Carmel, CA

Travel Guide

Carmel featuring a house and autumn leaves
Garrapata Beach which includes rugged coastline, general coastal views and tranquil scenes
Carmel featuring a city, street scenes and signage
Carmel showing a sunset, general coastal views and a beach
Carmel showing a city, street scenes and food

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 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

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 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

If you're spending some time in Southeast Carmel, Forest Theater Guild and Mission Trail Nature Preserve are top sights worth seeing.

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
Carmel Bay View Inn
Carmel Bay View Inn
2.5 out of 5
Junipero Street Between 5th And 6th St, Carmel, CA
$259 nightly
The price is $292 total per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
$292 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,205 reviews)
"It was very nice! I would stay there again…"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Carmel Bay View Inn
Carmel Mission Inn
Carmel Mission Inn
3.5 out of 5
3665 Rio Rd, Carmel, CA
$207 nightly
The price is $233 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$233 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,582 reviews)
Recommended Hotel
"This is a clean hotel with a fantastic 5 star restaurant attached and owned by Clint Eastwood. The pool is heated, and it is right next to an amazing bike path. The bed was too firm for me, but everything else was fabulous."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Carmel Mission Inn
La Playa Hotel
La Playa Hotel
4 out of 5
Camino Real at Eighth Ave., Carmel, CA
$583 nightly
The price is $660 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$660 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Carmel. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Located not to far from the beach. Super friendly staff. The property was beautiful and relaxing. Only thing we didn’t like was check in was at 4 but our room wasn’t available until 430."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

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.
One Double Bed Cottage
One Double Bed Cottage
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Stay at this cottage in Carmel. Enjoy cable/satellite TV service and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium and Carmel Beach are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (32 reviews)
Great for the price
"I had read ahead of time that the walls were very thin.... and they are!! But everyone tries to be quiet and most things settle down by 10. Parking is VERY tight, but it worked out okay. Room itself was fantastic."

Reviewed on May 31, 2025

One Double Bed Cottage
One Bedroom Suite Cottage
One Bedroom Suite Cottage
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Stay at this cottage in Carmel. Enjoy private pools, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium and Carmel ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (19 reviews)
BrucecFamily
"Thank you for such a nice, clean place to rest."

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

One Bedroom Suite Cottage
"Atherton Cottage has been remodeled & has two Fireplaces!
"Atherton Cottage has been remodeled & has two Fireplaces!
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Stay at this cottage in Carmel. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and tennis courts. Popular attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium and Carmel Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (255 reviews)
Fantastic Hang
"Great spot to enjoy Carmel, get outside in Big Sur, and just sit on the couch. Get spot!"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

"Atherton Cottage has been remodeled & has two Fireplaces!
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

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
723
5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
211
4 - Good 22%
3 - Okay
21
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
5
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Nice town to visit and relax

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

love carmel, i go every year

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

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