Location Inspiration: Carmel-by-the-Sea, an Enchanting Coastal Town
Perhaps it is the mist that rolls off the hills and into the ocean, the sunshine that chases the fog, the curve in Highway 1 as it winds in and out of Big Sur, or the small, fairytale cottages pressed together with tiny alleyways and moss-covered flagstones. Carmel’s scenery is just one part of its magical Central Coast charm.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a mood board—no street addresses, an artsy vibe, and architectural icons. Here are a few of my travel notes, including attractions, treats, and must-see sights and scenery.
Getting Into and Around Carmel
Parts of Highway 1 are still being rebuilt after landslides, so if you’re coming from SoCal, it’s a bit of jogging on and off all the way to Big Sur (be prepared for white knuckle hairpin turns around certain parts of this iconic coastal drive). The views are not to be missed, but I spent quite a bit of time staring at rock edifices out the front passenger-side window, so I didn’t pass out looking down at the expanse of ocean (thank God, Jeff drove). The drive into Carmel is much more chill from Monterey.
Once you approach Carmel’s downtown, you’d better have a park-and-walk plan, since the little streets are bustling and parking can be a bit scarce. But I didn’t mind the parking and walking one bit, because walking is part of the fun in Carmel-by-the-Sea. One of my favorite things, which I didn’t get a very good picture of, but I’m sharing it anyway, is the tables and seats attached to trees, where squirrels can alight.
According to the Carmel Chamber of Commerce, luminaries such as authors George Sterling, Jack London, Sinclair Lewis, Mary Austin, and Lincoln Steffens, as well as poet Robinson Jeffers, have all spent time in Carmel, which is also home to widely acclaimed theater, art, and literary scenes. The Carmel Art Association is a good place to start for local art walk recommendations and information about studios and exhibitions.
Exploring the Village: Carmel Must-Visits
I’ll tell you right now that my priorities when visiting beach towns are as follows:
Loll around in the sand and water; smile at cavorting dogs.
Visit a local surf shop.
Consume treats (pizza, ice cream, cookies, and/or doughnuts).
Find an independently owned bookstore.
Let’s start with the beaches!
It’s an easy downhill walk from the downtown shopping district to Carmel Beach, which is white sand perfection with dog-friendly policies. So many smiling people and dogs! There is nothing that beats the first five minutes at the ocean when you just take it and feel the glory and enormity of the Pacific. We visited the beach after snacking and shopping, so it was nice to walk and walk and walk barefoot in the sand.
If you’re up for a nature adventure, there’s the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which has hiking trails and scenic viewpoints. The gray whale migration takes place from December to April, and you can often see them from Point Lobos on their way to and from Alaska. There’s also a super cute, easy little trail to get to Bunny Beach that actually had little brown bunnies hopping across it and scampering around in the underbrush. Maybe in the next life I will return as a bunny that lives on the coast and watches the glowing pink-orange sunsets each night.
I digress, back to the local spots worth checking out. So, if you’re out wandering around, here are a few of my must-stop places:
The Pilgrim’s Way Books: Small and well-curated. I was pleased with the fiction section, which featured a mix of new, niche, and classic titles. There’s also a most surprising and delightful alley next to it that leads to a “secret garden” boutique-yurt and outdoor courtyard.
Carmel Bakery: Everything on the menu is good. I know this because over the course of two visits, I ordered almost everything for tasting with my family. The chocolate chip cookies are divine, and the sea salt is so intentional, kind of like Carmel-by-the-Sea—nostalgic, warm, enchanting, and salty.
Carmel Surf Shop: The best sweatshirts, hands down. My mom also bought a really cool, customized Levi’s jacket here, and I’m including a picture because Levi’s garments are through-and-through staples. If you can zhuzh it up with some artisanal elements, you’ve got yourself a walking conversation starter.
Our visit was squeezed into a very busy afternoon, and there is a plethora of unique boutiques and fine art galleries to visit. My mom would recommend La Bicyclette Restaurant, a French eatery. Everywhere you look, there are hidden courtyards, secret passages for discovering, and cute shops at Carmel Plaza and Court of the Fountains (I’ve read that there are 42 secret passageways in town).
For dinner, we ventured to the historic Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant, where you sit out on a wooden patio and watch the sheep wandering in a pasture next to the boundaries of Point Lobos, and appreciate how California’s coast can be so much at once and captivate your being with wonder.
I’ve always been a big fan of California (this may only be surpassed by my love for Minnesota). Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Big Sur area (probably another blog post) have their own unique magic. One that is nurtured and appreciated by artists, creatives, and travelers from far and wide. My mom now lives nearby, so I’m sure I will visit again soon and take many more pictures of happy wildlife. If you have any recommendations, please drop them in the comments. I’d love to hear them!
Additionally, please enjoy this color palette inspiration, sourced from Carmel Beach and Point Lobos and curated using the Pantone Connect tool.
