In a fairytale land far, far away (or nearby depending on where you live), there was a small, picturesque town in Northern California called Carmel-by-the-Sea. It had rolling hills and sharp winding roads where women were advised not to wear heels higher than an inch or so due to the fear of falling down. A short walk towards the Pacific Ocean leads you to the beach where locals had built massive bonfire structures, waiting for that perfect moonlit night.
And in this fairytale land, there was a Bavarian style bed and breakfast getaway, the Hofsas House, owned by the Theis family and now celebrating seven decades of European hospitality. Donna Hofsas, a woman known for her strength and her unwillingness to sit idly by, founded Hofsas House Hotel, a family-run boutique inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea for the past six decades. With roots firmly in the past, there are no televisions in the rooms but if you’re lucky, a fireplace where you can relax looking at the leaping flames and sipping local wine. Within walking distance of everything Carmel (pronounced Car-mel not like the candy) has to offer, it provides peaceful respite minutes from Monterey, Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Pacific Grove. With 38 spacious rooms, they all have lovely views as well as some have private balconies, wet bars, kitchens and patios. Dutch doors (cut in two squares, each half opens up separately if you want) in every room allow guests to welcome in the ocean air and free WiFi (although choppy) enables you to stay connected — if you want to.
Continental breakfast in the lobby includes personal pots of fresh French Roast coffee, tea, juice, fruit and pastries from a neighborhood bakery and four-legged family members are welcome as well. A heated pool, dry saunas and off- street parking are available as well. Original founder Donna Hofsas commissioned her friend, artist Maxine Albro, to paint the Bavarian-themed welcome mural, and three of Maxine’s paintings hang in the lobby. As a tribute to Maxine, Donna’s granddaughter, Carrie Theis, now the general manager, commissioned local artist Christine Sorensen to touch up a headboard and valence, faux paint the walls, enhance the end tables and glaze the crown molding in Room 47.
The front of the Hofsas House in Carmel by the Sea, CA.Pull your car through next to the mural for free parking on the hillside at Hofsas House.Parking my Mazda 6 car rental in the lone VIP spot with the Hofsas House in the background looking fly.Up on the third floor at the Hofsas House with views toward the Pacific Ocean.A peek out the other side of the views shows the heated pool which was a welcome way to wake up with some laps in the morning at Hofsas House.The HH Room where I stayed at the Hofsas House features a fireplace for those chilly nights and never needs any air conditioning, imagine that!Some California wine and gourmet cheese like junipero from the beloved area favorites, The Cheese Shop, awaited me… and I might have eaten a whole triangle of addicting roboiola cheese in one sitting.Some tasty chardonnay from Monterey literally one weekend before the wildfires tore though. A wine and cheese option is always available at Hofsas House for a fee as well as couples massage.My first exploration was finding that beloved beach, about a 10 minute walk from Hofsas House.A sight for sore, East Coast eyes at Carmel by the Sea, CA.Getting closer to the beach at Carmel by the Sea, CA.People were out in droves at the beach at Carmel by the Sea, CA.Beach bonfires are an amazing thing at Carmel by the Sea, CA.A classic California scene of some beach volleyball at Carmel by the Sea, CA.Hunger lead to the 5th Avenue Deli for lunch with a generous gift certificate from the Hofsas House, a 7 minute walk uphill from the ocean.With brown bag in hand (there are no plastic bags here), I took lunch back to the Hofsas House and enjoyed the patio views along with my tuna and chicken salad sandwiches with fresh, healthy sides and mint iced tea.After filling the tummy tank, it was off to explore the Carmel wine walk trail. Most people don’t know you can buy a pack of 10 tasting tickets through the tourism board for around $100 and spend all day tasting. I only had a handful of tastings in me as I had to drive up the coast later but started with Scheid Vineyards.You can’t miss this tasting space with this sign at Scheid Vineyards.A little background on Scheid Vineyards who were the most generous with pours and not sticking to the passport only gives you so many tastings rule.Going through the whites was my mission at Scheid Vineyards.
While none were mind blowing favorites, the triple layer white was delightful and you really could taste 3 layers of flavors in every sip. It got a surprised “mmmmmm!” from me at first sip.
Caraccioli Cellars was up next and immediately the dungeon basement decor was appealing.The family background was in lettuce but they grew bored and began Caraccioli Cellars.Kind of in love with the oversized champagne flutes at Caraccioli Cellars.This is the California champagne with a price tag similar to Moet. While it’s almost as close to brut bubbles as champagne can get without actually being from Champagne, France, it doesn’t deserve the markup but still pretty darn tasty and can trick the tastebuds!The chardonnay was tart at Caraccioli Cellars.The rose was tangy due to the pinto noir at Caraccioli Cellars and in love with the oversized bottles too!De Tierra Vineyards was suggested as it is adorable and rustic on the outside.De Tierra vineyards was chic on the inside with snack options too.This riesling stood out with its floral, grassy flavors. A perfect wine for a hot summer day!You can easily rose all day at De Tierra vineyards with this baby and its blood orange/tangerine tang.These interesting doorways that seem like magical passageways are what makes Carmel by the Sea, CA so dreamy. This was a walkway to an antique shop.Last but not least, my spidey sense said to go to the place where Drew Barrymore is a partner in Carmel by the Sea, CA.The interior of Carmel Road in Carmel by the Sea, CA.Another outstanding rose at Carmel Road, the Barrymore rose of pinto noir.A fantastic white with mineral, metallic tastes at Carmel Road.The wine that sold me at Carmel Road was this not so sweet riesling, it was so drinkable I stayed for a full glass, bought a bottle and almost the mineral white above too! Always listen to your gut on the wine trail. Many were telling me to go other places but I knew where to go! And with a stack of wine trail cards left, I will be back to replicate this amazing experience perhaps with a friend next time.Carmel Road creator and co-partner Drew Barrymore wishing you happy wine trails in Carmel by the Sea, CA.
