Visiting Carmel by the Sea
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| 17 Mile Drive Stop in Pebble Beach |
A few hours north from Los Angeles and it's just more so. Driving up PCH and Highway One is just stunning in so many ways.
From the cliff-side rugged beaches, to the cerulean blue water, to the freshness of the air caressing your face as you zoom past the hustle and bustle of city life, experiencing California by driving through it is the best way to do it...
And when you keep driving north, past Los Angeles, Ventura, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo...you arrive at one of the most beautiful places in California: The Monterey Peninsula.
Drive west into the peninsula and arrive at the crowning jewel of the Monterey Bay: Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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| Sunset from my balcony at Hofsas House in Carmel |
For us, it was the perfect getaway from Los Angeles.
Looking to reboot after a long semester in school, my hubby, Maya and me, made arrangements with the Bavarian-inspired Hofsas House Hotel, which planned every last detail of our dog-friendly getaway.
We were excited to stay at the Hofsas House, a family-owned hotel, because it has been a Carmel staple for 60 years that continues to impress guests with it's warm hospitality and small town charm.
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| Dog-friendly Amenities at Hofsas House |
We were excited to stay at the Hofsas House, a family-owned hotel, because it has been a Carmel staple for 60 years that continues to impress guests with it's warm hospitality and small town charm.
The Hotel has an European-style Inn look and the rooms have a unique flair created by the in-house decorator - the matron of Hofsas House.
Our suite-style dog-friendly room also had a private balcony overlooking the pool, a fireplace, large bathroom, cocktail area and wetbar.
Wifi was also available throughout the property and easy to access; although, with the beauty of the sunsets and sunrises, I can't say that we used it much.
Upon our arrival to Carmel, Hofsas House greeted us with a Monterey wine and cheese selection from The Cheese Shop in Carmel set-up in our room, which was a welcome afternoon snack before we got dressed to go to the pool.
Maya was also greeted with the Hofsas House 'Tail Wagging Package,' which included a special dog bed, collapsible dog bowl, treats, and a letter from the hotels pet concierge that included a few insider tips and recommendations!
After an hour or so poolside, we gathered our things and returned to our room to get ready for dinner. Unlike Los Angeles, however, once you arrive to Carmel, you rarely use your car.
We simply got ready and walked with Maya to La Dolce Vita, a lovely dog-friendly Italian Restaurant that also hosts live music.
Carmel is also a safe and hospitable town that made us comfortable enough to explore the small streets with Maya in tow before we headed back to our room that evening....and then something amazing happened: The TV was turned off before we went to sleep. That's when I knew that we had fully disconnected and were enjoying our time together.
That afternoon we walked with Maya to the main area of town and stopped by various wine-tasting rooms with our 'Wine Tasting Passport,' which gave us the opportunity to walk through town and try different wineries from Central California.
We also viewed a few galleries and did a little shopping at Kris Kringle of Carmel, Diggidy Dog Boutique and Lula's Chocolateries. By midday we had a light take-out lunch from Salmuria Luca and later stopped by to taste the yummy organic juices from Carmel Belle.
By early evening we headed back to Hofsas House to get ready for dinner at Abalonetti Seafood, located at Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, which was a short drive from Carmel.
Abalonetti Seafood has incredible service and even a dog-friendly menu for our four-legged companions. Of course we couldn't resist and ordered a burger patty dinner for Maya - that was served on a doggy saucer.
Upon our arrival to Carmel, Hofsas House greeted us with a Monterey wine and cheese selection from The Cheese Shop in Carmel set-up in our room, which was a welcome afternoon snack before we got dressed to go to the pool.
Maya was also greeted with the Hofsas House 'Tail Wagging Package,' which included a special dog bed, collapsible dog bowl, treats, and a letter from the hotels pet concierge that included a few insider tips and recommendations!
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| The Monterey Wine & Cheese Pairing ($30) can be added to your stay |
We simply got ready and walked with Maya to La Dolce Vita, a lovely dog-friendly Italian Restaurant that also hosts live music.
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| Parmesan Calamari Steak over a bed of Risotto |
The next morning I woke-up with the ocean breeze softly swinging the hotel curtains, and the seagulls making their oh-so-famous ocean-sound in the background.
I left hubby and Maya in bed, and walked to the lobby where Hofsas House provides daily continental breakfast -with a selection of European pastries, fruits, juices and coffee- that you can take back to your room.
Instead of hanging out with the other guests, I took a breakfast tray and set-up in our balcony while Hubby and Maya cuddled a bit longer.
That afternoon we walked with Maya to the main area of town and stopped by various wine-tasting rooms with our 'Wine Tasting Passport,' which gave us the opportunity to walk through town and try different wineries from Central California.
We also viewed a few galleries and did a little shopping at Kris Kringle of Carmel, Diggidy Dog Boutique and Lula's Chocolateries. By midday we had a light take-out lunch from Salmuria Luca and later stopped by to taste the yummy organic juices from Carmel Belle.
By early evening we headed back to Hofsas House to get ready for dinner at Abalonetti Seafood, located at Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, which was a short drive from Carmel.
Abalonetti Seafood has incredible service and even a dog-friendly menu for our four-legged companions. Of course we couldn't resist and ordered a burger patty dinner for Maya - that was served on a doggy saucer.
As for human food - what can I say? We're huge seafood fans, and Monterrey never disappoints, but Abalonetti Seafood elevated the pier-side dining experience.
As most weekend getaways tend to be, they seems too short when it's time to go home.
As most weekend getaways tend to be, they seems too short when it's time to go home.
But before we headed back to Los Angeles, we picked-up a packed lunch at 5th Avenue Deli to enjoy at the dog-friendly leash-free beach with Maya.
This was Maya's first time being off leash at a beach, and trust me, she truly enjoyed every moment of running around the white sand dunes of the Carmel Beach!
Before we left Carmel, we drove through the 17 mile drive (Pebble Beach) and took Highway 1 from Carmel to San Luis Obispo. Although it added a couple of hours to our drive back home, the view was entirely worth it!
To plan your visit to Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula, contact Hofsas House and ask about their weekend getaway promotions or add-on's to make your stay more memorable. That's exactly what we did - and it absolutely made our stay more remarkable because we left the planning to them.
Web: http://www.hofsashouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hofsashousehotel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hofsashouse
Ana Lydia
This was Maya's first time being off leash at a beach, and trust me, she truly enjoyed every moment of running around the white sand dunes of the Carmel Beach!
To plan your visit to Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula, contact Hofsas House and ask about their weekend getaway promotions or add-on's to make your stay more memorable. That's exactly what we did - and it absolutely made our stay more remarkable because we left the planning to them.
Web: http://www.hofsashouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hofsashousehotel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hofsashouse
Ana Lydia
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