey through the history of champagne as you sample a range of exclusive sparkling wines.

Growing up on a 240-acre farm in Tennessee, Patricia Qualls never imagined she would one day find herself living and working as a successful California artist, but that’s exactly where the creative spirit of the frontiersman has taken her since her days as a child on that Tennessee farm, followed by several years working as a stockbroker in Nashville. Today, Patricia spends much of her time creating dazzling abstract expressionist paintings, some of them towering as high as eight feet on the walls of her Carmel Valley gallery and studio. During your stay with us, we highly recommend a visit to the Patricia Qualls Gallery. You can also experience her impressive artwork in prestigious collections exhibited in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, NYC, LA, Phoenix, San Francisco, Sacramento, and many other cities across the nation and the world.

Address: 15 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924

You’ll start with one of the many rejuvenating Bernardus Spa services, which include massage, body treatments, facials, salon services, and more. Our expert health and wellness professionals will be glad to customize a session to meet your individual needs. Next, you’ll have the chance to indulge in complimentary Winter Solstice activities such as chakra balancing, fire dancing, wine tasting, hot chocolate yoga, and an enchanting starlight swim.

In addition, culinary maestro Chef Cal Stamenov has several gourmet dining events in store for you this holiday season, starting with his 5^th annual Pure Decadence Dinner (Thursday, December 12), Christmas Eve Dinner (Tuesday, December 24), Christmas Day Dinner (Wednesday, December 25), New Year’s Eve Dinner (Tuesday, December 31), and New Year’s Day Brunch with Live Music (Wednesday, January 1).

For over two decades Chef Cal has devoted himself to perfecting his artistry at Lucia Restaurant and Bar, where the dedicated staff work tirelessly to bring his vision of classic European fare, reimagined for a contemporary West Coast palate, to your table every morning, afternoon, and evening. Before founding Lucia, Chef Cal studied and worked under some of the most acclaimed and exacting chefs in the world, including Michel Richard, Jean-Louis Palladin, Masa Kobayashi, Pierre Gagnaire, and Alain Ducasse. Today, he not only oversees one of the most renowned fine dining venues in the country. He also cultivates two acres of organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables right here on the grounds of our hotel, meaning your meal will always be prepared from the freshest, healthiest ingredients available. In addition, Chef Cal’s onsite apiary provides one-of-a-kind honey for select specialty cocktails, and with a 25,000-bottle wine cellar to choose from, you’ll always get the perfect wine pairing for your meal.

Seasoned hikers are especially fond of the Arroyo Seco Ridge Trail, a four-mile journey through the wilderness that's moderately difficult and maximally breathtaking. Trust us when we say you’ll want to have a camera in hand as you trek through majestic Horse Canyon and lush sycamore woodland. The rocky terrain means you'll get a solid workout, so we definitely recommend bringing some snacks along to replenish your energy. Your four-legged friends are more than welcome on the trail too, as long as they’re leashed. If you feel at all sore the next day, just drop by the acclaimed Spa at Bernardus. Our expert massage therapists and other wellness professionals will be more than happy to customize a soothing and restorative session just for you.

If you’re feeling exhausted from all your active vacationing, or from the stressors of work and your everyday routine, the Spa at Bernardus has just what you need to feel relaxed, refreshed, and ready to take on whatever adventures life has in store. Our expert massage therapists, aestheticians, and other wellness professionals are eager to provide personalized services, including aromatherapy, body scrubs and wraps, yoga, massage, facials, manicures, pedicures, and much more. The Spa at Bernardus welcomes guests of all ages and genders. Complimentary amenities for guests age 18 and up include the warming pool, dry sauna, eucalyptus steam room, and locker rooms. Treat yourself to a day of indulgence at the Spa at Bernardus. You deserve it!

In short, driving can be real drudgery, but it can also be one of the most thrilling experiences of your life. Over the past four-and-a-half decades, the Skip Barber Racing School has trained thousands of drivers just like you who yearn for a true NASCAR experience. At the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a professional race track located less than 10 minutes from the Bernardus Hotel and Lodge, you can participate in the school’s one-day training program that will culminate in an unforgettable adventure as you tear across 2.238 miles of raceway at speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour. In addition to a 180-foot elevation differential from the track’s lowest to its highest point, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca also boasts eleven adrenaline-pumping turns, including the storied “corkscrew.”

Address: 1021 Monterey Salinas Hwy, Salinas, CA 93908

Now, almost four decades and over 3000 miles later, Chef Cal has amassed a truly exceptional CV, which includes some of California’s most acclaimed restaurants, such as the Highlands Inn in Carmel and the Domaine Chandon Restaurant of Napa Valley. The crowning achievement of Chef Cal’s career, however, is the Lucia Restaurant & Bar at the Bernardus Lodge and Spa. At Lucia, Chef Cal utilizes a lifetime of gourmet expertise to bring you a one-of-a-kind culinary experience, combining the best of European tradition with a farm-to-table philosophy, enabled by California’s fertile soil and mild climate. Lucia serves the freshest seafood harvested just off the California coast, coupled with the finest organic produce cultivated on six acres of Carmel Valley land. Join Lucia and Chef Cal today for a unique dining experience you won’t soon forget.

Starting at 7 A.M., early risers can enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast at Monterey’s Fire Station #1. In addition to the delicious pancakes, sausage, eggs, and coffee, there will also be plenty of arts and crafts activities to entertain the kids. Afterward, head over to the Independence Day Parade itself, which steps off from the intersection of Alvarado and Pearl Streets at 10 A.M. The parade attracts around 15,000 revelers and features fantastic floats, colorful costumes, and live all-American music. The fun continues from 11 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. at the lawn party in front of Colton Hall, where you can indulge in carnival games, face painting, more live music, and mouthwatering BBQ. History buffs will also want to check out Living History Day from 11 A.M. – 3 P.M. in the Memory Garden, behind the Pacific House Museum. This fun and informative event features actors in period dress, historical military demonstrations, games, rope-making, basket weaving, dancing, and much more. Still going strong? Stick around for Monterey County Pops’ free Independence Day concert at the Golden State Theatre at 7 P.M. Finally, when the conductor lays down his baton, you’re just an easy 25-minute drive from the exquisite comfort of the Bernardus Lodge.

Greet the morning with a refreshing sunrise stretch yoga workshop, or opt for an invigorating walk around the Garland Park Loop. Later on, you can enjoy a friendly bocce ball or croquet match on the immaculately manicured lawn. Looking for a more vigorous way to spend the day? We’ve got plenty of activities to get your adrenaline pumping, whether you’re in the mood for a dip in our recreational pool, a fast-paced game on the tennis court, or a guided hike to gorgeous Carmel Valley vistas. Our acclaimed spa also provides a wide-ranging menu of wellness services, including facials, body wraps, massage therapies, nail and hair care, and much more. For a comprehensive list of our wellness offerings, check out the official Bernardus Wellness Program page.

Though it would be impossible to truly pay mom back for all she’s done over the years, on Sunday, May 12, Chef Cal Stamenov and his outstanding culinary team are very excited to bring you the most delicious Mother’s Day Brunch in Monterey County. As always, Chef Cal insists on using only the very best local, organic vegetables, naturally-raised meats, and seafood. In addition to traditional brunch favorites, the gourmet buffet will also feature sushi, a selection of artisanal cheeses, and several sumptuous desserts. Could a meal be more heavenly? We’re glad you asked. Brunch attendees will also be treated to the dulcet sounds of classical harp. After your meal, join mom for a stroll through our renowned rose garden, where she’ll marvel at over 150 varieties of heirloom roses. We insist that you take one before you go.

The wine-making here is second-to-none, of course, and there’s ample opportunity venture out into the gorgeous rolling hills and mountains of the Santa Lucia Range. If you’re looking to enjoy a day in the great outdoors, we highly recommend Garland Ranch Regional Park, where you’ll find over 4000 acres of pristine terrain ideally suited for biking, hiking, or horseback riding. Prefer to explore the charm of small-town Americana? We’ve got that too. In Carmel Valley Village, the eclectic blend of specialty shops, cafes, and art galleries strikes the perfect balance between old world enchantment and contemporary sophistication. Be careful, though. Once you’ve experienced life in our halcyon valley, you may never want to leave.

If romance is particularly on your mind this month, we hope you’ll consider spending your Valentine’s Day weekend at Bernardus Lodge and Spa. Holiday specials include a Valentine’s Day Chocolate & Champagne Tasting Menu for just $28 per person. This decadent pairing of exclusive champagnes with a sinfully indulgent three-course chocolate tasting menu is the ideal way to cap off your V-Day lunch at Lucia Restaurant and Bar. Later in the evening, you and your significant other can enjoy the elite Valentine’s Day Dinner. For just $125 per person, you’ll be treated to Chef Cal’s special four-course lovers’ menu in an intimate candlelit, fireside setting. And of course, our expert staff at the award-winning Spa at Bernardus will be more than happy to arrange a personalized couple’s spa treatment so you and your beloved can pamper yourselves together as you strengthen your bonds of romance on this very special holiday.

Such is the case for Carmel Valley’s own Patricia Qualls. Born on a 240-acre farm in Tennessee, Patricia’s first transformation occurred when she moved to Nashville to take up the fast-paced urban existence of a stockbroker. After venturing west to California, she transitioned to the field of clinical psychology, taking up painting as her own personal form of therapy, and she now creates her abstract expressionist masterpieces full-time. Her dynamic and imaginative works can be found in collections in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Sacramento, and Switzerland. To see the artist herself at work, and perhaps purchase one of her many brilliant paintings, your best bet is to visit her splendid 1200-foot gallery and studio right here in Carmel Valley.

Address: 15 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924

On Friday, December 21, we’ll be celebrating the Winter Solstice with a day of ritual and renewal that will invigorate your body, mind, and soul. As part of the festivities, you’ll indulge in one of the luxurious massage, bodywork, facial, or salon services at our award-winning spa. In addition to this exquisite pampering, you’ll also enjoy a range of complimentary Winter Solstice activities such as hot chocolate yoga, chakra awakening, wine tasting, and a thrilling fire dance. That’s not all we have going on this Yuletide season, though. Master Chef Cal Stamenov has planned several sumptuous feasts for you, including Chef Cal’s 4^th Annual Pure Decadence Dinner (Thursday, December 13), Christmas Eve Dinner (Monday, December 24), Christmas Day Dinner (Tuesday, December 25), New Year’s Eve Dinner (Monday, December 31), and New Year’s Day Brunch with Live Music (Tuesday, January 1).