If you’re looking for a vacation destination away from the summer heat, but you don’t want to put your game on hold, then you’re looking to experience the Carmel Valley Ranch in the seasonally cool climate of Carmel, California. (The average highs year round are low 60’s in winter and upper 60’s to low 70’s in summer.)
The 500-acre family and pet-friendly property trails along an inland valley in the wooded Santa Lucia Mountains, above the fog that sometimes blankets the coast. The gorgeous suites all have fireplaces and terraces and are perched high in the hills, with scenic views and easy access to the lodge and Valley Kitchen restaurant. Adjacent to the lodge is the 10,500 sq. ft. Aiyana Spa and an adult pool with a rimless hot tub, and in the valley right below it is the activity zone called “River Ranch”, which includes 6 hard courts and 2 Har-Tru clay courts and clay tennis courts, a junior Olympic pool, a kids’ splash pool, and a second wellness adult pool, a 5,200 sq. ft. fitness center (whose extensive roster of classes are all complimentary), a bocce court, and a cafe serving light fare for golfers and tennis players in what was originally a 1890s farmhouse.
Couple all of this with over 300 days of sunshine in Carmel Valley and you are ready to play at one of the best tennis resorts in California! Now, doesn’t that sound like the perfect tennis getaway?
THE LODGING
There are 181 suites in all, draped along the top of a ridge. Spacious and well appointed—sizes range from 650 to 1,200 square feet—they all have living areas with travertine fireplaces, wet bars, separate living rooms, complimentary WiFi, flat-screen televisions with BluRay players, iPod hookups, and bath amenities made with fresh-pressed lavender harvested on the property. One set of rooms, which are larger and more private, trail along winding paths through large groupings of oak trees; the other set, while somewhat smaller, occupy terraces on an open hillside that gives them an expansive view of the valley.
THE FOOD
There are two dining options on the property itself: The Valley Kitchen has a well-established reputation for serving delicious California cuisine inspired by the produce of Carmel Valley itself, including ingredients from the resort’s organic garden, wine from its own vineyard, olive oil from its trees, fresh eggs from its chickens, and honey from its apiary. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; otherwise, there is light fare—sandwiches, salads, smoothies—at the River Ranch Cafe.
THE TENNIS
At Carmel Valley Ranch, there are 6 hard courts and 2 Har-Tru clay courts available for play and instruction, all with amazing views of the beautiful green valley below.
Head tennis instructors Chris Myrold and Jon Kooy bring years of experience teaching at clubs and resorts nationally and abroad. Additionally, Carmel Valley Ranch partners with Peter Burwash International, who has provided quality tennis instruction and tennis management services for many of the world’s best resorts, hotels, and clubs and has taught over 3 million students, from beginners to professionals.
In addition to hitting with your travel companion(s), you can take advantage of the resort’s excellent daily programs, including:
- Mondays: Baseline Game, 9:30am – 10:30am | 3+ the PBI Pro, 10:30am-12:00pm
- Tuesdays: Net Game, 10:30am – 11:30am
- Wednesdays: Ball Machine Drill & Video, 10:30am – 12:00pm
- Thursdays: Singles/Doubles Strategy, 9:00am – 10:30am | Doubles Mixer, 10:30am – 12:30pm
- Fridays: Mid-Court Game, 9:00am – 10:00am | 3+ the Pro, 10:00am – 11:30am
- Saturdays: Serve And Return Game, 9:00am – 10:00am | Cardio Tennis, 10:00am – 11:00am
- Sundays: Mixed Live Ball 3.0+, 10:00am – 11:00am | Doubles Mixer, 11:00am – 1:00pm
OTHER RECREATION
Golf
Pete Dye designed the resort’s 18-hole course in 1981 and it was redesigned in 2010. The front nine meanders along the Carmel River, but the back nine climbs into the forested upland, where holes 10 to 14 cling to the hillsides, with drops as much as 350 feet from tee to green.
Spa & Fitness Center
The 10,500-square-foot Spa Aiyana, adjacent to the Lodge, takes its cue from the gardens by incorporating fresh herbs, botanical extracts, and various oils into its treatments. There is a gas log fireplace in the waiting area and another in the couples treatment room. There are actually two fitness centers: a small one near the lodge and accessible to guests 24/7 using their room key card; and the larger one at River Ranch, which in addition to having a full suite of workout equipment offers Pilates, yoga, spinning, body sculpting, guided hikes, and more, all of them complimentary for guests.
Bee Happy
Experience the ancient magic of beekeeping through the lens of Beekeeper Mariah McDonald and the Carmel Valley Ranch Bees! The Amazing World of Bees will delight the imagination and the senses as you experience beekeeping at its fullest. From hive science demonstrations to honey extractions, you’ll learn the latest buzz about these important pollinators. Each class begins in the Organic Garden with a hive science discussion and demonstration, accompanied by refreshing honey-lavender lemonade. Then you’ll suit up and head into the Apiary to learn how new hive installations draw connections between plants and herbs, pollen and pollinators. Finally, you’ll taste honey from different hives, infused with the flavors of the herbs growing nearby.
Tap Into Your Inner Sommelier
Elevate your guest experience through unique and educational tasting programs, winemaker dinners, and holiday-themed events showcasing the best of local purveyors.
And…
The kiddos can have fun in the splash zone and the whole fam can enjoy hiking trails that lead into the Santa Lucia Mountains, as well as long horseback rides through the hills and woods above Carmel Valley Ranch.
THE TENNIS CALENDAR
Sept. 7-9, 2018: Peter Burwash International Tennis For Life Camp
This 3-day camp kicks off with a round-robin mixer and welcome party. Day 2 consists of 5 1/2 hours of on-court drills followed by optional tennis lessons, spa services, and/or other resort activities. It concludes with another 2 hours of on-court work and a round robin. Participants also receive a Tennis For Life book by Peter Burwash and a player packet.
Oct. 12-14, 2018: Peter Burwash International Tennis For Life Camp
This 3-day camp kicks off with a round-robin mixer and welcome party. Day 2 consists of 4½ hours of on-court drills followed by optional tennis lessons, spa services, and/or other resort activities. It concludes on Sunday morning with another 2 hours of on-court work and a round robin. Participants also receive a Tennis For Life book by Peter Burwash and a player packet.
For more information:
Website: Peter Burwash International Tennis For Life Camp
Phone: 831-626-2554
Email: cmyrold@carmelvalleyranch.com.
RESERVATIONS
To reserve your tennis vacation from the heat, use the contact information below:
Carmel Valley Ranch
One Old Ranch Rd.
Carmel, CA 93923
