Location: Carmel
Top Things to do in Carmel
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Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Carmel, California (CA)
The first thing you need to know about Carmel: Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor, so don’t come here if you’re a hooligan. But if you’re after a romantic getaway to a seaside, art-filled village, Carmel might be perfect for you. You can even bring your dog—Carmel’s hotels, restaurants and galleries are remarkably Fido-friendly.
Restaurants in Carmel
1. San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 508 reviews
Established in 1771, this Spanish mission is one of the most beautiful in the state and worth a visit for its serene aura. The mission includes a working church, gardens and interior exhibits.
Reviewed By tinahN3641RS
I thought the grounds were gorgeous and the history very interesting, especially if you aren't stopping at other missions along the coast. The self-guided tour doesn't take long and is worth the stop.
2. Tor House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
The historic home of the poet Robinson Jeffers is open to the public for group tours Fridays and Saturdays. First Tour at 10AM, last tour at 3PM. Tours last about 1 hr 20 minutes. Docents describe the life and times of Robinson and Una Jeffers, his poetry, philosophy, and accomplishments of building his home of sea-tossed granite. Wear walking shoes to cope with uneven ground and steep stairs. No photography during tours. Special events annually are the Spring Garden Party held the first Sunday in May when photography is permitted in Tor House and Hawk Tower. Jeffers Fall Festival is held the first weekend of October and includes discussions and presentations on Jeffers' poetry and his life in Carmel. Both are paid events. Check the Tor House web site for details near the time of event.
Reviewed By Z8070LNjeanf
A most enjoyable tour of the Poet's home Robinson Jeffers. Our tour guide was very engaging and interesting, and read a poem to enhance the experience.
3. Ocean Avenue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Reviewed By mnmcsls - Sydney, Australia
My wife and I are the big fans of succulent plant, and we found Carmel-by-the-sea has one of the most beautiful displays of succulent plant in the US (probably the world?). We have travelled the world and to our surprise this little town is probably one of the most charming we have visited. The charming area stretches from 5th Ave to 7th Ave from north to south, and Monte Verde St to Junipero St from west to east. If you happen to have limited time and have to choose between Carmel, Monterey or Santa Cruz, I reckon Carmel is your best choice (definitely lose Santa Cruz due to lack of character in comparison). We glad we have made the right choice!
4. Carmel Mission
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 614 reviews
Reviewed By C4366ZRjohnc - Newhall, United States
Great mission to visit. This is probably the most beautiful of the California missions.The history and beauty of Carmel mission ranks it as the best of them all.Well worth the time spent.All of the California missions are worth a visit.They are located in beautiful locals.
5. The Pilgrim's Way Community Bookstore and Secret Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Carmel-by-the-Sea’s destination for a carefully chosen collection of books, garden decor, and locally-sourced treasures for the whole family. We will be celebrating our 50th year in business starting January 2019!
Reviewed By meadef - Soquel, United States
No matter your taste in books, you'll find something here that will get your attention, from spirituality to yoga, to meditation, to environmentalism and beyond.
6. Fairy Tale Cottages of Hugh Comstock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By roberteC4757UG
We took a self guided walking tour of 7 Fairy Tale cottages and this was one of the best. It's a bit of a climb up the hilly streets but well worth it. The great thing about this house is that it can be seen very well. A few of the others were obscured by vegetation and in one case construction fencing. Still a great way to spend an hour on a beautiful day in a magical place.
7. Carmelite Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Scrapps4DWD - Orange County, United States
This place is absolutely beautiful...wonderful inside and out...scenic and calming. Carmel is my favorite place and this is a beautiful spot to simply walk the grounds and view the ocean. Also, the inside of the church is so peaceful.
8. Carmel Beach Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By Americanflygirl - Temple Terrace, United States
This is a beautiful beach for family and friends. Tidepools on occasion and perfect for romantic walks. Sunsets are breathtaking.
9. Point Sur Light Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Outspokentraveler - Philadelphia, United States
Point Sur lighthouse has been closed for decades, but unknown to me despite my many visits to Big Sur, the lighthouse was open for occasional visitors. I mean occasional. Open a few days a week, and very limited hours, getting inside the cow fence to the long road and the steep, peculiar rock formation, was truly going back in time. Occasional in also the docent, who drives the long winding dirt road from the base of the rock to highway 1 and the cow gate, stops and slowly counts the cars and people — more than 7-10 and that is that. Luckily, there were only 7 of us; he waved his arms as we drove through the gate and made us follow him to the tiny parking lot with it’s johnny-on-the-spot, looking like last stop for a last stop. The docent, in his yellow rain slicker and official designation on a string hanging around his neck. He was a bit stern at first, especially about not going near the road’s edge to the sea because of erosion. The other two, clearly less senior docents, made it a slow walk up the long hill, pointing out nearly a dozen different forms of flower or vegetation and why it was unique or special the area. The 1,000 foot climb was slow. You have to actually Big Sur to drove towards Carmel, through the grassy flat cow pastures that ended at the sea. Black Angus dotted the landscape of vibrant green. And unlike the pure, overwhelming natural force of Big Sur, the lighthouse rock was a talk, lonely, isolated place…and if haunted, it was so by history; the several small buildings housed exhibits to its history. The actual lighthouse is down a little on the ocean side. But the story behind the light’s intense lens and its making, psychics and use were worth me going to Wikipedia for: The Point Sur Lightstation originally contained a first-order (the largest) Fresnel lens. The lens was in use until the 1970s when it was replaced by a modern aero beacon mounted on the roof of the fog signal room. The lens remained in the lighthouse tower until 1978, when it was disassembled and transported to the Allen Knight Maritime Museum of Monterey for display. The aero beacon was later moved into the lighthouse tower. The Fresnel lens was invented by Augustin Jean Fresnel, a French physicist. Fresnel's invention revolutionized lighthouses world-wide. Within a short time his lenses were accepted as the best available. Many are still in use today. The first-order lens apparatus that was once a part of Point Sur is 18 feet tall, with the optical portion being almost eight feet tall and over six feet in diameter. The optic alone weighs 4,330 pounds. It consists of 16 panels of prisms, each with a "bullseye" in the center surrounded by concentric rings of prismatic glass. Each ring projects a short distance beyond the previous one. Additional reflecting prisms are located above and below the center. As the cylinder of prisms turns, each panel "collects" and "bends" light into a single focused beam. Light from Point Sur's Fresnel lens was visible for 23 nautical miles. Thank you, Wikipedia. The final comment goes to the main house, where the families who lived on the rock spent their daily lives. The entire house was a well-crafted homage to the 1940-1950’s…so many every day collectibles. Every room a still image. Despite the howling winds outside, you expected to turn a corner and bump into the family member running off to the kitchen for dinner.
