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

From the city of San Francisco Take ‘101’ Freeway South, traffic dependent it will take about 1.5 hours. Heavier traffic starts around 2.30pm, it will considerably lengthen your journey!
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.
From the South take ‘101’ Freeway North, exit Exit on Route 156 as above

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.

The Lone Cypress on 17 Mile Drive, California, USA

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

17 Mile Drive near Carmel, California, USA

Three beautiful upscale resorts within stunning 17 Mile Drive: The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Casa Palmero, The Inn at Spanish Bay

The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Carmel-by the Sea, California, USA

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

PDF Travel Guide Carmel Valley, California, USA

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

Travel Guide PDF, Carmel By the Sea, Big Sur

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, Carmel-by-the- Sea California, USALa 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 beachThe Bench Restaurant, Pebble Beach, California

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!

Piper as sun sets at Spanish Bay

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

The Carmel Mission, Carmel, California, USA

WINE TASTING
Wine tasting in Carmel Valley, California

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)

Monterey Historics Porsche 911's at Porsche Werks Reunion, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA

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!