We booked on Groupon so we could save some $$ which was good so we could do thr two activities…read more later afternoon. On the email it doesn't provide crunchtime with the Tigers which starts at 4:20 and then Buddy's bedtime which starts at 5pm so good thing we arrived at 2:40 for checking in since by 4pm Angie was already gone. We stayed in the #1 bungalow which was nice, Angie was able to add my 2 daughters on the reservation so they set up the futon as a bed. Sam was great for the crunchtime tigers feeding but the other gal who didn't introduce herself for the Rhino bedtime seemed flustered and not friendly at all. After watching the mandatory video of how the rhinos came to VQ, we proceeded to their area. Another gal (Danielle?) joined her and same no welcome, no friendliness. Almost felt these 2 gals were forced to interact with other humans and sure they prefer the animals. At night the Lion constantly roared which didn't bother me since I was knocked out. Angie delivered the continental breakfast which was nice. 9:30 we went to feed the camels and once again the 2 non friendly female staffers were back at it with the camels. Angie and Sam are great and made the visit memorable and worth it. I did knock off a star since if we would of arrived close to 6 as mentioned in the email, we would of missed the 2 activities offered in the evening.

We had a great time in the Monkey Manor! It's right next to the lions and you can hear them roar SO…read moreLOUDLY! The bungalows are spread out with tall grasses in between so there is plenty of room. There is a viewing area overlooking the zebra/rhino/water buffalo area that is great to eat breakfast at. In the afternoon they bring you 2 different animals for a private viewing, we had a skunk and an alpaca. In the morning we got to feed camels! For extra at 5:00 pm they have a rhino bedtime experience where you get to go into the rhino sheds and then give them pats and rubs! What an experience! Also included is one day at the zoo and they even bring your breakfast at your bungalow! We loved our visit!!

There are places you visit, and then there are places that stay with you long after you leave…read more Carmel Valley Ranch is truly otherworldly, a destination that somehow blends luxury, nature, comfort, and adventure into one unforgettable experience. It has become our favorite place to escape and reconnect. From the beautifully designed rooms with cozy fireplaces and breathtaking valley views to the incredibly comfortable beds and thoughtful touches throughout the property, every detail feels intentional and restorative. The staff consistently delivers warm, gracious service that makes you feel genuinely cared for from the moment you arrive. What makes Carmel Valley Ranch so special is the experience beyond the room. Whether it's walking through lavender fields and vineyards, relaxing by the pools, enjoying exceptional farm-to-table dining, visiting the animals, hiking the scenic trails, or experiencing the ranch's apiary and wellness offerings, every moment feels curated yet effortless. The property invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and simply enjoy where you are. It is rare to find a place that feels both luxurious and deeply grounding at the same time. Carmel Valley Ranch does exactly that and we cannot wait to return again and again.

My husband booked this place for the family with good intentions but missed a few details that I'd…read morelike to share in the hopes someone else may be reading reviews for this place. Location: beautiful breathtaking views tucked away in a mountain valley, it is a perfect spot to get away from the hustle and bustle from city noise pollution and high populations. Customer service: there are only 1-2 check in desks, where they spend about 10-20 minutes with each customer explaining the property amenities, location of room, events, etc. when you've been traveling all day, every minute feels like a lifetime. Restaurant: there is only one full service, sit in restaurant that gets booked very fast especially for dinner. Plan ahead and make a reservation in advance for every night you plan to stay on campus and eat there, otherwise, expect to wait until 8 pm or drive to the nearby restaurants which include a Subway, pizza joint, or a small Vietnamese restaurant. Earthbound Organic Farm is a great alternative option for a small breakfast or lunch bites. There is another Mexican restaurant nearby. Clientele in the mornings consist of rowdy children and their inconsiderate parents. I recommend asking to be seated outside if you have well mannered children and want to eat in peace. Rooms: mediocre clean. For being a Hyatt affiliated hotel, I had higher expectations, rooms are carpeted with wooden floors and heavy rugs. This resort is pet friendly so if you have someone in the family that suffers from allergies or has a very sensitive nose, this is not the best place to stay. As most Californian hotels that have carpeting, you can smell odors in the carpeting and linen. When things got hot and humid in our room, I got a nice whiff of dog. Basically any pet friendly hotel means that your linens will be washed with dog poo or other animal fluids. Rooms are only dusted at eye level but if you're someone that is concerned about dust mites, be prepared to get a showering of dust mites on bed, where the headboards reach 6' high and hold lots of lovely layers of dust. Coffee pot is sad and comparable to a motel 6 version with blah coffee, and lastly the beds are super firm with no ability to adjust (like other Hyatt holidays offer), and pillows are huge and uncomfortable. Foam alternative is slightly softer but still too high for a back sleeper or stomach sleeper. Bathroom: limited. They do provide tiny handwashing bars of soap made of lavender, and provide a tiny sample sac of lavender salt to use in tub but for those with allergies, best to request an alternative if any. Shower corners contain black mold. Refrigerators: our room had a tiny refrigerator that could hardly fit anything and doesn't cool sufficiently so for those moms packing extra healthy snacks for your kids, consider your fridge useless. All the strawberries, yogurts and hummus we purchased made it straight to the trash. Room patio: dirty and useless. There was a couple of upholstered seats and one table on our patio that could not be enjoyed as they were filled with dirt, dust and leaves. Would I stay here again? No - due to the pet issue for me. Most Californians love their pets and don't mind staying in places that wreak of dog butts that they've habituated to. Like I said, my husband had good intentions but there were too many issues that made it undesirable for me.

Food, service and ambience is excellent. Every year my friend and I celebrate our birthdays there…read more We often stay for a couple of hours sharing. The golf course is so lovely . I would recommend the golf course to anyone.

A well-kept course and good food to end a tournament. It seemed balanced as well with some wide…read morefairways if you have a fade or draw and plenty of hills. I would recommend. Their friendly cat was also a nice surprise.

Wonderful park to explore and hike if you are ever in the Carmel Valley area. Plenty of parking…read moreboth on the street as well as in a designated parking lot. Much of the area in the lower section is flat and easy to walk around, however, there are also some trails with steeper elevation climbs for those who want to get more of a scenic view of the area. Cool historic barn is easy to get to and on hotter days you will definitely want to take some water as some of the trails are exposed to the sun. There is a public bathroom area by the visitor center.

Garland Ranch Regional Park -- Where Nature Went to College and Got a Degree in Enchantment"…read moreOh, you think you've been on a hike before? No. You've merely walked on ground. Garland Ranch Regional Park is where the Earth decided to get fancy -- rolling hills, whispering trees, and trails that seem designed by a benevolent chaos god who wanted you to get lost just enough to find yourself. The Vibe: This place doesn't just have nature -- it radiates personality. The air smells like enlightenment and expensive essential oils. Every oak tree looks like it has witnessed ancient wisdom and is judging you for not bringing reusable water bottles. The wind flirts. The grass gossips. The clouds... perform interpretive dance. The Trails: Sky Trail: Don't let the name fool you -- it's 80% up, 20% existential crisis. But at the top? A view so stunning, I briefly ascended into my third chakra and forgot my email password. Waterfall Trail: There's water. There's falling. There's also a high chance of spotting a woodland creature that may or may not be a druid in disguise. Saddle Trail: Not for the faint of calf. You'll meet at least one hiker who swears they saw Bigfoot running a mindfulness retreat. Wildlife Report: The deer here are too confident. They'll make eye contact like they know you left your stove on. Lizards do push-ups just to assert dominance. A hawk once circled above me for 20 minutes; I think I passed its vibe check. Local myth says the coyotes form an a cappella group at dusk. Their debut album, Howl to the Moonlight, drops every full moon. Random Fun Facts (Questionable Accuracy Edition): The park's elevation shifts based on how hydrated you are. 47% of the trees are rumored to be undercover dryads doing field research. If you say "Garland Ranch" three times at the visitor center, a ranger appears and hands you a perfectly ripe trail mix. Final Thoughts: Garland Ranch isn't just a park. It's an experience. It's Narnia with better signage. It's where fitness apps go to prove themselves. I came here seeking a light jog; I left spiritually rearranged, emotionally hydrated, and slightly sunburned.

We were lucky enough to stay here the week beginning Easter, through that next Friday. We had a…read morePanoramic view deluxe room. We thought we'd booked the suite but nooooooo... The additional space would have been nice for two adults and their furry friend. It was still a great room with an awesome view of the dunes and water. Check in was terrific. The lobby is beautiful and stocked for a quick whatever you might want. There is a backyard behind the lobby that is sheltered from those pesky ocean breezes with firepit, tables, chairs and other stuff. Nice touch. Our room was spotless. The bathroom was very nice. Clean and let me say that the shower was fantastic. There is a heater/fan in the bathroom that made getting out of the shower, pleasantly warm. Toiletries are of nice quality. Our dog, Sian found the stick library very useful and she had a blast going after it on the beach and in the ocean. She even brought it back to the library the morning we left, for others to use during their stay. The pet welcome is a nice touch. This site is very pet friendly. Not so much for the timeshares that are on the same property. And that's fine. Parking is not allowed at the units. You are driven to your unit by one of the great golf cart drivers. Zach was our driver. Loaded all our luggage on to the the cart. As we journeyed to our cottage, Zach pointed out sites as well as amenities. Unloaded our luggage as wll as went and got us ice as we settled in. If you need help getting to your car, onsite restaurant or the lobby, just call the lobby about 10 minutes before you want to go and someone will be there. The restaurant is great. We ate there twice and had breakfast delivered to our unit twice. The bread platter... OMG... the bread platter. We loved it so much that we went to Otto's bakery in Salinas on our way out of town to bring it home with us. The restaurant is not open for breakfast but, at check in, you will get a room service menu that that's how you can have breakfast onsite. More on the restaurant in that review... Can't wait to go back. Have to say that overall, this is probably in our top 3 of vacation spots. Including Hawaii. It's just great.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but I left this stay feeling genuinely disappointed. I had this…read morehotel saved for a long time and booked it after seeing so many glowing reviews about the pet-friendly luxury experience. We paid around $1,000 for one night, so I arrived excited and expecting something special. Unfortunately, our experience was the opposite. Many of the pet-friendly touches that influenced me to book were missing at check-in. There was no personalized dog welcome setup, no dog package, and my dog's name was not on the welcome sign until I called later. I had also requested a simple welcome card for my mother-in-law's first trip to California, and although staff said they would gladly do it, it was never done. We also had multiple room issues throughout the stay. The TV was not working, the phone buttons to reach the front desk did not work, there was no extra pillow for the fold-out bed, and there was even a leftover dog chew from a previous guest found in the bed. To be fair, the maintenance employee was kind and helpful, and the complimentary bottle of wine was appreciated. However, for this price point, the lack of attention to detail and overall service was really disappointing. What upset me most was checkout. I politely explained that I was disappointed and thought at minimum the pet fee might be removed, but there was no effort to make things right beyond emailing the receipt. Beautiful location, but the experience did not match the cost or reputation. I truly wanted to love this stay and left sad and let down instead.

We had such a lovely time at the Steinbeck House Mother's Day Tea. The service was exceptional, and…read moreknowing that the staff are all volunteers made the experience even more special. Everyone was so warm, attentive, and welcoming. The food and tea were absolutely excellent -- beautifully prepared and delicious. And of course, the house itself is charming, with gorgeous table settings that made the afternoon feel elegant and memorable. Everything was done with such care and attention to detail. A wonderful way to celebrate Mother's Day!

My wife and I had an amazing lunch on Thursday for our anniversary. The food is always terrific and…read morechanges monthly. Our server told us about the free monthly tours which included all three floors of the house and one was this Saturday, today. The tour was great and there was so much information on John Steinbeck and the history of the Salinas area. Our tour guide was John and he did a terrific job and had so many personal stories that he added into the conversation. Probably from over 12 years experience and knowledge of Steinbeck. Highly recommend and chicken mushroom crepe is hard to beat. Thank you and we can't wait to be back!

If you are considering Holly Farm as the venue for your wedding, and you just want the tl;dr, then…read morehere are my three most important suggestions for you: 1) You should absolutely go with Holly Farm. 2) You should accept every piece of advice Erin, Ryan, and the rest of the incredible team have for you along the way. 3) You should start getting excited right now about La Creme because their food is out of this world. Picking Holly Farm as our venue was the first choice we made in our wedding planning process, and trust me when I say that it was by far the best one. The pictures speak for themselves, and yes, it's as amazing as it looks (though if you haven't visited, you should take the excuse - it's truly stunning in person), but the real game changer is the team. The Holly Farm fam has been at this for decades, and it SHOWS. They cater to your needs and your vision, whether you want to be super hands on and into the nitty gritty on everything, or whether you want somebody to completely take the reins for you. We were so so appreciative for Erin's help during the planning process; any time we were stuck on something, she had a recommendation ready that was never just "off the shelf". We didn't want to be totally consumed by wedding planning all the time, and even though Erin had a big list of vendors ready to go, we were more than happy to listen every time she said "here's the 2 who I think you guys would love". It's really really telling to me that every single vendor we spoke to - without exception, including the ones we didn't end up choosing - all said some version of the same thing: "oh man I LOVE doing weddings at Holly Farm". Here's what I'll say about the weekend itself - it truly feels like you are staying at a luxury resort where you and your friends are the only guests. The entire staff is so attentive, so friendly, and they take care of all the details and logistics so that your only job really is to just enjoy the weekend and stay relaxed. We cooked a huge friends and family dinner in the Adobe and they cleaned the entire kitchen for us! Anytime we were hanging out in the evenings they rolled the portable heaters up without us asking! They moved our rental equipment around to make cool outdoor spaces for us so that we could get more use out of it than just the wedding itself! And nothing felt so satisfying as passing by Ryan on a path and hearing "hey I just lit your fireplace for you!". Of everything we loved about our wedding, the thing we loved most was getting to have this full weekend experience with our closest friends and family in one place, made truly special by the care the entire Holly Farm team put into making us feel at ease and at home. And one final thing - lest I leave you with the impression that this is only about good vibes - the operations for the wedding itself were incredible. Every vendor knows the team and knows the venue, everything works like clockwork without you having to supervise anything, and Erin, Ryan, and their staff have things so tightly coordinated that we didn't have to stress about logistics at all once the weekend got started. I can't emphasize enough how big a difference that made to us compared to some horror stories we'd heard from other weddings. Here are some final quick hits on other things you might be wondering about - but seriously, pick Holly Farm: - I didn't write an entire review for Tamie and La Creme, because it would be just as long, but they do amazing work. This is straight up excellent food, not excellent "wedding" food. - The rooms and buildings are very cool and very comfortable. - Yes, the Paraiso suite is "open air". Yes, it really does stay warm. Having a roaring fire in there, plus a heated blanket on the bed....A+. - The optional River House for extra space is definitely walkable (~3 mins), but it's nice to have flashlights at night. - Having the flexibility to use the space however you want for the entire weekend is a highly highly underrated perk. We had people hanging out on Thursday and Friday and it was a ton of fun. Highly recommend making plans that utilize the space every day. - We were nervous about the higher cost at first, but asking friends and family who stayed on site to pay for rooms turned out to not be a very big deal, and what we charged them was still way less than area hotels. - The music has to switch from DJ's speakers to house speakers at 9:30pm, but the house speakers can stay on all night if you want. We had just as much fun after the switchover. - No curfew is also a huge perk not to overlook. Erin and Ryan if you're reading this THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN YOU GUYS ARE ROCK STARS!!

As my husband and I drive up the central coast to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary, we…read morethought this was the perfect time to share a little bit about our insanely incredible experience getting married at Holly Farm. Our wedding was an absolute dream come true. The love we had for each other and for our family and friends that traveled from across the country to celebrate with us was reflected in the beauty and spirit of Holly Farm and all of the wonderful folks that work there. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the warmth and charm of the space. It was as if every inch of the venue was designed to make us and our guests feel at home, while still capturing an elevated, magical atmosphere that was simply unforgettable. Everyone at Holly Farm went above and beyond to ensure each detail of our wedding weekend was flawless. Their attention to detail was extraordinary, and it was clear they genuinely cared about making our day perfect. Ryan and Erin were so caring and attentive, and they made us feel like family. They were there for every little detail and made us feel completely at ease. The food, catered by La Creme, was nothing short of five star restaurant quality. We've received countless compliments from our guests about how delicious everything was! This was a big deal, especially coming from our families who are used to extravagant New Jersey weddings with an abundance of food. They all told us it was the best wedding food they'd ever had, which is about the highest praise you can get from a family who knows food! Everything about The Holly Farm was perfect--from the gorgeous, tropical setting that felt like a hidden paradise against the coastal backdrop of Carmel to the impeccable service and food. We couldn't have imagined a more beautiful, heartfelt, and memorable experience, and our friends and family STILL haven't stopped raving about it! Our wedding weekend was made even more special thanks to the onsite haciendas where we, along with some of our close friends, stayed. The houses were cozy yet luxurious, and perfectly appointed with a level of service that truly felt five-star. Each detail was perfect, from the unbelievably comfortable beds to the wood burning fires that were lit by hand each night and the wonderful house staff that made everyone feel at home the moment they arrived. Getting to spend the whole weekend in such an enchanting space made the whole wedding feel so much more special, a truly immersive experience vs a single-day event. We loved discovering the countless nooks and crannies throughout the property where our friends and family could relax, chat, and soak in the surroundings. It created a sense of intimacy and closeness that made the entire experience feel so special. When the weekend was over, we genuinely didn't want to leave. Heck, we may even crash the wedding that's probably getting ready to kick off this weekend! The Holly Farm made every moment magical, and we will forever cherish our time spent there with the people we love most.

Found Gardener Ranch through Here Comes the Guide and loved it. Inquired about more information and…read morestarted looking at reviews on here. I saw a review left by Sarah A. about hemophobia, but gave the Ranch the benefit of the doubt, because they responded denying the claim. Anyways, I reached out multiple times and was very upfront about being queer. I was not answered once. Despite what they say, they don't host same-sex weddings - either that, or their organization skills are abysmal. Very disappointed -- wish I would have heeded another Yelper's warning

Love this venue! As a photographer this venue seems like it was made with a photographers eye…read more Every detail is thought of from the bridal suite to the gorgeous pool. To the black and white dance floor. I love it!

Mike and crew were great guides. Horses healthy and well taken care of. Beach ride is a trail…read moreride, nose to tail, but was still enjoyable.

Ten years ago exactly, I met Steve and his horses while on my travels (from England). It was a…read morelife-changer. I'll never forget his kindness, respect and map drawing in the sand while I rode Bailey - forwards and backwards; a far cry from the suburban nose-to-tails in Richmond Park, Surrey. Such fond memories and much missed, all of it. Highly recommended.

Green Oaks Creek Farm is one of those places that embodies the promise of sustainable living in the…read more21st century. The coastal communities located between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz are ideal spots for such experiments in low-impact land use, and they offer great alternatives to corporate food culture to those lucky enough to access them. Green Oaks Creek is a small, family-owned farm and rural retreat located south of Pescadero between the Pacific and the Santa Cruz Mountains. You can tour the farm, camp out, stay overnight in a yurt, or even hold a wedding on their eco-friendly property. These all sound really great, and the farm - part of a historic orchard and ranch property settled by the Steele family in the early 1900s - is near to lots of cool places to visit: Pigeon Point lighthouse, Año Neuvo park, Butano park, Coastways Ranch, etc. But this review is about the food. On three acres of land dedicated to organic strawberries, flowers, herbs, and vegetables, the folks at GOCF produce some very lovely and delicious products, which the sell at several farmers' markets in the area and through a CSA program: Palo Alto (Sun), Pacifica (Wed.). and Half Moon Bay (Sat). Their stand is small but superb. We've gotten some fantastic Seascape organic strawberries, sweet and rich in flavor, as well as ultra-fresh green garlic, mixed greens, and lettuce. It's a lovely little set-up with something new every week, including cut flowers. We are happy to have found them and look forward to their late spring and summer offerings. Perhaps we'll visit the farm in the future, too!

We chose this place as a way to spend our anniversary weekend. We wanted to be away from the city,…read moreclose to the beach and hiking places, and we were enticed by the green, sustainable character of the Farm. What we found was not a green grass to camp on but a dry, dusty, stubbly field. The "kitchen" is this 3-walled, straw bale structure which looked unkempt, at first sight, and had rotting food in the fridge and questionable utensils. The outdoor bath is not dedicated to the campers, but actually shared with the farm staff. You'll find multiple towels and toiletries strewn about if you try to use it. But most of all, there was no sense of being welcomed by the owners. It was like having guests was an afterthought. It gave the impression of a couple of latecomer hippies that were on their way to failing their return to the land, and had a hard time keeping it all together: the farm, the retreat business, and their lives. We were going to spend two nights and ended up leaving the next morning to go back home.