If you want to host the most epic bachelorette party for your adventurous bride, full of outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery, Northern California has some incredible destinations that won't want to be missed. In this adventurous bachelorette party guide, I will show you the best places to stay and how to make your time with your bridal party extra memorable!
Okay first I need to get this off my chest, the traditional bachelorette party isn't for everyone, and it honestly fading out of style. Millennials have caused a cultural shift in decision making and trip planning and it is changing the course on the way we travel. You no longer have to limit yourself to typical destinations such as Las Vegas and Los Angeles for your bachelorette party. If your bride is adventurous and would rather spend her time being outdoors, Northern California is a great place to start your bachelorette party research!
There are many fun things to do for the adventurous bachelorette party, such as tipsy yoga, paddle boarding, glamping, and so much more! Whether your bridal party wants to work up a sweat before cracking a cold one by the fire, or just wants to unwind with the sounds of nature and good conversation, this guide has something for all bachelorettes.
Before You Dive into Planning... Take a Look at these Bachelorette Must Haves to make your Adventurous Bridal Party Extra Special!
South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is the ideal destination for the well-balanced bride who wants to go on an adventure but also enjoys some nightlife or daytime drinking by the water! Lake Tahoe is bordered by forested mountains and is most known for its stunning lake, which offers a wide range of exciting activities for people of all ages. Not to mention that Lake Tahoe offers a variety of amazing vacation rental cabins and adventure themed hotels to help you complete your mountain trip!
Where to Stay: Basecamp in South Lake Tahoe is my favorite budget-friendly adventure themed hotel, but if you want a little more luxury, Coachman Hotel is an excellent pick. If you want to lodge in a shared space with your crew, VRBO has some great vacation rentals.
Things to Do: Take a Sailing Cruise , Take a Boozy Yoga Class, Hit the Hiking Trails, Kayak or Paddle Board Zephyr Cove
Browse all Lake Tahoe Activity Ideas Here
Where to Eat: There are a wide variety of dining options in the village for you to choose from but some of my favorites include Sprouts Natural Foods Cafe! Himmel Haus, MacDuffs Pub, and Toulouse ! For coffee in the morning I love Revive Coffee House, plus it has a cozy cute cabin vibe to it!
Where to Drink: Definitely check out Beach House or Idle Hour for sunset drinks, Community Speakeasy for a unique experience with a small group, and The Hangar if your bride likes beer! Definitely don't miss out on the beach bar experience at Round Hill Pines Resort, and make sure to order your bride a few Pain Killers before her last hoorah!
Pro Tip: You Must Pack Altitude Sickness Medicine + Liquid IV Hydration Packs for your Tahoe trip. You never know who in your bridal party might feel the affects of the altitude change and it's important to be prepared before you arrive!
I may be biased because I had my bachelorette party at South Lake Tahoe with my bride tribe, and it far exceeded all of my expectations. You can read about the full details of my bachelorette party here!
Lake Tahoe Bachelorette Must Haves!
Guerneville
For an epic bacherlorette in Guerneville, CA, you'll want to kayak down the Russian River and take your girls wine tasting. This calmer and rustic destination in Sonoma County is ideal for ladies searching for a more laid-back weekend filled with good food, wine, and the great outdoors. Immerse yourself in the redwood paradise with a glass of wine and enjoy the sweet sounds of nature.
Where to Stay: The dream destination for any adventurous bride would be Auto Camp Russian River , think summer camp meets 5 start resort! Cottages on River Road and Highlands Resort both have a nice rustic and homey feel and fire pits on site. Although I think you can get very fortunate with home rentals in the area, some of which have amazing river views!
Things to Do: Take a Kayak Tour on the Russian River , Sip Champagne at the Korbel Winery, Enjoy a Beach Day at Sonoma Coast State Park
Where to Eat: Enjoy breakfast with views of the river at The Farm Hand, check out El Barrio for a fun girls dinner with craft cocktails and elevated Mexican food. A coveted spot for elevated farm to fork cuisine is Boon Eat + Drink but make sure to arrive early and only go if your group size is under 6!
Where to Drink: You are in the heart of wine country so if your bachelorette party enjoys wine you will be well taken care of. Try Porter Bass Winery if you want to have the true vineyard experience and Equality Vines for a quick and awesome wine tasting in town! Of course Guerneville is home to Korbel Champagne Cellars, which is always a must!
Pro Tip: Don't skip out on the deli at Korbel!
Guerneville Bachelorette Must Haves!
Bear Valley
If you and your bridal party want to go off the beaten path for the ultimate adventure weekend then let me put you on to this small mountain town in Stanislaus National Forest. Bear Valley in the Summer makes for the perfect place for a bride who wants to have a summer camp themed bachelorette party! Road trip up into the mountains with your girls for a glamping getaway and enjoy some quality time together before sending your bride off! See my full Summer Adventure Glamping Guide to Bear Valley here.
Where to Stay: Bear Valley Resort offers individual glamping tents with queen size beds which is comfortable for 2 people, and extra cots can be requested! They have a communal gathering room in the Ski Lodge (unoccupied to public in Summer) which could be fun to decorate for your bride! :) You can also find some vacation rentals in the area here.
Things to Do: Rent Paddle boards + Kayaks from Bear Valley Adventure Co, Spend a Day at Lake Alpine, Hit the Hiking Trails - don't miss Calaveras Big Trees on the way up!
Where to Eat: Because the food options are limited, I recommend bringing a cooler with all of your favorite lunch items and dining at Lake Alpine Lodge for dinner.
Where to Drink: BYOB or Lake Alpine Lodge
Pro Tip: Stop through the charming town of Murphy's on your way up and do some wine tasting and grab some bottles to go!
Bear Valley Bachelorette Must Haves!
Placerville
Placerville is such an underrated destination that I think it would be a great location to come virtually any time of year, although my favorite time to visit is in the fall for Apple Hill! Spend the day with your bride tribe touring El Dorado's wine country and hiking trails, then cozy up in a cabin with your girlfriends for a round of mulled cider.
Where to Stay: For a smaller group looking for a quieter escape you might consider the Eden Vale Inn, otherwise renting a vacation home for your bridal party is a great choice too for this area!
Things to Do: Visit Apple Hill (Year Round Activities), Go Wine Tasting, Hiking & Lake Day at Sly Park Lake
Where to Eat: Placerville's historic Main Street is peppered with charming local eateries, and since you're in the center of California's farm-to-fork culture, you're sure to discover farm-fresh cuisine. Check out Hay Day Cafe, The Farm Table Restaurant and Hog Wild BBQ on Main Street. If you are looking for a dinner on the fancier side for your bride check out Smith Flat House for an elevated cuisine experience.
Where to Drink: Edio Winery at Delfino Farms, Boeger, and Starfield Vineyards are some of my favorite wineries in El Dorado County, although you can't go wrong at most places up here! For cider, check out the cider flights at Boa Vista Orchards and the amazing North Canyon Cider Co!
Pro Tip: Make sure to grab some local food goodies from Boa Vista Orchards Market and take your cider flight to the outside picnic tables across the street for a great view!
Placerville Bachelorette Must Haves!
Mendocino
If your bachelorette party is seeking zen vibes and a truly tranquil retreat away from it all, this is the place to go. Enjoy wine tasting with breathtaking ocean views, grab lunch at one of the charming local eateries, and spend the night glamping or rent a home by the coast.
Where to Stay: Check out Mendocino Grove for the ultimate glamping experience or personally I think renting a vacation home by the ocean would provide the best experience for your bridal party! If you want to camp/glamp on the beach consider checking out this article for more info.
Things to Do: Horseback Riding at Ross Ranch , Go Hiking at Russian Gulch State Park , Wine Taste at Pacific Star Winery
Where to Eat: Stop into Good Life Cafe & Bakery for breakfast or Fog Eater Cafe for brunch or happy hour drinks.
Where to Drink: Mendocino is known for having incredible wine country just a jaunt away into the surrounding Anderson Valley. Notable wineries include Pennyroyal Farm, Navarro Vineyards, Lula Cellars, and Toulouse Vineyards.
Pro Tip: Gift your ladies their own wine cooler bag to bring some of your favorite local wine bottles down to the beach!
Check out my full guide to Mendocino, California here.
Mendocino Bachelorette Must Haves!
