Carmel-by-the-Sea is for Me
June 12, 2010
If there ever was a town that is not only quaint and charming, but also chic and sophisticated, it is Carmel-by-the-Sea. Located on the Monterey peninsula south of San Francisco, Carmel is a small town filled with art galleries, shops and inns, and is surrounded by golf courses. Only the well to do can afford to actually live in Carmel, but for the rest of us, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a fantastic getaway destination in California for anyone seeking beauty, culture, rest, and relaxation along the coast.
We spent two days and nights here a few weekends ago, so today I’ll share a few photos of our brief stay. My most favorite thing about downtown Carmel is that everywhere you walk you’ll find a secret corridor, alley, or courtyard, and along every street, flowers are abundant. They grow up along walls, blooming in pots, and spilling out of window boxes, flourishing in the sun and sea air.
Carmel has a few ritzy hotels, but I’m partial to the plentiful downtown inns. You can’t get any more quaint (and comparatively affordable) than these, plus when you stay downtown, you’re in the middle of it all, just steps from the great restaurants, shops, and the beach.
Carmel’s shopping is exceptional, offering everything from jewelry stores and clothing boutiques to antique stores and home decor.
I fell in love with Jan de Luz when I first visited Carmel eight years ago, and to this day it still sells the most breathtaking French antiques and embroidered linens.
My other decadent find was Trouvé, filled with all things French inspired for garden and home.
Then there was Dolores street off Ocean Avenue and one building adorned with tile and white stucco – could not j’adore more.
Gorgeous patterns in tile . . . wouldn’t these be stunning in fabric ?
And the real estate, oh, the real estate. Let’s not even go there.
But here’s an interesting fact from the town’s website: “To this day, there are still no addresses, parking meters, street lights, or sidewalks outside of Carmel’s downtown commercial area.
The local post office continues to serve as a social hub for residents retrieving mail from post office boxes. Those seeking directions receive hints such as "fifth house on the east side of Torres Street, blue trim, driftwood fence” or by the legendary names adorning most houses, such as ‘Periwinkle’ or ‘Sea Urchin’.”
Hungry ? In the charming downtown, there are plenty of places to dine outdoors, from fine restaurants to quaint bistros.
At our breakfast stop, I admired the turquoise beams of Em Le’s, but my little guy made every attempt to steal the show.
Later, at our lunch at Village Corner, I fell in love with the series of scroll lanterns along the outdoor pergola.
If you ever make the trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, your visit isn’t complete without a jaunt along the white sands of Carmel Beach.
And you simply can’t mistake the trademark cypress trees that dangle over the precipice of much of the coastline and the famous 17 Mile Drive.
To learn more about all things Carmel, read up right here. If you’re considering a trip to California, I highly recommend putting Carmel-by-the-Sea on your list !
Carmel is one of my favorite getaways. What is one of yours ?
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Tags: carmel by the sea
Thanks for sharing!! The hubs and I are planning a trip to the San Fran/Napa Valley area and I had dont some research about driving down the coast to Monterey and Carmel-by-the-sea. I am sold now!! Have you stayed at any of those inns you pictured in your post? Looking for recommendations as to where to stay…
I LOVE your travel posts. I learn so much (and my to-visit list keeps expanding!). Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the great trip down memory lane! I had the great fortune of living in Monterey for 6 months many years ago. Vising Carmel was always a delight. I was thrilled to see that you included a picture of Cypress Inn (owned by my idol Doris Day!).
Love the high quality of your blog, both in terms of photos and writing! Keep up the awesomeness!
We spent one of our honeymoon driving down the CA coast , on of the nights in Carmel at the Normandy Inn. My parents had honeymooned there 30 years earlier and my parents booked us at the same place! There was a delicious little restaurant across the street – it was fall, the fireplace was going, it was so romantic! I cannot tell you how much I loved waking up that morning and hearing the waves crash on the beach!
We loved that little town and I’m thinking now we need to go back this fall for our anniversary!
I love everything about Northern California and haven’t been back since I had my daughter in 1997. One my favorite places is Point Reyes which is a National Sea Shore park that juts out north of San Francisco. It is an inlet but seems like an island and its’ huge. On one side it has a herd of tulle elk and and the other end is St. Francis Drake beach which is where he landed the first time in California. At the far end is a light house that you have to hike down 150 feet to get there. If it’s too windy the place is closed. They don’t want anyone blowing into the rocks below (yes the wind is that bad). Through out the National Seashore are dairy farms spotted here and there. Once you drive onto the inlet you feel that all things are possible and you’re totally free from the rat race of city life. I live in Los Angeles so escaping the rat race is very appealing to me.
Ah, I so love Carmel! Thanks for sharing. Brings back memories. So charming and beautiful and chic. Love it!
Just got back from a visit to Carmel, and it is one of the most magical places on Earth!! My Brother-in-law works in Carmel-by-the-Sea’s city hall. Did you know it is against the law to were heels in excess of 2 inches. You have to get a permit! For a keepsake I had my Brother-in-law get me one! So funny!
Hugs,
Sariah
thank you for sharing that! it looks so lovely!
“i want to go to there”
I love your photos from Carmel. I was just telling someone this week, how the whole town smells of fragrant flowers. One of my favorite spots to visit. Don’t forget to go by Clint’s “Mission Ranch” for dinner on the veranda. I hear he sometimes shows up at the piano bar!
[...] rearrange the gallery wall to make room for the new seaside oil painting we picked up on our visit to Carmel-by-the-Sea earlier this year. We only buy fine art when it’s meaningful ~ Mr. CG happened [...]
I love Em Le’s. They have the most delicious breakfast. I cannot wait for another trip to Carmel. Your review is so inspiring!
[...] spied several expensive reproduction trumeaus on our recent trip to Jan de Luz in Carmel, and am determined someday to have a reasonably priced one in our foyer. I’m so crazy about [...]