Carmel, CA

Travel Guide
Carmel featuring signage, a city and street scenes
This charming oceanfront town is a perfect day-trip for art, food and relaxation.

Carmel-by-the-Sea offers eclectic architecture, streets rich in bohemian history, and a laid-back lifestyle. Spanish explorers and missionaries first claimed the area around Carmel in the 17th and 18th centuries. It wasn’t until the after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake that the sleepy hamlet began to develop into a charming and ecclectic town that continues to draw art lovers and romantics.

Carmel’s heady bohemian days may have long passed, but the city is still fully engaged in the arts and determined to preserve the small community’s characteristic atmosphere and aesthetic. Several artists have served as mayor, including actor and director Clint Eastwood. Historic theaters, including the Sunset Theater and Forest Theater, are still thriving. Check local guides for current productions. There are over 80 art galleries dotted throughout the downtown area, which is impressive for a town with a population of less than 4,000. Pick up a Carmel Gallery Guide or simply take a wander. 

Architecture is one of Carmel’s main attractions. Don’t miss Tor House on Carmel Point. Once the home of renowned American poet Robinson Jeffers, the house was built by Jeffers himself with stones collected from the beach below. This extraordinary home features a 40-foot (12-meter) tower embedded with stones from around the world, including the Great Wall of China. Walker Residence is another of the city’s architectural marvels. This modern stone building sits just above the beach and was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. 

Ocean Avenue is the old town’s busy hub and is perfect for people-watching. There are over 500 boutiques to explore, and plenty of excellent cafés and restaurants. Monterey County’s reputation as a commercial fishing hub means the seafood is fresh and abundant. Carmel is also close to the California wine region, resulting in wine lists that are long and impressive. The city is renowned for its relaxed attitude towards dogs, and that includes the beach and many restaurants. 

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a 15-minute drive from Monterey and is accessible by bus from downtown Monterey. Once you arrive, it’s best to sightsee on foot. Pick up a self-guided tour map or join one of the fascinating two-hour Carmel Walks. 

Where to stay in Carmel

Carmel featuring autumn leaves, a house and a sunset

Golden Rectangle

5/5(186 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Golden Rectangle, Carmel Plaza and Carmel Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Golden Rectangle
Carmel featuring autumn leaves, a house and a sunset

Northwest Carmel

4.5/5(159 area reviews)

While visiting Northwest Carmel, you might make a stop by sights like Carmel Plaza and Carmel Beach.

Northwest Carmel
Forest Theater Guild featuring theater scenes and a park

Southeast Carmel

While Southeast Carmel isn't home to many top sights, Carmel Plaza and Carmel Mission Basilica are some notable places to visit nearby.

Southeast Carmel
Winter beach day in Carmel. #lifeatexpedia

Northeast Carmel

4.5/5(192 area reviews)

Though Northeast Carmel might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Carmel Plaza and Carmel Beach.

Northeast Carmel
Carmel Mission which includes a house, a fountain and skyline

Carmel Point

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Carmel Point, Carmel Mission Basilica and Carmel Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Carmel Point
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Hatton Fields

While Hatton Fields might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Carmel Mission Basilica and Carmel Plaza.

Hatton Fields
Carmel Mission Inn
Carmel Mission Inn
3.5 out of 5
3665 Rio Rd, Carmel, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$5,735 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$5,735
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this hotel in Carmel. Enjoy breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,272 reviews)
"Experience over all great!"

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Carmel Mission Inn
Carmel Bay View Inn
Carmel Bay View Inn
2.5 out of 5
Junipero Street Between 5th And 6th St, Carmel, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$7,321 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$7,321
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this hotel in Carmel. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (982 reviews)
"Our favorite place to stay in Carmel. Safe, clean, cozy, walkable to all of our favorite spots downtown (and the beach.) :)"

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

Carmel Bay View Inn
La Playa Hotel
La Playa Hotel
4 out of 5
Camino Real at Eighth Ave., Carmel, CA
The price is NT$12,071 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
NT$12,071
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this hotel in Carmel. Enjoy WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (981 reviews)
"A beautiful property with excellent service. Can't wait to go back!"

Reviewed on 2024/3/19

La Playa Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
3 out of 5
219 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Los Angeles. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (277 reviews)
"Very convenient location with within walking distance of metro and other public transport. Walking distance to a lot of great sights within the city. The actual location though had a lot of vagrants within the area. Would not recommend walking around at night alone."

Reviewed on 2024/3/18

The Haas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
3.5 out of 5
1091 Pinehurst Ln, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,492 reviews)
"Great property"

Reviewed on 2024/3/17

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
4 out of 5
3075 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA
Stay at this 4-star beach condo in Carlsbad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,079 reviews)
"Bed was comfortable, soft mattress, nice sheets, and pillows. Great location and easy access to the beach and village :)"

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Carmel

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
723
" "5 - Excellent 75.15592515592516%
4 - Good
211
" "4 - Good 21.933471933471935%
3 - Okay
21
" "3 - Okay 2.182952182952183%
2 - Disappointing
5
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5197505197505198%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 0.2079002079002079%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

Nice town to visit and relax

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 27, 2020

love carmel, i go every year

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Apr 28, 2020

Most of Carmel was closed due to the virus. I enjoyed the quiet walks, interesting architecture, beautiful beach and friendly locals.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 21, 2020

Carmel is quaint, walkable and friendly. The shops are fun to walk in with something always fun to buy.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 20, 2020

Clean air, quiet. Perfect spot to get away to read a book, walk/jog the beach.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 16, 2020

I have always enjoyed Carmel, from a honeymoon in 1960 to last week.

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