Carmel-by-the-Sea … just saying the name let’s you know it’s someplace lovely. The small California beach town is located on the Monterey Peninsula and is chock full of charm. Perched on a hillside leading to the ocean, there are coffee shops, toy stores, clothing boutiques, restaurants, bars, and candy shops aplenty. Down the hill, you’ll find stunning Carmel Beach, where the happiest dogs on Earth run free, people in cozy sweaters stroll stress-free, and kids screech in delight as the sea chases them ashore. In the distance, on the north end of the beach, you can catch glimpses of the green, immaculate fairways of the famed Pebble Beach Golf Course. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, storybook town and, should you decide to visit, here’s everything you need to know:
where to eat
Le Bicyclette: Best for date night, or any night. It’s our favorite restaurant in town. Order the charcuterie board, gnocchi, and pizzas!
Bud’s at La Playa Hotel: Local haunt with old Hollywood vibes and a killer French dip.
Mission Ranch: Beautiful outdoor setting with lovely water and pasture views, tasty cocktails, and a good place for kids to explore.
Enzo: Delicous Italian food, best for outdoor lunch seating.
Folktale Winery: Our favorite winery setting in Carmel Valley. Great to go with kids, pizza is delicious, and all the wines we tried were excellent.
Grasings: Upscale and delicious.
Katy’s Place: A local’s diner serving a hearty breakfast/brunch.
Cultura Comida y Bebida: Superb upscale Oaxacan food and the best margaritas in town.
Stationæry: Lovely morning spot for coffee and breakfast
Inn at Spanish Bay: Our favorite of the golf resort options in the area – picturesque setting for drinks and appetizers, the ocean and course views are beautiful, and kids can run and play.
Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co: Excellent coffee and finger-licking pastries.
Tap Room at Pebble Beach: Delicious French onion soup, lovely setting, and a good choice with kids because they can run around alongside the 1st hole of Pebble Beach.
what to do
Go to Carmel Beach: The wide swath of sandy beachfront is great for a morning walk with coffee or to spend an afternoon building sandcastles with the kids.
Hike: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is home to some of the most diverse, scenic trails in the area.
Shop the boutiques: Favorites are Paloosh, elizabethW Carmel, Carmel Bay Company, & Thinker Toys.
Visit wineries: We loved Folktale but here is a full list of wineries and tasting rooms.
17-Mile Drive: Our 6 favorite spots for photos here.
Golf Pebble Beach: Need we say more? You can have surprisingly good luck, sometimes, when calling for last minute tee times.
where to stay
Surfhouse: This charming airbnb property is four blocks from the beach and four blocks from the town center – the best of both worlds! The house has 4 bedrooms, 3 of which have queen beds. The fourth bedroom has 2 sets of bunkbeds, making it an ideal set up for families or groups traveling with kids. The spacious, open-layout kitchen was great for cooking dinner when we stayed in, and the living room felt like our home away from home. The kids would say the trees in the front yard were the best part, because they were excellent for climbing. The home was sparkling clean and recently underwent a beautiful renovation, making it one of the nicest homes we have ever stayed at with AirBnb!
HOTELS
La Playa Hotel: Book here
Cypress Inn: Book here
The Hotel Carmel: Book here
