You can download the Travel Guide Carmel-by-the-Sea, California here; my suggestions for where to stay, eat and play or just read the post below!
How to get to Carmel-by-the-Sea on the Monterey Peninsular, California
Driving to Carmel-by-the-Sea
Exit on Route 156 signed posted ‘The Monterey Peninsular’ this merges onto ‘Highway 1’, stay on this until it becomes a single highway.
For Carmel-by the-Sea, exit on Ocean Avenue
For Carmel Valley remain on ‘Highway 1’ for a further 5 minutes turning left at the lights signposted Carmel Valley.
For Big Sur remain on ‘Highway 1’, the coastal route, for a further 30 miles.
Flying into Monterey: Monterey airport is a small regional airport 10 minutes drive from Carmel.
Why go to the Carmel-by-the-Sea in California?
Carmel-by-the-Sea, on California’s Monterey Peninsular, lies on one of the world’s most dramatically beautiful coastlines. The Pacific Ocean, a ribbon of blue, crashes up to a rugged cliff-side, splashed with wild flowers and home to rare wildlife. Carmel itself exudes a European style charm, quaint streets shaded by the low-lying cypress trees. The region is a golfers haven & wine lovers retreat, you’ll leave wanting to return.
WHERE TO STAY
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
Lodges and hotels in the center of Carmel-by-the-sea, a few steps from everything:
Hotel Carmel Corner of 4th & San Carlos Street Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923 Tel: 831 624 9800 Res: 855 622 7635 Comments: Renovated in 2016, fabulous!
Los Lobos Lodge Ocean Avenue & Monte Verde Carmel-By-The-Sea, California 93921 Tel: 831 624 3874 Comments: well located & charming
Vagabonds House Inn 4th and Dolores, Carmel-By-The-Sea CA 93921 Tel: 831 624 7738 centrally located Comments: A great place to stay
Candlelight Inn San Carlos between 4th & 5th Avenue Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 Tel: 831 624 6451 Comments: centre of town, well recommended
La Playa Hotel Camino Real at Eighth Avenue, Carmel, CA 93921 Tel: 831 293 6100 Res: 800 582 8900 Comments: Stunning1930’s Hacienda hotel recently renovated
Sea View Inn El Camino Real between 11th and 12th Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA Tel: 831 624 8778 Comments: Delightful award winning B&B 10 min walk to town
The Auberge Monte Verde at Seventh Carmel-by-the-Sea Tel: 831 624 8578 Comments:A Relais Chateaux, very upscale, gorgeous!
Tradewinds Mission Street at Third Avenue, Carmel Tel: 831 242 776 Comments:A charming inn with a cool asian vibe 10 min walk to town
PEBBLE BEACH
Three beautiful upscale resorts within stunning 17 Mile Drive: The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Casa Palmero, The Inn at Spanish Bay
CARMEL VALLEY
The Quail Lodge & Golf Club 8000 Valley Greens Dr, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923 Tel: 831 624 2888 Comments: Delightful golf resort, 5 miles from Carmel
Carmel Valley Ranch 1 Old Ranch Road Camel, CA 93923 Tel:1 855 OUR RANCH Comments: Very upscale, 1o miles from Carmel my favorite! Love the spa & pool
Bernardus Lodge 415 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 Tel: 831 658 3400 Delightful setting amongst the vines , recently renovated and improved
HIGHWAY ONE
Follow the breathtaking coastline 5 miles south of Carmel where you’ll find:
The Highlands Inn 120 Highlands Drive Carmel, CA 93923 Tel: 831 620 1234~ Overlooking the ocean, just heaven!
The Tickled Pink Inn 155 Highlands Drive Carmel, CA 93923 Tel: 831 624 1244 Res: 800 635 4774~a charming spot next to the Highlands Inn
BIG SUR
Continue a long the stunning corniche road a further 30 miles to Big Sur
The Post Ranch Inn 47900 Highway One, Big Sur Ca 93920 Tel: 831 667 2200 Award winning, where luxurious, upscale meets rustic chic, a real splurge but breathtaking with a fabulous spa & restaurant for a memorable visit!
Ventana 48123 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920 Tel: 831 667-2331 quite wonderful!
WHERE TO DINE
CARMEL-BY-SEA
La Bicyclette – Dolores & 7th, Carmel Tel: 831 622 9899 Comments: Delicious French bistro, breakfast, lunch and dinner, booking advised
Casanova – 5th between Mission and San Carlos Carmel Tel: 831 625 0501 Comments: great outside dining for lunch, quite pricy for dinner
Vesuvio – Corner of 6th & Junipero (across the street from Devendorf Park), Carmel Tel: 831 625 1766 Great Italian food
Little Napoli – Corner of Dolores St. & 7th St.(look for the five Italian flags) Carmel Tel: 831 626 6335 Comments:Sister restaurant to Vesuvio more great Italian food
Village Corner – Dolores & 6th, Carmel Tel: 831 624 3588 Great for breakfast & lunch on the flower filled patio
Cantinetta Lucca – Dolores Carmel Tel: 831 625 6500 Comments: Delicious Italian but can be noisy
Grasings – 6th St & Mission, Carmel (Opposite the Fire Station) Tel: 831 624 6562 Commets:American fine dining
HIGHWAY ONE near Carmel-by-the Sea
California Market at The Hyatt – 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, California, USA, 93923 Tel: 831 620 1234 Comments: for lunch, fabulous ocean view dining
Pacific Edge at The Hyatt Contact: 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, California, USA, 93923 Tel: 831 620 1234 Comments: dinner, more upscale, ocean view dining
PEBBLE BEACH
The Bench at The Lodge at Pebble Beach : 1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 Tel: 1 800 877 0597 Comments: at the Lodge at Pebble Beach, lovely especially for lunch because of the views, dine overlooking the ocean and golf course of Pebble beach
Roy’s at The Inn at Spanish Bay, 2700 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 Tel: 831 298 5907 Comments: delicious fusion at The Inn at Spanish Bay Before you dine, enjoy a cocktail and listen to the bagpiper as he pipes in the sunset, every evening, just heaven watch!
CARMEL VALLEY
Baja Cantina – 7166 Carmel Valley Road Carmel, Tel: 831 625 2252 Comments: excellent Mexican, lobsters every Tuesday & car events every Thursday!
The Valley Kitchen at Carmel Valley Ranch Old Ranch Road Camel, CA 93923 Tel:1 855 OUR RANCH: Comments: Several delicious choices at Carmel Valley Ranch
The Corkscrew – 55 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 Tel:831 659 8888 Comments: French bistro in the Valley sister restaurant to La Bicyclette
Cafe Rustica – Cafe Rustica 10, Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley CA 93924 Tel: 831 659 4444 Comments: Traditional European bistro fare in the Valley, lovely spot for lunch on the patio
Cafe Roux – 6 Pilot Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 Tel: 831 659 5020 Comments: A lovely new European-inspired bistro serving Mediterranean tapas, local ingredients & wine
WHAT TO DO IN CARMEL -BY- THE SEA and nearby
HIKING and WALKS
Carmel-by-the-Sea Beach one of America’s most beautiful,bring a picnic, your dog & spend the day!
Point Lobos is a stunning ocean front State park well worth visiting. Fabulous ocean trails with sea and bird life in abundance!
Garland Ranch Carmel Valley incredible hikes through the Santa Lucia mountains
17 Mile Drive well worth the state park entrance fee ( reimbursable if you are eating in one of the restaurants playing golf etc), one of the most stunning ocean drives in the world, passing the famous Lone Cypress & Pebble Beach golf course.
THE CARMEL MISSION
The Carmel Mission was founded in 1774, step back in time & learn California’s amazing Mission history
WINE TASTING
Explore the region’s outstanding wineries along the Carmel Valley & St Lucia Mountains
Our favourites in the Valley: Cow Girl Winery, Bernardus, Talbott Winery, to name but a few!
GOLF
The whole area is home to some of the world’s ‘must play’ golf.
The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and of course Pebble Beach.
Click on this link Monterey Golf Courses for an interactive map with details of each one
SHOPPING
Carmel-by-the-Sea lots to tempt you as you stroll down and near Ocean Avenue
The Barnyard – 2 minutes from Carmel down Highway One
The Carmel Crossroads opposite the Barnyard
Pacific Grove & Monterey
MONTEREY
Discover Monterey’s rich heritage and historical sites
Cannery Row site of the old cannery, combine a trip here with a visit to the Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium 886 Cannery Row Monterey, CA 93940 A visit to this incredible world famous, aquarium is a must for an amazing window into ocean marine life
MONTEREY CAR WEEK
The Monterey Car Week is a car lovers MUST! There are several auto events during the year but this is the ultimate one. Held annually in August, car enthusiasts from around the world gather for this motor sports spectacular!
Featuring
The Pebble Beach Concourse D’Elegance at Pebble Beach
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca Raceway 1021 Monterey-Salinas Highway (68)
Do let me know your own recommendations AND please contact me if you would like additional help!
Download the Travel Guide Carmel-by-the-Sea, California ~ ideas where to stay, eat and play!
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