Carmel

Travel Guide

Carmel showing a house and fall colors
Carmel
Carmel which includes signage, street scenes and a city
Carmel
Carmel featuring food, street scenes and a city

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 theatres, including the Sunset Theatre and Forest Theatre, 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-metre) 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 byarchitect 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 which includes fall colors, a sunset and a house

Golden Rectangle

5/5(11 area reviews)

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

Golden Rectangle
Carmel which includes fall colors, a sunset and a house

Downtown Carmel

If you're spending some time in Downtown Carmel, Carmel Plaza and The Doud Arcade are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Carmel
Carmel which includes fall colors, a sunset and a house

Northwest Carmel

5/5(12 area reviews)

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

Northwest Carmel
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Northeast Carmel

4/5(14 area reviews)

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

Northeast Carmel
Forest Theater Guild featuring a park and theater scenes

Southeast Carmel

While visiting Southeast Carmel, you might make a stop by sights like Forest Theater Guild and Mission Trail Nature Preserve.

Southeast Carmel
Carmel Mission which includes a fountain, heritage architecture and a house

Carmel Point

5/5(1 area review)

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

Carmel Point
Carmel Bay View Inn

Carmel Bay View Inn

2.5 out of 5
Junipero Street Between 5th And 6th St, Carmel, CA
The price is RM576 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
RM576
RM652 total
5 Nov - 6 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Carmel. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,322 reviews)
"Our room was clean, nice location where all the shops and restaurants in walking distance. Nice view of the ocean from our deck. Only thing I would change is the breakfast could be better. The eggs were sitting in water, not appetizing to eat, staff should come out and stir eggs more often. The pastries ..."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Carmel Bay View Inn
Carmel Mission Inn

Carmel Mission Inn

3.5 out of 5
3665 Rio Rd, Carmel, CA
The price is RM658 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
RM658
RM796 total
28 Oct - 29 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Carmel. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,658 reviews)
"Quick and easy check-in. Staff was very friendly. Room was clean and very spacious. Nice bar with happy hour and live band playing."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Carmel Mission Inn
The Quail

The Quail

4 out of 5
8205 VALLEY GREENS DRIVE, Carmel, CA
The price is RM1,060 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
RM1,060
RM1,382 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Carmel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,009 reviews)
"Everything was excellent"

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

The Quail
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.
Snuggle Inn A Romantic Couples Retreat!

Snuggle Inn A Romantic Couples Retreat!

3 out of 5
24584 Guadalupe St, Carmel-by-the-sea,, Ca 93923, Usa, Carmel, CA
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Carmel. Enjoy free parking, furnished patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions 17-Mile Drive and Monterey Bay ...
Snuggle Inn A Romantic Couples Retreat!
Little European Lodge

Little European Lodge

3.5 out of 5
45 W Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Carmel Valley. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (56 reviews)
Great stay!
"My husband and I loved our stay here. The room was clean, the bed was comfy, and it was great to have a mini fridge, microwave and Keurig in the room. Communication from staff was great as well. We were happily surprised at what a cute little town this was. We visited Pelio winery and listened to ..."

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2025

Little European Lodge
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

Things to do

Reviews of Carmel

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
22
5 - Excellent 59%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 30%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Bit quiet (due to being off season) as we are young maybe not as much about to do. But lovely place and great beach

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Check out the Mission Ranch for early dinner, and then watch the sun go down at the beach

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Paradise!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Beautiful place but visit Monterey for the real world.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Want to go back asap