Travel Round-Up: Labor Day Trips to Book Before It’s Too Late

The vibe: Carmel by the Sea is a coastal town about 130 miles south of San Francisco known for its beautiful white sand beach and cliffside views.
Stay: You can’t go wrong with La Playa, a historic hotel on the coast with tons of old-world charm–but there are tons of equally cute Airbnbs in town, too.
Eat: Sloan recommends requesting a table on La Balena’s patio for fabulous Italian, or heading to the countryside for dinner at Mission Ranch, where you can arrive early and enjoy cocktails on the Adirondack porch chairs.
Do: It’s impossible to beat an early sunset picnic at Pfeiffer Beach.

The vibe: A charming romantic getaway to usher in the fall while avoiding the foliage-forward crowds (although it’s worth heading back later in the season for that, too).
Stay: Dorset Inn and Barrows House are two fantastic choices, both with wonderful restaurants to enjoy in the evenings.
Eat: In the mornings, the Dorset Union Store and Dorset Bakery are classics for coffee, pastries, and picnic lunches.
Do: Take a dip at the Dorset Quarry or have a picnic lunch at the Cutler Memorial Forest or the Pinnacle. For a challenging hike, opt for one of the trails in the Owl’s Head Town Forest.

The vibe: Things slow down in September and the temperatures are cooler (but ideal, in our eyes, with highs in the low 70s) – and the rates are generally better, too.
Stay, Eat & Do: We love Pikaia Lodge is pretty perfect, from the on-island property to the private yacht for daytime excursions– it’s the best of all worlds, all on-site.

The vibe: Old-world charm meets some of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had.
Stay: The Inn at Little Washington–this is one of those trips where you go for the hotel.
Eat: Don’t miss the tea menu at the Inn at Little Washington–it’s unlike anything we’ve ever tried. Stay Sunday and Monday night so you can enjoy the fine dining experience Sunday and head to the casual sister restaurant, Patty Os on Monday (did we mention Patty Os is complimentary for hotel guests on Monday and Tuesday? Feel free to extend that stay).
Do: When you’re not dining or drinking tea, head to Main Street to explore–the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The vibe: Big Sur meets Great Britain
Stay: If you don’t rent an Airbnb in the Highlands, where there are plenty of fabulous options, splurge on a few nights at Kinloch Lodge or The Fife Arms (or both).
Eat: Make your way through the pubs you encounter as you drive through the landscape–more on that below.
Do: Rent a car and explore the beautiful region (seriously–if you’re not familiar with what the Scottish Highlands look like, you’re going to want to google it). If you’re looking for something more structured, Ahl Collective can plan your trip and arrange for fly fishing, stalking, and guided rover drives.