Planning a wedding is challenging and couples may spend a year or more between settling on a specific site and arranging all the details.  Every wedding is a happy event and every one unique; whether several hundred guests or just two attend.  A couple may bring friends and family  and visit many times throughout a year working with us to plan their special day.  A couple may not visit Sand Rock Farm until the Wedding and do all their planning with us online.

Just such a wedding was celebrated last month with a delightful bride and groom and each of their parents.  What made it particularly special is that they are all from Wisconsin, had never been to California and definitely not to Sand Rock Farm.

They arrived on a Thursday, stopped to pick up a wedding license and then the three couples made their way here.  After wandering the property, the bride and groom selected a special spot under the redwoods for their ceremony.

They did not come all this way and not want to visit Monterey, the ocean, the wineries, the redwoods. Friday was spent discovering our Central Coast.  What a difference from their Wisconsin summer!

Of course the crowning touch to the weekend was the lovely ceremony on Saturday with just the parents and the wedding couple.  A celebratory glass of champagne and a slice of cake and then off to  dinner.

Congratulations!

Whale Watching Package is $ 87 above room rate.  Plus – extend your stay and take 30% off your third night!

Available any available nights in August & September. Subject to availability.

Get 50% off your third night midweek visit (Sun-Thurs). To take advantage of this discount, you must mention this special at the time of booking.  Subject to availability.

“Pampered visitors quickly learn that hidden delights are the norm at Historic Sand Rock Farm.

Sand Rock Farm is an elegant country home nestled on 10 lush acres in Aptos.  Filled with lovely antiques and cozy corners, it invites visitors to relax and forget the stress of the bustling world outside.”

Aptos, Calif. | Historic Sand Rock Farm — Book a room at the regular rate and choose from a variety of picnic packages. Your hosts will pack a picnic lunch if you want to take a walk through a garden of roses or a local apple orchard, visit Santa Cruz Mountains wineries or kayak on Elkhorn Slough. Valid for all rooms at the regular rate. The package is available midweek and weekends through April 30, but  you must book it when you make the reservation. Room rates range from $185 to $225, per night, pretax.

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/bed-and-breakfast-va-6619/

The pulled pork is absolutely first rate – smokey, tender, moist… I got it with apple coleslaw and a ciabatta role (that was toasted on the grill) and the spicy bbq sauce – honestly can’t think of a way to make it better.  I thought I was ordering the pulled pork sandwich, but the way it worked out was even better!

We also tried the babyback ribs – they’re a bit dry (you add sauce of your choice, sweet-smokey or spicy-hot), but incredibly flavorful.  True slow cooking – lean and smokey.

Max had Quattro Formaggio Pizza cooked in the wood oven – flavorful crust, tender, crisp enough.  There was too much cheese; next time we’ll ask for “light cheese” and it will be ideal.

The ambiance is nice – they’ve done a good job creating a warm, casual, young, energetic environment that’s got a touch of class.  It’s not a “pizza joint” – cloth napkins, nice art – nor is it “fine dining.”

Here are a few more pix:

Italian wood fired oven

Diverse menu - focus on BBQ & pizza

Nice details

Each dish is a unique offering with a range from delicate spices to intensely deep (but not particularly spicy-hot) flavors.  Our top favorites are the chicken tikka masala (Kris) and tandori basa (“kids”) and the okra (“kids” again, picture below).  There are also many other vegetarian options.  As people who’ve savored Indian on several continents we’re confident that Ambrosia is WELL worth a visit — and it’s about five minutes from the B&B!

A scrumptious dry-roasted okra (a little crispy) with fresh ginger

Mixed tandoori appetizer

The naan is dangerously good!

Ambrosia is just off State Park exit toward the ocean, here’s the link to Yelp

Anybody out there want to make a Valentine or Spring wreath?  Love to have you visit Sand Rock Farm for a night midweek and you can create your own!