What to do in Carmel Valley, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Carmel Valley Road, Route G20, California
Carmel Valley Road, Route G20, California
Panorama of beautiful green hills, mountains, and fields in sunset light under a blue sky with purple clouds in Carmel Valley, CA, USA
Spring Fields in Carmel Valley, California
10.5 miles out and back on a rainy Memorial Day weekend.

Carmel Valley Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Carmel Valley has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Carmel Valley, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Carmel Valley with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Carmel Valley, and make it a breeze to explore Carmel Valley and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Carmel Valley to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Carmel Valley, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Carmel Valley.

Carmel Valley attractions

Carmel Valley has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Carmel Valley to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Carmel Valley.

Looking for things to do in Carmel Valley can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Carmel Valley or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Carmel Valley attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Carmel Valley

Tours & day trips

See all 50 activities
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
9.6 out of 10 with 261 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £46 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 16 activities
Monterey and 17 Mile Drive: Half-Day Electric Bike Rental

Monterey and 17 Mile Drive: Half-Day Electric Bike Rental

Activity duration is 4 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 15 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £40 per adult
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 13 activities
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo

Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo

Activity duration is 1 day
9.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £17 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 13 activities
Half Day Private Big Sur Driving Tour in California

Half Day Private Big Sur Driving Tour in California

Activity duration is 3 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £26 per traveller*
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Recommended things to do in Carmel Valley

Number of things to do
59
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Carmel-by-the-Sea's Fairytale Houses: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: £5
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Carmel Valley

Popular places to visit

Morning hike in November. The much needed rain at the end of October has had an effect...fresh shoots of green grass are making an appearance along the shaded trails.

Garland Ranch Regional Park

Explore the great outdoors at Garland Ranch Regional Park, a lovely green space in Carmel Valley. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the seafood restaurants while you're in the area.

Garland Ranch Regional Park
View towards Carmel Valley from Garland Ranch Regional Park, California

Carmel Valley Community Park

Carmel Valley Community Park is just one of the places to see in Carmel Valley, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the beautiful beaches or discover the area's beautiful sunsets.

Carmel Valley Community Park

Bernardus Winery Tasting Room

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Bernardus Winery Tasting Room during your travels to Carmel Valley. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Bernardus Winery Tasting Room

Bernardus Winery

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Bernardus Winery during your travels to Carmel Valley. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the seafood restaurants while you're in the area.

Bernardus Winery

Heller Estate Organic Vineyards

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Heller Estate Organic Vineyards during your travels to Carmel Valley. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Heller Estate Organic Vineyards

Hastings Natural History Reservation

Explore the great outdoors at Hastings Natural History Reservation, a lovely green space in Carmel Valley. While in this quaint area, you can savour the wineries and cafes.

Hastings Natural History Reservation

Joullian Vineyards

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Joullian Vineyards during your travels to Carmel Valley. Stroll along the area's seaside or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Joullian Vineyards

Boekenoogen Winery Tasting Room

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Boekenoogen Winery Tasting Room during your travels to Carmel Valley. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Boekenoogen Winery Tasting Room

Talbotts Vineyards

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Talbotts Vineyards during your travels to Carmel Valley. Stroll along the area's pebble beaches or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Talbotts Vineyards

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Carmel Valley

Carmel showing a house and autumn leaves

Carmel

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Salinas

McWay Falls which includes a sandy beach, a bay or harbour and rugged coastline

Big Sur

Carmel Beach which includes general coastal views, landscape views and a sandy beach

Monterey

Frequently asked questions

Is Carmel Valley worth visiting?
Whether you're planning to experience the local charm and cultural highlights or try unique foods and explore in nature, there's no shortage of things to do in Carmel Valley.
How do I spend a day in Carmel Valley?
Kick your day off with a visit to Point Lobos Ranch and Garland Ranch Regional Park. Then, explore other parts of Carmel Valley for tasty eats and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Carmel Valley?
The top tourist attraction in Carmel Valley is Folktale Winery and Vineyards, so make sure to put it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Carmel Valley?
You can easily visit top attractions like Folktale Winery and Vineyards, Heller Estate Organic Vineyards and Joullian Vineyards with a three-day trip to Carmel Valley. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so linger longer and venture to Monterey.
What are some activities to do in Carmel Valley with kids?
Whether you're travelling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, an itinerary filled with cool activities makes a big difference. Browse our recommendations for what to do in Carmel Valley with kids.

What to do in Carmel Valley for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Carmel Valley, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Folktale Winery and Vineyards or Heller Estate Organic Vineyards.
Are there free things to do in Carmel Valley?
One of the top ways to learn about free things to do in Carmel Valley is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can experience without getting your cash out. Garland Ranch Regional Park is one place that doesn't have an admission fee.