Fairytale snow white cottages, breathtaking coastal vistas, hidden treasures is what you will find in Carmel by the Sea. It is downright a magical place to visit and explore. If you have not been to Carmel yet, I suggest you book a trip to Carmel pretty soon. It is a pedestrian friendly village straight out of a storybook. Keep reading to discover the best things to do, see and eat in Carmel. I have the ultimate guide!
Where is Carmel By The Sea
Nestled on California’s rugged Central Coast, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a village that feels plucked straight from a storybook. Think cobblestone streets, art galleries galore, and a beach that whispers tales of the Pacific.
- From San Francisco: Roughly 120 miles (about a 2-hour drive, depending on traffic).
- From Santa Barbara: Approximately 280 miles (around a 5-hour drive).
- From Los Angeles: Roughly 330 miles (a solid 5.5-6 hour drive, again, traffic is your travel nemesis).
Best Things to do in Carmel
The best thing about Carmel is that it is totally walkable. Everything is within walking distance. You don’t need an Uber unless you go to Monterey or Carmel Valley.
It’s physically very easy for ambulatory people to get around and the downtown area itself is super compact.
So forget Google Maps; and let’s explore Carmel on foot and without a place in mind
Stroll through Dolores Street
Dolores Street is somewhat underrated and often forgotten. Its one of the side streets off of the main street- Ocean Ave. But we absolutely loved walking Dolores street. It’s lined with beautiful Mediterranean homes and little shops in between. You can totally get lost in it. I can’t lie, I browse zillow every so often to look at the gorgeous, unique homes that are up for
Watch the Bagpiper at Sunset
Spanish Bay has a bagpiper at sunset every day, it’s my favorite spot to take in the sunset.The bagpiper has played along the Pebble Beach coastline every day, rain or shine, since The Inn and Links at Spanish Bay opened in 1987.
Check out the locations and times to watch the bagpiper here. sale.
Have the Ultimate Spa Experience at Refuge
Refuge is one of my favorite places of all time, hands down. Unlimited time to be there; hot, warm, cold and cool pools; sauna; steam room; outdoors in a beautiful environment; no talking or chatter: and massages available!
My first visit there I stayed for 6 hours and I truly did not want to leave. I’d say that the unlimited time and all the pools and saunas/steam rooms make the money you pay for it worth it. On weekdays you may get lucky and have the pool to yourself. You have to check it out.
Book your reservation here.
Walk the entirety of Ocean Ave
Ocean Avenue is the primary street through the main tourist area of Carmel. It runs a little over a half mile from Carmel Plaza down to the Carmel Sunset Beach viewing area. The elevation change is a little under 180 feet and a roundtrip walk will take about 30 to 40 minutes. Along the way you will walk past hidden courtyards, charming alleyways and revealing art galleries, clothing boutiques and snack stores (bakery, candy shop, coffee shop…). It will make you want to empty your wallet. I had a lot of fun window shopping and eating.
It is relatively easy and enjoyable to stroll towards the Pacific Ocean and it’s a great way to spend a few hours and explore Carmel.
My favorite shops are are:
- The Cheese Shop – it’s dank and it’s stinky, the way real cheese is…
- Carmel Bakery – love their super pretzels
- Pilgrims Way BookStore and Secret Garden – such magical place
- Dutch Store Donuts– fun and crazy flavors, if that’s your thing
- Cottage sweets– for a great variety of candy
Note: There are some locations with free parking. Yay! Check them out here.
Visit The Cheese Shop
When researching things to do in Carmel by the Sea, I frequently came across people mentioning The Cheese Shop. It is most definitely worth a visit.
This cozy cheese shop boasts an astonishing array of cheeses from across the globe. It’s amazing because they offer samples. (fyi the samples are generous.) The associates happily guide you through many of their cheese flavors offering as many varieties as you can handle. We ended up taking home five types of cheese, because there is nothing we love more than crackers paired with high quality cheese and palestinian olives.
Visit Carmel Farmers Market
If you happen to be in Carmel on a Thursday, visit Carmel Farmers Market. The market is not huge by any means, so you could take their time exploring all the booths in a little over an hour. There are gorgeous flower stands, and multiple pastry and coffee stands. Nearby is a pond park complete with a water fountain and fish, so it is the perfect spot to enjoy your coffee and food. Oh, it’s also close to the library.
Take a Self guided Tour of ALL the Fairytale Cottages
Carmel-by-the-Sea fairytale cottages, a delightful architectural quirk, are a major draw. These charming homes, shops, and galleries were inspired by Hugh Comstock, who built a whimsical dollhouse-inspired dwelling for his wife (couple goals, right?!) The magic spread, and you can now embark on a self-guided tour of 11 of the 21 remaining Comstock cottages, all nestled close together.
Get your Coffee Fix at a Cozy Coffee Shop
My favorite coffee shops in the area are:
- Bookworks – books and coffee
- PG Juice and Java – cozy ambiance, ample seating
- Acme Coffee– great coffee, not so great seating
Visit Carmel Beach at Sunset
No trip to Carmel is complete without a visit to Carmel Beach. Soft, white sand and bare feet… and the sound of waves….It is just so naturally beautiful. Sunset is even more beautiful, because Carmel Beach faces directly into the setting California sun over the Pacific Ocean which results in some of the most golden, spectacular sunsets every day. So make sure to claim your spot for a magical evening.
Pro-Tip: It takes 90 minutes to walk up and back. So if you can make time to walk with no expectations but 90 minutes of peace, you might really like it.
P.S: My favorite picnic lunch is a deli sandwich from Bruno’s Market eaten right on the beach.
Take a Food Walking Tour
If you like walking, eating and trying new foods then a walking tour may just be for you. Not only do you get to try a variety of foods, you get to walk around the town and learn about the details of the town. If you do go, try going on the first day of your visit, that way if you enjoy the food you can revisit that restaurant.
Stay in a Victorian B&B
One of the most beautiful Victorian homes I have stayed in was Green Gables Inn. A restored 1888 gem with panoramic ocean views of the Monterey Bay. The architecture is one of a kind and the location is perfect, right next to Monterey Coastal trail and Pacific Ocean view. I am always browsing Victorian homes on zillow whenever I get a chance. They are just so fun to shop for and so inspiring. Carmel has a lot of Victorian homes you can stay in
Make your reservation here and well in advance for a very special getaway. Or stay at one of these Airbnbs, or hotels.
Whale Watching Tour
Northern California’s coastline is a prime location for whale watching, particularly during the migration seasons. Some great places to go whale watching are Monterey, Point Reyes and Mendocino Coast. Whale watching in Monterey is prime beacuse they also have an aquarium. So if you are a huge fan of marine life, Monterey has the whole package.
In Northern California, the best time to spot gray whales and orcas is December to May. For humpbacks, visit May through November. And for blue whales, plan your stay sometime between July and October.
Do The 17 mile Drive
I suggest you also do the beautiful 17 mile drive in Monterey. It is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove that hugs much of the Pacific Coastline and passes through famous golf courses, mansions and scenic attractions and landmarks like the Lone Cypress
It is an easy drive with many pull-offs to get to the water or to just park and admire the outstanding views of the coastline. We went on one weekend in September so it was not too crowded.
Note: The entrance fee is $15.00
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Home to a rich marine habitat, this nature reserve is popular for both whale-watching (in winter) and spotting sea lions (all year round). Take a long hike or simply stroll along the magnificent coastline, it’s perfect for everyone. We loved just being able to take short little hikes that did not tire us out.
There is no food service inside the park, so be sure to bring your own food. Inside the park, there are many great places for picnics. The restrooms are cleaner, compared to other state beaches. Also be sure to bring a binocular, you need it to see the birds, sea lions, and whales.
There are many short trails in the parks, the Cypress Grove, Bird Island, and North Shore are the most beautiful ones. China Cove and Gibson Beach are also very pretty.
Rent a Bike and Drive Around Carmel
Biking around Carmel is honestly a great way to get exercise after eating all those pastries while discovering new spots to see. Drive around Carmel or bike the 17 Mile Drive which is super stunning, views breathtaking and air so fresh!
Rent bikes at Mad Dogs and Englishmen, located in downtown Carmel. They offer guided tours! You can choose to rent them and go off on your own or ride with a guide.
