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.
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.
Downtown Carmel feels like stepping into a storybook with fairy-tale cottages housing world-class art galleries along Ocean Avenue. Hidden courtyards reveal boutique shops and wine-tasting rooms where you can sample local vintages. The historic Carmel Mission Basilica anchors the cultural scene, while cypress-lined streets lead you to the pristine white sands of Carmel Beach.
Most visitors park once and explore the compact 8-block core on foot, wandering through pedestrian-friendly passages. Farm-to-table restaurants and cozy wine bars showcase Monterey County flavors, while intimate inns and boutique hotels offer charming accommodations in historic buildings with fireplaces and courtyards.
Carmel Point blends dreamy coastal views with exclusive residential charm. Wander from the historic Carmel Mission Basilica to the pristine sands of Carmel River State Beach. The neighborhood's dramatic cliffs and pine-scented pathways lead to hidden coves perfect for tide pooling. Homes nestled among Monterey cypress trees create a peaceful backdrop for morning fog rolling in from the bay.
You'll need to venture into nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea for dining and shopping options. Most visitors opt for luxury vacation rentals with ocean panoramas rather than traditional hotels. A rental car is essential for exploring this tranquil peninsula paradise.
Escape the tourist bustle in Carmel's Hatton Fields, where elegant homes hide among towering Monterey pines. This upscale residential haven offers peaceful streets perfect for morning strolls with birdsong as your soundtrack. No attractions exist within the neighborhood itself, but you're just minutes from Carmel Mission Basilica and scenic hiking trails.
Dining and shopping require a quick 5-10 minute drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea's charming village center. Most accommodations are luxury vacation rentals with spacious grounds and premium amenities. A rental car is essential in this secluded area where privacy and tranquility reign supreme.
Mission Fields offers a peaceful retreat from Carmel's tourist bustle with tree-lined streets and residential charm. Nature lovers can explore the nearby Carmel River Lagoon and Wetland Nature Preserve or hike through Mission Trail Park's scenic paths. The Mediterranean-style homes and lush gardens create a perfect backdrop for morning walks before heading out to nearby attractions.
You'll need a car to fully enjoy this area, as dining and shopping require a quick 5-10 minute drive to downtown Carmel. Most accommodations are spacious vacation rentals where you can live like a local while enjoying the quiet neighborhood vibe and easy access to Carmel Beach.
Carmel's Golden Rectangle offers storybook charm with whimsical cottages and hidden courtyards just steps from pristine Carmel Beach. Art lovers can explore upscale galleries showcasing local coastal landscapes while shoppers browse boutiques tucked between cypress-shaded pathways. Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the neighborhood's tasting rooms, with Scheid Vineyards and Galante Vineyards offering premium local pours.
Gourmet restaurants serve California coastal cuisine on vine-covered patios with ocean glimpses through narrow passageways. Accommodations range from luxury inns to boutique hotels in converted cottages, all featuring fireplaces and garden settings. The neighborhood emphasizes walkability with tree-lined streets that make exploring this charming residential haven a delight.
Whether you want to hunt for sand dollars or smell the fresh air, Carmel Beach is a spot you might want to check out, located 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from central Carmel. Enjoy the sunset by the shore at San Carlos Beach - The Breakwater, Asilomar State Beach, and Del Monte Beach.
You might want to practice your swing at Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course, a golf course located 7.2 mi (11.6 km) from central Carmel. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is full of friendly people and has lots of nice beaches. If Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course doesn't quite scratch your golfing itch, Laguna Seca Golf Club Ranch is also nearby.
If you want to give your credit card some exercise, head out to Carmel Plaza in Golden Rectangle. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is walkable and has lots of nice beaches. Splash some more cash at The Doud Arcade.
You can spend time studying the exhibits at Carmel Mission Basilica during your trip to Carmel. Stroll along the area's pebble beaches, or simply savor its seafood restaurants.
You can find out about the history of Carmel with a visit to Bixby Bridge. Amble around this relaxing area's seaside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.
Wander through Carmel's fairy-tale cottages where art galleries showcase local talent in buildings that seem plucked from storybooks. Ocean Avenue leads to one of California's most perfect beaches, where dogs frolic off-leash while their owners watch the sunset with wine in hand. The historic Carmel Mission Basilica offers a peaceful counterpoint to the bustle of boutique shopping. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve reveals tide pools and hidden coves where sea otters perform aquatic acrobatics. After gallery-hopping, catch a performance at the intimate Sunset Center. Local restaurants serve seafood so fresh it practically introduces itself before arriving on the plate. Even the public restrooms are disguised as quaint cottages – perhaps the most charming municipal facilities in America.
Carmel is a scenic place known for its seaside. Hunt for sand dollars at Carmel Beach and Carmel River State Beach. Popular sights in the surrounding area include Monterey Bay Aquarium.
![SC, Danny, May and I set off bright and early from Folsom on our PCH roadtrip. First stop was this Carmel Mission in the idyllic seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. I think I fell in love with the quaint cottages and shops dotted the town, and the fact that this is a dog-friendly town. Most of the shops had water bowls laid out for the dogs, and you bet I made lotsa four-legged furry friends! I'd love to come back here someday with my own dog!
[August '14]
#Architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6026/7c393ad5-fbc9-47c9-995d-ff6627b9d8a3.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=960&h=540&p=1&q=medium)
