SHOP THIS CARMEL BY THE SEA LOOK:
A Pacific Coast Highway California road trip should be added to each and everyone’s travel bucket list. Not only are the views you’ll encounter along the way some of the BEST in the world, but the destinations dotting the coast are spectacular to visit. This January, as a 30th birthday adventure, I trekked from Los Angeles to Solvang up past San Simeon and Big Sur to Carmel by the Sea before we flew out of San Francisco. It was the adventure of a lifetime!
In the hopes that one of you follows in our footsteps and stumbles upon these destinations, I have an in-depth travel guide on each place we visited here on Lone Star Looking Glass. Today, I’m talking all about the lovely town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This precious seaside Northern California hamlet is one of the most beautiful places in the whole United States. A visit here will leave you more than satisfied – with its stunning vistas, high-end shopping, oodles of delicious restaurants and most importantly its small-town California charm.
Sharing all my favorite finds in Carmel-by-the-Sea below!
The Best Things to Do in Carmel by the Sea; a Complete Travel Guide
A Bit About Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small beach city about two hours south of San Francisco and a short drive away from its neighbor, Monterey. A stroll through this charming town almost has you feeling like you’ve stepped into a fairytale – with its pebble streets, cozy cottages, European style architecture and many whimsical details tucked away. From shopping to surfing, to art experiences and wine tasting, there is no shortage of things to do and see here.
Start by Taking in the View from Bixby Bridge
This iconic Bixby Creek Bridge on Highway 1 was built in the 1930s to connect cruisers along the Pacific Coast. Since this art deco bridge has been around, people have flocked to its sides for sweeping views of the rocky waters of the Pacific Ocean. I’ve stopped here twice now and it’s safe to say that this truly is one of the most awe-inspiring vistas I’ve ever seen! At 26 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, be sure to stop and stare at the ocean either on your way in or out of the town.
We were coming up from San Simeon, so pulling over and taking a break here made the loveliest of scenic stops!
SHOP THIS CARMEL BY THE SEA LOOK:
Check into the Coachman’s Inn
Tucking yourself into a centrally located hotel destination during your travels is key to a laid back getaway. Coachman’s Inn is smack dab in the middle of Carmel-by-the-Sea and within walking distance to just about everything you’d want to see and do in town. With only 30 rooms, the Inn resembles a pleasant bed & breakfast. Its complimentary buffet was so delicious we sat and stayed a long while each morning during our visit.
My favorite thing about the hotel (other than the location) was the in-room fireplace and seating area. We visited Carmel-by-the-Sea in mid-January, so it was no surprise that we were treated to some cooler evening weather. Each night, we would tuck Annie into bed and then cozy ourselves by the fire with a bottle of local red wine. It was such a dreamy way to end each day!
Dine in Style at La Balena
Our California road trip brought us to some pretty amazing restaurants. But the one that stood out to us the most during our 7-day-getaway was La Balena. This is one of those restaurants that while you’re eating your dish you’re muttering, “Oh my goodness, this is SO SO good” – in between bites to your dining companions. I split the Pollo Arrosto with my mom and we ordered the Tagliatelle for Annie. After we finished our dish we snuck bites from her pasta – because it was literally the best pasta we think we’ve ever had!
SHOP THIS CARMEL BY THE SEA LOOK:
All dressed up for dinner in a ruffled white blouse, skinny jeans, and comfy booties for traveling!
Shop ‘Till You Drop in Carmel by the Sea
You might be surprised to find a few familiar shops that you’d stumble upon in a big metropolitan city here in Carmel-by-the-Sea too. Anthropologie, Cole Haan, Roller Rabbit, and Vineyard Vines to name a few. But this coastal city is filled with unique boutiques and art galleries that can’t be found anywhere else. We had so much fun popping in and out of antique shops and quirkier boutiques with one-of-a-kind finds. A few of my favorites were The Secret Garden, Jane Austen at Home, Artemis Leather (hello cowboy boots!) and Nazar Turkish Imports for its imported home accents.
It’s Okay to be Cheesy in Carmel by the Sea
But the one stop shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea that is my absolute favorite is called The Cheese Shop. Plain and simple, it’s a shop selling gourmet cheese. And wine too! The fromagers delight visitors with samples of cheeses you never knew could exist! We came home with a bundle of bold flavors to pair with suggested bottles of wine by the fire each evening. Some of it even made its way back home to Texas too. Needless to say, I’m a big fan of cheese, y’all!
Scoop up Fresh Finds at the Carmel by the Sea Farmers Market
Every Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm the Carmel Farmer’s Market pops up between 6th and Mission Street. We stumbled upon the lively setup during our visit and decided to stop and stay awhile. Not needing any produce to take back to our hotel room, we bought things that we could eat there and then & happily obliged when vendors offered us samples of their tasty creations!
Lunch at Forge in the Forest
The Forge in the Forest restaurant boasts delicious Calfironia fusion cuisine and sits inside Carmel’s original forge. You know, the place where many of the city’s hand-wrought hardware was produced. Fun fact! This charming eatery boasts a bit of history and is dripping in the city’s lush greenery too, making it a picturesque spot for a bite to eat. We sat under the sun and ordered the fondue appetizer – both of which warmed us up on that chilly January day!
You Don’t Have to Visit a Vineyard to Taste California Wines
Carmel-by-the-Sea is dotted with numerous tasting roams boasting bottles blended from grapes that grew in nearby regions. A wine tasting is my preferred method of happy hour and Carmel-by-the-Sea does happy hour quite well! A few that we tried (& loved so much that bottles were sent back home) were Scheid & Galante Vineyards and Vino Napoli.
No Visit to Carmel by the Sea is Complete without a Stroll on Carmel Beach
I could have spent an entire day on Carmel Beach!! This oh-so-beautiful sprawling beach is unlike any that I visited growing up on those summer trips to Florida. This white-sand beach is lined by sweet-smelling cypress trees making the scenery on the opposite side of the water just as striking.
SHOP OUR CARMEL BY THE SEA LOOKS:
The three of us gals tucked ourselves into our cozy sweaters and went for a morning stroll that will never be forgotten!
Or Through Nature at its Finest
Another great place to go to and stroll is the Carmel River Lagoon and Wetlands Natural Preserve. This nature sanctuary sits where the Carmel River spills into the sea. Hikers can enjoy bird watching, scenic views and strolling amongst the many eucalyptus and cypress groves sprinkled through the preserve.
On Your Way Out of Carmel by the Sea, Grab Coffee + Spot Seals in Monterey
They say that all good things must come to an end and that was true of our fabulous California adventure. We booked our flights home out of San Francisco but couldn’t resist squeezing in one last hurrah on our early morning drive to the airport. After leaving Carmel, we pulled over in Monterey (just half an hour away) for breakfast on the water with a view. We grabbed chocolate croissants and coffees at Water and Leaves, a coffee shop that sits right on Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf.
What really topped off the end of our visit was being able to spot the swimming seals from the boardwalk. Annie could not get over the loud barking sounds the silly seals would make! The experience made for a magical morning and wonderful end to our trip.
Rounding up a few more favorite spots, things to do and see in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea below!
The Best Things to Do in Carmel by the Sea
Restaurants to Try in Carmel by the Sea
Village Corner -A Carmel dining hotspot for decades offering signature seafood dishes
Stationæry – Intimate restaurant serving farm to table dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
La Balena – Sweet and savory fresh Italian cuisine
Forge in the Forest – Voted best outdoor patio in Carmel
Dametra Cafe – Mediterranean-style dishes with an extensive wine list and cozy atmosphere
Vesuvio – Italian dishes with a fabulous rooftop patio
Shops to Visit in Carmel by the Sea
Jane Austen at Home
Artemis Leather
Nazar Turkish Imports
The Cheese Shop
Activities to Do in Carmel by the Sea
Self-Guided Carmel Courtyards Tour
Thank you so much for following along. I hope our stay in Carmel by the Sea inspired you to get out and explore this beautiful coastal city too. Thank you so much to Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea for hosting us during our stay. It was such a lovely adventure and one we will always remember.
