UPDATED AUGUST 2019
Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hearst Castle are two of my favorite places in California. Its cute little houses make you feel as if you were in a fairy tale. Carmel has inspired artists, sparked romances, and attracted celebrities for decades. Rated a top-10 destination in the U.S. year after year, Carmel is an amazing, European-style village nestled above a picturesque white-sand beach.
Carmel is a great place for a weekend getaway if you are in California or a must-stop on a road trip. Words like rest, relax, unwind and happiness come to mind when I think of this coastal town. Every time I've been to California, I have visited Carmel, I'll never be tired of it.
This guide to Carmel-by-the-Sea is perfect for first-time visitors. You can get an overall idea of what to find, things you have to do, trips to nearby cities, some hotels to stay and restaurants worth trying out.
There are some interesting facts that make this city unique:- There are no street addresses.
- Selling and eating ice-cream in the streets is prohibited.
- You need a permit to wear high heels.
- There are no fast food or chain restaurants.
WHERE TO STAY
There are few places with more charming hotels than Carmel. Picture yourself staying in one of these fairytale houses, sounds wonderful, right?
These are the most popular hotels in Carmel:
Apart from wandering the streets of Carmel in search of the prettiest houses you can do the following:
- In downtown Carmel you will find many local stores with treasures to take back home from your trip.
- Shop at Carmel Plaza and grab a bite at one of their restaurants.
- Get some Vitamin Sea at Carmel beach.
- Take a scenic drive down 17 Mile Drive and see mansions such as the ones on Big Little Lies or view points like Pebble Beach.
- Visit the Carmel Mission to learn more about the town's history.
More charming towns:
- Monterey city is nearby and well worth a visit. Stroll on Cannery Row to get a full experience of the city. I also recommend the Monterey Aquarium if you have time.
- Pacific Grove has been called “Butterfly Town U.S.A.”, “The Most Romantic City in the U.S.”, “A Dreamy California Destination”. I think that sums up pretty well what this place is like.
RESTAURANTS
From 1986 to 1988 Clint Eastwood was the major of this town. He owns a restaurant called Hog's Breath Inn which is a must if you are visiting the city. If you are a fun of the actor you'll find tons of memorabilia decorating the walls. From the menu, I recommend you try the burgers, they are scrumptious.
Other restaurants and cafes worth trying:
Portabella: local fresh cuisine in a charming environment.
Brophy's Tavern: one of Carmels’ iconic restaurants serves your all-America favorites.
La Bicyclette: features European Country Cuisine using local ingredients.
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Christmas in San Francisco
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