Desperate Housewives Getaway in Monterey
By: Ruth Carlson
Growing up with five sisters, a typical day began with screaming squabbles over clothes mysteriously missing from our closets. Our mom, Rosie Kuhl, told us that someday we’d be glad to have such a large family and she was right. Today my sisters are my best friends.
Every year we get together for a “desperate housewives” weekend in locations around the world and this time we chose the Monterey Peninsula. Sis Deb put it best, “It’s close to home but I really feel like we’re getting away.”
Women-only trips are a growing trend right now in the travel industry. International hotel chains like the Fairmont and Pan Pacific are appealing to female groups with discounted rates. Tennessee is promoting girlfriend-shopping trips to factory outlets and the southern California Temecula Valley Inn has a “grapevine” package--a shuttle bus chauffeurs women to vineyards so they can go “sideways” safely.
The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau began promoting “Girls Goodlife Getaways” a year ago. Koleen Hamblin, owner of KOLI Communications, which represents Monterey County, credits the growing number of women-only vacations to changing finances. “Women are finally making enough money to enjoy themselves, with or without their spouses,” says Hamblin. “The concept of getting away with friends has always been reserved for the elite. Today there is a new breed of female traveler who is ready, willing and able.”
Count my sisters among them. Susan, Jane, and Debbie drove to Monterey, but Cathy and Carrie couldn’t leave their toddlers. Fortunately, our cousin Edie and Debbie’s best friend, Cathy, were available. We stayed at the LaPlaya Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, just three blocks from the beach and a short stroll to shopping. La Playa has several cottages with fully stocked kitchens, outdoor patios, fireplaces and free wireless internet access, perfect for family getaways.
Many people visit the Monterey Peninsula to play golf, go kayaking or bicycle along beach paths. In my family, we share shopping. Thanks to years of training by our mother, we head straight for the sales rack and rip through it like pigeons spotting a bag of Doritos on the beach. We commandeer adjoining dressing rooms and come out half dressed, soliciting each other’s advice.
For your own safety, stay out of the way when you see us all coveting the same item and there’s only size left. At Lloyd’s on Ocean St., everyone tried on a pair of red suede sandals on sale for $50.00, (regularly $300!). Even though they were size 81/2, they fit my size 10 whoppers. “You’re the Cinderella of our group…today,” quipped Cathy. Luckily the police didn’t notice my new “glass slippers” since it’s against the law to wear high heels without a permit! (Due to the uneven nature of the sidewalks and streets, the city demands that women wearing high heels obtain a permit which says they won’t sue if they fall. )
If you gravitate to luxury boutiques, or you want to pretend you’re wealthy for a day, sign up for the free concierge service at the newly renovated Carmel Plaza. “I’m here for anyone who is looking for a more personalized shopping experience,” says Beth Culbertson. “For example, a bridal group may want to see J. Jill's new line while sipping wine and having appetizers. Then onto wedding makeup assistance at the Cos Bar (a new cosmetic/perfume shop) before lunch at Anton & Michel or PortaBella restaurant. I can also arrange to have stores select items in a customer's size, and have outfits put together and ready for her to try on.”
This summer the San Francisco landmark Wilkes Bashford and the French-inspired chain Anthropology are due to open. The locally owned boutique Dutches sells handmade big hats --perfect for the Concours D’Elegance car show held each summer in Pebble Beach. End your spree at the Cheese Shop, a tiny European-style store with friendly staffers who insist that you try free samples. Locals purchase picnic supplies and enjoy it in the outdoor courtyard or on the beach.
Carmel Plaza anchors the main shopping street, Ocean, where Cathy bought a gift for her boy at Boatworks, we all found sale items at the Coach outlet before stocking up on bubble bath and shampoo at Lush, the British bath and beauty sensation that only has a few stores in America. The uber-hip store, Girl Boy Girl, is a few blocks away at Mission and Seventh. When we asked about the sales rack we learned that last season’s merchandise is donated to the SPCA benefit shop on Lincoln St. between 5th & 6th. You’ve never seen six women in high heels run so fast. We didn’t find anything that day at this tiny store, but with regular contributions from BGB, you can count on a sister sighting soon!
It’s a good thing the stores close at 6:00 since you don’t want to miss sunset at the Inn at Spanish Bay. Save your receipt for the 17-mile-drive entrance fee, because if you spend at least $25.00 on drinks or food at the restaurant, your $8.75 ticket is reimbursed. Get there early to nab a cushioned bench surrounding one of the outdoor fire pits and enjoy the free concert by a bagpiper strolling the white sand dunes while sipping pinot noir or a hot brandy. For dinner, drive five minutes to Passion Fish, in Pacific Grove. They’re known for fresh seafood and an extensive wine list at retail prices. The “Kuhl girls” recommend the ahi tuna appetizer and zucchini fries.
That evening, we put on a fashion show…a family tradition. After shopping with our mom we would parade around the living room and three decades later we still like to pretend we’re on the runway. Rosie died at the young age of 53, but we like to think she’s still helping us find bargains. We know she’s glad we’re taking time out of our busy lives to reconnect with our best friends.
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Six Tips from Six Sisters: Group Activities for Gals (besides shopping)
1. Cathy says, walk your dog. Carmel is probably the most canine friendly city in the U.S. There’s a Fountain of Woof at the Carmel plaza, every restaurant welcomes pooch and offers free biscuits, and dog stores sell sweaters and four-poster beds for your four legged friends. There’s even a high tea just for dogs at Doris Day’s hotel, the Cypress Inn. It was enough to make us all want to rush out and get a purse puppy…or maybe it’s just those cool designer doggy bags we covet.
2. Susan recommends visiting the wineries. There are 22 tasting rooms in the Carmel Valley and they’re racking up international awards. The website: www.montereywines.org has maps, information on tours, and visiting hours.
3. Ruthie likes the benefits of anti-oxidants without the calories. The latest spa treatments use chocolate and wine to polish your body. Bernardus Lodge offers a Harvest Crush massage using grape seeds, the Pebble Beach Resprts spa entices you with a chocolate and roses facial, and the Quail Lodge swears their Green Tea and Ginger Seaweed Wrap willl revivie you. www.pebblebeach.com, www.bernardus.com, www.quaillodge.com
4. Debbie spent years in France and loves to cook so she wants to visit the Culinary Center of Monterey. They offer a variety of day courses in a state of the art “Dream Kitchen.” Learn to craft decadent chocolate treats or cook for a romantic rendezvous from classically trained chefs. www.culinarycenterofmonterey.com
5. Edie is the most athletic one of the group--so her pick is a golf lesson from a female instructor. Janet Coles, a former professional golfer, teaches at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, and Katherine Nino, promises to get you from the Tee to the Green. Janet Coles: www.quaillodge.com, Katherine Nino: Monterey Golf Institution, (831) 644-9900, www.golfinst.com
6. Thrifty Jane always reminds us about our annual “clothes swap.” Everyone brings items they don’t wear anymore. It’s a great way to clean out your closet and get new clothes at the same time.
Article Details:
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
888/221-1010 www.montereyinfo.org
Carmel Plaza: www.carmelplaza.com. To arrange a concierge appointment: Contact Marketing Manager Ryan Williams, (831-624-0138).
Inn at Spanish Bay: www.pebblebeach.com
Passion fish restaurant: www.passionfish.net
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