Must-Visit Big Sur Destination Resort
Ventana Big Sur
While visiting Carmel, we had the opportunity to do a little outside exploring. One of the must-see stops on our list was Ventana, a 5-star resort set amid 160 forested acres on the rugged Pacific coast in Big Sur. Driving up to the property, you cannot miss the Glass Art Gallery, a small gallery and store with mighty local artwork, featuring a unique collection of painting, sculpture, jewelry, hand blown glass, stone and wood work, ceramics, basketry and photography.
From the gallery, we stepped out onto the outdoor space with glass-wrapped edges and looked out to the Pacific Ocean through a binocular lens on the terrace. We lucked out with a clear day, but I have a feeling that even a stormy or cloudy day is as spectacularly breathtaking.
My curiosity grew exponentially as we toured the Ventana property— insanely unique landscapes, compelling architecture, the calmness in the air. Since we weren’t able to stay at the resort this time around, I made a small investment for my travel bookshelf and bought Big Sur Revealed. The book features photographs of Big Sur, the extraordinary nature of this vast wilderness, storm clouds, granite beach stones and eroded hillsides, rising moons, water falls, blowholes, redwood forests, poppy covered hillsides, and architectural work of local world-class architects.
If you agree that presentation is everything, be sure to treat yourself to lunch or an afternoon drink (decor flowers are edible!) at The Sur House bar and restaurant. The views are spectacular, wildlife watch is spot-on, and the calm ocean breeze will even give you perfectly wild tresses. Need I say more? Other than, do you have any vacancies?? The resort is ideal for a special date getaway or any celebratory occasion, a solo retreat, glamping, a spa weekend, or at the very least, a well-worth-it stop on your way to or from Carmel or the Bay Area.
