California
Bridge at Hidden Valley
Program No. 23081RJ
Learn to evaluate your hand properly, master bidding conventions and acquire new techniques from experts as you immerse yourself in bridge at Hidden Valley Institute.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
14 meals (
5B, 1BR, 3L, 5D
)
8 expert-led lectures
1 expert-led field trip
14 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Lubow Lodge
Activity Note
Check-in from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 2:00-5:00 p.m. When you arrive at Hidden Valley’s campus, come over to the main office next to the parking lot to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. At 5:00 p.m., we’ll meet our fellow participants for a wine and cheese reception in the Fireside Room and Dining Room. We’ll enjoy some California wines and/or juices and savor cheese and crackers before dinner.
Dinner:
In the dining room.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, locally sourced meals, and evening entertainment. Every day before breakfast, there will be a popular class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the dance studio. Toast and juice will be available in the dining room before class. This is not an aerobics class and there is no need for special clothing or shoes and no need for a shower afterwards. Food selections will be healthily prepared with local ingredients. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Public bus service will be available across from the campus driveway. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Bidding, Responses, Concluding Auction, Scott Joplin
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Lubow Lodge
Activity Note
Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Minimal walking, flat terrain.
Breakfast:
In the dining room.
Morning:
After breakfast, in our classroom, our master bridge instructor will lead a class on bidding, responding, and continuing to the final contract. We will participate in an interactive discussion of the morning’s topic, solidify our mastery with exercises, then play deals to reinforce the concepts.
Lunch:
In the dining room.
Afternoon:
Our afternoon lesson continues with further discussion and exercises. Fun and challenging deals will follow! Time before dinner is free to relax and enjoy the atmosphere at Hidden Valley’s campus. You might like to take a walk in the valley to the local park and village, with its historical center, local art galleries, and wine tasting rooms.
Dinner:
In the dining room.
Evening:
A talented pianist, teaching from the keyboard, will perform music of Scott Joplin and others. You may recognize some of the hit tunes from the turn into the 20th century that are still ingrained in the music world.
Day
3
Takeout Doubles, Monterey Peninsula
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Lubow Lodge
Activity Note
Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Getting on/off a bus, driving about 50 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking less than 1 mile; those who prefer not to walk may remain with the bus and still view the area. Dress in layers for the weather.
Breakfast:
In the dining room.
Morning:
Today’s bridge class will focus on takeout doubles and responses to them. In the second half of the class, we will play supervised hands of cards that have been set up by the instructor to reflect the lesson.
Lunch:
In the dining room.
Afternoon:
We will board a bus with a local expert on Monterey and learn why Robert Louis Stevenson called this the “most beautiful meeting of land and water on the face of the earth.” From fabulous coastal scenes to famous homes on Pebble Beach’s 17-mile drive, to historic Monterey Adobes that served as the capital of California under Spanish rule, this area is a never-to-be-forgotten treasure of beauty and interest. On our scenic drive, we’ll learn about the Monterey peninsula’s dynamic history, ecology, culture, and beauty. We will pause at scenic stops to stretch our legs, breathe the fresh ocean air, and experience how all of these unique components fit together to make up Monterey. Time before dinner is free to see and do what interests you most.
Dinner:
In the dining room.
Evening:
We’ll gather with our fellow bridge enthusiasts for an evening of supervised free play. Our instructor will be available for advice and questions that come up.
Day
4
Defense, Negative Doubles, Hand Play, Local Wines
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Lubow Lodge
Activity Note
Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Minimal walking, flat terrain.
Breakfast:
In the dining room.
Morning:
In today’s bridge class, we will learn negative doubles as an effective way to reach a contract in the majors. In the second half of the class, we will play supervised hands of cards that have been set up by the instructor to reflect the morning lesson.
Lunch:
In the dining room.
Afternoon:
The afternoon lesson will focus on play of hand as we consider finesses including leading toward the high card, repeated finesses, and the combination of techniques. Fun and challenging deals follow! At 5:00 p.m. before dinner, a local winemaker or vineyardist will join us for an introductory class to learn about new wines, the process that goes into producing them, and ultimately experience them through a tasting. Carmel Valley is perhaps the most distinct of the seven appellations comprising Monterey County’s diverse wineries.
Dinner:
In the dining room.
Evening:
We’ll gather with our fellow bridge enthusiasts for an evening of supervised free play. Our instructor will be available for advice and questions that come up.
Day
5
Play of the Hand, Finesse, Free Time
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Lubow Lodge
Activity Note
Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Minimal walking, flat terrain. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the dining room.
Morning:
Today’s bridge class will focus on play of the hand (suit and notrump), the finesse, leading toward the high card, repeated finesse, and the combination of techniques. In the second half of the class, we will play supervised hands of cards that have been set up by the instructor to reflect the morning lesson.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are several markets, cafes, and restaurants within walking distance in Carmel Valley Village as well as many restaurants offering a wide variety of local cuisine in Carmel and Monterey.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Public bus service is available across from the campus driveway.
Dinner:
In the dining room.
Evening:
We’ll gather with our fellow bridge enthusiasts for an evening of supervised free play. Our instructor will be available for advice and questions that come up. Prepare for check-out and departure following our closing session in the morning.
Day
6
Final Session of Play, Program Concludes
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,BR
Activity Note
Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Minimal walking, flat terrain. Check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
Light offerings before brunch.
Morning:
We’ll have a final morning of bridge and review everything we have mastered during the week. With our newly learned knowledge, we’ll return home bridge stars!
Brunch:
In the dining room. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Sep 27, 2026 - Oct 02, 2026
Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025
Nov 16, 2025 - Nov 21, 2025
Apr 26, 2026 - May 01, 2026
May 10, 2026 - May 15, 2026
Sep 27, 2026 - Oct 02, 2026
Oct 11, 2026 - Oct 16, 2026
Sep 27 - Oct 2, 2026 Itinerary Differences:
This date is the Intermediate course; bridge topics include opener’s rebid, overcall, takeout doubles, negative doubles, finesse, and play no trump. Day 3 Monterey Peninsula Field Trip. Maximum of 16 participants.
