© Bernardus Lodge & Spa
Plan ahead to enjoy a series of culinary and garden-focused events this spring and summer at Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley, California. Each Saturday from noon to 1 p.m., starting Memorial Day weekend and continuing through August (except Aug. 25), Chef Cal Stamenov leads the popular Summer Garden Tour. Joined by horticulturist Mark Marino, guests tour the lodge’s three-acre organic herb, flower and and vegetable gardens and visit the on-site apiary to meet Italian honeybees that help sustain the property’s vibrant plantings.
The Lavender Harvest Celebration on July 24 highlights the estate’s expansive lavender plantings: more than 1,000 lavender plants mingle with olive trees and rosemary across the 28-acre property. During the celebration, Chef Cal and Mark Marino guide guests through the lavender beds, host a honey tasting, and present a buffet lunch inspired by the fragrant blooms.
© Bernardus Lodge & Spa
On July 28 the Rose Soiree takes place in the lodge’s fragrant rose garden. The event celebrates roses with selections of rosé wines, elegant canapés, a seafood bar and fresh seasonal desserts—an ideal occasion to don summer attire and your favorite hat while enjoying the garden ambiance and thoughtfully prepared food and beverages.
These seasonal programs combine hands-on garden experiences with culinary touches drawn from the estate’s own produce and honey, offering visitors a sensory way to connect with the landscape and the chefs who transform garden ingredients into memorable meals. Reserve early as these events are popular and space is limited.