Nothing compares to arriving in Carmel-by-the-Sea for the first time. As you stroll down enchanting Ocean Avenue toward the beach, you’ll pass flower-filled courtyards, outdoor eateries, art galleries and even a candy store inside a quaint cottage. The whimsical seaside city covers only one square mile, but there’s so much to do here.
As a travel writer and San Francisco resident, I escape to the Monterey Peninsula whenever I can. Here are my recommendations for things to do, places to eat and where to stay on your next Carmel-by-the-Sea weekend getaway with family.
Fun fact: Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea from 1986 to 1988.
Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!
Things to Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Relax at Carmel Beach
All day long, Carmel Beach attracts visitors and locals to its sandy shoreline. At the end of Ocean Avenue, you’ll find Carmel-by-the-Sea’s main attraction—the very dog-friendly Carmel Beach. At roughly one mile long, the white-sand crescent stretch bordered by cypress trees often hosts as many dogs as people.
Walk along the sand, play fetch with your dog or enjoy a picnic. Kiddos will love building sand castles and splashing in the waves, while their grown-ups will enjoy soaking in the stunning scenery. Carmel Beach draws surfers year-round, and while you can swim in the ocean, the water might feel too cold for most. If you’re brave enough to dive in, be aware of unpredictable rip currents.
SheBuysTravel Tip: At the end of a day exploring, the beach makes the perfect place to admire the sunset.
Hike on the Scenic Bluff Path
For families who like hiking, this path offers an easy trek with gorgeous views. Nine stairways lead from Carmel Beach to the Scenic Bluff Path. Pick a direction and explore beneath the Monterey cypress trees—you can’t go wrong. Stop to snap a family photo or enjoy the color changes in the sky as the sun goes down.
Peruse Art Galleries
Carmel packs over 50 art galleries into one square mile. Here, you can expect to find world-renowned artists, local California pieces, pottery, sculptures and photography. Families can easily spend the afternoon dipping in and out of colorful spaces and finding inspiration from their favorite works.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Don’t miss the Carmel Art Walk on the second Saturday every month.
Taste Local Wines
Carmel-by-the-Sea features over 18 wine tasting rooms. The casual watering holes are small, friendly and offer delicious local varieties. For wine enthusiasts, try the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Walk. To partake, simply sign up for the free mobile guide. Follow the guide to participating wine tasting rooms throughout the village and check in to redeem exclusive offers, like coupons for full bottles and complimentary cheese and salumi tapas plates.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Dawn’s Dream Winery has a cute patio, perfect for tasting wines that reflect the region’s coastal climate and warm inland valleys, like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Go Shopping
Ocean Avenue serves as the spot to shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Little ones will love Thinktoys on the corner of San Carlos Street & 7th Avenue for stuffed animals, board games, puzzles, art supplies and so many different kinds of fun and unique toys. Four-legged family members will want to pop into Diggity Dog, and grown-ups will love the boutiques lining Ocean Avenue.
Where to Eat in Carmel-by-the-Sea
With 60 restaurants to choose from, all within walking distance, visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea can find dishes the entire family will surely devour.
Breakfast
The Carmel Valley Roasting Co.—the best place for a coffee and a tasty breakfast treat—sits on Ocean Avenue between Lincoln and Monte Verde. This place doesn’t disappoint.
If you’re looking for a full sit-down restaurant, try Katy’s Place. The cozy eatery, established in 1982, serves big, hearty traditional American meals.
Lunch
Porta Bella, built in 1925, looks like a cottage. It has a beautiful garden entrance and a few tables outside. Inside, the space feels equally lovely. Porta Bella serves local, fresh cuisine, including pasta, salads, sandwiches, burgers and entrees such as Grilled King Salmon and Wild Mushroom Risotto.
SheBuysTravel Tip: For a more casual atmosphere and some pub grub, check out Brophy’s Tavern.
Dinner
For an intimate dining experience with an eight-course tasting menu, try the award-winning Aubergine. The Michelin-starred restaurant serves coastal California cuisine focusing on local ingredients, even seaweed straight from Carmel Beach.
SheBuysTravel Tip: This place books up, so make an advance reservation.
More excellent dinner options include:
- Terry’s Restaurant + Lounge, which has a cute fairy-lit patio
- La Bicyclette, which serves European bistro cuisine prepared in wood-fired ovens
- Clint Eastwood’s former restaurant, Hog’s Breath Inn
Best Time to Go to Carmel-by-the-Sea
A Carmel-by-the-Sea weekend getaway is always a good idea.
Spring brings May flowers; summer brings a livelier atmosphere with tourists; winters seem quieter and cooler but equally beautiful; and fall, known as Carmel’s secret season, provides the sunniest, clearest days of the year, with an average high of 72 degrees.
Where to Stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea
You’ll find over 40 unique hotels and inns in Carmel-by-the-Sea, all walkable to restaurants, art galleries, and the beautiful Carmel Beach.
The Cypress Inn
The Cypress Inn has greeted visitors since 1929. With its 20s style Spanish architecture and Hollywood vibe, the Cypress Inn blends classic hospitality with modern amenities. For 20 years, The Cypress Inn belonged to legendary Hollywood actress Doris Day. As a devoted animal activist, Day helped the Cypress Inn’s popularity as the “pet friendliest” inn in the “pet friendliest” town in the U.S.
The Cypress Inn also boasts Terry’s Lounge, which offers daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch on Sundays. The menu features local, organic and sustainably-caught fish, grass-fed beef and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Enjoy live music at the hotel on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The Normandy Inn
The Normandy Inn offers French Country-style accommodations surrounded by tons of greenery from its fragrant gardens. The main attraction here, especially for families, might just be the outdoor pool, heated from April through October, and the perfect place for cooling off on warm days.
The vintage cottages work well for those traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea with little ones. Each one has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen.
Lamp Lighter Inn
The Lamp Lighter Inn sits just a short three-minute walk from the beach. You can expect comfortable, stylish, pet-friendly rooms, but the lush gardens here steal the show. Complete with gazebos, hand-built birdhouses and an outdoor fireplace, the Lamp Lighter Inn is ideal for relaxing outside by the fire on a chilly evening.
Candle Light Inn
The Candle Light Inn also has an outdoor fireplace. The rooms here are spacious, so families can really spread out. Located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Candle Light Inn is a great home base for exploring Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Read More
- Best Bay Area Weekend Getaways in Northern California
- Looking for California Vacation Inspo? Check Out the 10 Top Spots for Families!
- 14 Fun Things to Do in Gorgeous Monterey CA
- California’s Best Places (The Ones the Locals Love!)
Leave a Reply