Carmel-by-the-Sea is a cozy, one-square-mile beach town along the Monterey Bay Peninsula. It's known for the museums, little shops, galleries and the fairytale-like cottages that line the village center of Ocean Avenue. Sidewalks are more often than not, uneven and the cobblestone adds to the undeniable charm.
THINGS TO DO //
17 MILE DRIVE - Instead of driving, I'd recommend renting bikes from somewhere and cruising around. My dad and I explored the area by bike on our previous trip, and we had a lovely time. There is so much to see and having to park a car is just annoying. Plus, you work off a little of those vacation treats! HA! Depending on how you got to Carmel you can also just continue south on Highway 1 through Big Sur for those free, endless views.
WINE TASTING - There are more than a dozen wineries within one mile of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You can pick up a Wine Walk Passport for $100 which allows you one flight at ten of the thirteen participating tasting rooms. You don't have to worry about driving since everything is within walking distance. The tasting rooms are dog-friendly so feel free to bring them along with you. You can also see if your hotel offers any discounts on tickets for things in the area.
VISIT POINT LOBOS STATE PARK - Beautiful ocean views paired with the rocky shorelines and ocean wildlife. It's only 10 minutes away from Carmel. The park can get really crowded during peak hours and the summer season making parking along the road difficult. Going early or late in the day is usually recommended.
VISIT THE NEARBY MONTEREY BAY & THE AQUARIUM - For more info on this, visit my previous blog post here.
CARMEL BEACH - This white sand beach is the perfect place to relax during the day or end the evening watching the sun go down over the Pacific. The beach is dog-friendly, and off-leash beach so be sure to include the pup(s)! It's a pleasant stroll from the shops on Ocean Ave. down to the beach.
GARRAPATA STATE PARK - Lots of great trails at this park. It was here that I ventured off solo for the first time. The trails along the coast are easy and have breathtaking views. I found that it was kind of hit or miss with trails being marked or finding any info on them. The recent rainfall they've had has completely changed the colors of the landscapes. When I was there this time in March of 2017, the entire coastline was lush and full of color. Sadly the rain has also caused a lot of mudslides/landslides, and the majority of Big Sur was closed for construction - both roadways and parks. Be sure to look for current road closures before planning a trip.
EATS //
DAMETRA CAFE - A lively Mediterranean spot along Ocean Ave. My favorite place to eat in Carmel. It's basically the only place I've eaten (probably six times over the years). The staff is always happy and friendly even at their busiest. They usually play music and dance a couple of songs during dinner. There can often be a wait, but it's worth it. Call for reservations or put your name in and visit all the shops around Carmel. The fresh ciabatta bread with oil and balsamic is so simple yet tasty. My favorite is the Greek Style Lamb Shank with veggies or the gyro for lunch. The complimentary melt-in-your-mouth baklava is a nice sweet treat to end the meal. We celebrated Coty's 30th birthday here, and it was lovely!
FUN FACTS //
A free permit is required to wear heels higher than 2 inches in height or with a base of less than one square inch unless a permit is obtained from City Hall. Luckily police do not cite those in violation the law. Why such a peculiar law you ask? Well in the 1920's the city attorney decided that this would help defend the city from the lawsuits of those who tripped over the uneven pavement that was affected by surfacing tree roots.
You won't find any street addresses, parking meters, or any sidewalks outside Carmel's downtown commercial area. The street lights are also limited, and you won't see any neon lights. These city rules help their village avoid being "citified."
Clint Eastwood served as the Mayor of Carmel between 1986-1988.
Doris Day helped make Carmel one of the most dog-friendly places.
You won't find any chain restaurants in this town, which I find refreshing.
Have you visited Carmel? If so, what were your thoughts? Comment Below. xx ASH
For more, read about our stops nearby at Monterey Bay and Big Sur.
