When you’ve been married as long as Michael and I have, it takes a really special place to measure up to all the implications of a big anniversary.
Our anniversary was last week and, although we wanted to go away, we didn’t really want to go far since we had recently come back from our Buick Bucket List trip and I had just returned from London, so we decided on a luxury staycation.
We decided we’d spend our 33rd anniversary – yes, we are old – at the iconic Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, which has been a local landmark for almost a century. Renowned for its old-world charm, it recently underwent a $12 million renovation, and it looks better than ever.
We hoped that would rub off on us.
Located right in the middle of beautiful Rancho Santa Fe, one of the most exclusive areas in the U.S., the Inn is kind of like Oz. You follow the gorgeously-landscaped road into town, twisting and turning through the country roads, until there it is in front of you and you feel an immediate sense of peace.
Although it’s not far from Del Mar and is less than an hour from downtown San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe itself is a very quiet town. There are some top-notch restaurants but not many places to window shop, unless you’re looking for a multi-million dollar home. There are lots of real estate offices.
You stay at the Inn for serious relaxation or, as Michael suggested, for a “writer’s retreat.”
This time, we were there for the relaxation.
Our room was big and spacious, with a chair that I worried would be calling Michael’s name, but apparently the chaise on the outdoor patio was louder.
We napped and read the afternoon away, then took a walk around the pretty grounds. Michael checked out the vegetable garden to see if he could pick up any tips for his (best tip: hire a gardener). When we enjoyed our fresh salads later, it was nice to know we had seen where many of the ingredients had actually come from.
The Inn just opened its new Spa, as well, and if we had been spending another night, I would definitely have booked a massage. The Spa looks so warm and welcoming, and I’m glad we only live 15 minutes away so I can come back soon.
Our bathroom itself, though, was spa-worthy, with a gigantic shower and a nice selection of products. There is nothing like a nice hotel bathroom to make you feel like you’re living in luxury.
After a very leisurely shower, it was time for dinner. One of our favorite vacation activities is eating so we were very excited to be having dinner at Morada, the Inn’s farm-to-fork restaurant headed by Chef Todd Allison.
It was a beautiful night, as it usually is in San Diego, so we ate on the patio, appreciating the views and the food.
We loved our server, Kyrie, a vegan who helped Michael choose some delicious choices from the California-inspired menu. Meanwhile, I indulged in a bacon mac and cheese gratine appetizer followed by a smoked blue cheese encrusted flat iron steak. I’m sorry I can’t show you pictures of the steak — which was so flavorful, I wished Michael wasn’t a vegetarian so I could share it with him — but I got so involved eating it, I totally forgot to take a picture. I guess I’ll just have to go back.
For dessert, Kyrie surprised us with an anniversary s’mores something something that neither of us can remember the name of because we were so taken with the chocolate marshmallow gooeyness of it, we kind of spaced out.
After dinner, we walked back to our room, holding hands, taking in the scenery and laughing over some of the funnier moments of our marriage. Then I almost tripped over one of these chairs — yes, we are in horse country — which could easily have added to the constantly-growing list.
In the morning, we said goodbye to our new friend at the desk and walked across the street to Thyme in the Ranch. It is the cutest place, and we ordered a bunch of pastries and quiche to go.
But first we sat down on their porch for breakfast. And, although we had just celebrated an amazing anniversary at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe and were so grateful for being together in such a special place, we knew one thing for sure after being married all these years.
So listen up, young ‘uns! These are words of wisdom from a couple who have been together for more than three decades. In fact, it’s one of the most important secrets to keeping a marriage strong:
No matter how big the muffins are, you don’t always have to share.
I drove thru Rancho Santa Fe this past April when we were in SD. My in laws live in La Mesa and insisted on taking us there 🙂
What a lovely sounding place, I would love to get out and tour more of the world one day. x
I want to go!! And it is all your fault for posting this. The inn at rancho santa fe is just beautiful.
Wow! That looks absolutely breathtaking. I would love it there.
Looks like a great getaway! We have a couple nice places around us that we like to ‘staycation’ at also. Always good to get out of the house for a night!
Wow! I wish I had a bathroom like that in my home! That bacon mac and cheese appetizer looks delicious! What a fantastic trip!
I’d love to travel there! Looks very relaxing.
The food looks delicious. I would have dived right into that s’more thingamabob!
Sounds wonderful . It is amazing to me that you don’t weigh a gazillion pounds for all the eating and desserts you and Michael consume. I would have to be walking every waking hour. Love your adventures and of course love your desserts and food choices. Happy 33 years and many more filled with love, food and desserts, my friends.
That looks like a fantastic place to get away for your anniversary! The bathroom is gorgeous.
Oh wow, that looks like such a relaxing time. And the food looks amazingly delicious.
Happy anniversary! 🙂
What a beautiful place. I love staying in places like this.
Oh boy, the grounds and food look great! I’d love to be able to celebrate a honeymoon or anniversary at this place!
This looks like such a beautiful and relaxing place. I haven’t spent too much time in Southern California, but it always looks so exotic and adventurous to me. – Katy
You two are adorable and are such an inspiration for living well and laughing often. Congratulations on 33 years!
Sounds & Looks Like A Very Relaxing Place To Stay & The Food Looks Delicious Too!
you truly staycation in style!
happy anniversary! you picked the best way to celebrate
Oh my goodness, how amazing… everything from the room to the food seems perfect… What a great celebration
congrats on 33 years. we hit 15 this week. I loved santa fe when I was there 25 years ago. need to go back.
Everything looks divine at this location!! Congrats on 33 years and to another 33!
I would love the chance to stay here. It sounds like it is the perfect getaway.
Oh this sounds fantastic! I’d love a getaway here with my hubby! So fun!
You made that getaway sound so relaxing and refreshing. I want to escape there too!
This place looks amazing and so do those desserts. I want to take an anniversary trip this year.
What a cute little place! I would have loved to stay there as well 🙂
This place looks pretty awesome!
Beautiful! What an awesome way to spend your anniversary! The place looks great!
That spa and bathroom look incredible! Now I wanna goooo!
That looks like a relaxing vacation! I wanna go!
Ah….love that! And we also play the “do you remember” game on our anniversaries. It looks like an awesome place to celebrate each other.
Yum! to all of it!
What a wonderful celebration and especially going over those fun moments of the past. It sounds like you really have a great time together.
Looks and sounds wonderful and so southwestern-y. Glad you both had a great time.
I have always wanted to visit Rancho Santa Fe and after reading about your anniversary stay it is definitely high on my list!
What a great way to spend your Anniversary! Looks amazing and the food.. wow! I would love to visit someday!
This looks FABulous! And Santa Fe is only a five-hour drive from my house. Hmmmm… Perhaps my hubby and I should go soon. Or maybe we’ll wait until OUR 33rd, which is next June. 😀
Happy Anniversary! You are both such an inspiration.
What a beautiful place and the food all looks absolutely fabulous.
I definitely need to revisit California.
I would love to stay there. I love small inns and villas versus hotels when I travel
This looks so peaceful and luxurious. I would be all over those muffins!
What a fabulous place to relax and hang out.
These are gorgeous photo’s. I would love to go here and relax and take in the beautiful surroundings.
It looks fabulous. Your mac ‘n cheese: that’s what’s calling MY name. Wow!
Wow what a beautiful place! Happy Anniversary too.
Been there and enjoyed it immensely. Never did try the bacon mac-n-cheese. Damn. Must. Go. Back!
Belated Happy Anniversary! This place looks stunning! I’d love to get away with my husband for our next anniversary.
Rancho Santa Fe looks so beautiful. The food looks amazing as well.
This looks like a wonderful place to have a romantic little getaway. I would love to visit with my husband.
This place looks beautiful and so relaxing! Plus the room looks huge and I love that, I’m not a fan of small rooms. I’m adding to my travel list!
I like that the room was spacious. I would love to visit there too. 🙂
I’d love to stay in something like this! This is quite beautiful! Love the room! Very lovely.
Wow that is just beautiful. I will have to check it out sometime.
This looks like such a beautiful place! So perfect for celebrating a special anniversary!
This looks and sounds like such a wonderful place! I would like to go and stay for four or five days.
love the writeup! I forgot our anniversaries are so close – today is our 33rd, and of all places, we’re going to the track!?! would love to get together…cheers to you & Michael!
What a great place to stay and relax. It’s so open and spacious. I can totally see myself enjoying being there.