For couples who want to stretch their wedding festivities at Stonepine Estate’s wedding venue into a whole weekend, the Monterey Peninsula has plenty to offer in the way of historic charm, natural beauty, and walkable downtowns sans crowds. Here, you can spend your days exploring the hiking trails that wind through the region’s awe-inspiring landscapes, unwinding at one of the area’s many spas, or simply basking under the California sun. “The beach is vast and gorgeous, with a ton of happy puppies running around, kids jumping in the Pacific ocean, and couples enjoying the sunsets,” says Oceanne Hentschel, director of events and resident manager at Stonepine Estate.

If you and your significant other are the type of culinary travelers who build their schedules around where to eat, the Monterey Peninsula also offers up an exciting food scene waiting to be explored. Over the past few years, a crop of inventive restaurants and bars have expanded the region’s culinary landscape with their focus on hyper-local ingredients and diverse flavors. With so many options, it’s hard to choose where to go first — but that’s where we come in. With the help of longtime residents like Oceanne, we’ve crafted a perfect itinerary for every kind of couple tying the knot at Stonepine Estate — nature and adventure lovers, history buffs, foodies, and wellness seekers.

For the Foodies

For a prime morning meal, start your Saturday with breakfast at Sunny Bakery Cafe, just a five-minute drive from our estate, where you’ll find an impressive selection of handheld sweets and comfort-food favorites like bagels with lox, lemon pound cake, extra-fluffy cinnamon rolls, and light-and-flaky croissants, to name a few. For brunch, Lucia Restaurant & Bar serves up Californian cuisine with ingredients plucked straight from its garden in an impossibly chic, country-inspired digs. Casual dinners are best spent at Jeju Kitchen, which offers a menu of delicious Korean fare. On the fine-dining side of things, Chez Noir proves it deserves every bit of its Michelin star with a French-Californian four-course prix fixe that focuses heavily on seafood. The vibe is upscale but homey — perfect for celebrating a special occasion like a wedding. (Another Michelin restaurant in town, Aubergine, just earned its second star.)

The following morning, head out to explore Monterey, making Alta Bakery & Cafe your first stop for the day for caffeinating. Set inside a historic adobe complex, this charming breakfast spot whips up everything from goat cheese frittatas to lemon-curd-and-berry pavlovas. Stop by for a mighty bowl of clam chowder at Old Fisherman’s Grotto, served up alongside waterfront views. And speaking of the water, there are more views to soak up at Coastal Kitchen when dinnertime rolls around. The restaurant’s tasting menu zeroes in on local, seasonal fare that showcases the region’s best bounty. Seafood is to be expected — so is an impressive wine list made for perfect pairings.

For The Wellness Seekers

Those looking for some much-needed zen on their wedding weekend won’t be disappointed with what they find on the Monterey Peninsula — and that is, an abundance of serene natural landscapes, world-class spas, and endless stretches of sand and sea. Your wellness wedding weekend starts right here at Stonepine Estate, where you and your partner can kick off the morning with a relaxing meditation. Roll out your yoga mat amongst the verdant scenic hills and grassy knolls that make this peaceful place a true oasis. Stroll through the olive groves and stop by the reflection pond for a moment of tranquility. For a more hands-on way to ease aches and anxiety, head to The Spa at Pebble Beach — a 22,000-square-foot Forbes Five-Star-awarded facility with an exceptional range of treatments, from head-to-toe scrubs to flotation wraps. A couple’s massage by the fireplace is just what you’ll need to combat wedding burnout.

Start your Sunday with some equine therapy with the majestic animals who call our estate home. As part of our property, Double H Ranch offers a fully operational equestrian center, and our guests are welcome to bond with its residents (upon request). Then, a 20-minute-ish drive will lead you to Refuge, where you and your better half will get to enjoy one of the most unique experiences in the region — a thermal cycle that takes you from intense heat to cold waters, followed by a period of rest. The indoor-outdoor sanctuary is also a silent facility, meaning no beeping phones to distract you from soaking in this ancient Nordic tradition.

For the Adventurers

Love being outside with your significant other? There are plenty of outdoor adventure dates to be had on the Monterey Peninsula, thanks to its breathtaking coastal terrain. Start your Saturday at Stonepine Estate with a leisurely stroll along Spring Valley (perfect for peeping wildlife), or hike up to the Spanish Bowl from the entrance of the Equestrian Center. Venture off property and tackle the trails at Garland Ranch Regional Park. If you’re looking for a little education along your route, Buckeye Nature Trail offers signage with information on what’s around you. You’ll wind through eucalyptus, oak, cottonwood, and maple trees, and likely spy some feathered friends amongst their branches. If you’re looking for something a little more strenuous, the aptly named Sky Trail promises steep inclines — and some killer views as a reward. But hiking isn’t the only way to enjoy the park; horseback riding and mountain bike riding (in limited areas) afford a different pace for exploration.

When in town, you’ll be hard-pressed to resist the call of the water — and that’s exactly how you and your better half can spend your Sunday. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner finding your sea legs, stand-up paddleboarding is a surefire way to have fun under the sun. Adventures By The Sea runs lessons, tours, and rentals for stand-up paddleboards as well as kayaks and electric bikes. Later, before heading back to your stay, cool down with a leisurely hike along the Bird Island Trail near Carmel-by-the-Sea. Although it’s short (the out-and-back trail takes about 20 minutes to complete), the views are what will make you want to linger longer. Bring some snacks and drinks for a romantic picnic at the trailhead.

For the History Buffs

You don’t need to venture far to get a taste of history. Start your history lesson right here at Chateau Noel by exploring the villa’s near-century-old past. Treasures all around the estate — from French limestone fireplaces to a Prohibition-era speakeasy — offer glimpses into the property’s history. Beyond the castle, you and your partner can make the drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea, a historic seaside town whose early residents include poets, artists, and writers the likes of George Sterling, Jack London, and Salvador Dali. No trip to the Monterey Peninsula is complete without a walk through the town’s cottage-lined streets and cobblestone courtyards, where you can practically feel the place’s creative energy. Take in the whimsical cottages built by Hugh Comstock, many of which look like something straight out of a fairytale. Don’t leave without touring the authentically restored Carmel Mission Basilica, built in the late 18th century by Roman Catholic friars.

Dedicate your Sunday to exploring Monterey, the setting of John Steinbeck’s 1945 classic novel “Cannery Row,” in which he described the town’s sardine-factory-lined waterfront as "a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream." You can wander along that same-but-changed waterfront and trace the footsteps of the book’s protagonist — who was based on a real-life marine biologist named Ed Ricketts — through the Monterey Bay Aquarium. (For a deeper literary excursion, add a stop at the author’s boyhood home and museum in Salinas.) Elsewhere in Downtown Old Monterey, you’ll find a slew of historic buildings, museums, and gardens, like the Cooper-Molera Adobe, which dates back to 1827. From there, an eight-minute walk will take you to the Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo. Built in the late 1700s, the Spanish Colonial-style structure is considered to be the oldest stone building in California.

Looking for even more ways to celebrate your Stonepine Estate wedding on the Monterey Peninsula? Our experts are here to help create the perfect itinerary for you, your significant other, and your wedding guests. Contact us to get started.