Guidebook for Carmel-by-the-Sea
Drinks & Nightlife
I love the upstairs, outdoor patio! Be sure to sit next to one of the fireplaces if it is chilly. They offer food as well.
68 locals recommend
Vesuvio Restaurant
Junipero StreetI love the upstairs, outdoor patio! Be sure to sit next to one of the fireplaces if it is chilly. They offer food as well.
Food Scene
My favorite coffee place! Good, locally made pastries, coffees and chai, pleasant outdoor seating (plus indoor). In The Crossroads shopping area, right next to a lovely bookstore!
24 locals recommend
Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting
246 Crossroads BlvdMy favorite coffee place! Good, locally made pastries, coffees and chai, pleasant outdoor seating (plus indoor). In The Crossroads shopping area, right next to a lovely bookstore!
Little Napoli
Dolores StreetMy favorite Italian Restaurant in Carmel, end of story.
I just love this restaurant! It is cozy, and the food is great. Even my children love the escargot!
59 locals recommend
La Bicyclette Restaurant
7th AvenueI just love this restaurant! It is cozy, and the food is great. Even my children love the escargot!
Breakfast!!! Pancakes, blintzes, french toast, eggs benedict.
Lunch!! Great split pea soup, sandwiches and other entrees.
CASH ONLY!!!!!
16 locals recommend
The Little Swiss Café
Dolores StreetBreakfast!!! Pancakes, blintzes, french toast, eggs benedict.
Lunch!! Great split pea soup, sandwiches and other entrees.
CASH ONLY!!!!!
Super good food. Must try their cheese bread -- it is addictive! I usually just get soup and the cheese bread for lunch, but I literally have never had anything there which wasn't great.
Sur Restaurant
3601 The BarnyardSuper good food. Must try their cheese bread -- it is addictive! I usually just get soup and the cheese bread for lunch, but I literally have never had anything there which wasn't great.
LARGE portions, so don't be afraid to share if you are not a big eater! Very good food. One of our favorite brunch spots.
30 locals recommend
From Scratch Restaurant
3626 The BarnyardLARGE portions, so don't be afraid to share if you are not a big eater! Very good food. One of our favorite brunch spots.
"Lamb and eggs" breakfast is all you need to know! (Everything else is excellent, too!). It's a bit of a drive out Carmel Valley Road, but worth it.
31 locals recommend
Jeffrey's Grill & Catering
112 Mid Vly Ctr"Lamb and eggs" breakfast is all you need to know! (Everything else is excellent, too!). It's a bit of a drive out Carmel Valley Road, but worth it.
Very French! Excellent, house-made pastries and bread. I love the mini-baguette sandwiches!!! Also the almond croissants, the chocolate croissants, the... I could go on and on.....
24 locals recommend
Lafayette Bakery & Cafe
3659 The BarnyardVery French! Excellent, house-made pastries and bread. I love the mini-baguette sandwiches!!! Also the almond croissants, the chocolate croissants, the... I could go on and on.....
Arts & Culture
The MOST fun way to see a live theater production! This outdoor theater is absolutely magical. If you plan to go, ask me to loan you some blankets because it usually gets cold at night. You can bring wine and a picnic dinner. They also sell wine and concessions. If you time it right, you might even catch me on stage!
11 locals recommend
Forest Theater, Carmel
The MOST fun way to see a live theater production! This outdoor theater is absolutely magical. If you plan to go, ask me to loan you some blankets because it usually gets cold at night. You can bring wine and a picnic dinner. They also sell wine and concessions. If you time it right, you might even catch me on stage!
Very good live theater! You can ask me about whatever show is playing there... I know things......
Golden Bough Playhouse
Very good live theater! You can ask me about whatever show is playing there... I know things......
Shopping
A very fun variety of shops, art galleries and wine tasting to check out!
15 locals recommend
Ocean Avenue
Ocean AvenueA very fun variety of shops, art galleries and wine tasting to check out!
This store carries all sorts of interesting, lovely and practical items eco-friendly products. Great for gifts for yourself or friends.
Eco Carmel
San Carlos StreetThis store carries all sorts of interesting, lovely and practical items eco-friendly products. Great for gifts for yourself or friends.
I have loved this store for years -- even before I moved to Carmel it was one of my favorites! Just a bunch of cool stuff for the home!
Carmel Bay Company
I have loved this store for years -- even before I moved to Carmel it was one of my favorites! Just a bunch of cool stuff for the home!
This is one of those antique co-op malls. I always go here first when I need some sort of vintage thing. Not cheap, but LOTS of options! And occasionally they have a good deal. (secret tip: ask for a better price on something you like. Sometimes they can accommodate)
Cannery Row Antique Mall
471 Wave StThis is one of those antique co-op malls. I always go here first when I need some sort of vintage thing. Not cheap, but LOTS of options! And occasionally they have a good deal. (secret tip: ask for a better price on something you like. Sometimes they can accommodate)
Parks & Nature
SOOOO beautiful! Excellent walk/hike through forests and along the ocean. One of my absolute favorite spots on the Peninsula. Sometimes you can even see whales out in the ocean! Oh, and there is an old whaler's shack that is fun to visit.
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1SOOOO beautiful! Excellent walk/hike through forests and along the ocean. One of my absolute favorite spots on the Peninsula. Sometimes you can even see whales out in the ocean! Oh, and there is an old whaler's shack that is fun to visit.
Great place to hike. Beautiful, good exercise, dog and horse friendly. There is even a waterfall in high-rain years!
133 locals recommend
Garland Ranch Regional Park
700 W Carmel Valley RdGreat place to hike. Beautiful, good exercise, dog and horse friendly. There is even a waterfall in high-rain years!
Very beautiful. You can even see Pebble Beach Golf Course! Our beaches have been very interesting lately due to the weather. They seem to change weekly!
142 locals recommend
Carmel City Beach
Very beautiful. You can even see Pebble Beach Golf Course! Our beaches have been very interesting lately due to the weather. They seem to change weekly!
Essentials
Safeway
815 Canyon Del Rey BlvdThis is where I shop. It's, you know, Safeway.
Entertainment & Activities
The. Best. Aquarium. Plus, I love having lunch there! The food is surprisingly good, and you can sit by the window and have an incredible view!
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowThe. Best. Aquarium. Plus, I love having lunch there! The food is surprisingly good, and you can sit by the window and have an incredible view!