What to Do in Carmel-By-The-Sea

The last couple of times I was in Carmel, we were toting along two adorable toddlers, so we really just scratched the surface. But a few weeks ago I got the chance for a weekend getaway in Carmel-By-The-Sea on a girls’ trip with my sister, and I had forgotten how fun it is for a grownups-only trip! We had such a lovely time, and Carmel is truly one of the most special places in California. (We included it on our list here!)

Where to Stay in Carmel, California

We were lucky to connect with Hofsas House in Carmel, who hosted us for the weekend. Hofsas House started as a small guest cottage in the late 1940’s by Donna Hofsas, and it’s now run by her granddaughter. The family vibe lives on, and it would be a perfect spot to bring a family to stay. The exterior is adorable and pink with custom murals painted everywhere. We especially loved the location and walked literally everywhere.

I will say, if you don’t like kitsch, you probably won’t get it. But if floral wallpaper and vintage vibes are your thing, you’re gonna be in heaven. The rooms are huge; ours happened to have a balcony with an ocean view which was gorgeous. There was a little complementary breakfast, a pool, a fireplace in our room, and lots of great suggestions and insider information from Carrie, the owner. I would one hundred percent stay there again.

What to Do in Carmel, California

It’s a laid-back little town, but there’s no shortage of things to do, especially if you love being outside! Our top recommendation from this trip would be to rent e-bikes from Mad Dogs and Englishmen and go biking around. We rode up most of 17 Mile Drive and didn’t even break a sweat on the hills, because the e-bikes were doing most of the work for us.

You can bike into Pebble Beach Lodge and cruise around, checking out the golf games and the little beaches there. Stop at all the viewpoints on 17 Mile Drive for gorgeous photos, too.

Obviously, beaching is on the list too! Grab some gear and relax or build sandcastles on the beach. The water is pretty cold, but the sand is soft and perfect for hanging out. There are also tons of hiking trails along the coasts that are gorgeous.

It’s a perfect town for walking, so bring comfy shoes so that you can walk around all of the shops and cute little houses. It also helps to be on foot if you’re planning on stopping at one of the zillion wine tasting rooms in the little downtown area. We did a wine tasting at Scheid and it was great.

Where to Eat in Carmel, California

You truly can’t go wrong with a restaurant in Carmel — they know how to do food! We tried to find some places that were mid-range, because meals can also get super pricey. My favorite recommendations are Demetra (or their sister restaurant, Mediterranean) for Greek food, 5th Avenue Deli for a great local sandwich spot (take them and sit on the beach!), and The Treehouse for a perfect lunch hideaway.

It was such a great weekend! Have you ever been to Carmel? What are your faves there? xoxo