Carmel-by-the-Sea has been called the prettiest town in the US & honestly, I don’t think this is an exaggeration. I spent my 30th Birthday there this past January and I loved it so much that I plan on making a trip here a yearly tradition.
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Where is Carmel?
Carmel is about a 2.5 hrs drive south from San Francisco and just right next to the city of Monterey.
Where to stay in Carmel
Carmel Valley Ranch
This is where we stayed and absolutely fell in love with! It’s a bit on the pricier side but definitely worth it for celebrations like Birthdays or Anniversaries. They have lots of activities on their 500 acre property like hiking, workout classes, beekeeping, and more. Plus! It’s dog friendly.
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Stilwell Hotel
For a more modern coastal hotel, check out Stilwell Hotel located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. They have modern rooms and it’s located just a short walk from the beach.
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Find more hotel options in Carmel
Things To Do in Carmel
Take a scenic drive
One of the best things to do in Carmel is taking a scenic drive. There are multiple options here, both free & paid. The most popular one is the 17 mile drive through Pebble Beach which cost $12 per vehicle. This is where the popular Lone Cypress Tree is located but I think there are so many more picturesque spots to discover. I would plan for a half day here so you can have lunch & take your time with all the stops.
More options for scenic drives are taking highway 1 to Big Sur for a full day trip or the short scenic drive (that’s actually the name of the street) in Carmel. Either way you pick, you won’t be disappointed.
Go for a hike in Point Lobos Natural Reserve
Point Lobos is extremely popular specially on weekends so I’d recommend getting there very early (before 7 am) if you want to park in the designated parking area. It is worth the trip though and some of the most beautiful coastal trails in California are found here. My personal favorite viewpoints are China Cove & Cypress trail. Please keep in mind dogs are not allowed on these trails.
Folktale Winery for wine, pizza, and live music
I’m not sure why this place isn’t mentioned more? Imagine having amazing pizza & wine in this vineyard with a castle. Such beautiful scenery and they have live music on certain days!
Have a beach day
When it comes to scenic beaches, there’s no shortage of that in Carmel. The closest one is Carmel Beach but if you find that it’s too crowded, I recommend popping over to Carmel River State Beach.
Take a Self-Guided Tour to the Fairytale Homes
The Folklore Fairytale style homes are one of the most well known features of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You can pick up a map from the visitor center and take a self guided tour to see them. It’s a short walk and definitely worth doing but you will likely see them anyway without looking for them. I’ve notived almost all the homes here are quite charming.
Go Whale Watching
Monterey Bay is one of the best places to spot whales in the country so if you’re nearby, this is an opportunity you can’t miss. Check which whales are migrating during your trip, depending on the season you may spot grey whales or orcas like we did!
Want to add on Big Sur to your roadtrip? Check out my Big Sur Complete Travel Guide.