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 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 Mission Inn
Carmel Mission Inn
3.5 out of 5
3665 Rio Rd, Carmel, CA
The price is $195 per night from Oct 25 to Oct 26
$195
per night
Oct 25 - Oct 26
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Carmel. Enjoy breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the convenient parking and the spacious rooms in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,206 reviews)
"We did like this hotel. Overall a good experience other than a bit noisy from housekeeping in the halls every morning and they talk back and forth loudly. The hotel was clean, had a nice pool area and fire pit area and lounge in the front of the hotel was a nice feature. We did not try the restaurant, ..."

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2023

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 $224 per night from Oct 3 to Oct 4
$224
per night
Oct 3 - Oct 4
Stay at this hotel in Carmel. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the bathrooms and the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"Great central location Property in very good condition Very helpful and pleasant staff Great place to stay"

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

Carmel Bay View Inn
Hyatt Vacation Club at Highlands Inn
Hyatt Vacation Club at Highlands Inn
4 out of 5
120 Highland Dr, Carmel, CA
The price is $399 per night from Oct 24 to Oct 25
$399
per night
Oct 24 - Oct 25
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Carmel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Carmel Beach and Gravity Garden are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (557 reviews)
"I requested rooms that were handicap accessible. My mother had a stroke and is using a cane. When I got there they did not provide me with a room that was accessible. It wasn't until we were leaving that a very nice employee showed a way near the pool where my mother didn't have to go up and down ..."

Reviewed on Sep 17, 2023

Hyatt Vacation Club at Highlands Inn
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.
One Queen Bed Cottage
One Queen Bed Cottage
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Stay at this cabin in Carmel. Enjoy WiFi, a TV, and cable/satellite TV. Popular attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium and Carmel Beach are located nearby. Discover ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
Clean and efficient
"I was traveling for business and decided to give this place a try. It worked out well. Internet worked well, small table was fine with my laptop. Very clean. The property manager was helpful."

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2023

One Queen Bed Cottage
One King bedroom Cottage
One King bedroom Cottage
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Stay at this cabin in Carmel. Enjoy WiFi, a TV, and cable/satellite TV. Popular attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium and Carmel Beach are located nearby. Discover ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
Family trip to Carmel
"Very nice spot to stay"

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2023

One King bedroom Cottage
Charming 2-bedroom cottage, walk to downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea
Charming 2-bedroom cottage, walk to downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-By-The-Sea
Stay at this villa in Carmel. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium and Carmel Beach are located nearby. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (48 reviews)
Long weekend in CBTS
"We absolutely love CBTS and come often. We had a great experience at this property and would rent again."

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2023

Charming 2-bedroom cottage, walk to downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea
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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