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.
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.
