What to Do in Carmel, California

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an absolute dream of a village on California’s Central Coast, with all the charm of a European hamlet. Find travel recommendations below and learn what to do in Carmel, California.

Carmel has been a travel destination for my family as long as I can remember.

As a kid, my grandmother and aunt would take me to Carmel and walk me through the art galleries and jewelry shops.

We would wiggle our toes in the soft sand of the pristine beaches before getting a treat at the sweet shop and heading home for the day.

Now as an adult, I have a renewed love for this magical place, and I’m getting to know it in an entirely new way.

Psst — before you get our Carmel faves, be sure to enter your info below to join my VIP group. I send these folks my very best travel tips, family ideas, and more!

What’s So Special About Carmel?

Aside from its obvious charm and beauty, there are so many special things about Carmel, California.

Having roots as a refuge for many artists, poets, and authors after the San Francisco fire of 1906, Carmel still remains a haven for the arts, with galleries, shops and a fantastic performing arts center.

Much of the architecture feels like it was pulled from a storybook, with homes resembling forest cottages.

Another quirk? The residences don’t have street addresses. They identify themselves with cute little cottage names, and by how many houses away they are from intersections.

You’ll find Carmel to be incredibly pet-friendly, with pups welcome most places.

You’ll also find that it’s an incredibly affluent location, and as such, you’ll see prices at restaurants and shops reflect that.

But above all of this, I love Carmel for its incredible beauty. This section of the California coast is some of the most spectacular, in my opinion. Soft sandy beaches, jagged cliffs with blue water, sea lions, otters, dolphins, and more are all part of the atmosphere.

Carmel with Kids vs. Adults

Carmel is a wonderful destination for families but these days I prefer traveling here either by myself, with girlfriends, or with a partner.

On an adults-only trip you can really experience the part of Carmel that revolves around wine tasting and elevated food.

That being said, we’ve done Carmel with kids plenty of times and would take our children there any day!

What to Do in Carmel-By-The-Sea

Where to Stay in Carmel, California

There are so many charming inns to choose from!

For a family stay, I often recommend Hofsas House.

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.

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.

For something smaller and right downtown, I recommend Monte Verde Inn or Pine Inn.

These will both have smaller rooms but still plenty of comfort and charm. The location of either of these places is absolutely prime, and they come with parking which is important in Carmel.

We don’t usually stay in luxury hotels so none of these fit that bill but Carmel definitely has some luxury spots if that’s your travel style.

Where to Eat in Carmel, California

You could stay for weeks and not run out of incredible places to eat and drink! Below are a few of my tried and true favorites.

La Bicyclette. A beautiful spot for a solo lunch or brunch with the girls. Split a couple of pizzas and salads!

Toro. Some of the best sushi I’ve had in California.

The Treehouse. I love this place for the ambiance and if you can get a spot on the second story patio, you really feel like you’re eating in a treehouse.

The Tuckbox. An old-school Carmel favorite, perfect for easy breakfast and brunch. This building is also one of the very first Carmel cottages ever built in the early 1900’s!

Dametra. An easy spot for great Mediterranean food. This would be a perfect spot to take a family.

Stationæry. A beautiful space with gorgeous dishes! I particularly love brunch here.

Hog’s Breath Inn. Another great place to take a family. Lots of outdoor seating, firepits, and a menu that kids will like.

5th Avenue Deli. I love to grab a sandwich and some snacks here and walk them down to the beach.

Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co. You’ll find a few locations of this local chain, each of them with their own vibe. If you can grab a table on the sidewalk at the Ocean Ave. location it makes a perfect place to drink a tea and people watch.

Rise + Roam. Another great spot to grab a coffee or a quick and easy lunch.

What to Do in Carmel-By-The-Sea

Things 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!

Beaches. Carmel beaches are some of the loveliest in California! The easiest is Carmel beach – wide, soft white sand, and dogs can go off leash.

Carmel Village. Strolling around what they dub the Golden Rectangle in Carmel Village is the stuff of dreams! Boutiques, restaurants, wine tasting, salons, galleries, and lots more.

Biking. One of my favorite memories in Carmel is renting e-bikes from Mad Dogs and Englishmen and zooming around town. Bring your own bikes or rent some and see the area on wheels.

Hiking. There are so many beautiful trails and walks. One of my favorites is the seaside trail at Point Lobos Nature Reserve.

Shopping. Come ready to shop! The boutiques are well curated and lots of fun.

17 Mile Drive. One of the most beautiful stretches of the California coast is waiting for you! It’s a must to drive this path at least once in your life.

The Bench. The McGinnis Bench at Carmel River Beach is super special. Underneath it you’ll find a little mailbox with journals and pens, where you can sit a write a message or read what other people have written. You can see more about the bench here.

Spa. At Refuge Carmel, you can spend the day in hot pools, saunas, and steam rooms alternated with cold plunges. It’s a silent, technology-free retreat that’s so peaceful and such a cool experience.

What to Do in Carmel-By-The-Sea

What to Bring

Carmel is a beach town but there’s definitely a coastal grandma vibe that prevails!

Bring layers as it can get cool. And make sure the layers are comfortable and easy to wear.

You won’t find too many places where you’ll want to wear sequins or heels. But if you’re planning on golfing or spending time at a club be sure to bring attire that’s appropriate.

I hope you have a lovely time in this magical spot! xoxo

What to Do in Carmel-By-The-Sea

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

8 Comments

  1. Love these! Thanks for sharing this collection. I am bookmarking your website for more posts like these!

  2. I recently had the experience of downloading an Android gambling app for free, and it was surprisingly smooth. I found all the necessary information on the website https://livepda.ru/2807-betwinner-na-android.html The site was user-friendly, with detailed descriptions and no intrusive ads, making navigation a breeze. The download process was quick, and the information provided was up-to-date and accurate. Overall, I’d recommend checking out the site if you’re looking for a hassle-free experience downloading gambling apps on Android.