Carmel by the Sea
Monterey Sightseeing Attraction
This quaint seaside village just to the north of Monterey is the perfect place to get a taste of the Northern California coast's quaint seaside culture. With much the same appeal as a resort town, Carmel-by-the-Sea - also known by the locals as just "Carmel" - will surely charm you with its cute shops, local art galleries, posh eateries and upscale clientele. Be sure to remember, however, that this peaceful village does not share its name with the popular sugary treat; pronounce its name "Car-MEL" to sound like a local!
This tiny oceanfront getaway is, in fact, tiny. The entire town is only 1.1 square miles, nevertheless it packs a scenic punch! The entire town seems as if it is a city in a seaside forest, as the residents here have greatly struggled to maintain its small town charm and natural features. Carmel-by-the-Sea is, as its name would indicate, directly next to the famously tumultuous Pacific coastline of Northern California. As such, the easy-going personality of most California beachside towns is definitely noticeable here. Although the residents here are no doubt very sophisticated, they tend to lack the stuffy, elitist attitude that sometimes plagues affluent communities and people here are instead welcoming, friendly, and open to the visitors that are so vital to their town's economy. Everyone seems to be enjoying life here in one way or another: whether by taking a stroll on Carmel's craggy seaside cliffs, lunching with friends in an Ocean Avenue cafe, or playing with their kids in the front lawn, residents here truly know how to have joie de vivre.
Carmel by the sea has a very unique collection of natural features. Due to its placement on the beautiful and majestic coastline of Northern California, just blocks from the main street of town lies some of the most incredible vistas you can get of the Pacific Ocean, especially at sunset! Dotted with many rocks near the coast line, this section of the state's beaches are known as some of the most unique - this is most definitely not what you see on Baywatch! As the water crashes around the tumultuous coast, those with keen eyes can spot many examples of Carmel's wonderful animal life like seagulls and pelicans. But Carmel-by-the-Sea is definitely not your typical beach town. It also has the appearance of many small towns on the East Coast, the foliage here year-round gives off the appearance that this quaint town is also hidden within a forest. The Monterey coast is famous for its collection of pine and cypress trees, and Carmel is certainly no exception.
Taking a simple walk through residential Carmel can also be incredibly rewarding. Not only do you get to take in the foliage mentioned above, but the affluent status of most Carmel residents is clearly demonstrated in the houses you can find here. Many of them are crafted to greatly resemble fairytale cottages, complete with sloping, thatched roofs and wooden fences outside. Many describe them as "Hansel and Gretel" or "Snow White" houses, so they will surely be a favorite of the children! Many of the gardens planted outside these houses are just as spectacular, often containing flowers available for year-round enjoyment. Residents take great pride in maintaining their homes, so it is very hard to find one that is not an aesthetic beauty in this quaint city!
But if your interests are more commercial, Carmel-by-the-Sea's main street, Ocean Avenue, has much to offer by way of cafes, restaurants, art galleries, spas and many, many adorable boutiques. Ocean Avenue is truly where the resort town feeling of Carmel comes out, as the personality of the various stores and their merchants is often very upscale. Delight in the multiple fine jewelry stores, custom linen shops, and apparel boutiques as a window into the incredible lives of Carmel's residents. The restaurants available to will surely keep you satisfied, as well. European cuisine dominates, with two fabulous Italian and French restaurants to satisfy all sophisticated palettes.
