Carmel Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Carmel showing a house and autumn leaves
Carmel
Carmel featuring a city, signage and street scenes
Carmel
Carmel featuring a city, food 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 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 a house, autumn colours and a sunset

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 a house, autumn colours 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 which includes a house, autumn colours and a sunset

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
Forest Theater Guild featuring theatre scenes and a park

Southeast Carmel

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

Southeast 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
Carmel Mission Basilica featuring a house, a fountain and skyline

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
Stay at this hotel in Carmel. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,179 reviews)
"A wonderful location in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. An easy walk to all the great shops and restaurants and ocean. Staff were very friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Carmel Bay View Inn
Carmel Mission Inn
Carmel Mission Inn
3.5 out of 5
3665 Rio Rd, Carmel, CA
The price is £185 per night from 24 Jun to 25 Jun
£185
24 Jun - 25 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Carmel. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,559 reviews)
"amazing!"

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Carmel Mission Inn
La Playa Hotel
La Playa Hotel
4 out of 5
Camino Real at Eighth Ave., Carmel, CA
The price is £417 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
£417
23 Jun - 24 Jun
includes taxes & 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 their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Best stay in carmel I’ve ever had"

Reviewed on 11 Jun 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, CA
Stay at this cottage in Carmel. Enjoy cable/satellite TV service and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions 17-Mile Drive and Monterey Bay Aquarium are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (30 reviews)
Carmel
"Nice clean room with a really comfortable bed, one thing only that needs improvement, I could hear the next door bathroom sounds and flushing of toilet"

Reviewed on 3 Apr 2025

One Double Bed Cottage
Ocean & Sunset view  retreat with hot tub
Ocean & Sunset view retreat with hot tub
Carmel, CA
Stay at this beach holiday home in Carmel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and laundry facilities. Popular attractions 17-Mile Drive and Point Lobos State Natural ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (158 reviews)
Very comfortable and well-stocked
"This is a beautiful property, loaded with comforts and flowers, and peaceful ocean views. We appreciated the extras and Karin’s hospitality."

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

Ocean & Sunset view retreat with hot tub
Carmel Dolores Cottages
Carmel Dolores Cottages
3 out of 5
2 Dolores St, Carmel, CA
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Carmel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions 17-Mile Drive and Monterey Bay Aquarium are ...
Carmel Dolores Cottages
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

Cities near Carmel